Our Services

At PORTOLA, we understand the unique journey of European students studying in the UK. They often return home for half-term breaks and exeat weekends, and our services are designed with these rhythms in mind.

Our co-founder, Aline, brings personal insight to everything we do. As a former international student at a UK boarding school at the age of 16, she knows firsthand the challenges and concerns families face when sending a child abroad. Her experience shapes our approach, ensuring we offer thoughtful, reliable support tailored to each student's needs.

European Service

£ 275 per term

PORTOLA’s European Service is the perfect option for European students who intend to return home for half term and exeat weekends. It includes:

  • 24/7 Emergency Availability: For you, your child, and their school, accessible from our London-based guardians, Laura & Aline.

  • 24/7 WhatsApp Contact: Direct communication with your guardians.

  • On-boarding Call: Prior to your child's arrival in the UK, we will meet online with you and your child in person.

  • Easy Online Registration & Payment: A streamlined efficient process to get started.

  • School Notification: We will inform your child's school of our guardianship agreement.

  • Access to Emergency Accommodation at our home: Where necessary.*

  • Support with Transport Arrangements: We are happy to help you to book safe travel arrangements for your child.

  • The PORTOLA London Guide: access to our regularly updated, interactive, online London guide to get the best out of a trip to London with your family

*Accommodation will incur further costs.

We are fully AEGIS-accredited and meet all the standards required by schools for guardianship organisations, as well as the criteria needed for UK visa applications.

Next Steps

If you would like us to act as your child’s guardian, please enquire using the button above.

We will personally contact you within 24 hours to share our Enrolment Form along with payment details for the Registration Fee.

Once you’ve completed the form, you will receive an email with all the necessary information for your visa application and for the school. We will then arrange a video call at a time that suits you, so we can get to know your child personally before their arrival in the UK.

While your child is in the UK, we will regularly check in via WhatsApp. Ahead of school holidays, we will ask for their travel itinerary and offer any help they may need. Throughout their time here, we remain available to support both your child and your family—wherever we can, whenever we’re needed.