Family Advisory

ESTABLISHED 2019 · BASED IN LISBON

Personal guidance for families considering international education across the UK, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Portugal and wider Europe.

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Finding The Right School Starts With Understanding The Child

Choosing a school abroad involves much more than comparing academic programmes or locations. Families are also considering their child’s personality, wellbeing, independence, language, culture and the environment in which they are most likely to thrive.

Catherine works with families to understand the bigger picture, offering guidance shaped by her experience in international school admissions and her relationships across the education sector. Her approach is always personal, objective and focused on what is right for each child and family.

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AREAS OF SUPPORT

Personal guidance throughout the school journey.

Understanding the student

Understanding the student’s personality, strengths, interests, ambitions and family priorities before considering the most suitable options.

Identifying the right schools

Exploring international and boarding school options with a focus on academic fit, environment, culture and where the student is most likely to thrive.

Navigating admissions

Guidance throughout the admissions journey, helping families and students approach decisions, applications and next steps with greater clarity and confidence.

Preparing for the transition

Support in preparing for a new school, country or educational environment, helping make the transition feel more considered and manageable.

Personal support before, during and after placement

Ongoing communication and guidance before departure, during the move and after arrival, supporting the student and family as they adapt to the new school and country.

Family Relocation

Guidance for families considering relocating alongside their child’s education, particularly when a school decision becomes part of a wider move abroad.

EDUCATIONAL POSSIBILITIES

Different paths.
The right one for each student.

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Boarding Schools & Study Programmes

International, private and boarding school options, alongside exchanges and short-term study opportunities, tailored to different academic goals, stages of education and levels of international experience.

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Summer & Winter Camps

Short-term international experiences combining education, cultural immersion and specialised programmes across areas such as languages, leadership, sports, arts and personal development, during summer and winter school holidays.

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Opportunities Across Leading Education Destinations

UNITED KINGDOM · SWITZERLAND · PORTUGAL · SPAIN · WIDER EUROPE

Catherine works with families considering education across key international markets, drawing on her relationships and knowledge of schools and education institutions across Europe and the UK.

“When a Bogotá family starts considering a British or Swiss boarding school, Catherine is the person they think of.”

IN THEIR WORDS

Families who have made the journey

★★★★★

  • “Catherine listened to our needs and concerns”

    We recently moved from Mexico to the UK and our school suggested that we get in touch with Catherine to help us secure a school for our adolescent son in London. From the beginning, Catherine listened to our needs and concerns in finding a school where our son could continue to thrive. She not only offered recommendations and contacted schools as we better understood our options, but followed up on our son’s admission essays. She acted as a coach and teacher making suggestions, commenting and accompanying him in a way that we as parents sometimes wish we could but aren’t able to do. Further, she has been following up on how he has been adapting to his new school and surroundings, sending words of encouragement and reminding him of his attainment: being admitted to the school he chose among three that admitted him. I cannot recommend Catherine Cushnan’s professional services enough, in addition to the wonderful person I now know her to be.

    — Student placed at UK IBO School

  • “Extremely professional, responsive and shows tremendous empathy”

    Catherine Cushnan guided my son at the age of 15 in applying to a boarding school in UK for his sixth form. My son required very individual approach as he had lived in different countries, studied in different systems (British, American, International). Catherine spent significant time with my son understanding his profile and also explaining to him the benefits of a boarding school experience. She also guided him through the application process and helped him prepare for the interview. As a result, my son was very motivated to pursue this opportunity and it was his choice to go to Millfield as opposed to studying in Warsaw. He did very well in his application process and interviews and ended up with offers from the two schools that he applied to (Tasis and Millfield). Catherine also guided me as his mother to ensure that we make the right choice and explained very clearly and openly the pros and cons of this experience and also the different school profiles. Once my son was at the school, Catherine continued to be interested in his performance and was in contact with me to understand how he was doing. Catherine is extremely professional, responsive and shows tremendous empathy towards the student and the parent. She is focused on individual approach and makes sure she understands the student’s profile and also parents’ expectations.

    — Student placed at Millfield, UK

  • “Support, professionalism and great human warmth”

    I would highly recommend not only Catherine’s services but also her support, professionalism and great human warmth throughout our process of finding a school for our teenage son in London. She not only listened to us and offered recommendations, but also kept a close eye on the essays and letters our son had to write — acting as a coach and teacher: suggesting, commenting and encouraging him in the way that, as parents, we often want to do but find it difficult to be heard — she has also remained attentive to his adaptation to his new school, sending him words of encouragement and reminding him of what he has achieved by gaining admission to a world-class school that cares about the individual and its community. I cannot recommend Catherine Cushnan’s services highly enough.

    — Student placed at Southbank College, London

  • “A wonderful fit for him”

    Catherine has been a key part of this process of finding the right school for our son. From the very beginning, she took the time to understand him, his expectations and what we were looking for in a school.
    Thanks to her guidance, Francesco feels that ACS Cobham has been a wonderful fit for him. He has been very happy there and is really enjoying every part of the experience.
    What we value most is that Catherine’s support hasn’t stopped. She has remained in close contact with all of us, making sure Francesco is doing well and helping us navigate this new experience.
    We feel very lucky to have had Catherine by our side during this process, and we would highly recommend her to any family looking for a school for their child.

    — Student placed at ACS Cobham, UK

  • “Close, organised and always attentive support”

    Catherine’s guidance began by understanding Emilia’s needs and strengths. Through several interviews, we gradually defined her profile — what we were looking for academically, in terms of sport, and in specific preferences such as her love of nature and with this, Catherine helped us filter the schools that could genuinely work for her.
    We did our own research and shortlisted three. We then had the opportunity to visit them, and Catherine coordinated all the visits and preliminary interviews. Finally, we chose the one we liked most as a family and applied successfully.
    Her support was close, organised and always attentive to what we needed. Thank you, Catherine!

    — Student placed at ACS Cobham, UK

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A School Decision.
A New Family Base.

OPPORTUNITIES OFTEN ARISE FROM EDUCATIONAL DECISIONS

What starts as an educational journey, often becomes a family opportunity for living abroad and becoming European residents. To respond to our clients’ needs, we are broadening our trusted consulting support in guiding families. Working alongside trusted legal, tax and investment professionals we develop the appropriate strategy to navigate the Residence by Investment Program in Portugal (ARI—Golden Visa): from investment and residency options to education, relocation and temporary experiences.

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WHY CATHERINE

Experience from both sides

With 14 years at an IB international school in Bogotá, including as Director of Admissions, Catherine understands the perspective of both families and schools.

Today, she combines that experience with an international network and a deeply personal approach, remaining closely involved not only during the decision and admissions process, but also as students begin their new school experience abroad.

ABOUT CATHERINE 
LET’S TALK

Considering international education for your family?

Every family and every child is different. Start with a conversation about what you are looking for.

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