Wycombe Abbey School
Description of Wycombe Abbey School
- Language of instruction: English
- Established: in 1896
- Location of Wycombe Abbey School: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
- Age of student: From 11 to 18 years
- Educational programs in Wycombe Abbey School: senior school, GCSE, A-level
- Total number of students: 540 pupils, of them 510 at the boarding school.
- Type of study: single (only for girls)
- Type of accommodation: residence.
Wycombe Abbey School is an elite boarding school for girls, founded on September 26, 1896. Today it is one of the most prestigious, respected and large schools of separate education - the total campus area reaches 160 acres. In 2011, according to the Sunday Times newspaper, the institution became the best independent school in Great Britain, and also received an honourable 3rd place in GCSE examinations and 4th place in the A-level exams. Graduates demonstrate a deep level of knowledge, a broad outlook, pass national and international exams perfectly and without special difficulties enter the most prestigious and ranking universities in Britain.
The school is located near the city of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, the journey to London takes approximately 1 hour.
The institution works in accordance with the national curriculum of the official British education system, seeks to give the students full, deep, versatile academic knowledge on a fairly wide range of subjects. When a student moves to a higher level of education (upper classes), her individual inclinations, desires, academic and career needs are taken into account for compiling an individual curriculum.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Wycombe Abbey School
Quick overview: GCSE program is represented at the school in different variants for classes. The program is designed for international students and includes the highest standards of education.
7-8 grades
At this stage of education, girls acquire fundamental knowledge of the main subjects of secondary school:
- The Basics of Religion;
- History;
- English;
- Geography;
- Art;
- The natural science unit (biology, chemistry, physics);
- Technology and Design;
- Physical Culture and sport;
- Information Technology;
- Mathematics;
- Foreign languages:
- Spanish;
- French.
In addition, you can learn classical languages ​​(Latin or Greek), and eighth-grade students can add German to the curriculum, if they plan to study it in further classes.
Grade 9
In the ninth class, the students are introduced to the basic requirements and characteristics of the I / GCSE exam, which equates to a successfully mastered high school program. The list of subject to study is quite large:
- Latin language;
- Mathematics;
- Physical training and sports;
- English;
- The Basics of Religion;
- The natural science unit (biology, chemistry, physics);
- Art;
- History;
- Drama and theatrical art;
- Geography;
- Music;
- Computer and Information Technologies;
- Technology and design.
Additionally, you can attend the introductory course of the Spanish language (for beginners). There are additional lessons on the full preparation for the I / GCSE exams. The period of the additional educational program is in the last semester of the 9th grade.
10-11 grades
The main goal of educational staff at this stage of training is to effectively prepare girls for the successful pass of the GCSE. The school is deservedly proud of the successes of its graduates, the high test scores for all exams and is doing everything possible to keep the level of academic achievement growing, which helps it to remain one of the most elite, prestigious, ranking British schools.
List of the required subjects for study:
- The natural science unit (biology, chemistry, physics);
- English Language and Literature;
- Mathematics;
- Modern foreign language (Spanish, German or French).
Each student also chooses 4-5 top priority and interesting disciplines from the list below:
- Music;
- Foreign language (Spanish or German);
- Latin language;
- Art;
- Information technology;
- Basics of Business;
- History;
- History of world civilizations;
- Geography;
- Theatrical art and drama;
- Technology and design (graphics + production).
The sport part of the educational program is also highly developed.All students spend quite enough time at different sports activity and attend physical education classes.
Brief information: A-level program (12-13 forms) for international students.
About the educational program: Graduation, senior classes - this is the time for the maximum manifestation of their talents, abilities and skills, for in-depth study and acquisition of useful academic skills. To pass the A-level program, designed for 2 years, international students choose 4-5 priority disciplines (the general list for selection includes 24 subjects), and attend a mandatory course of AS aimed at developing critical thinking. A-level is considered the main, the most popular program - but at the request of the graduate of the school, Pre-U courses can also take place.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The Wycombe Abbey School has a separate, comfortable Junior Residence (for girls 11 years old): thanks to living here they can get used to the academic environment of the new school, to live away from home and relatives, to quickly adapt and make new friends.
The remaining 9 residences are intended for students aged 12-17: each accommodates 45 people, the residents are divided according to the age principle. Each student in her own dormitory is responsible for a certain field of activity: this forms a more cohesive team, bringing up responsibility and a sense of belonging to a single student brotherhood. Each residence has its own commandant from among the teachers who is responsible for the complete safety of the students and monitors the order, cleanliness, discipline.
Wycombe Abbey School students are provided with a full-fledged, balanced meal on a full board basis - mostly European cuisine. Thematic weeks are regularly held, providing an opportunity to try the dishes of different nationalities and countries: most often the chef chooses one of the nationalities represented by the students, and prepares the branded, popular dishes of this country. The menu is updated every week, in more detail with its components can be found on the website of the school.
Each student has a personal tutor who follows her behavior, well-being, progress, maintains psychological comfort, helps in adaptation. Parents receive a full report on the progress of their child each semester - it also includes personal recommendations and comments from teachers in various subjects. The educational institution uses a unique card system: all pocket money the student is credited to a card that they can pay at the school store. Here you can buy everything you need: stationery and educational supplies, sweets and food, drinks, sports uniforms and equipment, toiletries, etc.
Subjects and sports
Activities Wycombe Abbey School
The institution pays great attention to the physical development of its pupils: there are a huge number of sections, clubs and circles here. The girls are taught by professional coaches and instructors, there is all the necessary equipment. Each year, student groups travel to Florida for a major tennis tournament, and the team on lacrosse is among the best across the UK. The most popular sports activities are:
- Lacrosse
- Climbing
- Grabbing
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Badminton
- Fencing
- Polo
- Squash
- Horse riding
- Pilates
- Golf
- Kickboxing
- Judo
- Karate.
Do not stand aside creatively gifted students - for them the doors of more than 50 clubs and circles are opened. Many of them are managed by the students themselves in interaction with the studying staff. The Wycombe Abbey School Administration always welcomes the creation of new associations and clubs, encourages the initiative and seeks to give girls maximum opportunities for comprehensive implementation.
Students' days off are dedicated to interesting, varied leisure and entertainment, which the management and educators arrange throughout the school year. Students go to theme parks, visit cinemas and shopping centers, participate in master classes in needlework and cooking. There are always discos and fun themed parties: the girls rest with the representatives of other famous schools - Eton, Winchester College and Radley. The foreign students of each residence organize joint tours of English cities at the end of each academic semester.
Facilities and equipment at Wycombe Abbey School
The total campus area reaches 160 acres - a well-maintained land with lots of green spaces, parks and lawns. Here reigns a calm, quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the British suburbs, where schoolgirls are not distracted from the learning process, where the noise of a big city does not interfere. If necessary, girls can always visit the nearest town of High Wycombe: go to a store, cinema, entertainment or shopping center, spend time in a cafe or coffee shop.
Despite the maintenance of the traditional way and the atmosphere of the past, Wycombe Abbey School is well equipped and fully complies with all modern education standards. Recently, a new functional sports complex was opened with a spacious heated swimming pool (25 meters), a sports hall, a climbing wall, a dance studio, a fitness center and squash courts. The territory has its own Center for Fine Arts, which includes a student theater and a concert venue for languages, as well as a special large Center for Modern Foreign Languages.
Admission dates and extra charges
The academic year is divided into traditional trimesters, interspersed with vacations for students' leisure:
- Autumn: from September 9 to December 16 (holidays from October 21 to November 1)
- Spring: From 12 January to 23 March (vacation from 12 to 21 February)
- Summer: 19 April - 6 July (vacation from 28 May to 5 June).
The cost of one term of study is 11900 £, one year - 35700 £.
Please note that there are some surcharges and fees not included in the basic cost of the program:
- Registration fee
- Deposit for confirmation of place on the program
- Supporting English language courses for foreign boarders (ESL) = 1200 £ / trimester
- Registration in the guardian agency and guardian services
- Initial knowledge level testing.
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 250 GBP
- Deposit for a course/programme 13500 GBP
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
As with other prestigious and popular British schools, applications for enrolling in Wycombe Abbey School are accepted in advance, about one and a half to two years before the expected start of classes. The procedure is as follows:
- 1) The registration form is filled in;
- 2) Admitting girls are invited to the school, where they are interviewing in personal and group sessions together with other applicants for studying;
- 3) In the school, a small test is conducted to determine the general level of knowledge.
If all the stages were passed successfully, the student receives a conditional place. In order to confirm this place, it is necessary to pass a common exam in English (Common Entrance Test), as well as testing in mathematics and natural sciences. Tests are conducted approximately six months before the official enrollment (in January or February), for them the educational organization ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) is responsible.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Wycombe Abbey 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. |
