- Full Qualified Teacher Status
- Bachelor of Development Economics and Management (Hons)
- MBA with honors.
How long have you been working in the secondary education system?
In general, 22 years: 13 years in teaching, academic field and 9 years in management, admissions committee.
What makes British schools so popular with families around the world?
There are many different schools in Britain: on the one hand, there are the oldest, traditional boarding schools, where world leaders, famous politicians, economists and scientists have been educated for hundreds of years. On the other hand, Britain today has some of the most modern independent schools and colleges you can find! This provides a wide range of choices for any parent - a school can be found that perfectly matches the individual needs and ambitions of the child. Combined with a unique British history and the fact that Britain is home to English - the world's language of science and business - this makes the UK one of the best options for studying abroad.
Why do parents value British elementary and high schools so much?
These are some of the best learning environments you can find. Teaching methods, qualifications of British schools are recognized all over the world, many have adopted them as a model and standard. As they grow up, the child is given great academic freedom - he can explore, question the facts that he is studying, thereby developing independent, analytical, inquisitive thinking. Students in the UK are always at the center of the learning process, with their individual needs in focus.
Since Britain is the birthplace of English, the language of technology, business and science, parents hope that the development of language skills will make it possible to study any literature (research, teaching), build an academic and professional career.
Let's talk about the rankings of UK boarding schools. What criteria are used to compile it? How accurate is it today?
Most of the rankings are based on exam results for a specific year: GCSE, IB, A-level. These rankings are pretty clear about how well a particular school prepares its students for exams - and parents appreciate it. However, one should not assume that a school-leader is suitable for absolutely everyone, even if this is a good sign for choice. Many schools pay great attention to preparing for the highest grades, fully covering the chosen subject: this prepares for successful studies at the university, for admission to the most prestigious and ranking universities. But it is equally important to prepare the student well for the transition from Sixth Form (which is still considered secondary education) to higher education. The ranking is a quick guide: I would advise you to apply to several schools, having previously personally visited them and formed a personal objective opinion. This will help you understand if a particular school is right for your child.
What are the most important questions to ask parents in order to find the right school in the UK?
The smaller the school, the better: in small institutions you can form a truly friendly community, where everyone knows each other, where teachers and even the director provide real support to everyone.
It's the same with classes: small classes ensure that every student actively participates in every lesson, the teacher can pay attention to everyone.
You should definitely pay attention to the teachers: who are they, what is their experience, qualifications, academic interests and hobbies? Teachers should be real professionals with extensive experience in supporting their students - they are more responsible for the positive development of children, for their motivation and academic performance.
What are the other high school or college students? What are their academic ambitions, are they similar to your child in this, are the children enthusiastic about their studies? Children inevitably influence each other, therefore it is important that your child is surrounded by those who are close to him in spirit and interests.
Leading UK schools test English proficiency and performance in mathematics at entrance exams and interviews. The lack of entrance exams should alert you.
Pay attention to the location of the school: is it in a big city, in a rural area? Is it a big campus - or a compact, intimate one? For the majority, I believe that a large metropolis will not be the ideal choice: it can negatively affect their learning process. I would advise you to take a closer look at quieter places: a safe, calm, measured environment reigns there, which will help you focus on your studies and preparation for the university.
What is important to consider when choosing a school, in addition to rankings and professionalism of teachers?
Location, student and extracurricular activities - clubs, communities. The type of education is joint or separate (only for boys or only for girls), of course. Religious affiliation (if or not, how clearly expressed), a unified policy, the presence of a curfew and a uniform.
When do you need to apply to UK schools? What should applicants prepare for?
It is worth submitting an application in October if you plan to start studying next September: this way you will have time to prepare for entrance exams, interviews, go to get acquainted with the campus and apply for a visa.
What subjects have been most commonly chosen in recent years?
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is becoming incredibly popular: it is logical, because it is the real key to the future, capable of providing you with a great job and a high salary. Biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, mathematics are consistently popular because they are basic to any STEM degree.
Do all schools strive to get into best rankings?
No, for some schools this is not at all a priority. School inspections and reports like OFSTED can be a great guide for parents when choosing the best school. If you look closely at the rankings, you will see a lack of information in them: you need to take into account other factors that are not reflected in them - the number of students who successfully passed the exams, the nationalities of those who pass the language tests for a high score. For example, if a student from Russia has passed an A-grade exam in Russian, is this considered a success? Schools, unfortunately, can change their ranking tables to look their best on the final lists. Combine assessment criteria and tools to find the truly ideal school for your child. And be sure to visit priority institutions!
How much has the COVID-19 Pandemic impacted student enrollment? How do schools help students during this period?
COVID-19 forced all British schools to switch to online education from March 2020, and we were only able to return to full-time education from September 2020. Small schools and colleges, in fact, returned to their usual life: small classes, laboratory and mini-group experiments. The online format cannot be called a full-fledged, long-term substitute for full-time education (especially for areas like medicine and science), since laboratory classes, joint discoveries and discussions are absolutely necessary for a deep understanding of the subject.
To resist the pandemic, we conduct daily medical check-ups for both students and teachers. For those who cannot come to the UK or are forced to be in quarantine, we organize the most intense distance learning: many have postponed their arrival until September 2021, but those who have already returned to college are happy to start full-time classes.
Is it difficult for a talented applicant to get a scholarship? What are the usual discounts?
A gifted student with a good level of English (B2, or IELTS from 6.0) can apply for a scholarship or director's award. The discount can be both for studying and for the whole boarding house - usually it is 5-30%, but it can be even higher.
At what age do foreign students usually enter British schools?
15-17 is the most popular age.
Do all schools have ESL (English for foreign students) language support? Is it really that important?
Yes, most independent institutions organize academic English lessons for international students if they require it. When applying to a university, you must provide a valid certificate of proficiency in English (IELTS UKVI), and the school must prepare you for this exam. The higher your level of English, the easier it will be for you to learn.
How much does it cost to prepare for additional expenses besides school and boarding fees?
Of course, it depends on the parents to what level of life they have accustomed the child to. A good school will provide students with adequate meals (including snacks and drinks), but parents should provide items such as laptops and other educational equipment, clothing. For everyday, pocket expenses, I would advise to allocate 10-15 pounds per day.
What advice do you have for potential applicants before entering a British school and why?
Pull up on your English and maths as much as possible! Decide on the subjects of highest priority for you in order to apply to institutions that are strong in these specialties. Ideally, you should already decide on what you will study at the university - this will help make your study at a British school or college as productive and interesting as possible.
