When we’re looking to get into shape, we hire a personal trainer to help us reach our fitness goals. When we're after a home transformation, we work with an interior designer to create a space that reflects our style. When we’re preparing for our big day, we turn to a wedding planner to bring our vision to life. And when we’re navigating the world of education, it’s the same story – we call in the experts...
What is an education consultant?
An education consultant is a specialist who works with families to support students in achieving their full academic potential. They provide tailored, independent advice on areas such as school admissions, university applications, interview preparation, and entrance exams. Typically drawing on extensive experience in senior teaching roles, education consultants offer impartial guidance and personalised recommendations tailored to each student’s unique strengths, needs, and long-term goals.
What does an education consultant do?
Education consultants provide expert advice and guide families through a range of educational pathways, all aimed at helping each student excel academically and personally. They explore a broad range of options while remaining impartial and free from any school-related biases, helping families make informed decisions and identify the right path for each student. Ultimately, an education consultant is there to instill confidence in parents and empower students to succeed.
Do I need an education consultant?
Parents and families often turn to an education consultant when making important educational decisions – such as transitioning from primary to secondary school – or navigating a new or unfamiliar education system. In other words, education consultants help ensure students have a smooth start to the academic year and beyond. Sometimes families have specific schooling goals and seek specialist support, while other times they face complex challenges and need clear, confident guidance independent of the student’s current school.
What is the process of working with an education consultant?
The process is personalised for each family – there is no one-size-fits-all solution. First, the consultant meets with the child and family, asking a series of questions to shape their recommendations. These may include factors such as the child’s age, abilities, personality, family values, long-term goals, and more. These discussions, combined with professional educational assessments, help the consultant identify the best-fit educational environment and recommend a tailored pathway for the child.
Once a shortlist of options has been agreed, the consultant acts as a sounding board – supporting the family through each stage of the application or enrolment process. This includes, but is not limited to:
Admissions advice
Interview preparation
Course and subject recommendations
Identifying special educational needs
For older students, they may also assist with providing feedback on personal statements or portfolios. Their experience and professional relationships with schools or universities help maximise the child’s chances of acceptance.
What should I consider when choosing a school for my child?
There are many important factors to consider when selecting the right school for your child. While academic performance matters, it doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s essential to look beyond exam results and consider other key aspects – such as the quality of pastoral care, the range of extracurricular activities, and the overall ethos and values.
The needs of the whole family should also be considered. Will siblings attend the same school? Is it close to home? Practicalities such as logistics, commute times, and family routine all play a role. It’s also worth remembering that a school deemed ‘good’ isn’t necessarily the right fit. Your child’s individual needs – whether that’s learning differences, particular strengths, or personality – should remain at the heart of the decision. The best school is where they’ll thrive both academically and personally.
Who are the consultants?
Many education consultants are former schoolteachers, headmasters or headmistresses, and some come from backgrounds as professors, educationalists, or alumni of top-tier universities. Ensuring they work independently is essential – they should represent the best interests of the student, not a particular school or university. Quintessentially Education’s independent consultants each bring unique expertise, covering everything from London all-girls day schools and International Baccalaureate boarding schools to private nurseries in West London.
One of our consultants is a former headmistress of a prestigious London girls’ school and has also served as a governor at another in Ascot. At the former, she focused on helping each student reach their full potential, consistently achieving excellent academic results and successful placements at top London day and UK boarding schools.
Another consultant, a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduate from the University of Oxford, created a YouTube channel whilst studying, dedicated to guiding fellow students through the challenges of university life and admissions. The channel has since attracted over 1.5 million views and received official recognition from Oxford.
Seeking specialist support to supercharge your child’s studies? Quintessentially Education is here to help.
