Burgess Hill Girls

• Language of instruction: English
• Established: in 1906
• Location: United Kingdom, Burgess Hill, West Sussex
• Students age: 2 to 18 years
• Total number of students: 600 people, of whom 56 people are on the boarding house (90 people study in the Sixth Form).
• Type of study: separate (only girls)
• Type of accommodation: residence.

Burgess Hill Girls is a private school for girls offering daytime education and boarding. The foundation year was 1906, it was the initiative of the responsible parents of the small city of Burgess Hill. The school implemented the system of separate education in the 1920s, and since 1931 it is located at the present place, in the territory of the large national park of Saunts Downs. The campus occupies 13 acres near the center of the small town of Burgess Hill (West Sussex). 5 minutes separates the campus from the railway station, 16 kilometers from the large seaside resort of Brighton, 50 minutes from central London and 20 minutes from Gatwick International Airport.

Burgess Hill Girls is a large educational complex that divides teaching into several levels:

• Kindergarten (mixed education, 2,5-5 years)
• Junior school (grades 3-6)
• High School (7-11 grades)
• Sixth Form (12-13 grades).

Among the most famous and well-known alums, the following female names:

• Two-time world champion Caroline Atkins
• Model and TV presenter Holly Willoughby
• Kim Sears
• Members of the British cricket team
• Artist, friend of the famous Scottish tennis player Andy Murray.

Girls from all over the world can enter the boarding school from 11 years old and over (Grade 7), the majority of foreign women enter the 9,10,12 classes. Classes start traditionally in September, but applications are accepted year-round - if vacant places still exist, a girl can be accepted for a course outside the main stream.

The basis for the creation of the Burgess Hill Girls for Girls was the ideas of Charlotte Mason, which in many ways survived to this day. She developed a progressive educational model, which is now used in a variety of US schools, and at the turn of the 19th century was simply revolutionary. Following the basic postulates of this model, in girls the characteristics are brought up kindness, punctuality, truthfulness, accuracy, attentiveness and other useful habits and valuable social qualities. Many parents note that after school, girls have impeccable manners and excellently know the etiquette. The motto of the school is "I am, I can, I have to, I will do it."

Each foreign student on admission is tested, determining his level of English. If it is not high enough, the student is invited to attend an additional supportive course EAL (English as a foreign language), as well as additional lessons for a fee. All classes are conducted in small groups, which positively affects the dynamics of learning and the speed of educational progress. In the 9th grade there are 3 additional lessons per week. In the 10th grade, teachers determine whether the student is ready to surrender the GCSE and fully absorb the material in English classes and literature. If the knowledge is not enough, 6 English lessons are given every week (instead of basic English classes and literature at the GCSE level). On the supporting course, you can also effectively prepare for the IELTS international test (it is conducted in the 11th form in the spring trimester). The results of this exam are highly appreciated all over the world, recognized by the universities of Canada, Britain and Australia. Participants in the Six Form programs prepare for the IELTS test for 2 lessons per week.

Academic classes are held from 8:30 to 15:50, students of Six Form are engaged a little longer, until 16:25. The second half of the day is devoted to facultative, extra-curricular and sports activities. Until now, the institution adheres to the rules and principles created by Charlotte Mason. In particular, it concerns a balanced curriculum and the compulsory study of several foreign languages. Much attention is paid to the subjects of aesthetic orientation: in the 7th to 9th grade, students necessarily engage in music (once a week 70 minutes) and drama (twice a week). These subjects can be studied at a more in-depth level of A-level and GCSE, taking individual lessons for an additional fee.

Beginning with the 9th grade, the students attend classes dedicated to career counseling and a special course "Life Skills": psychology of communication, first aid, cooking, self-defense, night hikes, thematic lectures, meetings and master classes.

Two residential residences of Burgess Hill Girls are located directly on campus, one is across the street, a short walk away. Most of the students at the board are foreign students. Junior students live in rooms for 3-4 people, high school students occupy separate bedrooms. In residences there are cozy common living rooms for rest, laundry and kitchens, computer and game classes, access to wireless internet, studios for playing piano and practicing music. Kitchens also have all the necessary equipment to prepare a light dish or snack: microwave ovens, toasters, refrigerators and dishwashers. Laundry services are provided to pupils of 7-11 class,  participants wash their clothes themselves. Each hostel is surrounded by a beautiful picturesque garden - it is especially nice to relax and take a walk on a fine day, have a picnic or barbecue.

In each residence there is a tutor and three of his assistants: they monitor the order and discipline, keeping cleanliness, guarantee the complete safety of girls. Necessary things and household trivia can always be bought at any city store.

The meals are organized according to the full boarding scheme - three times a day the schoolgirls gather in a spacious common dining room. The diet includes hot dishes, salads, snacks and desserts, fresh fruit, often organized themed days, in which cooks prepare dishes of different peoples of the world. Vegetarian, dietary dishes, as well as dishes for representatives of strict religions (for example, Islam or Judaism) are provided. In the hostels there are also drinks and snacks - girls can have a snack in the evening or have a cup of tea or coffee with friends.

Each student has her own class teacher - she meets with him twice a day and at any time if necessary: ​​he is responsible for her progress and successes, guarantees comfort and safety of stay on campus, stimulates active out-of-class activities and participation in electives. Pupils of grades 7-10 do homework with the teacher, while high school students enjoy greater freedom.

A modern medical center with a hospital is built on the campus, where the sick girls are placed until their full recovery, a nurse is on duty every day and around the clock, which can be treated with any discomfort.

Parents constantly receive interim reports on the progress, extracurricular successes and behavior of their children, and at the end of the year an additional final, detailed report. Burgess Hill Girls website and school magazine also provide enough information (including online score sheets). Please note that students of all ages who come from abroad must have a guardian (a citizen of the host country is older than 25 years).

Subject list: Art, biology, business, chemistry, Classical civilization, design, drama, economics, geography, history, maths, music, physical education, physics, Psychology, Religious studies
Activity list: badminton, field hockey, fitness, netball, rowing, swimming, track-and-field athletics, volleyball

Of the most popular sports you can note the following options:

• Frisbee
• Fitness
• Badminton
• Cross Country
• Athletics
• Hockey
• Tag-rugby
• Zumba (aerobics for Latin-American music)
• Ultimate
• Tennis
• Lapta
• Netball
• Squash
• Football
• Basketball.

On the campus there is a huge number of clubs, and sections by interests - we list some options:

• German
• Chess
• Wind Ensembles
• Horse Riding
• French Movies
• Individual Learning to Play the Musical Instruments
• Mathematics
• Making jewelry
• String ensembles
• Philosophy
• Chinese
• Orchestra
• Spanish
• Theater Technicians' Club
• Natural Sciences
• Glee Club (society for choral a capella)
• Journalism
• Movies
• Dancing
• The debate
• The Drama Club
• Photography
• Choirs
• Textiles
• Classical languages ​​
• Big band.

Girls constantly go in for sports, play musicals, concerts, participate in dance and vocal competitions, conduct dramatic competitions between residences.

Senior students (usually 14 years and over) can compete for the Duke of Edinburgh Prize, participate in the Student Council or in the scheme "Young Entrepreneurs". The career counseling program offers various seminars in Oxbridge, conferences with large companies (such as Porsche, CAE and Roche). On weekends, girls are invited to do needlework, skate or swim, go on a hike or a sports match, visit a movie, theater, bowling, a theme park, participate in a variety of quizzes, competitions and contests.

Burgess Hill Girls is proud of the successes of its graduates:

• In 2013, according to GCSE results, 62.5% received grades from A* to A
• In 2013, the A- Level for high scores A* -B passed 81% (including the highest score in mathematics for all girls, as well as A* -A scores in Spanish and French)
• 11th place among the best private schools for girls in England (based on A-level results for 2012)
• 137th place among the best high schools (Financial Times, 2011 )
• 129th place among the best private schools (Financial Times, 2011).

Most often yesterday's schoolgirls choose to continue their studies in the following universities and areas:

• The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
• The London School of Economics (Management)
• Oxford (Anatomy)
• Bristol (Mathematics)
• Birmingham (psychology)
• Cambridge (Chinese)
• The Royal College of London (Mathematics)
• Exeter (History, Foreign Languages)
• Leeds (International Relations).

Burgess Hill Girls has everything you need for high quality learning and comfortable living. Spacious and light audiences are equipped with interactive whiteboards and personal computers, and in 2013 a computer class was opened for studying foreign languages ​​with the latest equipment, designed for simultaneous studying of 20 female students. Recently, the Croft Hall has also been expanded and updated: here the girls stage performances and concerts, and dance. For self-preparation and homework, there is a special resource center with an extensive electronic database.

Sports play an important role in school life: tennis courts and netballs with professional lighting, a multi-purpose sports hall, badminton courts, basketball courts, a covered football field are equipped for this.

The academic year is divided into traditional trimesters, interspersed with vacations for students' leisure:

• Autumn: from September 4 to December 11 (vacation from October 20 to October 30)
• Spring: 4 January to 23 March (holidays from 15 to 19 February)
• Summer: April 14 - July 8 (vacation from May 30 to June 3).

The cost of one trimester of study is

• 7th grade = 8500 £ / term, 25500 £ / academic year
• 8th grade = 8900 £ / term, 26700 £ / academic year
• 9th grade = 9100 £ / term, 27300 £ / academic year
• 10-11 grades = 9350 £ / term, 28050 £ / academic year
• 12-13 grades = 9400 £ / term, 28200 £ / academic year.

Please note that there are some surcharges and fees not included in the basic cost of the program:

• Registration fee = 100 £
• Semester deposit
• Supportive English language courses for foreign boarders (ESL) = £ 1200 / term
• Registration in the guardian agency and guardian services
• Initial knowledge level testing.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 GBP

For applicants for high school there are following requirements:

• Successful passing of internal entrance exams in mathematics, English (conducted in January)
• Test for verbal-logical thinking (conducted for 7- 8 months before the expected start of the course)
• Personal interview (conducted in December)
• Recommendation from the previous place of study.

For entrants Sixth Form:

• Interview with the director
• Excellent test results in English (High score)
• Recommendation from the previous place of study
• Estimates from A * to C of at least 5 subjects of the GCSE level (if the subjects are planned to be studied at the A-level, the scores on them must be at least B).

Burgess Hill Girls is interested not only in students who show good results in their studies, but also in initiative, independent and active personalities, aimed at achieving impressive results, active in extra-curricular life.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision