My Communication Skills Improved Drastically at Bishopstrow College, Making It Easier for Me to Make New Friends at My Next School, Dulwich College”
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bishopstrow collegebishopstrow International Study college Centre A for pathway students to 7 excellence - 17 years | 3 “My communication skills improved drastically at Bishopstrow College, making it easier for me to make new friends at my next school, Dulwich College” bishopstrow college at a glance Established in 2006, Bishopstrow College is the UK’s only independent International Boarding School, offering English language and academic pathway programmes to prepare international students for entry into the UK’s leading boarding schools. We are not affiliated to any individual school, so students are completely free to choose where they continue their education. The College operates as a traditional British boarding school, but with an innovative four-term academic year, with terms commencing in September, January, March and June. A 5 week Academic Summer Programme provides a further start date in July. The College offers a variety of programmes, with a focus on intensive English language tuition and immersion in the National Curriculum, in a number of subjects including Mathematics, Geography, History and Science. welcome Each term, we welcome up to 80 boys and girls, aged 7-17 years, At Bishopstrow College we create a safe, warm and from around 20 different nationalities and a wide variety of cultural fun learning environment, where living in a British backgrounds. This is intentional, since it encourages students to boarding school becomes a seamless and happy speak English whilst they are with us. transition. Our students leave Bishopstrow not only From the moment they arrive at Bishopstrow, students are able to be in a classroom with native speakers, but immersed and integrated into British life and culture. Throughout being able to compete academically at all levels. We their stay, which lasts at least one term and up to a year, they provide the foundations for independent learners who receive intensive preparation for entry into their chosen develop a passion for life and learning. Every student British boarding schools. Students planning to return home to is an individual, but it is also important for them to continue their studies make real progress with their English, work as a team player, whether it is on the sports field, whilst also experiencing the globally recognised British curriculum during a walk in the countryside, in the classroom, or and British culture. participating in drama or music. Learning at Bishopstrow All our students share a commitment to study, a strong sense of operates in every environment and every day of the purpose, high expectations and good manners. Combined with week, but always in English! the exceptional skills and dedication of our teaching, boarding and Today, we all live and operate in a global environment. support staff, it makes for a dynamic learning environment, where Enabling your son or daughter to come and study at students can achieve their very best. the College provides them with a fantastic international The success of the College’s innovative approach to English experience for life. language learning is demonstrated by our latest British Council I hope that after reading this prospectus and visiting our inspection report and the quality of the ‘destination schools’ website, you will wish to accept my personal invitation - students go on to enrol at some of the UK’s leading prep to contact us to find out more and arrange a visit. and senior schools, including Bradfield College, Charterhouse, Cheltenham Ladies College, The Dragon School, Godstowe, Prior Lorraine Atkins, Principal Park College, Summer Fields and Uppingham. 4 | bishopstrow college A pathway to excellence bishopstrow college A pathway to excellence | 5 Key Features schooling in england • Set in eight acres of grounds, surrounded by the Compulsory education in the UK starts at 5 years of age and beautiful Wiltshire countryside finishes at 18. At the age of 16, pupils in England take GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations. • Superb teaching facilities, including new teaching and From 16 to 18, pupils can take a two year A Level (Advanced Level) learning centre, with 8 classrooms, library, science course, which provides qualifications for university application. lab and IT suite The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma) is an • Small class sizes, with a maximum of 8 students for alternative to A Levels. English and 12 students for other academic subjects, Mathematics and English are both compulsory GCSE qualifications allowing very high levels of individual teacher time for entrance to university. • Individual Learning Plan for every student, detailing progress and areas for improvement in English, other academic subjects, sports and boarding ENGLISH EDUCATION SYSTEM • The College operates as a traditional British BISHOPSTROW AGE NATIONAL CURRICULUM EXAMINATIONS TAKEN AT boarding school, with a full sports and activities COLLEGE PROGRAMME ACADEMIC YEAR BISHOPSTROW COLLEGE programme, ensuring excellent preparation for LOWER COLLEGE 7-11 Years 3-6 Internal Assessment entry into a mainstream boarding school PROGRAMME Cambridge English Language Assessment • The College is not affiliated to any other boarding schools, providing a stepping stone to the ‘Top 100’ MIDDLE COLLEGE 11-14 Years 7-9 Internal Assessment boarding schools and colleges in the UK PROGRAMME Cambridge English Language Assessment Programme Options UPPER COLLEGE 14-17 Years 10 -12 Internal Assessment PROGRAMME Cambridge English Language Assessment • English Language Pathways: Lower, Middle and Upper College Programmes for ages 7-11, 11-14 and 14-17 respectively: 7 academic subjects, with 1 YEAR IGCSE/ 15-16 Year 11 Internal Assessment a focus on English PRE-IB PROGRAMME Cambridge English Language Assessment • 1 Year IGCSE/Pre-IB Programme (ages 15-16): Cambridge IGCSEs 6-9 IGCSE subjects, plus preparatory modules for Edexcel IGCSEs and GCSEs the International Baccalaureate Diploma PRE-A LEVEL PROGRAMME 15-16 Year 11 Internal Assessment • Pre-A Level Programme (ages 15-16): Academic English and study skills across three fields of Science, Mathematics and Humanities subjects ACADEMIC SUMMER 7-17 Years 3-12 Internal Assessment PROGRAMME • Academic Summer Programme (ages 7-17): 5 week course, offering 7 academic subjects, with a focus on English • Exciting programme of extra curricular activities, including daily sports, creative arts, weekend typical academic year excursions and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze at bishopstrow college Award Scheme Term 1: Mid September – early December • Four-term academic calendar, with flexible start dates Term 2: Early January – mid March • Short stay courses providing the opportunity to Term 3: End March – mid June experience British education for 5 weeks, or 1, 2, 3 or 4 terms Term 4: End June – end August The Academic Summer Programme is a 5 week course available during Term 4, with two start dates. 6 | bishopstrow college A pathway to excellence bishopstrow college A pathway to excellence | 7 lower college middle college programme programme The Lower College Programme consists of intensive The Middle College Programme consists of intensive English language tuition and academic study for prep English language tuition and academic study for 13+ school or 11+ senior school entry. Daily sports and senior school entry. Daily sports and activities, together activities, together with a full weekend schedule ensure with a full weekend schedule ensure that students are that students are fully prepared for boarding school life. fully prepared for boarding school life. This is suitable for international students who wish to This is suitable for international students who wish improve their English, whilst following a traditional Features to improve their English, whilst following a traditional Features programme of academic subjects. programme of academic subjects. AGE AGE 7-11 years 11-14 years ENTRY REQUIREMENTS ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Interview (face-to-face or via Skype), Interview (face-to-face or via Skype), current school report and current school report and character reference character reference MINIMUM ENGLISH MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEVEL LANGUAGE LEVEL No pre-requisite CEFR Level A2 COURSE LENGTH COURSE LENGTH 1, 2, 3 or 4 terms 1, 2, 3 or 4 terms SUBJECTS STUDIED SUBJECTS STUDIED English, Creative Arts, Geography, English, Creative Arts, Geography, History, History, Mathematics, PSHE and Science Mathematics, PSHE and Science ACADEMIC STUDY ACADEMIC STUDY 25 hours of academic tuition and 5 25 hours of academic tuition and 5 hours hours of supervised prep of supervised prep END OF COURSE ASSESSMENT END OF COURSE ASSESSMENT Internal assessment and external Internal examinations and external Cambridge English Language Assessment Cambridge English Language Assessment examination (where applicable) examination (where applicable) PROGRESSION PROGRESSION Prep school entry or 11+ senior 13+ senior school entry school entry 8 | bishopstrow college A pathway to excellence bishopstrow college A pathway to excellence | 9 upper college 1 year igcse/pre-ib programme programme The Upper College Programme consists of intensive The 1 Year IGCSE/Pre-IB Programme offers up to 12 English language tuition and academic study for senior examinable subjects and is an excellent preparation for school entry, including preparation for GCSEs, international students before they begin their A Level A Levels and the International Baccalaureate. Daily studies or the IB Diploma Programme. sports and activities,