The Godolphin School

• Language of instruction: English
• Established: in 1726
• Location of Godolphin School: United Kingdom, Salisbury
• Students age: from 9 to 18 years
• Curriculum: primary school, secondary school, GCSE, A-level
• Total number of students: 461 people, 168 of them on the boarding school.
• Type of study: single (only girls)
• Type of accommodation: residence.

Godolphin School, a well-known and prestigious private school of separate education, was founded in 1726. This is one of the oldest educational institutions in the UK exclusively for girls: curricula and programs are constantly updated, modernized, improved, providing high-quality British education to pupils, taking into account all the needs and requirements of young ladies. The basis for the Godolphin School was the Church of England, but belonging to it is not a prerequisite for admission - the doors of the institution are open to girls of all nationalities, religion and cultures. Here pupils are given all the opportunities for full-fledged, all-round development and education of the individual, but the requirements are quite severe and high. Teachers are constantly in contact with children: they help with valuable advice, recommendation, encourage to academic achievements, learn to set high goals and gradually achieve them. Thanks to comprehensive support, students become more confident, they are ready to take deliberate risks for the sake of achieving high results, they know their strengths and advantages and skillfully use them. According to The Daily Telegraph, in 2011 the school became the 232nd of 342 private schools on the basis of exams.

The educational institution divides the studying programs into several stages:

• Preparatory School (elementary school) = 7-10 years
• Senior School = 11-18 years.

Boarding accommodation is available to schoolgirls from 9 to 18.

The institution pays special attention not to only fundamental subjects, but also art, music and drama. The school encourages all-round, full-fledged development of the personality of each girl in every possible way, the creative approach to work and performance of tasks, the desire for new knowledge, the desire to achieve high academic goals is highly appreciated.

Godolphin School is deservedly proud of the results of the examinations of its graduates - according to the 2011 estimates, these are:

• GCSE - 86.2% of pupils received grades from A* to B.

Each year 86% of yesterday's schoolgirls enter the selected universities, with about 2% of them - to the legendary Oxford and Cambridge.

The general campus area reaches 16 acres: the educational institution is in Salisbury, one of the most developed and picturesque regions of England and Britain (in the south-west of the country). Godolphin School is located near the historic city center: you can get to Bournemouth, the famous resort, in about 45 minutes by public transport, the road to London takes just under two hours.

Victoria Eastman

Director of International Admissions at Mayfield School

Why are UK primary and secondary schools so highly regarded?

A primary aim is mastering English from a young age. Students in British boarding schools grow in independence, leadership, and self-reliance. Class sizes are small, allowing teachers to focus on individual needs more than in public schools. For working parents, the all-encompassing environment of boarding schools is appealing – offering everything from ballet to tennis and piano lessons within the school day, eliminating the need for additional travel. Many schools also provide comprehensive weekend programs, keeping kids engaged and safe on campus, though this varies by school. 

The number of students at the boarding house reaches 170 people. There are 4 cozy and comfortable residences on the territory of the school:

• One for girls 9-12 years
• One for high school students
• Two for pupils 12-16 years.

In each hostel there is a teacher on duty who performs the functions of a tutor, as well as his deputy: they are responsible for the full safety of the girls and for maintaining discipline and order.

Each residence includes cozy living rooms for recreation and gambling halls, libraries, music classes, and its own dining room. Here there is a friendly, family atmosphere, the girls constantly communicate with each other and organize group entertainments, help each other in studying and life. High school students (15-18 years) are living in comfortable rooms for 1-2 people and looking after younger girls, students of junior classes occupy rooms for 4-5 people.

The approximate schedule of the day:

• 7:30 - wake
• 8:00 - breakfast
• 8:25 - meeting with the tutor
• 8:50 - the beginning of academic studies, paired lessons (each lasts for 35 minutes)
• 12:50 - lunch (dormitories are reopened)
• 15:45 - end of lessons, tea, school activities before 18:45
• 18:00 - opening of hostels
• 18:45 - dinner
• 18: 45- 20:30 - preparing homework, communicating with friends, playing games and relaxing activities
• 21:30 - sleep preparation (retirement is carried out at different times, depending on the age of the students).

Students 14 years and older can get out at Salisbury for shopping or for a walk in small groups 1-2 times a week in the afternoon.

Meals are organized on a full board basis, the diet is varied and balanced, taking into account all the needs of children and adolescents. Full tables are provided for vegetarians, representatives of the Jewish and Muslim faiths.

Pupils of the 6th grade occupy a separate building and do not have a general obligatory form: their level of study is aimed at a full, effective preparation for successful admission to the chosen university. They enjoy greater freedom than other students, even allowed to keep their own cars in the parking lot of Godolphin School.

Subject list: Art, biology, business, chemistry, computer techologies, Culinary skills, drama, economics, English literature, geography, history, Life skills training, maths, music, physics, Psychology, Religious studies
Activity list: Athletics, field hockey, horseback riding, lacrosse, netball, swimming, tennis

On weekends, a diverse, rich and exciting program of leisure and entertainment is organized for girls. Besides classes in sports or creative sections, visiting clubs by interests, you can go for a walk in the city:

• Visit the theater, museums;
• Spend time on shopping or play bowling;
• Explore local attractions or spend time with friends in a cozy coffee house.

Each week, pupils participate in a sightseeing tour or walk, and once a semester the students leave with excursions abroad.

On Saturdays, lessons end sooner than usual (around lunchtime), so there is more than enough time for walking around Salisbury, entertainment and leisure.

Independent walks are not allowed for junior international students (11-13 years) - for them on the campus Godolphin School various games, competitions and leisure activities are arranged. You can visit a culinary master class and learn how to cook traditional Japanese or Spanish dishes, make slippers or a T-shirt with your own design, make a delicious non-alcoholic cocktail, and make calligraphy. Many pupils prefer active rest: they ride mini-bikes, horses, are fond of archery. On field trips, the girls visit Longleat, Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower, the White City and the Air Force studio. On Saturdays, collective film screenings are organized, and on Sundays - services at Salisbury Cathedral are in the morning or afternoon, also at the school itself. Senior students help in organizing various activities for junior students: team games, competitions, karaoke, talent contest (once a year).

The campus for students has its own extensive library, studios for creativity and drama, music, fine arts. All audiences, classes and studios are equipped with the necessary furniture, equipment, interactive and computer equipment.

About 80% of pupils play musical instruments, participate in the activities of a school orchestra or choir.

Sports infrastructure is no less developed: a spacious swimming pool, fields and playgrounds (for individual lessons and team games), tennis courts, a functional indoor sports hall are available for students. Godolphin School pays great attention to the physical development of its pupils - each student attends this or that section. For example, open sections such as:

• Hockey
• Golf
• Tennis
• Fencing
• Gymnastics
• Judo
• Athletics
• Jumping from the springboard
• Horse riding, etc.

On the basis of the school works a huge number of clubs on interests, where all pupils can show their abilities and talents, choose for themselves the most interesting occupation in free hours:

• Computer technology
• Cooking
• Natural science clubs
• Traditional or digital photography
• Cricket
• Ceramics
• General fitness
• Silver ceramics
• Self-defense lessons
• Makeup
• First Aid
• Drama and theater
• Choreography and etc.

For the undergraduates, classes on the design of evening dresses, debates club, writing of an extended essay on various topics are additionally organized. Students 14 years and older can compete for the award of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (for an additional fee). The competition provides 4 directions:

• Sports and games
• Night expeditions
• Personal talents and abilities (at the choice of the student)
• Public work (in a public store, presentation of projects on ecology).

Three types of awards are awarded: bronze, silver and gold, all of them are very prestigious and serve the subject of pride for each winning school.

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

• Autumn: from September 2 to December 10 (holidays from October 21 to November 1)
• Spring: from 5 January to 18 March (vacation from 12 to 21 February)
• Summer: 10 April - 2 July (vacation from 27 May to 5 June).

The cost of studying is:

• 9-13 classes = 10255 £ / trimester, 30765 £ / academic year
• 7-8 classes = 9937 £ / Term, 29811 £ / academic year
• grades 5-6 = 7747 £ / term, 23241 £ / academic year.

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

• Registration fee = 150-200 £
• Support deposit for the program (semester)
• Supporting English language courses for foreign students (ESL) = 1200 £ /trimester
• Registration in a guardian agency and guardian's services
• Initial knowledge level testing.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 200 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 12400 GBP

• Previous school performance report
• Characteristic from previous place of study.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision