Sherborne International Academic Programme Sept 16

Academic Programmes

Schooling in England The school system in England will be different to the school system in your home country. It is even different to the school systems in Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

The chart which follows shows how the age of a child decides which year of study he or she should enter an English independent school.

The arrangements at Sherborne International are shown in the final column.

ENGLISH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLING SYSTEM (11-18) Ages of Children* 11 12

Independent Education

Sherborne International

Upper Preparatory School

Juniors Year 9

13 14

Senior School GCSE/IGCSE

16 17

Year 11 or one year I/GCSE Sixth Form ‘A’ Level

Interrnational Baccalaureate

15

Year 10

*Students must be this age before the start of the academic year which runs from 1st September to 31st August.

Examinations in England GCSE is the traditional examination, taken by students in England at the age of 16, or sometimes 17. The IGCSE is the International version of GCSE, which is sometimes offered in schools.

Advanced Level examinations (‘A’ levels) are taken at the end of two years of study. Many independent schools, however, are now offering the International Baccalaureate in which three subjects have to be taken as ‘major’ and three subjects as ‘minor’ subjects, all of which must be passed in order to get a qualification. Universities in Britain will accept either ‘A’ Levels or International Baccalaureate (IB), as their entry examinations. Some schools now also offer the Cambridge Pre-University course, which is a two-year course. The final examinations for this course, ‘A’ Levels and the IB are usually taken during the academic year when the student becomes 18 years old.

TYPICAL SCHOOLING YEAR IN ENGLAND Term One: September – Mid December (Autumn or Michaelmas) (with one week half-term holiday) Term Two: Early January – Mid March (Spring or Lent) (with one week half-term holiday) Term Three: Mid April – end of June/early July (Summer or Trinity) (with one week half-term holiday)

Note: Typical= usual; schools may have different term dates and lengths of half-term holidays.

Why CHOOSE

Sherborne Sherborne International was founded in 1977 as the original International school in the UK. Its courses are specially designed for students joining the English school system from non-English speaking, non-British educational backgrounds. Both the educational and pastoral provision help prepare students from all over the world for entry into independent British boarding schools.

Students usually stay for one or two years but may stay for longer.

All classes are very small, usually a maximum of eight students to one teacher. All teachers, whatever their specialist subject, are also trained or qualified to teach English as a Foreign Language. Students are given the best possible chance of making rapid progress in relation to ability, and are encouraged to aim for excellence in all four English skills. Your child will have the opportunity to become a successful and confident global communicator.

In order to prepare students for British boarding life and for success in the English school system, a full boarding school programme is offered. As well as rigorous academic studies, an extensive range of extra-curricular activities is available. We offer a wide range of musical tuition, including individual lessons, and later a chance to play in the Sherborne School Orchestra or Sherborne International

International?

Concerts. Sporting opportunities are also wide and varied. The School provides an introduction to British culture and, because of its international population, also to cultures and customs from across the world.

Parents can be assured that their children will be well looked after in the boarding house by dedicated pastoral staff and that excellent medical care is available. Weekends are full and exciting and the food is home cooked using fresh, locally-

sourced ingredients. Sherborne is a beautiful, safe, historic town, with regular, direct trains to Central London (2 hour journey). Airports at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Bristol are also easily accessible.

I look forward to hearing from you personally or via one of our representatives in your country.

You can visit our website at www.sherborne-international.org. and, if you are able to come to England to visit, you can be sure of a very warm welcome.

Tim Waters, MA MSc (Oxon) Principal

Academic Life at Sherborne International We offer a traditional boarding school academic programme. All students study English, Mathematics and the Sciences. Other subjects are also included in each course, and more details are provided on these two pages.

Junior students (Years J and Year 9) and Year 10 students get approximately 27 hours of study each week, and at least seven-and-a-half hours of supervised private study (prep). The one-year GCSE/IGCSE course has approximately 30 hours of teaching, plus nine hours of prep.

Classes start at 08.30 hours, but different courses end their studies at different times each day. Saturday mornings are regular teaching mornings up until 12.10 hours, and there is also some supervised prep on Sundays.

Courses at Sherborne International It is hoped that most of our students will be ready to join a traditional boarding school after about a year at Sherborne International. The main exception to this is for Year 10 students. Those students enrolled into Year 10 are accepted by the School on the strict understanding that they will complete both Year 10 and 11 at Sherborne International. These are the two years of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (I/GCSE) examination.

An increasing number of younger students also wish to remain at the School for more than one year and where possible, the School tries to accommodate this wish. This has become a popular option for students transferring from the Junior class to Year 9, and for students moving from Year 9 to join the two year I/GCSE programme.

COURSES OFFERED School entrants aged 14 or 15 years old (by 1 September)

School entrants aged 11 or 12 years old (by 1 September) Students at this age follow a course tailored to allow successful entry into their next school studying a wide range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Art and Drama. Some students may study other subjects such as French or Current Affairs.

School entrants aged 13 years old (by 1 September) Students at this age join Year 9.

Students study a similar range of subjects as the 11/12 year olds, but in more depth, before making their choices for their GCSE/IGCSE examinations for Years 10 and 11 in their next schools or here at Sherborne International. Students also study Biology, Physics and Chemistry as separate subjects.

Students aged 14 are placed in Year 10. Students aged 15, who do not have at least lower intermediate standard of English, are also placed in Year 10 which is the first year of the two-year GCSE/IGCSE programme. Students joining Year 10 should stay at Sherborne International for Year 11 as well. In addition to the Year 10 classes formed in September (the start of the British educational year), additional Year 10 classes are formed in January and in April, respectively following a shortened five term programme and shortened four term programme, all leading to GCSE/IGCSE examinations in the summer of the following academic year. All students study English, Mathematics and all three Sciences.

One or two additional subjects can be chosen from a range of other subjects including History, Geography, Modern Languages, Business Studies, Physical Education, Information & Communication Technology and Art. Students can be entered for their native language GCSE/IGCSE (eg, Thai, French, Chinese, German, Russian,Japanese.) The top set in English is normally prepared for IGCSE English Literature in Year 11 as well as English Language. Students sit an average of seven GCSE/IGCSE subjects each. Students entering the school in January and April usually follow a prescribed ‘additional’ subject, such as Further Mathematics, History, Geography or Business Studies, besides English, Mathematics and the three Sciences.

School entrants aged 15 or 16 years old (by 1 September) As long as these students have at least lower intermediate standard in English, they can join our special one-year GCSE/IGCSE programme.

This covers, in about nine months, examination material that British boys and girls take nearly two years to cover in Years 10 and 11. For the students on this course there is additional teaching on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The programme consists of English, Mathematics, the three Sciences (possibly taken as a Double Award subject with two GCSE grades rather than three) and one or two additional subjects. These have included, in recent years, Business Studies, French, History, Geography, Art and Physical Education. Students on this oneyear programme again usually take seven GCSE/IGCSE examinations, since students are also entered for appropriate language examinations. Students in the top set for English may also be prepared for English Literature on the one-year GCSE/IGCSE programme.

Examinations at Sherborne International All students study English and are prepared for a suite of English examinations offered by the University of Cambridge. The range of examinations runs from Key English Tests through to the Preliminary English Test, and the Cambridge First Certificate. Older students in the School are also prepared for the IGCSE in English for Speakers of Other Languages, unless they are unable to attempt this level. Most students in Year 11, including the one year I/GCSE course are also entered for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examination.

PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION (PSHEE) In PSHEE lessons students will follow guidance in spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The School involves outside experts to assist with some aspects of health education and personal development. Every student also has to follow a sporting programme, and music tuition can also be arranged if requested by parents. The School firmly believes that due to its international student body and a total willingness to share cultural traditions and different ways of viewing the world, PSHEE is evident in all areas of boarding school life.

The

Student Experience at Sherborne International For different courses there are different timetables. Students are given clear instructions. Specimen weekly timetables for each year group are available on the website at Main Programme>Courses.

FOOD The School has its own catering staff, complete with chefs, who prepare an imaginative menu. Whilst many of the dishes have an international theme, many meals follow a traditional British pattern. Three cooked meals a day are normally provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students are also allowed to buy snacks in the nearby town, and to keep dry foods in their rooms. All Houses have small kitchen areas, where a supply of bread and milk etc can be provided. Snacks consisting of fruit, biscuits, hot and cold drinks are offered at breaktime and a special afternoon tea with a selection of cakes is available in the dining room on a Wednesday, which is a particularly long day of lessons.

TYP I C A L D A I LY M E N U Breakfast

Grilled Bacon . Hash Browns . Mushrooms . Smoothies . Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffins Pain Au Chocolat . Fresh Fruit . Fruit Juices . Toast with Spreads . Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate

Lunch

Paella . Chicken Quesadilla . Thai Pumpkin Curry . Rice . Broccoli . SautĂŠed Potatoes . Five Bean Mix Apple and Blackberry Crumble . Salad Bar . Fresh Bread . Fruit Salad and Yoghurts . Cheese and Biscuits

Dinner

BBQ Ribs . Vegetable Quesadilla . Lamb Kofta . Greek Salad . Spicy Wedges . Corn Cobs . Onion Rings Assorted Homemade Cakes . Fresh Fruit . Toast and Spreads . Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Juice

Academic Aims

STUDENTS JOIN THE SCHOOL from many different educational systems around the world. At whatever age they come they have differing standards of academic development. From these different starting points the School has a simple aim: that each student should be at a high level of achievement compared with English boys and girls of the same age and the same natural ability by the time they leave us. Each student should acquire as good a command of English as is possible in the time available.

Not only is fluent English important for successful study in England, it is also important for making friends, and understanding what is going on in school and the wider society.

HOW IS THIS ACHIEVED? The successful methods used by Sherborne International start by allowing young students from outside England to adjust and settle into a small and welcoming School community.

The maximum number of students enrolled is 160.

Students soon feel secure and confident as they quickly understand the rules and procedures, and their teachers and other staff get to know them. All staff are sympathetic to the specific needs of overseas students.

It is highly probable that the biggest reason for failure, or underachievement, of nonBritish boarding students in England is a failure to adjust and adapt to life and work in boarding schools. A carefully planned start here in Sherborne, we believe, makes success more likely.

MAKING SUCCESS MORE CERTAIN All the students at the School are from non-British backgrounds. For almost all of them it is their first experience of education in England and of living in a boarding school. The School, therefore, makes no assumptions about what students already know or can do.

It carefully shows the students the educational and other procedures they will need to understand to do well in England.

To help each student, the classes are kept small, usually no more than eight students to one teacher.

Apart from two four-bedded rooms in Westcott House (for girls), all other rooms for boys or girls are either single or twin. These rooms provide comfortable places for students to study as well as sleep.

MONITORING PROGRESS A unique feature of Sherborne International is the very close academic supervision of students.

Teachers write internal confidential reports on every student two or three times each term. Students also meet regularly with a senior member of the academic team and with their tutor. Reports to parents are prepared at least once every term.

SUCCESS The aim of Sherborne International is success for each student. This can be seen in the impressive examination results at the end of each course in relation to cohort, and the placement of each student in the best school for that individual. Our Director of Future Education provides help in choosing the right school out of the hundreds of good independent boarding schools in the United Kingdom.

Main Campus

Mowat (Girls)

Cheapside (Senior Boys)

The School’s teaching, administrative and catering facilities are located on the main campus at Newell Grange, where King’s House (boys’ boarding) is also sited. Other student residences are a short distance from Newell Grange.

There is a basketball/sporting court on the main campus and at the Westcott campus. The School’s other superb sports facilities are nearby.

Grosvenor (Junior Boys)

Westcott (Girls)

Living at Sherborne International

Sherborne International has five separate boarding houses, each with its own individual characteristics. Each house has a Junior Common Room (JCR) committee of students, to ensure that their views are taken into account.

All Houses have wi-fi internet access, and recreational facilities. Where rooms are shared by more than one student, the School makes every effort to ensure that the students involved speak different languages. If, for any reason, it becomes necessary to accommodate two speakers of the same language in a room, parents will be informed by the School. House staff and Matrons oversee the health and welfare of every boy and girl.

KING’S HOUSE King’s House is on the School’s main campus. It can accommodate up to 70 senior boys in single or twin-bedded rooms. Resident boarding staff also live in accommodation attached to King’s House.

WESTCOTT HOUSE Westcott House is where most of the girls live. It is a short walk from the main School campus, but minibus transport is provided for the girls in the morning and evening and at other times. Up to 44 girls live at Westcott House in single or double rooms, apart from two, four-bedded dormitories for younger students. The Housemistress and other residential house staff also live in Westcott House.

GROSVENOR HOUSE Grosvenor House accommodates the junior boys (11 to 13 year olds). It is near to Westcott House, and minibuses are provided for transport in the morning and evening and at other times. Up to 18 boys can be accommodated in twinbedded rooms. Residential house staff live in accommodation within Grosvenor House.

CHEAPSIDE Cheapside is a small boarding unit only five minutes’ walk from the main School campus, but situated close to Sherborne’s main street. It is an older traditional building with much character. The House accommodates senior students – either boys or girls as enrolment dictates. Up to 11 students live in mainly twinbedded rooms. Residential facilities are again provided for house staff.

MOWAT HOUSE Mowat House is also near Westcott, and can accommodate 22 girls. There is a housemistress, day matron and an assistant. The housemistress and assistant are resident in the house.

Sport and Other Aspects of Life at Sherborne International SPORT Sport is very important in the English educational system, and is not optional. All students must follow a sporting programme. The School prepares students for most of the sports they will play at their next schools. These include basketball, soccer, swimming, athletics, cricket, netball, rounders, badminton, tennis and volleyball. As well as playing matches against other schools, students are allocated to sporting teams or ‘houses’ inside the School and these teams play against each other in various competitions throughout the year.

ACTIVITIES Activities are offered to all students at Sherborne International.

For Junior through to Year 10 students, there is a wide choice on Wednesday afternoons, and the programme can be varied up to six times a year. For students approaching final GCSE/IGCSE examinations, activities are optional and are offered at different times of the week. These are led by members of staff. Each term a range of options is available for students. Typical activities might include horse-riding, golf, squash, fitness, badminton or chess. The School magazine, published in June each year, contains many articles arising from the activity programmes. These activities are in addition to a full sports programme which is offered.

WEEKENDS Since all students are boarders, the School makes Saturdays and Sundays interesting. A varied programme of mandatory and optional activities and excursions are offered, ranging from cultural visits to towns such as Salisbury, expeditions to cities such as Bath, and ice-skating, theatre or cinema visits. There are often sport matches, particularly against other boarding schools, on Saturday afternoons.

Like most British boarding schools, the School has lessons on Saturday mornings, and there are also some supervised study periods on Sunday. Each year there are music concerts and drama productions which also take place at weekends.

Relaxing at School

RECREATION The School provides recreational resources for its students.

There are televisions, a cinema in our multi-purpose hall, DVD players, table football, table tennis, pool, board games and electronic games available for students. Basketball and other sporting facilities are also used for recreation. However, even during the recreation time for students there are still members of staff on duty, either on the School campus, or in the boarding houses. As part of Sherborne School we also have access to excellent recreational facilities.

RELIGION Since students at the School come from many different religious backgrounds, Sherborne International does not have one particular religious affiliation. Students are encouraged to maintain their own religious practices. The School acknowledges the existence of a spiritual dimension to life, and marks the main festivals of many of the world’s major religions. Traditional British boarding schools usually have a Christian foundation.

The Next School

& Beyond Students are often at Sherborne International for just one or two years. Do not be surprised, then, that almost as soon as students have joined us, we start the process which leads to their application for their next school.

The educational consultant who has helped a student find Sherborne International will often be able to recommend a good school to move on to after Sherborne International. Our Director of Future Education works with educational consultants, parents, guardians and students, ensuring that the next school is an ideal match for the needs and potential of each student.

The Director of Future Education will also help students to visit schools, and make arrangements for them to sit any entrance examinations that may be required.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

INFORMATION

REPORTING TO PARENTS

Every student at Sherborne International requires a UK-based guardian. A list of the duties of the guardian is included in the information booklet provided for parents. The Registrar will be pleased to offer information on the appointment of a guardian for your child, but the final selection of a guardian must be the decision of the parents alone. Guardians represent the parents and not the School.

Every parent and guardian is sent a copy of the parents’/guardians’ handbook, which contains important advice on contact with the School. It also contains a list of essential information required, so that we are able to look after students properly, such as a student’s medical background. This handbook is also available on the website in a password protected area.

Reports are sent to parents once every term by email. The students’ progress is also monitored and the staff are happy to write, call or email with internal reports.

Photographs of events are regularly posted on the website.

The School is committed to ensuring that parents are confident in all aspects of their child’s care.

We welcome visits from parents or guardians, by appointment. It is hoped that all parents and guardians will attend the final and most important event in the School calendar, Speech Day at the end of June. There is usually a distinguished guest of honour who delivers the speech, and distributes prizes. The attendance of all students is required for Speech Day.

APPLICATIONS AND COSTS

Application for admission to Sherborne International can be made using the application form in the Admissions section of the website, or through the School’s local representative in your own country. The form can be e-mailed, faxed or posted. Please note that a non-refundable application fee of £100 sterling must be paid. This can be paid either by credit card or bank transfer.

The School requires a copy of the prospective student’s most recent school report, translated into English.The School will normally respond to an application within three working days. If a place is offered, the Registrar will mail further information and instructions for joining.

Skype interviews will take place wherever possible.

Once a formal offer of a place has been made,the following payments are required for the place to be guaranteed: £1500 Registration Deposit (non-refundable).

The payment of the first term’s fees, as stated in the invoice accompanying the formal offer.

COSTS

Once these funds are received, all the necessary enrolment documentation will be processed, including the unique CAS number (Confirmation of Acceptance for Study), which is required to obtain a Child Student Visa for non EU members. Should the student’s Visa application fail, the School will refund those payments.

Students normally join us in September, although some courses start in January and April. Further details of vacancies can be obtained from the Registrar.

The fees are set for each year by our Governors. They are payable before the first day of each term (there are three terms in each academic year).

The current fees are published in the Admissions section of the website together with an indication of additional costs.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Sherborne International is open to all boys and girls aged between 11 and 17 years old on entry from nonBritish, non-English speaking backgrounds who wish to join or experience the British educational system. There are no formal academic entry requirements.

Candidates who have no, or virtually no, English at all may be referred to a specialist language development unit for a short period.

Candidates joining the one-year I/GCSE course must have at least

lower intermediate standard English (approximately 4+ on the IELTS score or 75% on the School’s own test). Candidates who arrive for this course without this level of English may either be referred to the two-year I/GCSE programme (if they are young enough), or to a limited I/GCSE programme plus additional English tuition (if they are already aged 16).

Sherborne International is open to all regardless of ethnicity, language or religion. We aim to be accessible to all.

SHORT COURSES As well as the year-round courses described in this prospectus, we also offer short courses, specializing in English language development across a variety of subjects. There is a two-week Spring Vacation course in late March/early April each year. This course also offers revision (intensive preparation) for GCSE/IGCSE examinations each year. There are also up to eight weeks of English language development courses in July and August each year. The course operates on a two-week module basis. For more details consult the website or contact our Director of Short Courses.

Please note Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this booklet. However, as a living institution changes may be introduced, sometimes at short notice. This prospectus does not, therefore, constitute in whole or in part any kind of contract between Sherborne International and students, parents, guardians, agents or others.

www.sherborne-international.org

SHERBORNE INTERNATIONAL, NEWELL GRANGE, SHERBORNE, DORSET DT9 4EZ, UK Tel: (UK) 01935 814743 • (International) 44-1935 814743 Fax: (UK) 01935 816863 • (International) 44-1935 816863 E-mail: reception@sherborne-international.org • Website: http://www.sherborne-international.org Sherborne School is a registered Charity No. 1081228.

Sherborne International is a living institution and changes may be introduced to the arrangements described in this prospectus from time to time.

The prospectus, therefore, does not constitute in whole or in part any form of contract between Sherborne International, its students or their parents.