Great Britain is a unique country in which centuries-old traditions, modern views on life, advanced technological experience and a unique cultural code are closely intertwined. To live, grow, study and develop in such an environment is a great chance for ambitious children, especially since the variety of boarding schools allows the foreign students to find the perfect one that can maximize the potential of the child. The UK’s educational system is considered one of the best, most efficient and balanced in the world.
International schools in the UK – system of education
In Great Britain the school educational system is divided in 3 stages:
- Primary school – for students aged from 5 to 11 years old
- Secondary school – for schoolchildren aged from 11 to 16 years old
- Tertiary education – for students aged from 16 to 18 years old
All children aged 5-16 in the UK are required to complete secondary education in one of the public or private schools. As for children whose parents are not British citizens, but are in the country on a long-term visa for more than 6 months (student, work, business, investor, etc.), they are granted the right to attend any public school. For international students whose parents reside outside the United Kingdom, as a rule, only private boarding schools are open.
Most British schools (especially state schools) operate as co-educational institutions: boys and girls study together, in mixed classes. Most schools are secular, but there are also institutions belonging to the Catholic or Anglican Church, Jewish institutions, etc.
Among private schools, separate education is much more widespread: many well-known and prestigious boarding schools in the UK are designed only for boys or only for girls. Independent schools can approve their curricula: this allows to take the national standard as a basis, but to make it more diverse, interesting and comfortable for children. As a rule, there are fewer academic performance tests and exams here than in state ones, and classes include up to 15 people so that the teacher can pay maximum attention to each student.
Boarding schools in the UK fees for the foreign students
The cost of studying in boarding schools in the UK depends on form of studying (day school or boarding), the chosen program, ranking of educational institution, its location. On average, tuition with boarding school accommodation will have to pay from ?25’000 to ?50’000 per year. Full-time study in boarding schools will cost about 30% more than a similar program in day schools. International schools in the UK are more expensive than educational institutions aimed at local residents. According to the ISC, in the UK, the most expensive region to study is London, and the cheapest are the north-east of England and the Yorkshire and Humber area.
The best boarding schools in the UK – offered programs for foreign students
GCSE: Grades 10 and 11 of the British school are the last two years of the compulsory program, according to the results of which each student passes exams in all subjects passed and receives a General Certificate of Secondary Education.
The GCSE program includes from 9 to 12 disciplines, some of which are mandatory (English, mathematics and natural sciences), and some of which the student chooses independently.
A-level: A-level is English national studying program in grades 12 and 13. Within the program, only 3 or 4 disciplines are studied, which the student chooses independently. The set of available subjects depends on the educational institution and usually includes 20-35 disciplines, and schools can also specialize in certain areas of studying.
IB Diploma: The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB Diploma) is the most common alternative to A-level. IB and A-level diplomas are equally recognized by UK universities.
Unlike the English national program, the IB Diploma is aimed at a more versatile education. Students choose one subject from six different groups and necessarily study their native and foreign languages, social and natural sciences, mathematics, as well as any additional elective subjects that may include not only scientific, but also creative disciplines. At the same time, the students independently determine the level of difficulty at which they want to master the chosen subject ? standard or advanced. In addition to studying six disciplines, the foreign students write an extended essay, engage in creativity, sports and social work. A lot of attention is paid to project activities.
The best boarding schools in the UK – accommodation of foreign students
In most cases, the international students live in school residences on the campus territory during studying. The senior tutor is responsible for settling in the school dormitory. Rooms in residential houses are designed for a different number of children, which in most cases is determined by age. As a rule, the older the student, the fewer people in the room. In the final grades, students often live alone. In the secondary school, children often have to share a room with 3-5 neighbors.
There are usually several residence houses on the school grounds – separately for boys and girls, younger and older students. Each house, in addition to the general rules of living (the child must clean the bed, keep the room, bathroom and toilet clean and tidy), has its own laws and traditions.
The boarding houses are equipped with everything necessary for life and study: recreation areas, kitchens and dining halls, study rooms, a medical center, laundry, etc. All students receive a full three meals a day in the school cafeteria, and at recess and before going to bed they can have a snack in the home kitchen. Children are supervised by adults around the clock. Teachers often live in the boarding house.
TOP boarding schools in the UK
- Cardiff Sixth Form College
- Sevenoaks School
- Queen Ethelburga’s College
- Brighton College
- The National Mathematics and Science College NMSC
- Concord College
- Westbourne School
- Wellington College
- Rossall School
- d’Overbroeck’s College.
