Secondary education in the UK is recognized in various countries, and graduates of private secondary schools in the UK have the opportunity to enter almost any university in the world. A rigorous daily life, a wide range of flexible courses, electives and many optional courses – sports, art, music, drama, dance travel at home and abroad, acquaintance with universities provide the greatest opportunity for all-round personal development.
Studying in London allows you to immerse yourself in a multicultural environment and a developed urban infrastructure.
Structure of education in England
The educational process consists of three stages:
- Elementary school: 5-11 years old.
- Secondary school: 11-16 years.
- Further education: 16-18 years.
Pre-school education, called pre-school, provides preparation for children to enter their first educational course. It is only skipped if there is a serious medical problem or delay in a child’s development. Prices for education in schools in England largely depend on the level of the institution chosen by parents.
The school year consists of three trimesters. Studies begin on September 1, and classes end on June 30. Children have a break from school in July and August. Also, nobody studies at Easter or Christmas. Elementary school introduces students to the basic subjects necessary for further study. The subjects studied are:
- geography;
- Mathematics;
- music;
- art;
- The basics of the English language;
- history.
For children who have moved on to the next level of education, the number of required disciplines is gradually added. How much will it cost to study in a school in England – it all depends on the status of the institution, additional services, and other factors that affect pricing.
Teachers work with students on basic subjects, supplementing the education with individual elective classes. Students choose the areas they are more interested in. An accent is made on development of creative abilities and leadership qualities of a child. With each year of education of children acquire new knowledge, which in the future allows them to become qualified specialists. Having finished middle school, teenagers study two more years in high school. After high school, students choose
- what suits them best:
- go to college to get a profession in a couple of years and start earning money;
- take an A-Level course to enter one of the country’s universities and get a higher education.
Advantages and peculiarities of education in London
Prestige. An English school is the benchmark. By the most conservative estimate, the history of the British educational system is 10 centuries old. Already in the time of Shakespeare English education was considered elitist, and students from all over Europe came here for knowledge. Studying in an English school gives your child an age-old tradition of education and gives them an advantage when they enter a university or apply for a job.
Quality. In the UK education is taken extremely seriously, making no allowances for anyone: the hereditary princes and children of billionaires are asked as severely as ordinary children. In an English school no one is allowed to be lazy, skip classes, or cheat. Discipline is the basis of learning. The study in an English school is not like serving in the army, the equation is unthinkable, each student is looking for an individual approach, trying to develop his talents. Teachers in English schools are true professionals, many of them teach at prestigious universities. Your child will learn from the best experts in their field. That is why studying in England is not just a beautiful diploma, it is real knowledge.
The opportunity to learn English. Of course, if you decide to send your child to study in England, he is already able to
speak fluent English. But there is a qualitative difference between the language learned at home, and learned by immersion in the classroom. Already in a year, your child will speak it almost like his native tongue, get rid of the accent and other mistakes.
Connections. Private school graduates in Britain are hardly a special caste. Talented and determined children of privileged parents grow up and become big businessmen, actors, politicians, economists, lawyers, scientists. Studying in England will broaden your child’s circle of acquaintances. School connections last a lifetime, and 10 years after graduation your son or daughter will already have a wide network of acquaintances in high circles.
Access to foreign universities. There is no point in dwelling on the fact that a British private school diploma from Oxford, the Sorbonne, or Yale is important. Immersion in a different cultural environment. Studying in England, your child will be in contact with both Brits and representatives of other nations. This will broaden the cultural horizon.
Documents for admission to schools in London
The package of documents usually includes:
- A transcript with grades for the last two or three years of schooling.
- Certificate of Language Proficiency Examination.
- Recommendations from teachers in English and Mathematics.
- Autobiography.
- Letter of motivation or essay.
- Copy of applicant’s passport.
All papers must be written in English or translated into English.
The cost of education in schools in London
The price paid by students of London high schools can vary: it depends on the rating and prestige of the institution, its popularity and elite, location and historical significance. You can be guided by the amount from 30 to 47 thousand £ for an academic year: it is teaching and living on a full board basis, free use of all the infrastructure of the campus, additional extracurricular activities, clubs and sections.
There are also more budget options, for example, with the cost of 17500-19000 £ per academic year – these are good, top-rated schools with high results of graduates.
