AEGIS Guardian for
International Students
in the UK
Expert advisory support for parents
navigating British boarding schools
Educational Guidance in the UK - Clarity and Confidence for Parents when a Child is Studying Away from Home
My name is Maryna Jenkins. I am an AEGIS-accredited guardian and an educational consultant. First and foremost, I am also a mother who has experienced what it means when a child studies abroad. I understand how it feels when your child is far from home and how important it is to have a trusted professional who can provide clarity and guidance.
Through personal circumstances, I found myself in the UK and began supporting parents whose children were studying at British boarding schools. Today, I regularly visit schools across the UK and meet with house staff, teachers and school representatives. This allows me to provide parents with a clear and accurate understanding of what is happening at school and to help them make informed decisions.
I founded MARYNA JENKINS Limited and built a team of professionals so that parents are not left alone navigating a system they are unfamiliar with. We provide ongoing advisory support, helping parents understand what is happening at school and how best to respond in each situation.
It is important to me that parents understand how their child is settling into a new environment and feel confident in how their experience is developing. We help parents see the reality of school life clearly and understand how to support their child at each stage of their education.
Our role is to ensure that parents feel informed, supported and confident while their child is studying in the UK.
Why a Guardian Is Essential
Official Home Office Requirement
UK boarding schools and universities cannot accept a student under the age of 18 without an appointed guardian. This is a formal requirement under UK immigration rules.
Clear communication between school and parents
We ensure that parents have a clear and accurate understanding of what is happening at school. We do not simply pass on information – we explain it, provide context and help parents interpret the situation and make informed decisions.
Guidance in complex situations
Whenever something out of the ordinary arises, parents receive clear guidance and explanation of what is happening. We help parents understand the school’s requirements, the possible implications and the available options.
Safety outside school and boarding
During holidays, travel or other situations outside school, we support parents in understanding what needs to be arranged and provide guidance so that appropriate arrangements are in place and clearly understood.
How we Help parents understand and navigate school life in the UK
We provide parents with ongoing advisory support so that they clearly understand what is happening at school, how their child is settling in and what decisions may need to be made at different stages of the school year.
- We remain in contact with parents, including evenings, weekends and holidays where needed, to explain situations and provide guidance on appropriate next steps.*
- We explain how the academic system works, how boarding rules operate and how British school culture functions, so that parents understand the environment their child is in.
- We help parents understand how the first weeks of settling in are progressing and what matters may require particular attention.
- We provide guidance on routine practical matters and the decisions that may arise during a student’s daily life in the UK.*
- We attend parents’ meetings and provide parents with a clear follow-up summary, explanation and recommendations.
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We advise on travel to the UK, including entry requirements, journey planning and the overall process.
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We review school reports, explain their meaning and advise parents on the implications.*
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We help parents understand how communication with the school develops and what it means in practice.
- We visit schools and liaise with school staff so that parents receive a clear and accurate understanding of the situation.*
- Where appropriate, we recommend and involve relevant specialists, including doctors, psychologists and tutors, explaining their role and why their input may be helpful.
* depending on the guardianship package
How We Work
Free meeting & consultation
We begin with a personal conversation with the parents. We explain how boarding school life and studies are organised, answer any questions, and help you understand what kind of support your child needs. This is free and comes with no obligations — simply an open and honest introduction.
WhatsApp support
Parents can contact us via WhatsApp at any time to receive clarification or guidance. This forms part of our ongoing advisory support.
Expertise in British education
Our support is provided by a team with an in-depth understanding of the UK education system. We provide parents with clear insight into key milestones, explain what to expect and offer guidance on how to prepare effectively. Parents remain informed throughout and receive ongoing advisory support to help them understand communication from the school and interpret it correctly.
Interested in your success
When families feel reassured, it becomes clear immediately. These are the parents who return and recommend us to others, and for us this is the clearest measure of quality. We work in a way that ensures parents feel informed and confident throughout the educational journey, and clearly understand how the situation is developing. This creates a more stable and predictable environment for the student.
Individual approach
No two families are the same, so we do not work to a template. We tailor our advisory support to each family’s circumstances, including their child’s character, level of independence and their plans. When a non-standard situation arises, we help parents understand it clearly and choose the most appropriate course of action based on their individual circumstances.
Experience Proven by Time and Hundreds of Students
Stories of Growth Adaptation Self Discovery
Sometimes behind photographs in school uniforms and beautiful campus views there are not only joy and inspiration, but also doubts, challenges and turning points. Here we share not stories of “success for the sake of success,” not for appearances and not simply “to be like everyone else,” but real stories of students and their families who have taken a step towards British education — and whom we are proud of.
These are genuine and authentic stories of adaptation, self-discovery, overcoming cultural differences and small victories that, over time, turn into significant personal growth. We believe that these honest stories help to better understand what the journey towards studying and living in a British boarding school truly looks like, so that you can recognise yourself in them and believe: you can do it too.
We Work With the Best
These are just some of the partners we work with: tutors, transport companies, consultants and top UK schools. Together we create a safe, calm and supportive environment for students.
Partners
Schools
Parents Ask — We Answer
We have gathered the most common questions parents ask so that we can provide clear and practical answers.
Why does a student need a guardian in the United Kingdom?
If your child is under 18 and studying at an independent school or on a Foundation programme under a Student visa, an officially appointed educational guardian is a requirement of the Home Office and UKVI.
Schools require a contact person in the UK who can represent the student’s interests and respond quickly in an emergency. Our role is to help parents understand what is happening, explain the school’s position and support them in making informed decisions.
We know people in Britain. Can we appoint a relative or friend as a guardian?
Yes, if this person:
- is over 25 years old,
- is a UK citizen or has pre-settlement status,
- permanently resides in the UK.
But be honest: is your acquaintance ready to fly to your child in hospital within two hours after a call on weekends or holidays?
Will they attend school meetings, help with adaptation, and explain the difference between IB and A-Level?
A guardian is not just “a person on call” — it is a responsible representative of your child’s interests in a new country.
Why do we need a paid guardian if we can manage everything ourselves?
Education in the UK is an investment, not simply a service.
A lack of understanding of how a child is settling in, unfamiliarity with the academic system, misinterpretation of school communication or an incorrect response in a complex situation can lead to serious consequences, both emotional and financial.
We help parents anticipate potential challenges, understand the wider context and make informed, well-judged decisions.
You are not simply appointing a person in the UK – you are gaining access to experience, a deep understanding of the British education system and ongoing advisory support.
What is the AEGIS Gold Standard Accreditation?
It is the highest level of guardian accreditation in the UK.
Maryna Jenkins Ltd meets all requirements:
- DBS checks for all staff interacting with children, including transfer drivers and host families (no criminal record).
- Mandatory safeguarding certification (Designated Safeguarding Lead Training).
- Liability insurance up to £6,000,000 (Hiscox UK).
- Registration with the ICO for personal data protection.
Parents rely on us for professional guidance and expertise in navigating their child’s education in the UK, and we operate to the highest professional standards
We don’t speak English. How will we manage school meetings and academic monitoring?
The Maryna Jenkins Ltd has a team with strong experience in working with British schools. We communicate with schools, attend parents’ meetings, review school reports and explain them to parents, helping them understand the situation and make informed decisions.
What service packages do you offer?
We offer several guardian packages that cover all needs and budgets:
- Basic — for independent senior students.
- Academic — focused on academic support.
- All-Inclusive — perfect for newcomers, especially those arriving in UK boarding schools for the first time.
- Foundation — for students on Foundation programmes in boarding schools or first university years.
More details — here.
How much do your services cost?
Fees start from £1,500 per year, depending on the package selected.
A £1,000 deposit is also required and is used only where additional costs arise, for example in exceptional circumstances or where unforeseen expenses need to be covered.
If no such situations arise, the deposit is returned.
How does working with you look?
Before cooperation starts, we meet for a free consultation, where:
- we explain how everything works,
- show the difference between packages,
- discuss your situation and school,
- answer all your questions honestly.
You decide whether to work with us or not.
What languages do you speak? How do you communicate with parents and students?
Our team speaks:
- English
- Russian
- Ukrainian
- Polish
- Chinese
We communicate with parents and students in their native language via WhatsApp and email.
If you still have questions about guardianship, education, or schools in the UK — message us, we’ll be happy to help.