Oxford Tutorial College (Oxford Sixth Form College)

• Location: Oxford, UK
• Established: in 1988
• Educational programs: GCSE, A-level, BTEC, academic English courses, preparation for IELTS, University Pathway, special programs to prepare for the retake of exams
• Students age: 15+ years
• Total number of students: 170 people
• Accommodation type: host family or residence (boarding house).

Oxford Tutorial College deservedly enjoys an excellent reputation among educational institutions specializing in preparing students for British universities. The private college Sixth Form was created by the Oxford Educational Foundation in 1988: its founders were five honorary trustees, including the director of the college. In 2010, the college passed under the management of the company ISIS Group, funded from the charitable foundation of Prince Charles, including - it allowed to open on campus effective summer and winter language schools, to conduct seasonal tours and combined programs.

Oxford Tutorial College accepts children from 15 to 18 years of age: the total number of students today reaches about 200 people, boys and girls are approximately equal (most of the students have already reached adulthood and study on programs for high school students). The first week in the college is dedicated to the adaptation of foreign students: they get acquainted with British cultural and national characteristics, learn the rules of safety and behavior, learn on the campus and in the house chosen for living, walk around Oxford.

In 2013, Oxford Tutorial College was ranked 30th among private schools in the country according to the results of final exams - for this young institution it is more than an impressive success. Accredited by the British Council, repeatedly received high marks from profile independent organizations for effective preparation before the university. The total number of graduates today already exceeds 30 thousand people - they continued their education in such prestigious universities as:

• University College London
• Cambridge
• Edinburgh
• Durham
• Oxford
• St Andrews and others .

Another valuable feature of the college is the opportunity to choose the most optimal educational form for each student:

• 6 classroom lessons per subject weekly;
• Weekly - 4 lessons in mini-groups for 7 people and 1 individual lesson;
• 3 individual lessons per week for the chosen subject.

Many college teachers are graduates of Oxford: working in small classroom and giving each student personal attention, they are able to achieve really impressive results in teaching.

About 35% of Oxford Tutorial College students are foreign students: most are from Europe, the US, Russia, Thailand and China. Parents every trimester (at least once) receive a full-fledged school report: on the progress and behavior, successes and difficulties of the child, the recommendations of teachers and educators. If desired, parents or guardians can order controlled studying: once a week the student will perform homework under the supervision of a qualified teacher. This helps to fill the gaps in knowledge, to raise learning, to learn to concentrate and work more efficiently and carefully.

Each student at Oxford Tutorial College is given an individual approach and personal attention: for this purpose, a personal mentor is assigned. It is the mentor that first of all helps students to solve any problems (for household issues it is better to contact a special security officer available throughout the working day). If necessary, an independent consultant is invited for a confidential meeting with the student, his parents or guardian. Together with the tutor every week the student conducts individual lessons: learns to write and critically analyze essays, to discuss novel or philosophical treatise, to analyze ideas of fiction, etc. Such a technique is successfully used in Oxford University, so this preparation for students will be very useful.

Oxford Tutorial College works with professional medics on a partnership agreement: each incoming student must register with a British doctor, have a medical card with vaccinations, allergies and contraindications (it is recommended to register not only with the therapist, but also with an ophthalmologist and dentist). Usually, medical services for students are free of charge (they go through insurance, including hospitalization, intensive care and return to their homeland).

Sarah Hicklin

Director of International Admissions at Oswestry School

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.

There are several comfortable and safe accommodation options for pupils:

• Host family

A private room, fully furnished with necessary equipment, is equipped with a separate sleeping and study area. Usually, family accommodation is based on the half-board principle (breakfasts + dinners), in some houses students prepare themselves independently, freely using the kitchen. All the families with whom the college has been cooperating for several years are carefully selected and constantly checked by the staff.

• Student residence (from 18 years old)

The college has its own residence in the city center: 13 private bedrooms with shared facilities and kitchen. Nutrition is based on the principle of self-care, there is always a tutor with children. Accommodation in this residence is available for students booking a course of at least 1 academic year.

• Residence-apartments (from 18 years)

The semi-autonomous residence provides cozy, comfortable single bedrooms - each house has 5-8 rooms. Most of these houses are within walking distance from the educational building. Food, amenities and all the necessary appliances are provided.

• Managed residence (15-17 years)

College-run residence: children are constantly supervised by a senior educator: 24/7 he monitors the observance of order, cleanliness and discipline, helps children with the solution of administrative and domestic issues. Students live in private rooms (each house is designed for 5-8 people), board meals are provided.

Not far from Oxford Tutorial College there is a huge number of bars and pubs, cafes, restaurants and eateries - students (especially those living in self-service) will not have problems with catering.

Subject list: Accounting, anatomy, anthropology, Art, biology, business, chemistry, Classical civilization, computer techologies, economics, English literature, Filmmaking, geography, history, law, maths, media, music, philosophy, photography, physics, politics, Psychology, Religious studies, sociology, sports science, textile

Many students spend their leisure time on sports and active recreation - there are constant friendlies and games:

• Cricket
• Athletics
• Swimming
• Basketball
• Table tennis
• Badminton
• Football
• Tennis.

There are also circles for creatively gifted students:

• Music;
• Film club;
• Fine arts;
• Theater and drama.

On average, every day for optional electives is allocated for 1-2 hours plus classes on weekends - but this is only the recommended intensity, its student can vary at will. Many opportunities are provided in Oxford: choirs and music ensembles, orchestra, dance groups, volunteer programs and etc.

On weekends students often go to London, Stratford or Oxford: they visit theaters, museums and art galleries, interesting lectures and master classes, fascinating excursions. During the school year, 3 large celebrations-parties are necessarily held:

• Autumn acquaintance of students and teachers, barbecue
• Christmas show and talent show
• Summer boating and general picnic.

Interesting quizzes and contests, games and holidays are constantly held. At 16, Oxford Tutorial College students are automatically enrolled in the Oxford Student Union and the Oxford Discussion Club. The headquarters of the Union is only 500 meters from the college grounds: a rich history and traditions of this club were brought up by not one politician, statesman and prime minister. The Union also serves as a common gathering place, a club for interests: here students can sit in a bar and cafes, play billiards, visit the reading room and a separate library.

Oxford sixth form college has 3 ancient Victorian architecture buildings in the heart of Oxford, with Oriel and East Christchumpus from the bus station and the train station can be reached in 5 minutes, and the distance to London is only 55 miles. Oxford is an unusually beautiful, cozy and picturesque city, often called the "City of Dreaming Spiers". Oxford has long been considered to be one of the most prestigious and respected educational centers of University colleges within walking distance. The college is located in Oxford on King Edward Street, just around the corner is the busy High Street. The students from all countries come here to get a high-quality and highly-cited education.

The college is proud of its huge library: there are not only fiction and periodicals (many are represented by printed and electronic sources), but also numerous textbooks, reference books, dictionaries, methodological materials. Access to office equipment (printer, scanner, copier) is provided, and exam materials of past years are kept, which can be taken for reference.

Studios for art classes, a music class with a multimedia cabinet, scientific laboratories and computer classes, a class for biological experiments, observations and experiments were prepared for students. High-speed wireless Internet is available throughout the campus. Students like to relax in a cozy common living room: there are TV and DVD, a stereo system, many disks with music and games, board games. The student kitchen is also equipped: here students can always make a cup of tea or coffee, something to eat.

A separate library is provided for students who actively study English: additional books and textbooks are provided for foreign students (the cost is already included in the price of tuition).

The multifunctional gym takes badminton and basketball exercises, volleyball, a large illuminated field is also available for football. In summer, tennis courts are available, a golf course is rented, you can go to the squash courts or the fitness center. There are two spacious swimming pools, and the city and university clubs are opened to pupils who want to learn rugby, lacrosse, rowing, hockey or other team games.

The academic year in the school is divided into traditional British trimesters:

• Autumn - from September 5 to December 20 (vacation from October 24 to October 28)
• Spring - from January 4 to 7 April (holidays from 13 to 17 February)
• Summer - from 24 April to 30 June (days off on 1 and 29 May).

The price does not include and is paid separately:

• Registration fee 
• Deposit confirming the place on the course
• Selection option of living 
• Insurance deposit (refundable) 
• English language lessons (EFL) for foreign students
• Accommodation (residence or family)
• Custody (registration fee and agency fees)
• Personal pocket expenses
• Visa fees and services, translation and certification of documents
• Round trip air tickets
• Round trip
• Medical insurance.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 400 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 2500 GBP

For admission to the GCSE course, it is sufficient to present an identity card (age from 15 years) and a school certificate with a timetable of grades (10 classes must be completed.)

For applicants of more complex programs (for example, University Pathway, A- Level, APP - academic English) requirements are higher:

• Certificate of English Proficiency (IELTS 5.0-55)
• Completed application form with personal data
• Passing the interview (in person or online)
• [ 999.11] School certificate + report card with grades
• Characteristics and recommendations from the previous school (minimum 2).

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision