Downside School
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Description of Downside School
The large and famous Downside School is popular among students all over the world. Successful educational experience has more than 400 years of productive work - the last 250 years the school is in a new, constantly renovated building, where technical and infrastructural opportunities are regularly updated. Today, the Downside School campus is just 12 miles from the bustling historic Bath, near the picturesque Mendip Hills.
The school was founded in 1606 by the Benedictine monks and was originally located in France. The school moved to England about 250 years ago, in 1814. At first the school provided educational services only for boys, but today the studying is conducted on a mixed basis: about 430 boys and girls from 9 to 18 are studying here (about 16% are foreign students, 390 are boarders). The total campus area reaches 500 acres.
Downside School is a religious category, the official religion of the campus is Catholicism. This brings a lot of advantages for students. Firstly, this is a serious financial support, and secondly, excellent conditions for creative work, especially music and singing: fine acoustic halls and studios, permanent practices at the best venues, 4 regular choral competitions with valuable prizes. Binding Downside School to the Catholic Church allowed to create an amazing, huge library, which has no analogues in the UK: it is especially appreciated by A-level students who chose courses in history, philosophy, art, classical languages, etc. In general, the school pays much attention to the study of classical history and languages: here one of the best in the country courses in Latin, Hebrew, Greek. Catholic education of schoolchildren helps them to become more tolerant, well-bred, harmonious personalities - regular conversations with the tutor, regular developing events, obligatory Sunday Mass, interesting cognitive excursions and lectures are provided for this.
Excellent opportunities for humanitarian students naturally influence the choice of graduates: approximately 12% choose research and scientific and humanitarian specialties (including in Oxbridge). Some graduates prefer to receive higher education in American universities of the Ivy League, in 2016 one of the graduates even received a scholarship upon admission to Princeton University. This proves the universality of education in the school of Downside, the lack of strict binding to British universities and Oxbridge - for example, students can optionally take a SAT course (typical for the American educational system), get qualified advice on any world university, its structure and rules of admission.
Today, the school is one of the national leaders in academic performance, the country's first school for the percentage of graduates entering Oxbridge. According to 2016, 20% of A-level students received the highest A * score, and 71% of students coped with the most difficult exams for high AB scores. The ratio of teachers to students is 1: 5, and the classes number only 6-10 people.
Downside School does not intentionally participate in national rankings: its priorities are in the area of ​​harmonious development of each child and maximum attention to his personal characteristics and talents. But, if the policy changed and the institution entered the ranking system, Downside School would take 50th place among all schools in Great Britain.
It is worth noting the excellent international educational center for foreign students - International educational Center "Kings at Downside" - part of the structure of Downside School. Here children from all over the world aged 11 to 14 can study, preparing for the main course of British education. This studying center harmoniously combines international educational programs and traditional British school courses, helping foreign students to quickly join a new academic environment. Educational programs are very flexible (duration from 1 trimester, admission is 4 times a year), and requirements for entrants are loyal - enough level of English language from 3.0 on the IELTS scale.
Foreign students from the International Center constantly work together with students of the main school areas: joint activities (entertainment and studying), joint meals, a common medical center are built, various clubs for sports and creativity work - all this facilitates adaptation of foreign students to the British school. Traditional etiquette and rules of conduct are maintained, small academic classes are formed (6-10 people in total), a form and a permanent schedule of the day are introduced. All the staff of the International Center are accredited for work with foreign students and international groups: teachers, tutors, educators, placement specialists.
Upon completion of the educational course at the International Study Center "Kings at Downside", students can choose several options for continuing education:
- Go to primary school Downside (in 10-11 class you will need to pass entrance examinations in key subjects);
- Go T=to any other selected school in the UK - the achieved level of knowledge will allow you to choose fairly freely;
- Continue studying at another international center Kings (available for children 14 years old);
- Return to your home country or continue your studies in any other country in the world, using your experience and knowledge.
When is the best time to apply to British schools? What should students prepare for?
The earlier the better! If you are choosing a prestigious school, be prepared for a rather rigorous admission process: elite schools choose students, not the other way around.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Downside School
The traditional British course of incomplete secondary education includes a fairly wide range of subjects - most of them compulsory, some can be studied as optional:
- English Language and Literature
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Geography
- Latin
- Mathematics
- Greek language
- French
- Spanish
- The photo
- Science
- Art
- Physics
- History
- Music
- Technology and Design
- German
- Religious studies.
The "golden standard" of British education, the best program to prepare for British universities is offered to foreign students. The A-level course is designed for 2 years, during which only 3-5 subjects selected by the student are studied at an in-depth, complex level. Certificate A-level with high grades allows you to enter even the best universities in the UK without additional entrance exams.
You can choose subjects for studying from the following list:
- English
- Latin
- Economy
- Business
- Art History
- Biology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Geography
- Chemistry
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- Higher Mathematics
- Greek language
- Music
- Technology and Design
- Religious Studies
- French
- Sport and physical education
- Art
- Spanish
- Psychology
- German
- History.
This course is provided at the International Studying Center "Kings at Downside" and is designed specifically for international students aged 11-14 (both boys and girls) who want to prepare for the qualitative and effective preparation for entering British schools and colleges, or to continue their education in any other country in the world.
The curriculum of the center is very flexible: admission is conducted 4 times a year, and the minimum duration is 1 trimester. Nevertheless, school teachers and educational counselors recommend admission to a one-year course: this will allow them to fully adapt to the new language, cultural and educational environment, to increase the level of the English language to free, confident possession, and to bring the knowledge of academic subjects in line with the requirements of the British system.
- Dates: July 5 - August 23.
The fascinating combined program is conducted on the basis of Downside School for more than a year and invariably attracts students from all over the world (age 8-17 years).
The academic load is 20 lessons weekly: all basic language skills are improved, the language and emotional barriers are overcome, pronunciation is improved, vocabulary is expanded (classes of up to 15 people each). The rest of the clock is devoted to exciting and fun activities, interesting excursions and walks, sections of sports and creativity.
The duration of summer courses is from 2 to 6 weeks, the requirements for entrants are minimal - students are accepted even with the most basic level of English.
- Dates: 6 July - 17 August.
A combined course is designed for active students who like to combine studying, sports and leisure.
The academic load of the program is low - only 15 hours a week - but this is enough to significantly improve the level of English. All basic skills develop: reading, listening, writing and speaking. The vocabulary expands and pronunciation, communication skills improve.
In addition, students dedicate weekly 6 hours of studying in tennis. Professional coaches are engaged with the children: they are able to work with experienced players, and with beginners, will help to create an optimal and effective educational program.
- Dates: 6 July - 17 August.
Combination of holiday, sports and English is offered to those who like to relax with pleasure!
In addition to academic English lessons (15 hours a week) students are expected to have 6 effective hours of riding exercises weekly. Stables, arenas and all necessary infrastructure is only 10 minutes walk from the main building of the school. With the children there are professional instructors and coaches: they will make for you the most effective educational program, based on the initial level of skill, and help to hone the existing skills.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Several comfortable men's and women's residences are built on the campus of the Downside School: for younger and middle classes, rooms for 2-4 people, high school students are accommodated in private or double bedrooms. The entire territory is constantly under the supervision of educators, in each residence there are always teachers who are ready to help with the solution of any issues and are responsible for the safety of each child.
Boarding meals, varied and balanced (thrice a day + snacks) are provided. On a preliminary request, a vegetarian diet is organized.
Subjects and sports
Activities Downside School
Usually excursions and walks are held on weekends (1-2 times a week) - this can be a whole day trip or several hours in the neighborhood. The most popular destinations include the famous British cities (Bristol, London, Bath, Glansthorbury, Oxford, Cardiff), boat trips along the rivers, visiting major historical castles and estates, theme parks (Thorpe, Alton Towers, Longleat, Legoland).
Entertainment events are constantly held on the territory of Downside School. It can be a show of talents and concerts, various performances, parties and celebrations, discos and evenings of national cultures. During the warm season, a barbecue is held, orienteering competitions. The musical direction is strongly developed - so, students can master the game on more than 20 musical instruments, participate in school ensembles and orchestras, national and regional competitions. Sports teams also show excellent results and performance, regularly win and take prizes in a variety of competitions. Among the most popular sports you can note the following sections:
- English Lapta
- Swimming
- Fitness
- Ping pong
- Tennis
- Badminton
- Jumping on the trampoline
- Squash
- Archery
- Volleyball
- Track and field athletics
- Frisbee
- Cricket.
Admission dates and extra charges
- The course cost includes:
- Studying;
- Meals;
- Accommodation on campus.
The following components are paid additionally:
- Guardianship (fee in the agency + guardian services)
- School uniform
- Academic deposit
- Air tickets in both directions
- Transfer in both directions
- Personal pocket expenses
- Medical insurance
- Additional lessons and leisure activities, some mugs and sections
- Visa fees and services, translation and certification of documents
- Consular fee (payable at the Embassy).
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 GBP
- Deposit for a course/programme 12032 GBP
Scholarships Downside School
A scholarship competition of £ 2'000 per term for the best entrant to the Kings at Downside training program has been announced, so hurry to send all the documents until mid-May!
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Downside School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
