Overseas Boys

There is a wide range of different nationalities, cultures and religions represented at Tonbridge. We do not have an international house but prefer to place our overseas' students in all the boarding houses to ensure they are fully integrated and that all boys, both English and those from abroad, are exposed to a range of different cultures. At weekends the catering is central which gives boys from different houses the chance to get to know each other better and provides a real international feel to the school.

Trips are offered for overseas' boys at the first Exeat weekend of each year and a coach laid on to and from Heathrow Airport at the start and end of each term and half-term. There is also an Overseas' Students' Committee run by the boys themselves where they can bring up issues of concern and make suggestions for improvements.

Yang Qiaochu, our first exchange student from Nankai High School in China

Being away from home has given me independence and a different perspective on life. Every day is a unique experience: camping on a Duke of Edinburgh trip, teaching in a local primary school or just playing football with my friends after prep.

Jonathan Leung (PS, Hong Kong)

School Orientation

There is a full induction programme for all those new to the school: for boys in the Lower School this takes place within their House with the other boys in their year group while, for new entrants to the Lower Sixth it is carried out by the International Coordinator and the International Students' Liaison Officer in conjunction with the housemasters. This includes the appointment of a 'buddy' and an email from him prior to arrival, a tour and introduction to the school, counselling and ICT workshops, follow-up meetings within the individual houses and an end-of-term questionnaire. Thereafter boys are dealt with on an individual basis when there is a need for further help.

Religion and dietary requirements

The school is a Christian foundation but we are respectful of other religions. We currently have boys of Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faith.  We endeavour to assist all our students with any special dietary and religious requirements where possible, such as attendance at places of worship or the provision of halal meat or vegetarian meals.