Earlscliffe College

• Location: Folkestone, England,
• Year Founded: 1870,
• Language of Instruction: English,
• Type of Education: Blended

Earlscliffe College is a small private college specializing in the education of British and international students aged 15-19, preparing them for admission to the best universities and higher schools in the UK.

Earlscliffe College was founded in 1870, initially as a large private residence in the prestigious West End of Folkestone, just a few minutes' walk from the sea and the famous Leas promenade. The main building on Shorncliffe Road has served as an educational center since 1923, previously being the home of the Bodham-Whetham family. Since World War II, the school has welcomed international students, and there have been years when Jewish children from Berlin were brought to the UK for their education.

The education here combines both English traditions, as observed at Oxford and Cambridge, and the best private schools in the country, with global educational trends, such as the level of requirements of the American Ivy League – the community of the best universities in the United States. This unique experience helps students not only acquire deep, comprehensive knowledge in academic subjects but also become well-rounded individuals who are ready to contribute to society, achieve their goals, and feel comfortable and confident in any situation.

Earlscliffe College has a long and successful history of working with international students. Currently, British students make up about 25-30% of the student body, while the rest form a diverse, international, and multicultural community built on the principles of tolerance, equality, and mutual respect. For foreign citizens, there are language courses to prepare for the IELTS test, as admission to English universities is virtually impossible without it, and universities typically require a fairly high level of scores, usually 6.0-7.0 and above.

In addition to standard and foundation educational courses, Earlscliffe College offers students the opportunity to prepare for the entrance exams of certain faculties and specialties, as well as thematic tests such as LNAT, TSA, BMAT, and UKSAT.

Each class has no more than 9 students, allowing each student to expect individual attention and care. Teachers can effectively teach students, quickly tracking their progress and difficulties, and adjusting the curriculum if necessary. It's also worth noting the career guidance work and university preparation: students are helped to create an optimal study plan for the Sixth Form, choose a university and major, correctly fill out documents and submit applications, and prepare for interviews with admissions committees.

Marie de Tito Mount

Chief Executive Officer

UK boarding school rankings: what criteria are used to compile them? How much can they be trusted?

Rankings consider GCSE and A Level / IB results, whilst a strong indicator of academic output, I advise parents to also look at the schools ethos and community values when assessing the right school for their child. 

At Earlscliffe College, we offer personalized programs tailored to each student's requirements and abilities. Small classes, a family atmosphere, weekly tests guarantee constant support, encouragement of students in the academic process, extracurricular activities, and effective use of free time.

TRaC™ is a key factor in Earlscliffe's assessment strategy. The "Test, Rank and Train" system of frequent academic testing and monitoring is a weekly short test in the subjects studied. The results are provided to parents and allow you to show the level of assimilation of information by the student, his strengths and weaknesses of academic aspects. Teachers offer extra academic help, coaching if a student needs extracurricular activities to fill knowledge gaps.

Most students aspire to go to the best university in the UK or abroad. In-house career counsellors will help students from the initial stage: they will find out their goals and talents, conduct a series of events about admission opportunities and diversity at universities, and then together with them they will write a powerful personal statement and build a portfolio. Students have access to mock interviews with the staff of Earlscliffe College, who perfectly simulate entrance exams for admission to the university.

With a wealth of experience in 1:1 university and career counseling, the school works closely with affiliated organizations Oxbridge Applications, A-List Education, The Medic Portal, and The Lawyer Portal to provide each student with the best chance of success.

The university aims to educate high school students in several high school programs: A-Level, GCSE, University Foundation, Business Diploma and Pre-sessional Course. Each academic department takes care of its students by providing modern equipment, many services to achieve outstanding results.

In the summer months, short-term courses are held on campus, for which the specialized department is responsible.

Earlscliffe College has six boarding houses, where girls and boys are accommodated separately. Each residence has a Housemaster or Housemistress responsible for the well-being and safety of the students, and they live adjacent to the students. The staff assists with daily tasks, provides comfort and emotional support when needed, organizes various activities, ensures that homework is completed on time, and maintains structure and daily routines.

Students reside in spacious single or double rooms with en-suite bathrooms. All living quarters are equipped with beds with bed linens, wardrobes, shelves, drawers, desks, desk lamps, and chairs. Students sharing a room with another student will typically room with someone of the same age but from a different nationality or language background. All boarding houses have common lounges, kitchens, laundry facilities, and gardens for relaxation, snacks, and socializing.

Mealtime is an important part of the school day. A team of qualified staff makes every effort to provide students with a variety of healthy meals. The entire school community gathers together in the dining hall or garden for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are prepared from fresh ingredients in the school kitchen in the main building, offering students a wide selection of hot dishes, including vegetarian options, salad bars, soups, and often a dessert during afternoon break. For students who want a quick snack between classes, School House serves paninis, sandwiches, and soups.

Subject list: Art, biology, business, Business and communication, Business and management, chemistry, computer techologies, economics, English literature, Farsi, geography, history, Human Resource Management, IELTS preparation, maths, Natural science, photography, physics, politics, social sciencies

Earlscliffe College offers a wide range of additional activities that benefit students, support their academic achievements, improve their emotional well-being, mental health, and foster a sense of community. Therefore, the campus hosts various events on a weekly basis, ranging from sports competitions and scientific seminars to costume parties and culinary masterclasses.

In September, new students participate in a series of Saturday events that help them get acquainted with the area and adjust to life in the UK. These events include visits to important local landmarks such as Dover Castle, beach picnics, hikes in the North Downs, and trips to London. The dedicated events coordinator compiles the event and trip schedule throughout the year based on students' requests and feedback. Students receive assistance in organizing various activities, from going to the movies to comprehensive tours of London.

The school encourages students to lead a healthy lifestyle, develop a drive for success, teamwork skills, leadership qualities, and determination. Sports play a crucial role in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program, combined with community service, trips to Snowdonia and beyond. Students can achieve this prestigious award at the Silver and Gold levels.

Regular sports opportunities include:

• Football training and weekly league matches
• Basketball
• Badminton
• Horse riding
• Tennis
• Golf
• A fully equipped gym
• Swimming, and much more.

Students have free daily access to a well-equipped gym and fitness center just a few minutes' walk from the campus.

Earlscliffe College also has several specialized academies that help students reach a professional level of skills and achieve outstanding results in their fields of interest.

Basketball Academy: Offers elite-level basketball training and gameplay experience to students, complementing their academic achievements. Qualified teachers with extensive experience conduct daily basketball training sessions that elevate players' abilities to a new level. These sessions promote the development of key life skills such as athletic mastery, strategy, leadership, and a positive attitude. Coaches organize regular competitive matches, and players become members of the Folkestone Saints basketball club, competing in the first division. The institution seeks opportunities for trips across Europe and the USA to provide players with additional international experience.

Morning basketball training sessions are designed for more determined athletes who intend to make the most of this opportunity in very small training groups. Afternoon sessions, on the other hand, are generally more relaxed, and all skill levels are welcomed for some friendly competition and games.

Business Academy: Assists the most entrepreneurial students in developing sound economic principles, a good understanding of global events, and effective leadership skills. Through a network of industry partnerships and real-world experiences, students create a personal portfolio that sets them ahead of their peers when applying to universities and in their future careers. Earlscliffe College's Business Academy is a dynamic division of the school, and many events have an experimental nature.

Students often attend lectures at universities such as the London School of Economics and Political Science and University College London. Partnerships with Globe Business College in Munich provide a unique opportunity to attend the Golden Ticket Weekend.

The college invites students from all over Europe to collaborate on business projects with the support of industry experts. All students attend the European School of Economics for a curriculum based on financial analysis, planning, and risk concepts. This trip is combined with a tour of the home of British tennis, Wimbledon, where students learn how a two-week event essentially finances the entire British tennis program for the rest of the year.

As a Dukes Education school, Earlscliffe College provides career-specific work experience programs, mentoring seminars, including weekend seminars for aspiring medical professionals, lawyers, architects, engineers, or fashion designers.

Creative Arts Academy: Encompasses a wide range of arts, including painting, illustration, graphic design, textiles, photography, sculpture, and modeling. The academy participates in many events, including Creative Folkestone Triennial Projects. Students regularly visit art galleries and museums and attend the international art fair, Frieze, in London, for additional inspiration. Students also have the opportunity to participate in national art and photography competitions, such as the Summer Exhibition of Young Artists and "Portrait of Britain."

Earlscliffe College provides its students with numerous opportunities for self-discovery and the development of their potential. Thematic clubs that reflect students' interests meet daily and work on projects, event organization, or simply socializing. One of these communities is involved in volunteer work: students engage in charitable activities, raising funds, assisting the homeless, working in shelters and social homes, and volunteering up to two hours per week.

• Small class sizes, usually 7-9 students,
• Diversity of the student body: more than 70% of students come to Earlscliffe from all over the world,
• Weekly TRAC testing in course subjects, allowing you to adjust the teaching load and close knowledge gaps in time,
• Intensive training – nine lessons in core subjects per week,
• Guaranteed improvement in average grades from the moment of arrival at the college to the final results thanks to an individual approach to each student,
• Fortune 500 Five Stars in the World's Top Boarding Schools 2023,
• Ranked in the top 1% of schools in England for academic achievement,
• Accreditation by the British Council to teach IELTS,
• Member of Independent Schools Associations, Boarding Schools, British Association of Independent Schools with International Students,
• Associated with UNESCO.

Earlscliffe College is situated in the quaint and cozy town of Folkestone, in the county of Kent, southeastern England. The campus is within walking distance of the local railway station and the picturesque, spacious promenade.

The main college building was constructed in 1870 and is a historic and stately mansion. It houses common rooms for relaxation and events, the school administration, a medical office, a large library, a dining hall, and art studios. The school library includes a diverse collection of books, educational resources, and electronic materials, along with regular subscriptions to newspapers such as The Times, The Economist, The New Scientist, The British Medical Journal, and more.

The rest of the campus, covering an area of approximately 10 acres, offers a variety of facilities for studying, leisure, creativity, sports, and accommodation:

• Comfortable residences with high-standard rooms
• Outdoor and indoor swimming pools
• A football field
• Squash courts
• Tennis courts
• A large multi-purpose fitness center
• Basketball courts
• Bright classrooms, lecture halls, and lecture rooms equipped with modern technology
• Studios for creative, artistic, and craft activities
• Scientific and practical laboratories for study and research.

The small town of Folkestone is well-known as the "Gateway to Europe," as it's just an hour's drive from London and the shores of the English Channel, making it easily accessible to France. It's a popular yet tranquil seaside town with a mild and warm climate, boasting a high number of sunny days each year.

The academic year consists of three terms and runs from September to June. There is a one-week break in the middle of each term, during which students have the option to stay at the school or return home for short vacations. Leisure activities are also organized on national and international holidays, as well as on weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays.

An approximate list of additional expenses includes:

• Registration fee, admission deposit
• CAS fees
• Accommodation, on-campus dining
• Additional academic courses
• Taking final exams, IELTS
• Fees for practical activities in some subjects
• Individual tutoring
• Airport transfers
• Textbooks
• Some extracurricular activities, including field trips
• Personal expenses.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 295 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 2650 GBP
• Transfer (one way)

Applications for training can be submitted year-round in person on campus or through an online application form. Applicants who choose remote registration will have to fill out a personal data questionnaire and provide documents. The Admissions Office will provide applicants with tests in English and Mathematics of one hour each to determine their level of ability in these areas. Staff will also arrange a face-to-face interview to get to know the prospective student.

The Admissions Committee sends an application letter and two invoices so that the candidate can pay the registration fee, make a deposit, and pay for the first academic semester. Payment of the fees will start the visa process.

After paying the required contributions, employees will need additional documents:

• Forms of registration of guardianship,
• Medical Forms,
• Parental Consent Letter,
• Student Questionnaire.

Staff will maintain contact with all applicants until they arrive on campus.

Earlscliffe College is a small institution with no more than 70 students each year, so admission of new students is severely limited.

Most college students submit up to five applications to selected UK universities in the final semester of their final year of study.

Upon completion of the Business Diploma Course, the students enter the following universities:

• Abertay University,
• Glion, Switzerland,
• Globe Business College, Munich,
• Oxford Brookes University,
• Royal Holloway, University of London,
• University of Exeter.

Upon completion of the University Foundation Year, students are offered places at the following institutions:

• British College of Osteopathic Medicine,
• Durham University,
• Queen Mary University of London,
• University of Toronto, Canada,
• University of Westminster,
• University of St Gallen, Switzerland.

The results of the A-Level course allow college students to get into such universities as:

• University College London (UCL),
• University of Bath,
• University of Oxford,
• University of Nottingham,
• University of Buckingham,
• University of Manchester and others.

Foreign applicants are required to provide the following documents:

Personal documents:

• birth certificate,
• passport,
• medical insurance,
• visa or residence permit,
• School reports for the last two years of education,
• Certificate confirming proficiency in the English language: IELTS with a score of 4.5 or equivalent, depending on the chosen course.

The school itself does not provide funding for programs, it is a private institution. Students of specialized academies and those who achieve outstanding results in their studies are offered assistance in obtaining state funding programs, third-party scholarships from partner organizations of Earlscliffe College.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision