Boarding school guardianship: by parents, for parents.

Welcome to Portola, a warm, modern, and personal guardian service for international students at UK boarding schools.

In the UK, every international student is required to have a guardian. At Portola, we provide more than just the essentials — we offer thoughtful, wrap-around care designed to support students and give families complete peace of mind.

As a small, dedicated company, we work exclusively with European students who usually return home during school holidays. As mothers ourselves, raising our families in South West London, we understand what it takes to make students feel safe, cared for, and supported. We are approachable, practical, and always available when needed — even offering emergency accommodation in our own homes.

We are proud to be AEGIS-accredited and fully compliant with the latest UKVI guardianship regulations.

Please explore our website and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Warm regards,
Aline Kamps & Laura Keighley

Why a guardian matters

When international students come to the UK, boarding schools require them to have a UK-based guardian who is over the age of 25.

While the school is responsible for your child’s welfare during term time, a guardian offers an essential extra layer of support for situations where the school cannot assist, or when parents are too far away to step in directly. For example, a guardian can:

  • Provide accommodation if your child needs to leave school in an emergency

  • Help arrange safe travel home for holidays or unexpected events

  • Step in if travel plans are cancelled or delayed

  • Be available for any last-minute needs you can't manage from abroad

A guardian is your child’s local point of contact—reliable, reassuring, and ready to help when you can’t be there in person.

Get in touch

Can we help? Please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help where we can!