Characteristics of admission to the best schools in London
Admission to the elite Foggy Albion school is formally not very different from the procedure for entering less well-known educational institutions: the applicant needs to fill in an application form and submit an author's essay, for entering secondary school, documents and recommendations come from the place of previous studies required (transcripts are needed), and foreigners you must confirm the required level of knowledge of English.
Of course, the requirements for language knowledge and academic success are much higher for applicants entering prestigious educational institutions, which significantly increases the difficulty of admission of foreign students.
In addition, the most prestigious schools in England are known not only for the highest level of education, but also for the equally high cost of educational services: the cost of studying at one of the prestigious educational institutions is £30,000 per year.
School System in London
There are several main types of schools in the UK.
Most children go to state free schools. Here they must follow the national curriculum. Children whose parents have residency status in the UK can attend these schools. Admission is based on the distance from home to the school gate (and whether the school has siblings or special medical or other indications). Some public schools (mainly in fashionable areas) have high test pass rates and good admission statistics for top universities.
Private fee-paying schools are free to develop their own teaching programs. Admissions are based on passing exams and are very competitive, with families from all over the world working for them. most prestigious and distinguished schools in this series.
Whichever system you choose to educate your child, schools in the UK start at the age of four. From the age of four to five, children study in reception (preparatory) classes. Compulsory education runs from age 5 to 16, however, most children attend reception classes and most stay in the sixth form (high school in preparation for college).
In some private schools, children take an entrance exam called the 4+.
You can enter the British system from outside at the ages of 7, 11, 13 and 16. In these age groups, classes begin and form the curriculum.
The transition to high school (high school or middle school) usually occurs at age 11. Children in the public system are offered places based on geographic location and proximity to school. Private schools are admitted based on test scores at least at age 11. Tests include math, English, verbal and nonverbal logic, and an interview.
Traditionally, boys were admitted to high school at age 13, but many schools now admit students at ages 11 and 13. The testing process for ages 13 and older includes a pretest, usually 2 years prior to entry. Based on the results of the pretest, boys receive an offer of admission if they score a certain number of points on the main test at the end of the 13-year-old preparatory school. The 13+ tests include math, English, verbal and nonverbal logic (all of which are higher than the 11+) and an interview, with some schools adding tests in exact sciences.
In Years 10 and 11 (ages 14-16), all children, regardless of school type, study and take GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) at the end of Year 11. Everyone is required to study Mathematics and English. In addition, optional foreign languages, exact sciences and humanitarian subjects are highly recommended. Approximately 10 GCSE subjects are required for the most able. At least five leading universities require six subjects.
After GCSEs in Year 11, most students spend 2 years on Sixth Form (or A-level - the Certificate of Upper Secondary Education) to prepare for university in Years 12-13. This is where early specialization takes place: there are only four subjects left in Year 12 and three in Year 13. Often, the choice depends on the subjects needed to enter the particular program at the university of choice. Some people leave both humanities and precise subjects behind, postponing their choice, but in their final year of study, there are only three subjects. At this point, the process of entering university begins. The special unified admissions system UCAS is filled in and the choice of universities is indicated in order of preference (up to five universities).
There is also an International Baccalaureate (International baccalaureate / IB) of the European system.
There is also a third option for the final two years of school - Cambridge Pre U, which is designed to prepare you for top universities and allows you to differentiate grades in the highest categories.
Transition to sixth form also offers the opportunity to enter results from the 16+ tests or just those obtained at GCSE and interview.
Ratings
Many people believe that having the best educational institutions will automatically provide their children with a quality education and admission to prestigious universities.
Each year, the UK Department for Education releases a report showing the final results of student performance for the previous academic year. Based on this data, ratings are compiled and published by major newspapers including The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Independent and The Guardian. The primary ratings are for the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Times.
Ratings are also compiled by state departments of education.
Three of the most popular ranking methods are as follows.
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Determining the percentage of the total number of students who passed the exam with a B or better
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Calculate the average score of all annual exams passed and divide by the total number of students who passed
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Calculating the arithmetic mean of each subject and equating it to a certain number of points
However, the government is introducing a new two-part assessment format. The first Attainment 8 score will show achievement in 8 different subjects. The second Progress 8 assessment will show how much a student's performance has changed compared to others.
Based on the new system, Progress 8 will be based on the arithmetic mean of the school's students. The assessment will show the results of students as a group and will facilitate comparisons with the performance of other schools.
It is also important to focus on value-added ratings. It is calculated by comparing test scores with national averages and comparing test scores from previous levels. This will give you an idea of the extent to which the school has improved the overall academic standards of the students in school through its work.
It is also important to check the level of instruction in subjects that are of particular interest to your child and to you. It does not necessarily correspond to the overall ranking of the school.
Those who want to choose a school with a certain bias (exact sciences, humanities, sports, arts, business) should especially consider seeking expert professional advice.
Top elite London Schools
Westminster School
Westminster School is sponsored by the world-famous convent of the same name. The incredible spirit of history lingers in the buildings and boarding houses. The walls of Westminster School seem to retain memories of a bygone time. Students are surrounded by 10th century artwork, creating a special atmosphere that belongs to England's great history.
The institution includes a junior school for boys between the ages of 7 and 13. The school has opened its doors to girls since the 1970s, when a new tradition of cooperative secondary education was established. Each year, Westminster School's student body includes 70 girls who come to study at the LV-UV level in the final year.
Westminster School has opened its doors to members of prestigious British families and talented children from around the world with great hospitality. In 2015, Westminster School was ranked 2nd in the UK independent high school rankings based on GCSE results and the percentage of students achieving A * -A. Each year, the school is in the top 5 based on final A-level exam results.
Weymouth Public School
Wea Public School was founded in 1896 in a small private estate built in the 18th century. The institution now covers over 160 acres. The silence, spaciousness and solitude of country life give the girls a special atmosphere for harmonious development and enriching educational activities.
Despite the distance from central London, students at Wycombe Abbey School have access to all the benefits of modern civilization. Stores, cinemas and other types of entertainment are all located within walking distance of the school.
Ongoing funding and active philanthropic investments have made it possible to build a modern sports center near the educational building of Wycombe Abbey School, equipped with the latest technological innovations for laboratories and computer courses.
More than 500 students from all over the world study and live at Wijah Public School. For the past 3 years, the school has achieved 100% grades in GCSE final exams A-C and A-level A-A 85.7% of the time. In 2015, the school was ranked at the top of these rankings.
English Stone. Paul's School
St. Paul's School opened its doors to students in the 16th century - 1509. Sir John Colet founded this educational institution on the banks of the River Thames in the beautiful Richmond district in the southwest of the English capital. Along with a number of other schools, St. Paul's School is one of the nine oldest educational institutions in England, known for its centuries-old tradition and its constantly modernizing educational process.
The school got its name from St. Paul's Cathedral in London, because even within the cathedral, an educational institution has been operating since the early 12th century. In the early 16th century, the church school closed and was replaced by the school of the same name. Colette's vast wealth, which was used to open St. Paul's School, and the power invested in it, made it possible to create the largest and richest school in England at the time. Interestingly, education at St. Paul's was initially completely free of charge, and academic ability became the main criterion for selecting students. At the same time, the salary of the school's principal exceeded the salaries of even some of the UK's university leaders.
Downe House School
Downe House was a prestigious private boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18 (residential accommodation was available from the age of 11).
Until 1921, the school was located in the former home of Charles Darwin.
Downe House had a residence in France, where the 8th grade students spent a semester. The school also offers joint exchange programs with 16 educational institutions in other countries.
The school has a Finding Balance program to help students cope with stress and tension. Girls do yoga and Pilates and attend workshops on aromatherapy, massage, introspection, meditation and healthy eating.
Eton College
Eton is a prestigious private boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in the country and in the world.
The school was founded in 1440 by order of King Henry VI of England. Here, prospective students are prepared for the Royal Academy of Cambridge University.
Among Eton's graduates are twenty British prime ministers, including the current Boris Johnson, authors Henry Fielding, Thomas Gray, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell and Ian Fleming, Nobel Prize winner in physics Robert Boyle, geneticist John Gurdon, founder of macroeconomics John Keynes, Antarctic explorer Lawrence Oates, explorer Bell Grills, composers Thomas Arne, Hubert Parry and Peter Warlock, musicians Frank Turner and Humphrey Littleton, actors Jeremy Brett, Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston, and the heirs to the British throne, Prince William and Prince Harry.