module/01
The Crystal Ball
Build a clear, flexible plan for your child, even when the future feels uncertain
Find the right-fit international school for your child, wherever you're moving.
A six-lesson programme for parents looking for international school places in the 2027-28 academic year, helping you understand the schools landscape in your chosen expat destination and make the right choice for your child.
5 out of 5 stars.“a knack for explaining complex concepts” 5 out of 5 stars.“extensive knowledge” 5 out of 5 stars.“highly sensitive to our children's individual needs”
240+
children's placements secured at right-fit schools
50+
schools in the United Kingdom, Middle East and globally
5*
rating on Google Reviews for educational advisory
[01]the premise
The best school isn't the most famous one. It's the one that fits your child.
Built for parents
Designed for the adults making the decision. No child homework, no extra tutoring, no busywork. Six lessons and forever access, so you can move at your own pace.
Market clarity
How the schools market really works in your destination: comparing curricula, regulation, evaluating results, entry processes timelines and culture fit.
Discretion default
No public testimonials, no leaderboards. You and your family, privately. Includes a 1:1 consultation with international schools expert Adam D'Souza.
[02]who it's for
Is this programme for you?
In my experience, the parents who are willing to commit to this programme, and get the most out of it, fall into one of three categories:
//01
The move is already decided. Your destination and timeline are set. What you need now is a shortlist you can act on, not another list of famous names or pay-to-play directory. You probably don't have a strong local network on the ground yet. As a conscientious parent, you are keen to have the educational landscape for your child mapped before you land.
//02
You want the market, not the brochure. You are curious about how the international schools market works. You are curious about the international schools market. You want to understand how school admissions really work – culture fit, curricula, assessment, regulation, entry processes – before you commit to a school for your child, and are able to invest time in learning in depth.
//03
You understand it's about your child, not you. You want to ensure your child's school understands how they learn, and can support them properly – you know this means setting ego aside and looking beyond league tables, Top 10 lists or well-marketed brand names.
[03]CURRICULUM
Six lessons. One successful outcome.
module/02
IQ and EQ
Understand your child’s strengths, weaknesses and what type of school would fit them best
module/03
60 Seconds' Worth of Distance Run
Match the school curriculum and extra-curriculars to your child’s character, interests and goals
module/04
The Road Not Taken
Ensuring the right support for neurodivergent and spiky profile learners
module/05
Cold Comfort Farm
Cut through the noise and build a smart, aspirational, yet realistic schools longlist
module/06
Ideas Into Action
Turn your plan, with confidence, into concrete timelines and applications
[04]placements
Understand the schools landscape in your new city before you land.
Four markets, covered in depth: London day and international schools, British boarding, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
LDN
London
London day and international schools: which boroughs feed which schools, when the rounds open, and how a London base changes your shortlist.
- St Paul's School and St Paul's Girls'
- Westminster School
- Alleyn's
- Dulwich College
- King's College School, Wimbledon
- Godolphin and Latymer
- Whitgift School
- North London Collegiate School
DAY SCHOOLS · COMMUTE · SELECTIVE 11+ ENTRY ROUNDS
UK
British boarding
British prep and senior boarding schools: the 11+, 13+ and 16 routes, boarding houses, and how to tell a good fit from a famous name.
- Tonbridge School
- Wellington College
- St Edward's, Oxford
- Charterhouse
- Cheltenham Ladies' College
- Marlborough College
- King's School, Canterbury
- Eton College
13+ PRE-TESTING · A LEVELS VS IB · BOARDING LIFE
DXB
Dubai
Dubai's British-curriculum and international schools: curricula, KHDA ratings, fee bands, waitlists and mid-year moves.
- Repton Dubai
- Swiss International Scientific School
- Dubai College
- Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai
- St Paul's Girls' School Dubai (coming)
- GEMS School of Research and Innovation
- Horizon English School
- Queen Elizabeth's School Dubai
KHDA ratings · waitlists · mid-year moves
AUH
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's international schools: ADEK ratings, British and American curricula, and where the waitlists actually bite.
- Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi
- British School Al Khubairat
- Nord Anglia School
- Gordonstoun Abu Dhabi (coming)
- Harrow Abu Dhabi (coming)
- American Community School, Abu Dhabi
- King's College School International (coming)
ADEK ratings · curricula · visa timing
[05]your instructor
Adam D'Souza
International school admissions expert
Adam is a specialist in school admissions worldwide: 11+ entry to selective London and Surrey day schools, 13+ pre-test and Common Entrance to British boarding schools, and international schools across the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Since 2019 Select:ed has opened doors for more than two hundred families at Westminster, St Paul's Girls', Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, King's College School Wimbledon, Wellington and Brighton College, among fifty more.
He has taught English, history and philosophy and held leadership roles in some of London's most distinctive schools. He has served on the founding management team of an international private schools group, co-founded a non-profit neurodiversity-focused schools company, and sits on the academic advisory council of the Global Academic Quadathlon. His writing on education has appeared in the Daily Telegraph, TES and Prep School Magazine.
"Children only have one childhood. Select:ed is the result of my frustration that the London education system seemed like a relentless production line of exam results, without any real pause to ask why."
[06]in their words
Adam was highly sensitive to our children's individual needs and even thought strategically about the best way to 'pitch' the various options to them, understanding that their 'buy-in' was all-important.
Polly
San Francisco → London
The schools obviously engage with him from a position of trust, confidence and transparency that he injects into the whole process.
M, O and S
London
What I appreciated the most was his deep knowledge of the region (not just Abu Dhabi) and his honest, unbiased and practical insights – he knew many of the head teachers in the schools and understood the culture they will create at each school.
Joanne
Surrey → Abu Dhabi
[07]january 2027 cohort
Places for 2027-28, planned with clarity.
cohort opens january 2027
Leave your email to reserve your place. We'll ask a few questions about your family and destination next.
- six lessons
Lessons to guide you through the international school admissions journey for your child.
- video + notes
Recorded guidance with written notes and reflections for every lesson.
- resources
Frameworks, checklists and timelines you can reuse.
- expert guidance
Includes 1:1 consultation with Adam to steer your shortlisting.
- for parents
Designed for the adults doing the work; no children's homework.
- discretion by default
No public cohorts, no leaderboards, anonymised testimonials.
[08]YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently asked questions
The first cohort opens in January 2027, in good time for families seeking places for the 2027-28 academic year. Leave your email above to secure your place.