Blundell’s School
Description of Blundell’s School
- Founded: in 1604
- Location: Tiverton, Devon, UK
- Age of students: 11-18 years
- Total number of students: 570 people (70% - pensions)
- Type of studying: mixed
- Type of accommodation: residence (boarding house)
- Language of instruction: English.
One of the oldest schools in Western England - Blundell's School - was founded in 1604 by one of the richest people of his time, Peter Blundell. Initially, the school was located elsewhere - the current campus in the city of Tiverton (Devon County) has been actively used since 1882, is constantly being modernized, updated and expanded.
The school has long established a reputation as a leader not only in academic studies, but also in the creative, sporting, spiritual and emotional development of its pupils. The slogan of the school is the phrase "respect for the" roots "(that is, for the past: social responsibility and firm character) and the desire for a new (" wings: Freedom of creativity, independence, confidence in judgment, self-esteem") are two priorities of the administrative team of Blundell's School. Here in children they strive to reveal all their unique talents, features, abilities, help to form a harmoniously and comprehensively developed personality, to cultivate tolerance and mutual respect for others, honesty and nobility, love for learning and self-improvement.
The academic results of the students clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach (data is for 2016):
- A-level: 69% of students successfully passed the final exams (highest scores A * -B)
- GCSE: 93% of the students received the highest scores from A * to C.
In 2016, 4 graduates of Blundell's School received an invitation to continue their education in Oxford and Cambridge - the most prestigious universities not only in Britain, but also in the world. Also popular with students are the following ranking universities in Britain:
- Durham University
- University of Bristol
- Warwick University
- Royal holloway
- Imperial College London
- University of Leeds
- University of Exeter
- University of Manchester
- Cardiff University.
The school studies relatively few foreign students, including Russian speakers - only 8%. The most foreign students are from Asia (China, Hong Kong, Japan), the other students come from Ukraine, Germany, Africa, Brazil and Russia.
A distinctive feature of the curriculum is the lack of a block system: students can independently and freely compose a personal educational program, combining priority subjects in any sequence. On Saturdays, a reduced school day is organized, Sunday is a day off. At school uniform is accepted.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Blundell’s School
GCSE
The program completing the course of incomplete secondary education (14-16 years, 10-11 classes) is designed for 2 academic years. At the end of grade 11, students take 8-10 exams - both in compulsory subjects and optional courses. Grades go to the GCSE certificate: for students who plan to continue their studies in the Sixth Form courses and enroll in the university, this document is mandatory.
The curriculum and the choice of subjects at this stage is very wide and varied:
- Classical Civilizations
- Business Communications
- German
- Art
- English
- Spanish
- Biology
- Drama and theater
- Physics
- Information technology (ICT)
- Statistics
- Chemistry
- French
- Music
- Chinese
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Design and technology
- History
- Latin
- English literature
- Computer science
- General health program (valeology)
- Physical Education and Sports
- Program for self-development and life in society.
A-level
The six-year course is a gold standard for the British educational system. The A-level certificate with excellent points is valued so highly that it allows its holder to enter even the most prestigious and elite universities without passing additional entrance examinations and tests.
A-level, like most Sixth Form courses, is designed for 16-18 year old students (12-13 grades), lasting for 2 academic years: AS-level and A-level. For the first year, 4-5 disciplines are selected for study, the second - is only 3-4, and exams are passed for them. This makes it possible to concentrate as carefully as possible, efficiently, to enter the chosen faculty and specialty - subjects at the A-level are studied at an university, in-depth level of complexity.
The students choose independently all subjects - they are offered an extensive and diverse list, covering all areas of knowledge and the field of science:
- Classical Civilizations
- English
- Art
- German
- Greek language
- Latin
- Biology
- Design and technology
- Cinema Science
- Chemistry
- English literature
- Political science
- Chinese
- Mathematics
- Politics and Political Science
- Business
- Physical Education and Sports
- The photo
- Geography
- Economy
- Spanish
- Informatics, information and computer technologies (ICT)
- History
- Drama and theater
- French
- Psychology
- Advanced Mathematics
- Japanese
- Ethics
- Physics
- Geography
- Music
- Painting
- Ethics and Philosophy.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The pupils of the school live in comfortable, safe and cozy residences directly on the campus, on a full board basis:
- School House - a residence for students of grade 7
- Gorton House, North Close - women's residence (13-17 years)
- Francis House, Petergate, Old House - men's residence (13-17 years)
- Westlake is a university-type residence for high school students at Sixth Form (pupils of 12-13 grades).
In residencies and in the territory with the children there are always teachers and educators: they monitor the observance of cleanliness, order and discipline, help the students to solve any administrative or domestic issues, are responsible for their safety in the 24/7 mode.
Subjects, specialties
Activities Blundell’s School
Blundell's School strives to develop its students not only academically, but also creatively, physically, emotionally and spiritually - that's why the school's extra-curricular life is very diverse.
For students in free time a huge number of clubs on interests works (on a regular basis - more than 70!), where everyone can find like-minded people, show their unique talents and abilities:
- Drama and acting
- Rock climbing
- Orchestra
- History of art
- Cinema Club
- Rhetoric
- Chorus
- Volunteer activity
- Self-defense
- Chamber ensembles
- Driving lessons
- Chess Club
- Fencing
- Scuba diving
- The photo
- Boxing
- Design
- Yoga
- Master classes in cooking
- Jeweler's craftsmanship
- Sculpture
- Astrology
- Astronomy and etc.
Constantly held fascinating performances, the general Talent Show, concerts and skits.
Sports classes are also included in the daily "diet" of students - the campus has a rich and well-developed infrastructure, equipment, hires the best instructors to give children the opportunity to improve in any chosen sport:
- Field hockey
- Football
- Five's
- Athletics (mostly light)
- Sailing
- Horseback riding
- Cricket
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Rugby
- Golf
- Run
- Shooting
- Tennis
- Gymnastics
- Swimming (there is a spacious pool with heated water)
- Squash
- Netball
- Judo.
Special successes were achieved by school teams in rugby, hockey, skiing, equestrian sport and canoeing. Members of school teams constantly participate in regional and national competitions, take first and prize places, organize friendly games and matches with pupils of other schools.
Regularly organized by the school administration student exchanges: students can go on time to study in the Czech Republic, Germany, Holland or France. Foreign trips and excursions around the UK are arranged often too: for example, you can go to New York or Boston for a scientific conference for schoolchildren, take part in a cricket tournament in bright Barbados or together with a school choir perform in Barcelona.
Advantages
- Convenient geographical location: a historical region, a spacious and picturesque campus, excellent transport accessibility to major cities and international airports;
- A small number of foreign students, including Russian speakers - an average of 8%;
- Excellent academic results of students - balanced, effective educational programs, a large selection of subjects and electives.
Facilities and equipment at Blundell’s School
The campus of Blundell's School is located in the county of Devon, in the small cozy old town of Tiverton (south-east of the country, about 40 thousand inhabitants), next to the large national parks Exmoor and Devon. Here there is a favorable, comfortable and safe atmosphere, and the region is characterized by excellent ecology indicators and clean air. You can get to the nearest local airport in just 20 minutes, you can get to London Heathrow International in 2.5 hours.
The school constantly updates and modernizes, complements its campus, for which invites the best architects, decorators, designers and experts in sustainable construction. Of the latest renovations, one can mention the magnificent theater with 150 seats, the expansion of the primary school (now it is located in a large main building) and the music school, the emergence of a new Academic Center (it employs large Departments of Business and Economics).
Admission dates and extra charges
The academic year includes 3 terms. The list of the following services is paid additionally:
- Registration fee
- Examination boards
- Academic deposit (refundable)
- 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
- 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) 100 GBP
- Deposit for a course/programme 1000 GBP
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
Each year, the school receives approximately 70 new students - the introductory requirements include:
- For applicants of grade 7: examinations in English, mathematics and non-verbal logic + interview;
- For applicants in grade 9: tests in English, the second foreign language and mathematics + interview;
- For the entrants of 12th class (Sixth Form): examination in mathematics and English + personal interview.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Blundell’s 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. |
