The British education system, developed over the years, is considered by many people to lead the world. And the United Kingdom is generally recognized as a major capital of education, with the English private school sector
attracting students from all over the world. That's because studying at a private school in England is considered a guarantee of a top level education, leading to a successful career. But getting into one can be a complicated task!
In these schools, students study compulsory core subjects (mathematics, English, natural sciences and sports) and foreign languages. They also engage in a whole variety of sports and creative activities, including music, performing and visual arts. Their teachers pay special attention to the student's individual abilities so they can develop them to their full potential. Furthermore, there are special interest clubs, each provided with everything necessary for classes, easily surpassing what's on offer in the state sector. Private schools can have their own libraries, theaters, concert halls, sports grounds, swimming pools, scientific laboratories, music and art studios.
A common tradition is the importance attached to sports and extracurricular activities in general. Some elite boarding schools pay as much attention to sports training, athletics, and team games as they do to academic performance! And just as important is the individual atmosphere, often created by the use of historic buildings with centuries of tradition behind them.
What Are The Top 5 Private Schools In England?
You may be surprised to know that there are around
2,400 private schools in England, including more than 500 boarding schools, and approximately 400 more in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These all offer a multitude of programs, including GCSE, GCSE, A-level, AT-level, International Baccalaureate and more.
And here are our suggestions for the top five private schools in England.
Eton College
Eton College was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. Over its almost 600-year history, Eton has changed a great deal: the number of students has increased, and the range of disciplines and extracurricular activities has expanded. The building has been rebuilt several times, and only one 15th-century chapel has remained almost unchanged. However, students still wear the same uniform, which hundreds of years ago was called the "Eton suit." And the reward system (created in the 18th century) and the school constitution continue to operate. Every year 60-100 college graduates go on to enroll in Oxford or Cambridge University. And Eton has provided generations of political leaders, including around one-third of British Prime Ministers.
Rugby School
Every school has its own educational system, and the core objectives of Rugby school are the inculcation of universal values and the development of physical abilities. According to Rugby's charter, moral and religious principles come first, gentlemanly behavior comes second, and academic ability comes third. It's worth noting that the sport of rugby was indeed invented here by a local student and named after the school.
Wycombe Abbey School
The school was founded in 1896 by Miss Frances Downey, one of the first women to advocate for equal education for girls during the Victorian era. The Abbey's students receive a varied education, devoting more and more time every year to developing the students' talents and studying the disciplines they are most passionate about.
The college has existed for over a hundred and fifty years, During this time its campus has increased several times, and although it's famous for its historic Gothic style buildings, it continues to grow with modern additions. There are three age groups: Brighton College (for 11, 13 and 16 years old); elementary school (4 to 10 years old); and a kindergarten (from 3 years old). Students can study full-time and live on campus. A great deal of work goes in to create a safe, inclusive environment for all its students, with special emphasis on having respect for each other. But this isn't at the expense of academic success: more than 90% of students pass state exams with maximum scores.
Harrow School
To enter Harrow School, an applicant must have a certificate from the ISEB Common Pre-Tests exam, which is taken at the end of the 7th grade. But that's not all: those who have successfully passed the exam are then invited to take the entrance tests at Harrow. These include an interview, a test in mathematics and an essay in English. In addition to studying, students can engage in sports, art, charity, as well as prepare for further studies at universities. Graduates consistently pass their final exams with the highest scores and go on to enroll in prestigious universities. What's more, the school also helps students with career choice and career planning.
How To Choose A Private School
The benefits of pursuing secondary education in Britain include high quality academic achievement. But students are also taught correct manners, the ability to behave in society, help those who need it, observe moderation in everything and endure the hardships of life with fortitude. This provides further benefits like physical and emotional stamina, housekeeping skills, and probably some involvement in music.
But not everyone can go to a “Top 5” school! So when making a choice, parents can have access to the ISI website, run by the independent inspectors of private schools. They conduct inspections and post reports which contain a huge amount of background information. This information includes where students come from, how many foreign students there are, how medical care is provided, and they also give recommendations on what could be improved.
We'd also recommend consideration of schools' academic rankings, which are primarily based on the results of final exams at GCSE (age 16) and A-Level (age 18). Some additional criteria are also included: which universities students enter upon graduation, qualifications of teachers, how many subjects are offered, and so on. But you will find that the higher the position in the rankings, the more difficult it is to enroll, with up to 20 applicants for each place at the higher levels.
So that's a brief round-up, which also helps to show that career success can often start long before anyone enters the jobs market. It's worth thinking about, don't you think?
