A United Kingdom Department for Business and Trade Export Champion, Mark Brooks, has highlighted the critical role of education exhibitions in providing families with a clearer and more informed perspective on British boarding schools.

According to him, such platforms create valuable opportunities for parents and prospective students to engage directly with school representatives, ask relevant questions, and gain first-hand insights into the academic structures, pastoral care systems and extracurricular offerings that define the British boarding school experience.

He made the remarks ahead of next month’s engagement with Nigerian families, as top British boarding schools prepare to participate in the UK Boarding Schools Week 2026 exhibitions scheduled to take place in Abuja and Lagos.

The events are organised by Mark Brooks Education, led Brooks, with over 17 years’ experience advising Nigerian families.

Brooks in a statement said the programme allows parents and students to interact directly with school leaders and better understand academic pathways available within the British boarding school system.

“This programme enables parents and students to meet school heads, explore academic pathways and gain first-hand insight into British boarding education.

“Families attending will be able to speak directly with schools offering outstanding academic results, strong pastoral care and vibrant co-curricular programmes, all within welcoming international communities,” the statement reads.

The Abuja exhibition will hold at the Transcorp Hilton on March 4, while the Lagos event is scheduled for March 7 at The George Hotel, Ikoyi.

According to him, the exhibitions are part of a wider programme featuring school visits, student presentations, leadership workshops and parent engagement sessions in both cities, adding that some schools will also hold pre-arranged meetings and a smaller follow-up exhibition on the afternoon’s of March 8.

Participating schools include Bromsgrove School, Canford School, Cardiff Sixth Form College, Dean Close School, Downside School and Lancing College.

Other schools are Milton Abbey School, Stamford School and Wellington School.

Alex Battison, Head of Wellington School, said Nigerian families have long been part of the school’s international community.
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A Michael Punt, Head of Bromsgrove School, said West Afrilcan students were drawn by the range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Ms Henrietta Lightwood, Global Director at Cardiff Sixth Form College, saidNigerian families place strong emphasis on academic performance and access to top universities.