To help you find the right program and institution in the United Kingdom, we have created a directory so that you can enter the age you need in the search bar at the top of the page and click “search”, for example 12 or 13 years. Thus, the catalog will filter for you exactly those educational institutions that offer a program for a given age. Moreover, required program will be displayed at the top under the school photo automatically. More detailed information You can learn about the curriculum and subjects by clicking “more details” to the right of the program name.
How to enroll in a private boarding school in the UK? What documents and knowledge does the applicant need?
In order to enroll in a private British boarding school, you will need not only a standard list of documents, but also certain language and academic knowledge.
Basic list of required documents for the submitting family:
- copy of passport
- school annual grades (report cards) for the last 2 academic years + quarter/trimester grades for the current one academic year
- certificates of language proficiency (preferably as new as possible so that they are relevant). Up to 17 years of age, any tests are suitable, including IELTS, Cambridge - Cambridge tests (KET, PET, FCE, CAE), TOEFL, Rearson, after 17 years of age (18+) - only IELTS UKVI
- letters of recommendation from English and mathematics teachers, sometimes from the school principal
- motivation letter (not always)
- registration forms and school forms
- Skype interview or personal visit to educational institution
In addition to the above list, children are also required to pass internal school tests in mathematics and English to determine whether children are well prepared when entering a private school. A number of UK schools also require UKISET testing before applying.
Please note that, as official representatives of most British private boarding schools, we help with free selection and organization of admission to the desired schools for our students and clients.
Private British boarding schools: educational features and advantages
Boarding schools in Britain are not just educational institutions: they represent a system aimed at the comprehensive development of children, offering their students not only academic disciplines. Arts, sports and compulsory education in best schools ah in England are organically united, such a system has been tested by practice and time. Some boarding establishments, like , have a centuries-old history, each of them is constantly being improved. For those who want to give their children secondary education, private boarding schools are a rational choice: in them, students are in a comfortable, safe environment, receive high-quality knowledge, and develop their abilities day after day. Closed private boarding schools are an excellent choice if you are sending a student to study younger age or a child is going to study abroad for the first time: a carefully guarded area guarantees complete safety of the student around the clock, throughout the entire period of study. Schoolchildren and teenagers go outside the campus (for example, on an excursion or walk) only with the accompaniment of a teacher or educator, and school staff constantly look after the children in the educational building and residences (in many boarding schools, teachers live with the students). The daily routine is regulated by supervisors and is strictly controlled.
Material resources of prestigious private British boarding schools and their types
All private boarding schools in England have modern technical and other teaching aids. They differ high level infrastructure development: these are cozy campuses, rich libraries, advanced computer equipment, interactive learning technologies. Even (12-13 years old and even younger) already includes working with sources and electronic, multimedia resources: this makes the learning process easier for children in high school and universities.
Some elite boarding schools adhere to the tradition of separate education: for a long time in Britain there were separate educational institutions and. Today, both the separate and the type of education have their supporters, each has its own advantages and features - the choice is only yours.
Private boarding school in England: how much does tuition cost (primary and secondary education)
The cost of training varies depending on the private rating, graduate exam results, prestige, and history. On average, prices are as follows: £14,000 - £25,000 per year (day care - without accommodation), boarding house - £30,000 - 47,000 per year.
Our specialists are ready to select for you best option: Among the best schools in the United Kingdom you can find quite a few inexpensive options(about 17,500 - 19,000 pounds per year with tuition, accommodation and meals), the catalog of educational institutions is quite wide. Contact us - and school education in Britain will become closer!
Public schools in England, which are funded by the government, are part of the state education system. Children study there 9 out of 10 days. Private schools, also called independent schools, require paid education, and the cost depends on the specific institution.
All schools are divided into types depending on the age of the children. General scheme education looks like this:
- Institutions for preschool children: classes are formed from children from 3 to 5 years old.
- Elementary School: age category children from 5 to 11 years old;
- Secondary school: students from 11 to 18.
- Colleges, universities (higher education).
There is no need to pay tuition at a public institution. About how much it costs to get an education in boarding schools, and what the cost is per year, you need to check on the official website of a particular institution.
The majority of Russian citizens who give preference choose the best boarding schools in the UK (Eton, Ashford, Brighton) for their children: they pay for summer courses to improve foreign language and choose a specific school.
System of state educational institutions
Most often, state-funded schools are predominantly mixed, meaning the institution is intended for both girls and boys. This is especially true for entry-level education. Government controlled schools in the UK can follow a specific religion. There are schools that only accept Catholics or Englishmen.
All schools in the country follow the general educational program requirements and take a responsible approach to preparing children to take tests in accordance with their age.
What are the conditions for admission to English educational institutions? Local residents apply for training and undergo an interview. For foreign citizens, including Russians, the requirements are similar. The only condition is that if the child is under 16 years old, then the parents must be in England for any of the following (more than six months).
Otherwise, the child will be allowed to study only in private boarding schools, the cost of education in which is set by the school itself.
Disciplinary measures vary across all schools. As a rule, punishment for disobedience, being late, or talking in class is additional. homework or work with educational materials during recess. The punishment for a serious offense is calling parents, temporary suspension from school, or expulsion.
Private boarding schools
Among independent schools in the UK, the most common are girls-only boarding schools or all-boys colleges, such as Eton or Badminton. The peculiarity of these institutions is that they independently approve educational and methodological programs and make decisions about whether schoolchildren will be tested for compliance with the generally accepted educational course.
Private boarding schools have small class sizes (usually no more than 12 people in one class). An individual approach is provided for children; the teacher pays a lot of attention to each student. Regardless of whether it is a primary or secondary school, private educational institutions can be of 2 types: “boarding” or “boarding”.
A five-day boarding school is 5 days of study with two days off for which students go home. If the educational institution is a boarding school (Eton, Badminton), then both lessons and accommodation take place on the territory of the institution. Students can go home for the summer holidays. The best boarding schools accept girls and boys aged 11, and in some educational institutions admission begins at the age of 9.
Education in boarding houses includes 3 semesters: lessons take place in autumn, spring and even summer. Between all semesters there are vacations - long ones, such as Easter, summer or Christmas, as well as short ones (the second name is half-term). The latter begin in the middle of each semester.
Training begins in early September and ends in the summer season. How long the school year lasts depends on the type of school and the program provided. Unlike municipal institutions ending the year almost at the end of July, private schools set own deadlines. In most institutions, the end of the academic year is the end of June - the 20th of July. Summer holidays last about 1.5 months. Christmas holidays can be extended, as can Easter holidays.English primary education in public institutions
Modern English primary schools accept children from the age of 4 years. The training lasts 7 years. In some cities of the country there are institutions similar to kindergartens (students up to 6 years old), as well as junior schools, where children aged 7 study for 4 years.
You can get into an elementary school (preparatory class) if you have the appropriate papers: parents will be required to fill out an application six months before the start of the first semester.
The best public primary schools cannot fully guarantee the continuation of a child’s education in this institution, even if he is in a preschool class owned by the institution. As a rule, new primary schools with a good reputation are overcrowded, so it is necessary to clarify how many vacant places there are and what the entry requirements are before the start of the school year.
Each school for girls and boys under 11 years of age covers a specific nearby area. Children living in the territory owned by the institution are admitted without a queue. A list of neighborhoods and descriptions of requirements are available on the official websites of all schools.
Requirements for admission to a church school are that the child belongs to a certain denomination, as well as attending a Sunday church belonging to the corresponding educational institution. In addition, parents are required to attend church services 2-3 times a month for 2 years before the date of filing an application for admission of a child to a religious school.
Private boarding houses for children under 11 years old
In the independent education sector, education for children under 7 years of age is called pre-preparatory education, and students from 7 to 11 study in preparatory institutions. After children successfully pass the test, they can move on to the next educational level - secondary school. Today, there are very few old traditional institutions left, such as Harrow or Eton.
The number of pre-preparatory and preparatory educational institutions increases every year; now there are more than 1000 of them. Each school has its own requirements and conditions. They can be different:
- admission conditions;
- curriculum: lessons, courses, educational and entertainment activities;
- tuition fee per year;
- duration of summer and Christmas holidays;
- discipline: punishment and encouragement of students.
Many parents are faced with the problem of a lack of places in the boarding school they are interested in. This is due to the demand for training in a particular educational institution, its reputation and elite status. Registration of a student in certain schools in the country takes place even before the baby is born or from the moment of conception.
Most often, upon admission, children take special exams, based on the results of which the administration of the educational institution decides whether to enroll the child or not.
Secondary education in public institutions in England
An English secondary school is a place where schoolchildren who have reached the age of 11 study. Institutions can be built on a system of mixed education or separate education, where boys and girls receive education separately from each other. The highest level of discipline (serious punishment for misconduct and worthy encouragement for achieving success) and excellent educational results distinguish church schools of different religious directions In Great Britain.
In addition, there are secondary selective educational institutions. The full classification of secondary schools financed from the state budget is as follows:
- A gymnasium where students are recruited according to a certain number of points received on testing, a well-written essay. The main subjects on which special emphasis is placed are logic and mathematics.
- General education school. Admission takes place according to territorial affiliation.
- Confessional institution. The condition for admission is regular church attendance by both the child and his parents.
- General education selective school. Admission takes place partly on the basis of territorial affiliation with the school, and partly on the basis of athletic training, ability in drawing or music.
There are special boarding schools where the education of children is paid for by the local government. A description of the criteria by which schoolchildren are admitted can be seen on the website of the boarding school you like. In general, it is important how much the child needs this form of education and how it corresponds to it. First of all, recruitment is carried out according to the territorial affiliation to the boarding school.
Finding a good public school for children over 11 years of age is quite difficult compared to primary schools. According to generally accepted opinion, gymnasiums are considered the best, which affects the overcrowding of these institutions at the beginning of the school year. IN good gymnasium There can be about 12 applicants for one place. First of all, those 11-year-old children who have been identified as having more abilities or talents in a certain area pass through.The list of documents varies slightly between schools due to slight differences in work admissions committees UK educational institutions. But the document base - what is required to be collected for admission - remains unchanged:
- school annual reports (grades for the academic year) for the last 2-3 years of study
- a copy of the student’s (schoolboy or schoolgirl) passport
- letters of recommendation from teachers of mathematics, English, the director, written in free form with translation into English
- certificate of knowledge in English(not a mandatory requirement for UK private schools due to their own entrance tests)
- some private schools in Britain may require you to take a single test before submitting documents to the school for consideration by the admissions committee
- school registration forms (filled out by our company)
- Skype interview with the applicant
Admission to prestigious private boarding schools in England (the so-called British Boarding Schools)
Most often, parents planning to give their child or Europe (for example, send him to a good gymnasium or high school in England) ask the question at what age is it better to send him to study - it is difficult to give a definite answer, much depends on the individual characteristics and character of the student . It is necessary to focus on this first of all, considering studying in schools and colleges in England as a pre-university stage.
It is believed that the optimal age to start is 11, 12, 13 years old (in Britain at this time children enter the middle classes). Teenagers are easier to break up with their parents than kids. At the same time, children for whom schooling began at 7, 8, 9, 10 years old adapt faster to the new environment, and, according to statistics, they also graduating class speak English at the level of native speakers. For a Russian schoolchild to fully adapt, it is also recommended to take an additional, vacation course - for example, a program, enroll in, conduct: this will help him quickly integrate into the language and educational environment.
The second important issue for parents is choosing a good institution. The majority is guided by the ratings of closed educational institutions, their names published in thematic media; attention is naturally attracted to options from the TOP 10. But parents need to take into account that sending their child to one of these institutions is not easy; almost all of them accept students for on a competitive basis: there is a waiting list for enrollment, which can take several years (for example, in the famous (Eton), Harrow). Perhaps this is the only disadvantage of private boarding schools in England, besides their price.
British private elite schools and co-educational boarding schools from the TOP 100-200 ratings are numerous and attract Special attention parents who want to send their children abroad. Among them there are old (vintage) colleges, which are not much inferior to the elite ones - they are not well-known brands, but this does not prevent their graduates from entering prestigious universities, showing good results at the entrance exams.
The third pressing issue is the time of submission of documents, as well as preparation for testing in educational institutions. For your attention - for Russians, Ukrainians, Kazakhstanis, other foreign children and students in various subjects and ages. It is recommended to do this a year before enrollment, in addition, it is worth submitting documents to several places. This will allow the child to be guaranteed admission and receive quality education.
Private colleges and boarding schools in England: admission and study procedures (with translation into Russian)
Colleges in England, as a rule, accept children from 13 years of age to prepare for the GCSE program after grades 8 and 9. For Russian schoolchildren and foreign students aged 14, 15 years, 1-2 years are given to obtain a certificate of incomplete secondary education (General Certificate of Secondary Education), followed by the so-called sixth form level - high school (16, 17, 18 years old) with A-level, Foundation, IB programs.
British private boarding schools can have various priority specialized areas of study: with an art bias, with a business and economic bias, technical, medical, engineering, music bias, there is also a bias in the media (media), the film industry, hotel management, directing and others.
In Great Britain, the school year lasts from September to July, it is divided into 3 trimesters: the first and second are separated by the Christmas holidays, the second and third by the Easter holidays.
Education in schools in England and Great Britain takes place mainly according to intensive programs. The life and daily routine of students here is subject to specific schedule: it includes academic lessons, sports and/or creative activities, time for self-study, leisure, entertainment. The schedule must be followed by all students, this is monitored by mentors and educators.
A feature of the well-known programs is the increased attention to the physical training of students - sports here are no less important than general education and special (in high school) disciplines. Each child, as a rule, chooses 1-2 priority sports areas, and the general list of sections is usually not limited to a dozen: children are offered football, tennis, swimming, golf, cricket, rugby, horse riding and much more.
For the harmonious development of the individual, many clubs are also open in educational institutions - almost every institution has its own choir, orchestra, jazz and dance group. Creative individuals can engage in design, drawing, sculpting, etc.
Students have free time after dinner (subject to homework completion). Bedtime for different people age groups varies between 22:00-23:00.
Private British schools and boarding schools: accommodation and conditions
Private boarding schools in England mainly accept students on a boarding basis: children are offered rooms in a dormitory (residence), primary school students live in rooms of 4 to 10 people.
Accommodation in “dormitories” is also provided - they are spacious rooms separated by partitions. In the "dormitories" each resident has his own corner with a bed, desk, a small closet for storing personal belongings, shoes, clothes. High school students are accommodated in double and single rooms.
Three hot meals a day are provided for children of all ages. The menu, as a rule, offers meat, vegetarian, fish, and several dishes are served to choose from at each meal.
The territory of the boarding house is guarded; children are prohibited from leaving the campus without permission. If such conditions seem harsh to parents, they can send their child to an international college in the UK.
The rules there are not so strict, children have more freedom, and the accommodation conditions are also different. But typical Primary School in England, like the average one, it strengthens the will: living in somewhat ascetic conditions does not allow children to grow up as mercantile consumers. Discipline teaches responsibility, and the lack of opportunity to be distracted from studies allows you to get an excellent education.
Tuition fees at private secondary schools in England, boarding schools and colleges in the UK
The cost of education in schools, boarding houses and colleges varies depending on the rating of the institution, the results of graduate exams, prestige, history; average cost: at school and college £14,000 - £25,000 per year (full-time - without accommodation), at the boarding house - £30,000 - 50,000 per year in the most expensive ones.
Boarding schools in England are the real elite of British education. However, the world too, because these educational institutions are chosen for their children by parents from different countries peace.
The ideal recipe for education in private schools in England is to preserve traditions. The existing educational system has evolved over several centuries - in Great Britain there are schools founded in the 15th century that are still operating successfully. The principles of personal education in many of them have not changed at all since their founding - they not only provide education, but also form character.
Features of secondary education in England
Secondary education in England is based on the freedom and personal responsibility of the student. Already at the age of 13-14, he is asked to partially make a choice of additional subjects. At the same time, the final two years (A-Levels) are devoted to in-depth study of 3-4 disciplines that are necessary for a student to further enter a university.
The disciplines chosen for A-Levels are taught at a high level, so it is difficult for schoolchildren from Russia, who still study all the subjects of the school course in high school, to compete with the British. This is one of the reasons why studying at an English boarding school in high school is preferable for those considering a British university.
Studying at an English school lasts 12 years, so to enter a university after receiving secondary education in Russia, an additional year of study in the Foundation preparatory program is required.
Quality of education in UK schools
There are more than 3,000 schools in the UK. 500 of them are boarding schools, while only 35 educational institutions have state status. The best British schools are private - they are famous for their long tradition of excellent education, but today they occupy the top lines of educational ratings.
There are many indicators in British educational rankings that should be taken into account when choosing a particular educational institution. These are exam results, the level of qualifications of teachers in the disciplines of interest to the child, as well as the number of graduates who successfully enter universities. Private boarding schools in England prepare students for admission to the most prestigious universities in the country.
Long-standing educational traditions are combined in British schools with excellent facilities. Schoolchildren learn to work with desktop and tablet computers from a young age, and high school students conduct natural science experiments in laboratories equipped with last word technology. Decent infrastructure and professional teachers make it possible not only to study academic disciplines, but also to engage in sports, music, drama and fine arts at a high level.
Accommodation in UK boarding schools
Boarding schools in England have created decent living conditions for schoolchildren. Traditionally, younger children school age live in rooms of 4-8 people. It is believed that in such company they feel less homesick and adapt to their studies faster. High school students who are preparing for final exams most often live in single rooms, because they need to study a lot.
Schools in England are divided into public and private. Opportunities for studying in private boarding schools are open to foreign students only. These educational institutions are distinguished by a higher level of preparation for entering a university, there is a larger selection of extracurricular activities, and the number of students in classes is smaller, so that teachers can devote maximum time to each student.
In England there are both mixed and single-sex schools. As ratings show, students from single-sex schools often achieve great success in academics, sports and creativity.
Advantages of studying in private schools in England
Receiving secondary education at a private school in the UK is the key to quality academic preparation and a great future. In an English school, children do not just cram information, they learn to think freely, process information analytically, form their own opinions and defend them in discussions.
The task of teachers is to identify and develop the child’s abilities. Children independently conduct various experiments and learn to work in a team.
Schoolchildren devote a lot of time to sports and creative activities. These are serious training and competitions, classes in professionally equipped studios, participation in theatrical productions, where the careers of many famous actors began.
Studying in a British school for a child is the fastest and most effective method master English. Immersion in the language environment can be supplemented with a special course for foreign students(ESL).
What educational programs are offered?
In an English private boarding school, foreign students usually begin their studies in middle or high school, where targeted preparation is conducted for entering a university. Without a diploma from a British high school or a special training program for foreign students, it is almost impossible to enter an English university.
Programs
- Secondary School (Year 6-9)
Training in high school, grades 6-9
11-14 years old - GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Preparation program for obtaining a certificate of secondary education 14-16 years old - IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Preparation program for obtaining a certificate of secondary education, adapted for foreign students 14-16 years old - A-Level
National British program for high school and preparation for entering university 16-18 years old - IB (International Baccalaureate)
International high school and university preparation program for 16-18 years old - International Foundation
Preparation program for entering UK universities for foreign students aged 17-18
How to choose a school in England?
Choosing a school is a serious and responsible step. It is necessary to take into account many factors: the child’s academic performance, his interests and hobbies, character, age and plans for the future. The school is worth studying for its rating, student success and the percentage of their admission to top universities, living conditions, geographical location, range of creative activities and sports sections.
It is not always worth setting your goal only to enter the top-rated English schools that show top scores for GCSE and A-Level exams in England. For many children, it is more comfortable to get comfortable at first in a small school, where they can calmly adapt to new learning conditions, the language environment and the international composition of students. Then you can transfer and finish high school at one of the top educational institutions.
If a future student shows great promise in sports or creativity, it is worth choosing an educational institution with professional infrastructure - for example, horse riding arenas, a theater stage or tennis courts. Students from the best schools in Great Britain show high results not only in exams, but also in competitions, festivals, exhibitions, debates, and competitions.
How to proceed?
Preparation for entering school in England must begin no later than a year before the start of studies:
- conduct a knowledge assessment;
- improve your language level;
- prepare your child for exams;
- introduce new system training.
Every school in the UK has unique admissions tests. As a rule, these are 3-4 tasks, which may include listening, reading, grammar, logic, writing, oral speech and testing knowledge of general education subjects. Elite schools in England additionally ask you to write an essay and undergo an oral interview with a representative of the educational institution.
Representatives of private schools in England come to Russia during special exhibitions of secondary education. Parents can personally ask questions, receive advice on admission and, if desired, visit the school on an introductory visit. This will allow you to make a choice based on personal impressions, communication with teachers and students. Besides, interesting option for a future student to “try out” education abroad - summer language programs that many boarding schools in England conduct within their walls. In two to three weeks, a child will be able to improve their level of English, feel like a student at their chosen school and understand whether they like it.
What do children get from studying in private schools in England?
In addition to gaining academic knowledge, studying abroad broadens your horizons, develops creative and athletic abilities, and helps you form a holistic, self-confident personality. Most parents note how independent and responsible their children become after a year of studying at a British school. The guys know what they want in life, what abilities they have and where they can be used, they know how to find a common language with people and express their opinions.
Enrolling in English schools is not only a way to get a prestigious secondary education European level, but also a necessary step towards studying in British or international university. By the way, universities in England account for 18% best universities world - the prospects for studying in them are worth starting preparation in middle or high school.
Ambitious students in the second year of study in the A-Level or IB program are offered special courses preparation for admission to Oxford and Cambridge universities, as well as medical, law and business universities with traditionally high competition. The guys carefully prepare for several months to enroll in the chosen university, learn to write motivation letters and pass interviews, which is an important part when entering top British universities.
An extensive store of knowledge, the ability to think analytically and master large amounts of new information, as well as the notorious good manners allow students of private schools in the UK to subsequently build a serious career in any country in the world.
