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Non DoD School Program (NDSP)
Non DoD School Program (NDSP)
Schools & Education Overview
Schools & Education Overview
Moving to the UK with children requires careful planning. There is no Department of Defense Dependents School (DoDDS) in the Northwood area. Instead, your options include British public "state" schools, British private "independent" schools, international schools, or homeschooling.
Discuss this topic with your sponsor EARLY. Where you live directly dictates which public schools your children are eligible to attend, and popular schools often have waiting lists.
STOP: Do NOT Pay Out of Pocket Yet! You MUST obtain approval for tuition and other expenses from DoDEA HQ NDSP before incurring any expense or signing any agreements/contracts. The Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP) cannot reimburse you until you report to the OCONUS duty station.
Required Actions Before You Move (Click to Expand)
Required Actions Before You Move (Click to Expand)
Contact the SLO: The Northwood School Liaison Officer (SLO) is your NDSP liaison and will guide you through this process. Email: hqmarcom.northwoodslo@nato.int.
Register with NDSP: As soon as you have orders, use the NDSP Student Online Registration (SOR) system. You do not need to have a school chosen to register.
Get School Records: Obtain complete school records before leaving the US; most UK schools require them. Private/international schools may also want recommendation letters.
Review NDSP Orientation: Complete the mandatory online NDSP Orientation program.
The British School System
The British School System
Grade Levels: In the UK, U.S. grades K-12 are known as Year 1 through Year 13. Pre-school ages are known as Nursery and Reception. Schooling is compulsory at age 5, with children beginning Year 1 (Kindergarten equivalent) the September following their fifth birthday.
The School Year: The year runs from September to July and is divided into three 12-week terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer), with a one-week "half-term" holiday in the middle of each.
Pre-K / Reception NDSP Funding: The DoD has expanded eligibility for command-sponsored four-year-olds. NDSP funding is now available for approved Pre-K/Reception programs if a local free state school placement is not available. (Note: Home study, virtual schools, and basic daycares are not eligible).
School Options in the UK
School Options in the UK
Choosing the right school will have a profound effect on your family's experience in the UK. Work with your SLO and sponsor to determine which of these three paths is best for your child.
Option 1: British Public "State" Schools (Click to Expand)
Option 1: British Public "State" Schools (Click to Expand)
Overview: Best for full cultural immersion. All public schools follow a standardized National Curriculum. Education quality is generally high, sometimes more advanced than U.S. public schools.
Admissions & Housing: You apply through your local housing Council (e.g., Hillingdon, Harrow, Three Rivers), not the school directly. Councils require proof of address to apply.
Availability: The council places you based on availability; you may not get your requested school, and siblings are not guaranteed placement in the same school.
Ratings: Schools are rated by Ofsted reports. Use these to research schools, but always tour them in person.
Attendance: British Public Schools are incredibly strict about attendance. You cannot pull a child out for a random "holiday." Transportation is generally not provided.
Option 2: British Private "Independent" Schools (Click to Expand)
Option 2: British Private "Independent" Schools (Click to Expand)
Overview: Top-notch education and facilities. Academics are rigorous, and most require testing to baseline your student for admission.
Funding: NDSP allows you to select a private school as long as the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) funding cap supports the choice.
Transport: Varies by school. If provided by the school, the expense is reimbursable.
Option 3: Private International Schools (Click to Expand)
Option 3: Private International Schools (Click to Expand)
Overview: Offer American-style curricula designed to prepare students for U.S. colleges. NDSP allows age-eligible dependents to attend schools on the approved listing.
The Big Three: The American School in London (ASL), The American School in England (TASIS), and ACS Hillingdon.
Transport: Reimbursable bus transportation is available over a broad area. Safety Note: UK drivers are not required to stop behind a school bus. Teach your children to cross roads with extreme caution!
Adult Education & University
Adult Education & University
If you or your spouse are interested in continuing education, there are many opportunities to earn advanced distance-learning degrees from U.S. university programs through the local Education Service Centers:
RAF Croughton ESC: DSN 314-236-8620 / Comm 01280-708-620
RAF Lakenheath ESC: DSN 314-238-2109 / Comm 01638-54-4173
Time permitting, you can also enroll in UK university programs, including prestigious institutions like the London School of Business!
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