West Buckland School
This content has been reviewed and approved by Professor Lucy Heller
In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources: Wikipedia, GOV.UK, International Baccalaureate
Description of West Buckland School
- Founded: in 1858
- Total number of students: 590 people (among them 90 foreign students)
- International students are accepted from 11 years old
- Boarding house is available from age 7 and older
- Type of training: mixed
- Type of accommodation: Boarding house
- Language of instruction: English.
The academically strong and respected West Buckland School is distinguished by a strong student community and an extensive student support program. Every student here is eager to discover his personal talents, abilities; Stimulate it to new achievements, and motivate it for self-improvement and development. Priority is not only academic education: students develop also in the sports, creative, personal plan. The campus has all the possibilities for full-fledged development - the children here are surrounded by care, comfort, learn and live in a friendly environment.
Academic results of students clearly demonstrate the balance and effectiveness of training programs, the professionalism of teachers:
- GCSE: 53.2% of the students received the highest scores from A * to A, and 94.8% of the students passed the exams for good grades from A * to C (passing grade);
- A-level: 41% of graduates have earned the highest score A * -A is a significant But a higher figure than the average for the UK! 98.2% of students successfully coped with the tests (scores from A * to C), and 71.6% received high marks from A * to B.
When is the ideal time to apply to UK schools, and what should applicants expect?
Generally, the earlier, the better. Some prestigious schools close their admissions 1-2 years before the start of the program. Consider entrance exams, which require preparation, and visa processes, which don't fare well with last-minute arrangements.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in West Buckland School
Quick overview: A two-year traditional British program aimed at obtaining an incomplete secondary education and the GCSE certificate of the same name. International students study a rather large list of academic subjects.
List of subjects to study:
- Compulsory:
- Information and computer technologies (ICT);
- English literature;
- Modern foreign language (French, German, Spanish);
- English;
- The fundamentals of religion (theology);
- Biology;
- Mathematics;
- Chemistry;
- Physics.
- Optional (optional):
- European computer driving license (ECDL) is a computer user qualification recognized internationally;
- Art and Design;
- Geography;
- Spanish;
- Design and technology;
- Music;
- Healthy nutrition and valeology;
- Theatrical art and drama, acting skills;
- History;
- French;
- Mathematics.
Brief information: Classical pre-university preparatory program of the highest class: A-level certificate with high enough points gives students the opportunity to enter even the most elite and privileged universities without additional entrance examinations and examinations. The program is designed for 2 academic years and is intended for international students of 16-18 years.
List of subjects available for study:
- Modern foreign languages;
- English literature;
- Art and Design;
- Music;
- Biology;
- Chemistry;
- Mathematics;
- Psychology;
- Geography;
- Physical education and sport;
- Product design;
- Economics;
- History;
- Physics;
- Fundamentals of religion (theology).
In the first year of study (AS-level), students usually choose 4-5 subjects, for the second year of which only 3-4 remain, for which exams are taken.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Several spacious and comfortable residences are built in the school, where students can choose to stay with a cosiness, choosing a boarding school form:
- Boyer (boys 11-17 years old). Designed for 45 people: there are two common living rooms for recreation (equipped with digital TV and DVD, billiard tables and upholstered furniture), student kitchen. Students can have their laptops and connect them to a local fast Wi-Fi, but at night all the laptops are taken and turned off.
- School House (boys of the senior classes). Cozy single bedrooms, access to Wi-Fi, Skype and other computer programs, own kitchen and laundry, spacious living room for rest.
- Bamfylde (girls 11-17 years old). Rooms for 2-4 people: general are usually occupied by students of lower grades, high school students are accommodated in double bedrooms (conveniences and bathrooms are located on floors in sufficient quantity). Access to Wi-Fi, Skype and other necessary programs, a kitchen with the necessary set of household appliances and refrigerators, a special cafe for breakfast. A spacious common lounge for relaxation with LCD TVs, DVDs and modern music equipment.
- The Gables (girls in high school). The rooms are designed for 1-2 people. There is a kitchen, a lounge for rest with TV and DVD, laundry and drying, Wi-Fi access is provided.
Subjects, specialties
Activities West Buckland School
The school has a huge number of clubs, sections and circles of interest - each student will be able to reveal their unique talents and abilities, find like-minded people and engage in pleasure, develop their talents and learn something new:
- Math Club;
- Astronomy;
- Charity Committees;
- Christian union;
- Art Club;
- Jazz Dancing;
- Chemistry;
- Textile Club;
- Debate club and oratorical art;
- Chess club;
- Shooting;
- Biology Club;
- Phoenix Society;
- The Linguistic Club.
Music is very popular. On campus, a large number of collectives of different genres are organized:
- Chamber Orchestra;
- Ensembles;
- Symphony Orchestra North Devon Sinfonia;
- Concert Ensemble;
- Samba Band;
- West Buckland Jazz;
- Choirs;
- Group Guitarists;
- Chamber chorus;
- String quartet.
Many students are addicted to Theater, drama and theatrical art. Annually in the local school theater there are several performances; Also pupils organize performances and concerts in the professional theater of the Landmark Theater. Only in recent years have been shown such productions as "Les Miserables", "Call Inspector", "West Side Story", "We Will Rock You", "Severe Test", "Bugsy Malone", "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
International pupils of the school have successfully performed in the sports field, entering the teams of the Southwest of England and North Devon. Especially worth noting are the following sports:
- English Lapta;
- Hockey;
- Netball;
- Aquatlon (running + swimming);
- Basketball;
- Cricket;
- Rugby;
- Triathlon;
- Tennis;
- Biathlon.
Facilities and equipment at West Buckland School
Equipping the school campus deserves to be considered one of the best in the south-west of the country. The school occupies more than 100 acres of picturesque, green and well-tended countryside in the county of North Devonshire. Exeter International Airport is always an hour's drive away, in 1.5 and 3 hours you can get to Bristol and London respectively, and within the transport access you can reach the Atlantic coast: take a walk along the beach, surf and other water sports. The nearest town to the school is Barnstaple: just 15 minutes by car.
The campus structure includes a variety of facilities that enable pupils to live , learn and spend free time with maximum benefit and comfort:
- Fields for cricket;
- Indoor swimming pool 25 meters long;
- Two shooting ranges;
- Rugby fields;
- Golf course with 9 holes;
- Football fields;
- Track for running with obstacles, athletics tracks;
- Theater;
- Modern Sports Center;
- Tennis courts;
- All-weather field for hockey;
- Squash courts;
- Art Center: for practicing art, design, theatrical art, there is a workshop for textile printing, a photo lab and a kiln for firing;
- Separate Alumni Center: own lounge with upholstered furniture, satellite TV, kitchen, pool tables.
Admission dates and extra charges
Some services are paid additionally to tuition fee:
- Registration fee;
- Educational deposit;
- English lessons as a foreign language;
- Visa fees and services, translation and certification, courier delivery Documents;
- Consular fees (payable at the Embassy);
- Air tickets;
- Transfer in both sides;
- Personal pocket expenses;
- Compulsory medical insurance;
- Guardianship (reg stration agency + guardian services).
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 85 GBP
- Deposit for a course/programme 4000 GBP
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about West Buckland School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
