How long have you been working in secondary education?
15 years.
What makes British schools so special?
Great Britain has been a world leader in education for hundreds of years. Parents want their children to receive a world-class education that will allow them to take a place in the best universities in the world and in the future to make a successful career. The best schools in the UK give kids a great start, skills and qualifications needed in the 21st century.
Why do parents value UK primary and secondary schools?
In primary schools, children begin to define their personal values, develop relationships between themselves and people, and imagine what needs to be done to achieve success. In elementary school, they take their first steps in English, mathematics, sciences - natural, humanitarian, social and artistic.
In high school, students, growing up, realize their strengths, tastes and interests, begin to look for an individual direction of development: families, peers, and teachers help them in this. The strong values ​​and safety of British boarding schools also serve as development assistants - their long track record in achieving goals is a testament to this.
Talking about UK boarding school rankings: what criteria are used to assess schools? How accurate is it?
They can be considered very accurate because they are published and verified by the Ministry of Education with the help of authorities such as the Daily Telegraph and The Times. Basically, schools compete with each other in the number of grades A*-A and A*-B.
What is the most important for a parent while choosing a school in the UK?
The main selection criteria can be called the academic ranking, the percentage of successful admission of graduates to universities, the variety of extracurricular activities, geographic location, level of pastoral care.
When should a foreign student apply to UK schools? What to prepare for upon admission?
It is best to apply in the fall semester - before September, in which you want to start your studies. Entrance exams are usually waiting for applicants. Almost everyone takes an English test, so make sure your language level is strong enough: listening, reading, writing, speaking. Sometimes schools arrange entrance exams in the subjects that the student plans to study: for example, Cardiff Sixth Form College and Earlscliffe test applicants in mathematics. Often, a combination of examinations "English + Mathematics" is offered to students who plan to study at the GCSE and A-level.
What subjects are most commonly chosen in recent years?
Mathematics remains popular, like other sciences. By the way, psychology is literally experiencing a rebirth as a subject in demand!
Is it true that every school strives to be ranked among the best?
Sure! Teaching talented, motivated students is very prestigious.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected student numbers? How do schools help students during this difficult time?
Surprisingly, COVID-19 almost did not affect the number of students, although everyone was preparing for the opposite. This year we even had more students than last year, even though we were worried about enrolling in 2021. We hope that with the invention of the vaccine, both parents and students will calm down, so that life will return to normal.
How difficult is it for a talented student to get a scholarship? What are the average school discounts?
Of course, scholarships can be obtained - but you're right: they are awarded to the most talented and capable. In most cases, scholarships are 10-20%, but they can be up to 50%.
At what age do foreign students usually enter British schools?
Depends on family circumstances, but usually at 14-16 years old.
Does every school provide ESL language support to foreign students? How important is it?
Yes, every boarding school will offer a foreigner an English ESL course. Its importance cannot be overemphasized: understanding what you are learning, relationships with other children and educators, extracurricular reading, and vocabulary development are all vital skills. If you want to enter a British university in the future, get ready to pass IELTS with at least 6.5 points.
What additional expenses will parents expect during the year besides studying and accommodation fees? How much do you advise to save?
Of course, the amounts vary and depend on the school, but on average, I would advise you to prepare an additional minimum of £ 1000 per term.
Besides professional teachers, what else do parents consider when choosing a school?
Child care level, variety of extracurricular activities, location, reputation and prestige. Often, parents like to consult with educational agents, with friends, if their children are already studying / studying in the UK. Each school has its own character, which is why I strongly advise you to visit the campus and talk to the staff: the director, the representative of the admissions committee, etc. This way you will personally get an idea of ​​what the school is like, what its values ​​and advantages are.
What advice can you give to potential applicants who choose UK schools?
I would advise you to actively study English, read more - it actively develops understanding of the language, knowledge of grammar, construction of sentences and phrases. Try to talk to as many people as possible, look for resources on the Internet, watch movies - be more active!
