London schools

London schools are considered to be models of proper education and upbringing. Their educational system has been tried and tested over centuries and has consistently evolved without questionable experimentation. The best schools in London retain all that is valuable from the past, organically embracing and using modern technology, new equipment and new methods of learning. School science labs are often no less than universities, professional artists rehearse performances in school theaters, and students' innovative business projects often go beyond school to become successful start-ups. The austerity and rigor of the London schools of yesteryear have become much less and more comforting and caring for the well-being of their students, but this does not change the main point: here, as before, they make one separate from a child and fully prepare for independent life.

Schools in London in the British education system

In England, schooling is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and high school. They are general education state, selective, gymnasium, church and private. Private schools can be at any level, but the most common is the private secondary school. In the initial stage, most British students attend public schools, but in the next stage, many have moved to private schools. The intermediate stage begins at age 11-12. Private schools operate independently of the state - they do not receive state funding or any other support. In addition, they do not use the state education program, but stick to their own education program. The main characteristic of private schools in London is their importance in British culture. These are not just prestigious and expensive educational institutions; they open the way to the leading British universities. First of all, entering such schools was a rite of passage to strengthen the status of the family, to educate the elite of British society - future politicians and public figures, and to maintain the strict hierarchy of British society.

Advantages of schools in London

• Class size

The main advantage that private schools have over public schools is class size. The average private class size in a school in the UK is 18, with many of these classes being significantly smaller. In contrast, the average public secondary school has 21 students, and public elementary school have much larger numbers, with an average of 25 children per teacher.

• Individualized Curriculum

The emphasis here is on individualizing the curriculum to meet the needs of the students. Private schools in England offer BTEC, GCSE and EBacc qualifications because they recognize that children learn differently and that one qualification may be more appropriate for a child than another. It is not possible to offer such a diverse range of qualifications and attention to children's specific learning styles in large classrooms and national public sector curricula.

• Services

Another advantage of private schools is that private schools often have access to the best schooling services available. Many private schools have quality sports facilities. Potentially superior sports facilities are traditionally provided by the independent sector. Private school students also have the opportunity to try different types of sports compared to their public school-educated peers. These include horseback riding, golf and fencing.

• Teacher Qualifications

Both public and private schools have excellent teachers. However, teachers at private schools are more likely to have a higher degree, such as a doctorate. Private schools may also select faculty members with qualified teaching credentials. Thus, school education may be beneficial for students who want to continue their studies at the best universities in the world.

• Independence

Of course, studying at a private school in the UK doesn't just mean gaining academic knowledge and preparing for university courses. Staying on campus gives students the opportunity to live more independently. They try to take control of their own regime, manage their personal affairs and prepare for classes. As a result, children gain skills necessary to be useful in college studies. Graduates of boarding schools are more likely to adjust to college than graduates of general education institutions.

• Extracurricular activities

Regular schools cannot offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities and such a high level of student preparation as private schools. Extracurricular activities include visits to development clubs and circles, from soccer and basketball to more cultural pursuits - photography and debate clubs. The wide selection of activity areas encourages students to try things they haven't done before, helping to expand their circle of interests and become versatile.

How to apply to schools in London

You will need to:

• Write a motivation letter for admission

• Pass an interview to get into the school

• Pass an internal exam at the school you will attend

You will also need the following documents required for admission to a private school:

• Current school progress information - sometimes required for the current school year only, and in some cases for the first two or three school years. Often, educational institutions will require transcripts of excerpts indicating subjects passed, credit hours, and grades.

• Teacher recommendations - The amount of these documents may also vary. In some places, a letter from the classroom teacher or principal will suffice; in others, letters of recommendation from English and maths teachers will be required.

• Student behavior report or student file - Some schools require the student behavior record to be produced as a separate document, and it has also been carefully researched. However, the document may still be referred to as an additional document.

Of course, these documents must be translated into English.

Prices of studying in schools in London

The average tuition fee for a private elementary school in London is £8,500 per term, mid-term - £11,500 and end-of-school results - £12,500. International colleges, aimed primarily at international students preparing to enter UK universities, are quite independent in their pricing compared to traditional UK private schools - essentially not-for-profit and controlled by a board of directors who have a decisive say in financial matters. The consequence of annual inflation is that the price of private schools in London rises annually, on average by about 4-5% per year. Larger schools that accept children at all levels of education, from kindergarten to high school, are usually more likely to keep prices at less high levels. Smaller schools, especially elementary schools, are often forced to raise fees to maintain the necessary infrastructure and the range of extra-curricular activities offered to students in sports, music, science and creativity.