Our winter 2008 e-newsletter, in partnership with Living Abroad, brings you the latest views, news, and expert opinion from the world of international relocation and education at ACS International Schools, including:

Which English are you speaking? 

Anne Dean, Director of Editorial Services at Living Abroad, takes a light-hearted look at the pitfalls of English in the UK from an international perspective.

In 1930, a Conservative member of the British Parliament called for a quota to be put on the number of films coming from the United States into Britain saying, "The words and accents are perfectly disgusting, and there can be no doubt that such films are an evil influence on our language!"

It is estimated that English is currently the first language for roughly 400 million people around the world, and the second language for about 400 million More...

A Letter from ACS's man in America

By Andrew Kittell, ACS Director of Corporate Relations

ACS International Schools US and UK-based leaders shared their expertise this fall during September's Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC) Conference in Vancouver and Worldwide ERC's Global Workforce Symposium in Washington, DC. Topics explored in Canada by former Toronto resident and now ACS Hillingdon Dean of Admissions Rudianne Soltis included relocating to the UK on short notice with school-age children and where to educate children who have special educational needs More...

New Dean of Admissions at ACS Cobham

ACS Cobham is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Dean of Admissions, Heidi Ayoub. Heidi takes over from Elizabeth Allis, who retired recently, and is already enjoying leading the busy Admissions department at the school More...

Relocating to the UK with young learners 

This academic year has seen the introduction of new statutory legislation requiring all registered childcare providers in both the state and private sector to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS). But what does this mean for international families relocating to the UK with children under five More...

ACS Hillingdon celebrates 30 years of excellence 

Over 100 staff (past and present) and student Alumni came together to celebrate Hillingdon's 30th birthday this Autumn. Athletics Director John Surguy - who has been at the school for 29 of those 30 years - has seen the campus grow from a tiny acorn to the 600-strong school it is today, and reflected on some of the changes... 'Back then Security consisted of an old lady called Amy at the weekends who had 5 very small, snapping dogs. A great deterrent!' More...

Introducing the new UK points-based system
(PBS) Tier 2 

By Andrea Elliott, BA, LLB, Senior Counsel (Foreign), Pro-link GLOBAL Group Limited, Andrea.Elliott@pro-linkglobal.com and Rhonda Zimmer, Communications Specialist, Pro-link GLOBAL Group Limited, Rhonda.Zimmer@pro-linkglobal.com

As of November 27, 2008, the UK Work Permit system has been replaced with the new UK Points-Based System (PBS) (Tier 2). As part of this new process, the PBS has the employer (sponsor) now issuing the Work Permits (Certificate of Sponsorships). This involves greater scrutiny by the Home Office UK and businesses will have an increased responsibility and accountability as sponsors.

Additionally, the second part of the process which is the Entry Clearance Visa process at the UK High Commission abroad, is now entirely points-based and approval is based on a complex list of criteria. Should you intend to employ people who are not nationals of the European Economic area (EEA), it is now imperative that your UK-based company apply to the Border & Immigration Agency for the Points-Based Sponsorship license More...

Back to top