St Peter’s School

• Location: York, United Kingdom
• Founded: in 627
• Age of students: 3-18 years
• Total number of students: 1100 people (at the boarding house about 170)
• Type of accommodation: residence (board) and daytime form
• Type of studying: mixed
• Language of instruction: English.

Founded in 627, St Peter's School deservedly is considered one of the oldest schools in the world: the fourth on the whole planet and the third among the oldest schools in Great Britain. The educational institution was founded by Saint Peacock, a Roman missionary who asked for help from the legendary York Cathedral. In the twentieth century, the scholar and historian of British education, Arthur Francis Leach, already wrote: "This school is older than the House of Commons and universities, older than the Lord Mayor and the House of Lords, even older than the throne or the nation itself!" As in most British boarding schools, initially only boys could study here: in 1976, girls were admitted to a limited number of courses, and in 1987 the institution was completely transformed into a mixed form of studying.

Today, a full educational cycle (3-18 years) is offered here for children from all over the world - there are 3 academic departments:

• Kindergarten and elementary school Clifton (3-8 years), is a part of the end of the XX century
• The high school of St. Olaf (8-13 years), became part of the beginning of the 20th century
• St. Peter's school (13-18 years).

The boarding school in York offers both accommodation at a boarding house (from 10 years) and a full-time course. Today, about 1100 people study at the school: 570 - in the senior classes, 350 - in the middle and 180 - in the junior classes. Boys are slightly more than girls - 60/40 respectively. Approximately 170 children live on campus permanently, on the full board basis. Approximately 25% of the total number of students are foreign students (in the upper grades the percentage is slightly smaller - up to 10%). The ratio of teachers to students is 1: 8, staff to students - 1: 3. In each classroom there are no more than 18 people. School curricula are regularly reviewed, supplemented, modernized: they fully meet modern strict standards and provide students with a truly topical, prestigious education.

The school skillfully and harmoniously combines historical traditions and heritage with advanced educational achievements, innovative methods and modern equipment. Teachers believe that studies can and must last a lifetime: they motivate their pupils for constant self-improvement, self-development, educate perseverance and diligence, love for knowledge and learning. At the heart of the pedagogical approach and education are 7 basic human and Christian values:

• Friendship
• Trust
• Wisdom
• Compassion
• Forbearance
• Modesty
• Hope.

All parents can regularly communicate with the child and the teaching staff, receive full reports on the successes, achievements of the student, along with full recommendations and general development advice, can view weekly and three-monthly newsletters.

The school can be attended by representatives of any culture, religion, but there is still a strong connection with the Anglican Church and the York Cathedral: three times a week, services are held in St. Peter's Church (located directly on the campus). A psychological counselor works for children on the territory, which can be accessed on any personal issue.

Great attention is paid to vocational guidance, especially in the middle and senior (graduation) classes. A special balanced program is provided that helps children to decide on the priority specialization and profession, to outline ways to build a career, to choose an institution and prepare for admission, and to negotiate with the admission committee. Parent meetings, conferences and seminars, master classes and Open Doors Days, various lectures and profile tests are held regularly. Graduates help to assemble and arrange a personal portfolio, to fill in and submit documents, organize practice for personal interviews. Particularly close cooperation is conducted with representatives of Cambridge - on the school campus there is a regular representative of the legendary university.

The majority of St Peter's School graduates (90%) successfully enter the universities of the first choice (that is, the most desired and priority ones), and many become students of the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge, and 60% continue their education at the universities of the elite Russel Group. American higher educational institutions also gain popularity: they mostly study modern foreign languages, medicine, technical sciences, politics and history, contemporary art. Some students prefer to take a year of academic rest (Gap Year) or immediately after the graduation to start working.

Foreign students can attend additional English courses (EAL) for a small additional fee. High level of English is an indispensable condition for studying at school, therefore the preparatory language course can be appointed to the entrant even before enrollment.

The St Peter's School has graduated a huge number of successful figures of art, culture and politics, world famous personalities:

• John Barry (composer, known as the author of music for 11 movies about James Bond)
• Guy Fox (legendary historical figure, in honor of which in Britain there is even a holiday)
• Greg Wise (actor)
• Johnny Burstow (athlete, member of the national cricket team) and many others.

The school has adopted a system of houses: on the campus there are 4 residences for boys and girls of senior classes (2 houses for each gender) and 1 spacious mixed residence for students of primary school. All residences are within walking distance from each other, with the main building connected by a pedestrian bridge.

In each residence in general access are game rooms, spacious cozy living rooms for rest (with upholstered furniture and TV). Teachers with their families live with the children in the Houses: they look after the children around the clock, ensure their safety, monitor the observance of order, discipline and cleanliness.

Each room is designed for 1-4 people, fully equipped with the necessary furniture and appliances.

Board meals are organized in the general school cafeteria, and there are common small kitchens in the residences where you can prepare your favorite dishes, snacks or sweets for tea (lunches are held on the territory of the Houses). The school has repeatedly received prizes and prestigious prizes for organizing healthy and balanced nutrition for its pupils: many vegetables and fruits (tomatoes, beans, potatoes, strawberries and raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb, garlic) are grown directly in school gardens. If necessary, a dietary diet is provided.

Each student is personally supervised by his class teacher and tutor in the hostel, as well as the guardian, who is necessarily assigned to every foreign student in the UK. Parents can always keep in touch with the child, and with the school administration via Skype, email or mobile phone. Senior students are traditionally given a greater degree of independence, but exits outside the campus are conducted only with the notification and permission of teachers and educators.

There is a Medical Care Center on site, where a qualified nurse is on duty around the clock. The sick schoolchildren rest and recover in the school infirmary, where you can invite a doctor of any profile.

Subject list: Art, biology, business, chemistry, Civics, Classical civilization, design, economics, English literature, ethics, geography, health education, healthy lifestyle, history, Information Technology, maths, music, Natural science, physical education, physics, Political science, politics, Religious studies

Students have the widest opportunities for sports and active recreation:

• Football
• Squash
• Rowing (men's and women's team)
• Hockey
• Badminton
• Athletics
• Swimming
• Water polo
• Rugby
• Basketball
• Zumba
• Tennis
• OFP (general physical training)
• Cricket
• Fitness
• Netball
• Field hockey
• Run.

Required for all students are swimming classes. Schoolchildren can be part of teams, perform at regional and national competitions. The most popular sports are rugby and rowing.

A variety of opportunities for the development and manifestation of their talents is available to creatively gifted students - there is a huge number of clubs and sections:

• Drawing from life
• Literary society
• School radio
• Variety collectives
• Art
• "Young Entrepreneurs"
• Computer club
• Edition of the school magazine "Keystone"
• Debate
• Symphony Orchestra
• Poetic circle
• Piano trio
• String Quartet
• Singing a`cappella
• Senior choir
• Junior choir
• Cookery
• "Ecology and Horticulture"
• Brass band
• Scientific society
• Church singing
• Board games
• Historical modeling
• Playing musical instruments (training is available from any level)
• Jazz ensembles
• Drama and theater
• Rock climbing
• Pop music
• The UN Model
• Ceramics
• The photo
• Chess
• Forest trekking
• Speech and the art of public speaking, oratory.

Senior students can take part in the competition for the Duke of Edinburgh Prize, engage in the Youth Model UN, attend classes at the United Cadet Corps (CCF, there are branches of the army and the Air Force). Various contests and quizzes (the most popular are literary and discussion), and the school Internet Radiostation "Radio 627" is licensed, regularly produces interesting and informative programs, which are prepared by the students.

Much attention is paid to the social and moral development of schoolchildren: they constantly participate in public charitable projects. For example, every Saturday meetings are held at the Silver Surfers Club, where students learn how to use the Internet for older people and to find useful resources.

The location of the school is very close to York, offering the widest opportunities for walks and excursions. York - one of the most ancient and interesting cities in the UK with a rich history, well-preserved monuments of culture, art and architecture. At the same time, today York is a lively cultural center with a modern infrastructure, where practically every week there are interesting events and celebrations. Students can go to the York Cave of Horrors or the Viking Center, visit a chocolate factory, take a walk through the numerous national parks around, hike or bike.

Organized and exciting tours abroad:

• Ski trips to the Alps, visits to famous ski resorts
• Musical tours of Paris
• Sports competitions in Canada, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand
• Expeditions to Morocco and India and etc.

• 105 place in the national ranking of schools based on the results of A-level (2013, The Daily Telegraph)
• 16th place in the ranking of schools of mixed education on the basis of A-level (2013, The Daily Telegraph)
• In 2013, the following points were earned on the A-level graduation course: A * = 19%, A * -A = 57%, A * -B = 83% (mathematics was especially successful)
• According to the data for 2013, GCSE / IGCSE exams were also very successful: 88% of students received high passing scores A * -B, 68% scored A * -A, and 35% scored A * (music was especially distinguished) .

The campus covers an area of ​​47 acres: it is located in the suburbs of York city Clifton, along the river Uz. Nearby there are the ancient walls of the historic center of York, which, according to history, was the birthplace of the famous Robinson Crusoe.

Just a 10-minute walk separates the campus from the center of York: 2 hours by train to London, an hour and a half to the airports of Leeds and Manchester, respectively.

There is everything that students can need for effective and comfortable studies:

• Large classrooms with interactive equipment (projectors, electronic boards)
• Wilson's camera and several telescopes
• Own meteorological station with advanced equipment
• A large music school: rehearsal classrooms, an assembly hall for performances, a modern recording studio; a concert grand piano of Bösendorfer and 6 grand pianos Yamaha, harpsichord Andrew Garlick
• Two computer labs (PCs equipped with the latest Sibelius software)
• A huge library in the main building - more than 14,000 printed sources, a large volume of periodicals and electronic sources
• Theatre Studio
• Concert Hall for general gatherings and speeches
• Own art school with art gallery
• Numerous research laboratories for practical classes
• Chapel.

Perfectly adjusted and sports infrastructure:

• Numerous fields and grounds for individual classes and group games (coverings of different types)
• Two large sports centers
• A large gym (updated and expanded in 2014)
• Own pier and boathouse on the river Uz
• Tennis Courts
• Courts for netball
• 3 cricket fields with grass cover.

The school has a huge swimming pool: the first was built in 1922, and the modern one was built in 2012 (the length of the tracks is 25 meters) and was awarded the prestigious York Design Awards for architecture. Indoor swimming pool.

The school has its own medical center, where 24/7 qualified nurses are on duty. If necessary, a physician of the right profile is called up to the campus: on a regular basis, therapists are admitted at the clinic just across the street from the campus. There is an opportunity to choose a doctor male or female, and emergency medical assistance is always provided to the child free of charge. Inpatient treatment for children will be free only if students come from EU countries.

On the campus there is a specialized company store: here you can buy stationery and books, uniforms. There is also a commission department: you can turn in your uniform (from which the child has grown) or buy it at a lower price.

Academic year in St. Petersburg Peter's School is divided into traditional British trimesters:

• Autumn: from September 3 to December 15 (vacation October 20-November 5)
• Spring: January 7 - March 23 (vacation February 9-18)
• Summer: from April 15 to July 6 (vacation from May 25 to June 3).

The course price already includes:

• Studying on the course
• Educational books, manuals and materials, office supplies
• Free use of all school infrastructure and equipment
• Sports, cultural, excursion, leisure and entertainment program.

The list of the following services is paid additionally:

• Registration fee
• English Lessons for foreign students (ESL)
• Deposit confirming the place on the course
• Contribution to the whole school development
• Examination Boards
• Deposit for tuition (= 1 trimester cost)
• Additional academic and language classes (optional)
• Additional leisure activities and excursions (optional)
• Guardianship (registration with the agency + guardian services)
• Air tickets in both directions
• Transfer in both directions (to the airport of Leeds the school organizes a free transfer)
• Compulsory medical insurance
• Personal pocket expenses
• Visa fees and services, translation and certification of documents
• Consular fee (paid at the Embassy).

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 75 GBP
• Application Fee 500 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 11135 GBP

Basically, new students come to school at 10-11 and 13 years old (but there are opportunities to enroll at any age, if there are free places on the desired course). Applicants must provide the admissions office with a report card about their academic performance (for the last 2-3 years), pass a personal interview with the director or representative of the commission, take entrance tests (mathematics and English, general testing for the level of intelligence development: reading test, verbal and non-verbal thinking). Often, an exam combining a school test and a standard Common Entrance is used to test applicants. It will not be superfluous to include a character from a previous school, letters of recommendation from teachers, a class teacher and a director.

If a student asks for a place in the Sixth Form program, he must provide high scores of at least 3 exams (in subjects he wants to continue studying) and pass the General Paper test. In case of difficulties with making a decision, the assessments received at the GCSE course are considered (it is recommended to have an assessment of at least 6 subjects not lower than point B).

We recommend starting the enrollment procedure at least 1 year before the start of studies. Tests and interviews (including for applicants for school scholarships) are held in November. The redial is done in February, but it can be canceled if the necessary student quota is already collected.

The school counts exclusively on long-term studies and does not provide short-term courses.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision