How to increase recruitment by ensuring your admissions procedures meet the needs of international pupils and agents

Name: Larry Field Job Title: Director Company: Overseas Personal Development Services (O.P.D.S.) 英 才 之 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

• Formed in 1996, O.P.D.S. specializes in the field of educational consultancy.

• We offer: Placement / Guardianship / Testing / Tours to China

Parents + Agents \ ↕↕ ∕ \ ∕ Beijing Office London Office Students + Schools

英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Background

  14 Years’ Experience China Market / Beijing Office  100+ schools in the UK • • • • British education is highly regarded by the Chinese market They may be seeking 'A' level / IB / GCSE / ISC courses We offer

Personal Placement

services taking into account entry requirements, cost and location. Key factor = suitability of the institution for the student.

英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Basic China Statistics

 Population = 1.4 Billion  GDP increased 400% since 2000  GDP per head grown at 14% since 2000  Exchange Rate: Was 16 Rmb v. £1, now 10.40

 Salary up 6% to 8% every year since 2004 except 2009 (3%)  Student numbers: 34% of 2010 overseas recruits in ISC schools are Chinese/Hong Kong  Numbers are likely to grow as more parents can afford.

英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Factors in School Selection

 League tables deemed critical by parents   Girls’ schools sometimes specified Price is not a key factor – don’t be too cheap!

  Limited knowledge of GCSE and IB Reasonable knowledge of A-Level  Past experience – exam results and percentages  University destination list 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Key Aspects of the Admissions Procedure

 Customer Service  Entrance Procedures  Visits & Taster days  Developing your relationship with agents 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Customer Service

 The key factor in your success.

 Swiftness of reply. Remember competition.

 Information available/assistance at busy periods and holidays.

 Contact names/numbers/useful e-mails.

 Updated information on your website 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Entrance Procedures

 Clarify your entrance requirements  Help us to understand the type of students you will consider  Avoids wasting time and effort 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

EFL Levels and Lessons

       Clarify entry levels for each course/key entry point Assistance with using your test IELTS component scores Aged 18+, now required to have IELTS Provision of EFL lessons in school Additional compulsory EFL in AS / A2 Fee ‘package’ to include EFL 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Entrance Procedures

 Testing  Selection  Offer  UKBA Rules & Regulations!

英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Entrance Procedures

Payments:

◦ Commission structure and percentage ◦ Possible incentives for additional numbers recruited ◦ Sign off by Registrar ◦ Bursar Issue – late payment can be detrimental ◦ Relation to sub agent 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Visits & Taster Days

 Maximize the opportunity of the visit for overseas families and agents  Good hospitality  Agents share their experiences!

英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

Developing relationships with your agents

 Agents visit your school to see/learn/update/keep you updated.  Key interface between families and schools  Office(s) overseas operating are on your behalf  They speak the local language  They help translate materials  Agents play a key role when selecting schools 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

What to include in your website & agent handbook

 Key facts & figures  Courses – do you offer pre-A level/pre-IB year?

 Results – with percentage tables  Fees (including deposits, EAL fees etc)  Entry requirements for each intake year  Pie chart of boarding numbers and nationality 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869

What to include in your website & agent handbook

 Map of UK showing your location and proximity to airports  Information about your location – nearest town and attractions  Details of EFL lessons, with costs  Flowchart of steps in your recruitment process  Timescale by which your commitment will be made  Key dates in School Calendar, especially P/T evenings  Key contacts 英 才 辈 出 之 晟，国 人 留 洋 之 桥 www.opds.co.uk/www.opds.cn 020 8660 8869