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How we help UK schools with their sponsorship duties

Our clients are many of the UK’s most prestigious universities and colleges, independent schools, and other educational institutions – as well as their talented and ambitious students.

We provide a consulting and advisory service to schools that can be tailored to any level of requirement, from general guidance to complex projects. We can assist schools with applying for their sponsorship licences as well as acting as a level 1 and 2 user on the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

We liaise with UKVI on behalf of the school on all compliance matters, as well as overseeing all sponsored students records that are required by UKVI. We will also represent the school and students with Home Office inspections and queries.

We can help you apply for your sponsor licence.

Compliance health check service

With constantly changing immigration rules and compliance requirements, the management of overseas students is becoming an increasingly daunting task for educational institutions and their admissions staff.

We have designed immigration compliance solutions specifically for educational institutions. Our support can range from general guidance to complete management of compliance requirements and representation before authorities.

We offer a “compliance health check” where one of our specialists will make a visit to your school to assess the sufficiency of your current student compliance systems and make recommendations for improvement. We check all files and data recording to ensure that you are prepared for an unannounced UKVI inspection.

UK study visas for international students

Prestigious schools across the UK attract many international students who are looking for the best education. We take the burden of obtaining the UK Student/Child visa off the shoulders of the parents and students, allowing them to focus on the excitement of studying in a new country and experiencing a new culture.

We will ensure that all the documents needed for their visa applications are compliant before a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) is issued, ensuring a smoother visa application for the student. This way the school can be assured that only those applications that can be legitimately submitted are put forward – preserving their refusal rate and protecting their sponsorship licence.

Talk to the UK visa and immigration experts.

Skilled Worker visa for teachers and other staff

To teach in England you will need:

  • A job offer allowing you to apply for a Skilled Worker visa
  • Teaching skills and experience you can demonstrate to an employer
  • To pass criminal and professional safeguarding checks (these will be organised by your employer)

It will also be very helpful to have English ‘qualified teacher status’ (QTS). While it is possible to teach in the UK for up to four years without QTS in the independent school sector, it will make finding a teaching position much easier.

You’ll be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

  • You have a job offer from a school that is a licensed Home Office sponsor
  • You can speak, read, write, and understand English
  • Your salary meets the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa

How many points do I need to get a Skilled Worker visa?

You will need to obtain 70 points to qualify for a visa to enter and work in the UK. The majority of the points (a core 50) will be given for a job offer from a licensed sponsor, at the right skill level, with English speaking skills and the other 20 are tradable (can be gained in a number of ways).

The salary threshold for teachers depends on whether you have QTS and the region you are applying to work in.

Inner LondonOuter LondonLondon fringeRest of England
QTS£34,502 £32,407 £29,344 £28,000
Non-QTS£24,254 £22,924 £20,594 £20,480

Our solutions can be tailored to your school’s unique needs and budget. Contact our education immigration team to discuss your options.

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Meet your UK education corporate services team

Talk to our experienced consultants, OISC-registered advisers to see how we can help with your education immigration needs

  • Steve Paxton
    Managing Director: UK Education Corporate Services
  • Saskia Johnston
    Service Delivery Director
  • Sihle Vusani
    UK Consultant Support
  • Cèlene Bredeveldt
    UK Consultant Support
  • Jodie Che’ Clayton
    UK Consultant Support
  • Michiel Engelbrecht
    UK Consultant Support
  • Kayla Adriaanse
    UK Consultant Support
  • Tosca Dette
    UK Consultant Support
  • Lukhanyo Manina
    Junior UK Consultant Support
  • Olivia Manuel
    Junior UK Consultant Support
  • Shellene Polius
    Education Corporate Services Consultant
  • Dana Prodehl
    Admin Assistant
  • Maxine Furlong
    Maxine Furlong
    Business Immigration Consultant
  • Nicola Digby
    Nicola Digby
    Senior Consultant
  • Coco Chen
    Education Corporate Service Consultant
  • Steve Paxton
    Managing Director: UK Education Corporate Services

    Steve is the Managing Director of the UK Education Corporate Services division. He is an experienced international investment business owner, UK independent school boarding expert, UK Child/Student sponsor licence specialist, including overseeing many UKVI compliance inspections and has been the Commercial Director of a UK immigration firm.

    As a student global mobility specialist, he intends to make Sable International a trusted supplier of advice and support to UK independent schools and their worldwide agents, in the complex sector of Home Office compliance and visa acquisition for UK-bound international students.

    Outside of work, Steve loves travelling, spending time with his family and new grandchild, a quadruple World Cup hockey coach and player, and is currently an England hockey masters player. 

  • Saskia Johnston
    Service Delivery Director

    Saskia has over 10 years of experience within the Sable International Team. Saskia graduated from the University of Cape Town with a B. Sc. (Masters) in finance and a sub-major in economics. She has a keen interest in financial services and immigration which made her the perfect candidate to help drive our Business Immigration team forward. Saskia has a passion for exceptional customer service and is now responsible for the Business Immigration team’s service delivery.

    A confident, enthusiastic individual with a great attitude and a keen motivation to learn. Saskia has spent the last decade growing a very strong and powerful professional business development network in London. Her growth and strategic approach to relationship-led new business has produced some fantastic results and she has enjoyed implementing these successful sales strategies with her team in London. She has extensive experience in all aspects of foreign exchange and business immigration and can apply her high-level, target-driven sales and account management approach to the success of her role.

    Outside of work, Saskia loves experiencing new cultures and travel is at the top of her “spare time” list.”

  • Sihle Vusani
    UK Consultant Support

    Sihle was born and bred in East London in the Eastern Cape. She came to Cape Town to study at the University of Cape Town, and fell in love with the beautiful city. She worked in customer service while studying and hopes to grow her career at Sable International where she works as a Junior UK Consultant Support.

    In her free time she enjoys trying out new restaurants, going to watch the sunset at the beach and just being around her loved ones.

  • Cèlene Bredeveldt
    UK Consultant Support

    Cèlene matriculated from Wynberg Girls’ High School in 2014 and went straight to work to support her family. She worked in the hospitality industry before moving to the beauty industry at Sorbet, then switched gears moving into the debt review industry.

    She believes her customer service relations experience has made her into someone who strives for the best for each client interaction. She is now a Junior UK Consultant Support, assisting those who want to send their children to study at top UK primary and high schools.

    Cèlene's number one passion is dancing. She has been dancing since the age of four and has starred in several music videos as well as being a DHL Stormers Cheerleader.

    In her free time, she loves cooking, trying new restaurants for new experiences, hanging out with loved ones and going for drives around the Mother City.

  • Jodie Che’ Clayton
    UK Consultant Support

    Jodie Che’ born and raised in Cape Town. Before joining Sable International, she worked in the public sector as a secretary. She has a passion for kids, she pursued a diploma in Early Childhood Development and hopes to complete her degree in Education in the future.

    She works in Sable International's Education Corporate Services division as a Junior UK Consultant Support.

    Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.

  • Michiel Engelbrecht
    UK Consultant Support

    Michiel grew up in Namibia and moved back to South Africa to complete his high school studies where he attended boarding school before deciding to make Cape Town his base. He is currently completing his degree in International Relations.

    Before starting at Sable International, he worked in UK-based educational recruitment, supporting the compliance department.

    In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends, either at the beach or finding a new spot for coffee.

  • Kayla Adriaanse
    UK Consultant Support

    Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Kayla brings over a decade of experience in sales within the educational sector. With a deep passion for working with people, she is driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their lives.

    Prior to joining Sable International, Kayla honed her skills at HyperionDev, contributing to innovative solutions in education. Outside of work, she cherishes time with her family and enjoys exploring the great outdoors.

  • Tosca Dette
    UK Consultant Support

    Originally from Cape Town and raised in Mossel Bay, Tosca brings her expertise in education recruitment and compliance to her current role in Sable International's Education Corporate Services Division. As a UK Consultant Support, she is dedicated to helping clients navigate their educational journeys with efficiency and care.

    Tosca holds an undergraduate degree in BA Linguistics from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and has furthered her studies with an Honours degree in Linguistics. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree, showcasing her commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.

    Outside of work, Tosca enjoys beach walks, outdoor adventures and participating in youth activities with her close circle of friends. Raised on the core values of hard work and respect, she lives by the motto: Kindness goes a long way.

  • Lukhanyo Manina
    Junior UK Consultant Support

    Born and raised in Cape Town, Lukhanyo matriculated in 2019 and began exploring the beaut industry. In 2021, a passion for helping others and finding solutions led to a transition into the customer service field. This journey brought Lukhanyo to Sable International as a Junior UK Support Consultant, where dedication to assisting clients is paramount.

    Outside of work, Lukhanyo enjoys unwinding with good wine, socialising with friends, swimming and exploring new places. With a special connection to water, you'll often find Lukhanyo wherever there's a chance to dive in and relax.

  • Olivia Manuel
    Junior UK Consultant Support

    Olivia is a dedicated professional with a passion for helping others. Raised in South Africa by her loving grandparents, she blends resilience and warmth in everything she does.

    Her career journey began at the South African Revenue Service, where she served for 17 years before joining Sable International. With a National Diploma in Public Relations Management and a Certificate in Digital Marketing, Olivia brings both experience and expertise to her role, assisting students and parents with UK student applications, visas, and immigration processes.

    A devoted mother of three, Olivia is also an active volunteer with the Reach for A Dream Foundation, fulfilling the dreams of terminally ill children. Outside of work, she enjoys sunrise swims, beach walks, cooking, and quality time with her family and friends. Olivia’s compassion and drive make her an invaluable member of the Sable International team.

  • Shellene Polius
    Education Corporate Services Consultant

    Shellene Polius was born and raised in London and has a background in education and student support. After earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Bedfordshire in 2016, she worked in various roles across different schools before transitioning into student recruitment. In this role, she helped students – primarily from the Middle East – navigate the UK student visa process, supporting them in their journey to study in the UK.

    Now part of Sable International, Shellene is excited to apply her experience and knowledge to assist clients with their visa applications.

    Outside of work, she enjoys going to the gym, taking long walks (when the UK weather allows!), reading, and exploring new restaurants.

  • Dana Prodehl
    Admin Assistant

    During 2021 - 2024 I studied at The University of The Western Cape while working part-time as a retail assistant, salon front desk admin and lastly a waitress. When I finished my studies, I worked full time looking for a more permanent role. I came across Sable International in February 2025. I have since been an admin assistant to the lovely Sable Education team. Outside of work I enjoy running and e-cycling and spending as much time with family.

  • Maxine Furlong
    Business Immigration Consultant

    Maxine grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and has completed her BComm degree.

    She joined our Immigration team in our Cape Town office where she gained valuable experience in UK immigration and citizenship casework.

    Maxine has since moved to our London office and has completed her IAA level 1 exam; and continues to broaden her knowledge and experience in UK immigration.

    In her spare time Maxine will take any opportunity to travel, explore new cities and cultures.

  • Nicola Digby
    Senior Consultant

    Nicola has over 14 years of immigration experience in private and corporate immigration, with a focus on large-scale, multinational business immigration. She graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a Bachelor of Law and has worked in the immigration sector since this time. 

    She joined Sable International as a Senior Consultant and is registered with the OSIC as a level 2 UK immigration adviser.

    Outside of work, she enjoys seeing as much of the world as possible, spending time with friends, family and her two cats. She also plays netball for her local club.

  • Coco Chen
    Education Corporate Service Consultant

    Coco was born in Taiwan and raised in Hong Kong. She completed her bachelor law degree in the United Kingdom.

    Before joining Sable International she worked in a London city law firm as an immigration paralegal.

    Outside of work she enjoys oil painting and spending time with family and friends.









UK immigration law experts

  • Accredited consultants
    Registered with OISC in the UK (Number: F2001-00004).
  • Successful results
    Confirmed as the largest-by-volume UK immigration consultant in the world.
  • Long established
    Advising on UK immigration for over 25 years.