Providing expert and personalised advice to international families looking to educate their children in the UK independent school system.
Our aim is to provide an unrivalled service in helping you choose the best fit school for your children so that they have a smooth and happy transition to their chosen UK school and as a result a successful educational journey thereafter in the UK.
We do this by ensuring that the right school fit is chosen for each child – this is done based upon our knowledge of the UK independent school system and combined experience within the industry of more than 50 years. Optima have an unrivalled knowledge of the UK education system.
Through thorough academic research, testing and in depth knowledge of the pastoral support required, Optima work with the top schools in the UK to ensure we find the very best solution for your child and that they are happy and settled in their new school from day one.
What we do
An initial meeting with the family to discuss needs, wants and values important to them.
A standardised international test and APT (Aptitude test) to establish where in the UK system your child will fit. Professional partners may be introduced to support these processes should they be required.
Optima will produce a shortlist of between 3-6 schools per child. They will walk the family through the reasoning for each child.
Optima then encourage a face to face visit to the schools. We will hand hold each family through the process of prioritising and subsequently choosing the right school. Asking the right questions of the schools is critical to ensure best fit for each child.
Optima will help with all of the administration and timetabling of entrance exams and scholarships where required.
Once offers have been made Optima will work with you to choose the right school for your child.
Optima will then introduce you to our recommended guardians and host family support organisations.
Once settled at school – Optima also offers Academic guardianship support to ensure the smooth running of your child’s education and academic journey in the UK. Please enquire as to how this will work for your child.
About us
Optima was born out of a recognised need from international families for bespoke, accurate and trusted information regarding the UK and international schooling system as well as wanting to help families choose the very best school fit for their child. We are not paid by schools to place children with them, therefore ensuring totally impartial advice to support families in making the best choice for their child and the family.
Tracy Hoar - Director
Tracy has worked within the UK and international independent sector for 10 years. She helped set up the commercial side of a digital community platform for independent school parents in the UK as well as supporting in the set up of a global independent schools guide. Most recently she has been helping and advising parents looking at the UK independent school system. Tracy is a Director of Optima and the first port of call for any parents looking at the UK as an option for their children.
Tracy is married with two boys who went to Elstree Prep and on to Radley College, where one is a drama scholar. Tracy boarded from the age of eight as her parents lived abroad and as a result has a deep understanding of the needs of families and children – she is well versed in what successful boarding looks like. After her A Levels she went on to study at Bristol University.
Nigel Venning - Chairman
Nigel Venning supported the development of Optima out of a frustration for the lack of genuine and trusted advice available to many families. He has overseen the management and operational development of Optima and seeks to support the development of partnerships between families, Optima and schools – all aimed at getting the very best result for each child. He was educated at a boarding Prep and Haileybury College before going on to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
He was commissioned from Sandhurst into The Irish Guards – during his time in the Army he served in Germany, the UK (including training young recruits), and Belize. Since leaving the Army, Nigel has worked across the Asia Pacific region and briefly in Africa. He worked with the British Foreign Office initially before joining a large multinational group for many years and subsequently the BEK group of schools, which he now Chairs. He is married to Angela Park. They have two children, both of whom started their education at BEK before moving to UK Boarding schools.
Ruth Middle - Consultant
Ruth Middle is a graduate of Kings College, London. Having had a career in banking in the City, she left for the countryside of Dorset to start a family. Her three children were educated in the UK private system at Sherborne Girls and Eton College, going on to graduate from Durham and Oxford Universities.
Ruth has subsequently worked for Tatler Schools, gaining unique access to some of England’s top schools and writing reports for their magazine. She is now enjoying being an academic and pastoral guardian to a Korean girl, currently enjoying her education at a leading UK girl’s boarding school.
