The English educational system is a real example of classical European education, which is considered to be of the highest quality and prestigious. Studying at a high school in London is a sure step on the way to university abroad, not only in the UK, but also in leading universities in Europe and the world.
The TOP schools in London are divided in state and private institutions; the foreign students are accepted by the second one. Private schools in London are distinguished by a high industry ranking, modern equipment, developed internal infrastructure, beautiful campuses, comfortable conditions of stay for the international students.
Private schools in London – classification
The private institutions are divided into several types: pre−schools teach kids from 4 to 7 years old, preparatory schools are attended by students from 7 to 11 years old, and in specialized educational institutions for boys, the program provides training up to the age of 13. Public or private schools accept teenagers from the age of 11 or 13, and they study here until they come of age 18 years.
The last two classes in such institutions are preparatory – studying at the Sixth form allows the foreign students to effectively prepare for university admission. The international colleges accept students for studying, starting from 10 grade of British system GCSE.
The private schools in London are divided into day-type institutions and boarding schools. Studying at a full-time school is more suitable for older children, since they will be directly on the territory of the educational centre only part of the day, and they will live in a host British family. As a rule, families live 30-50 minutes away from the school campus, and the student will have to overcome this distance independently.
In the schools with full board the foreign students study, and spend the night, and eat – in general, they are on the territory under the supervision of staff around the clock.
In London there is also a widespread type of institution – colleges. English colleges are also part of the British education system and belong to the secondary level. The students aged 14-15 enter colleges, where they can be studied for admission to a British university.
Enrolment process in the best schools in London for the foreign students
Most British private schools accept international students if they have places. Therefore, even if your child does not have a very high level of knowledge of English, he will still be able to enrol if there is a financial opportunity to study. However, it is recommended to enrol in schools in London with some level of English knowledge. To enroll in an English private school in London, an applicant must fill out a special form on the institution’s website, and then prepare and send the following set of documents to the school’s admissions committee:
- Student’s report card for the last 2-3 years
- Student characteristics (usually from math and English teachers)
- Results of the language test (at least 4,5 scores for IELTS)
- Motivation letter (why the student want to study in the chosen school).
It is best to send documents at least 8-9 months, and preferably a year before the start of studying. In addition, it is considered normal to send applications abroad not to one educational institution, but to several at once, in order to increase your chances of admission for sure.
Fees in high schools in London for the international students
The cost of studying in England is considered one of the highest when it comes to learning a language in English-speaking countries. In private boarding schools in London, as a rule, the highest prices in Britain.
On average, the prices for annual tuition at an English private school range from 15 to 40 thousand British pounds (in total with living expenses). There is also a list of additional expenses: medical insurance, school registration fee, visa processing and, of course, pocket expenses for the student himself.
Why to choose school in London for the foreign student?
For the student’s attention a wide choice of disciplines, directions for self-development is offered. After all, one of the main tasks of a private school in London is to create for its pupils all the conditions for harmonious development not only in the academic aspect, but also in the personal one.
The academic classes are held in the morning, physical activity and art and creativity classes are conducted in the afternoon, and in the evening the children do their homework and, if desired, can take part in an entertainment program organized for them by the school administration.
Each of the teachers of the British school, firstly, is a native speaker of English, secondly, has the necessary qualifications and a certain teaching experience, and thirdly, systematically improves their professional level in various courses.
In London schools the special attention is paid to maintaining a balance in the number of students and teachers. In addition, the number of students in the academic group rarely exceeds 15 people – it is believed that with such a volume of students, the chances of preparing each of them for successful final exams are the highest.