King William’s College has been drumming up business in Africa.

Admissions registrar Marion Taggart attended the British Boarding School Expo 2019 in Ghana, held to promote fee-paying education in the British Isles.

The five-day event featured a variety of speakers, including Ghanaian ministers and celebrities. There were also panel discussions.

As well as visiting the British Council in the country and touring three Ghanaian schools, one of which was a special needs facility, Mrs Taggart met families interested in sending their children to a British boarding school, some of whom will visit the island to take a closer look at King William’s College, in Castletown, over the next few months.

She was also invited to speak on television and radio about the education and pastoral care which the college provides.

Mrs Taggart said: ’We are very proud of the fact we are a Manx school and are lucky to live in such a friendly and nurturing environment.

’It was so rewarding to hear and see first-hand that King William’s College is viewed as such a centre of excellence and that children from around the world want to join us.

The education the college provides together with the quality of life in the island is a very appealing combination.’

King William’s College currently has more than 50 international boarders from no fewer than 15 different nationalities, helping to create a cultural diversity in school life.

Fees for sixth-formers are £22,350. Boarders pay £10,086 more.

Ghana’s gross domestic productper head in 2017 $4,740.

’The international students add so much to the school and it allows our local students to make friends from all around the world,’ Mrs Taggart said.

’Some families are unable to visit schools during term time due to time and work constraints, so by travelling to Ghana we help them find out more about us and help them to make informed decisions about their children’s education.’

Staff were invited to the Expo after the organisers, Everythings Education, visited the college last year.

The college hopes to make further trips to promote the school in Europe and Asia later this year.

Mrs Taggart said she learnt a lot from listening to representatives of Ghanaian schools.

’It was interesting to see the contrasts between the different schools and the environments which, in some cases, were worlds apart,’ she said.

’We also hope there will be a chance to make links between the college and some of the schools visited.

’Promoting both college and the island as a great place to live on national television and radio was a highlight of the trip for me and I really enjoyed the experience.’