Bishopstrow College

Overview

Established in 2006, Bishopstrow College is a leading, independent, International Study Centre, offering English language and academic pathway programmes to prepare international students, aged 7-17 years, for entry into top boarding schools in the UK.

The College operates an innovative four-term academic year, with terms commencing in September, January, March and June. Each term, the College enrols a small number of students from up to 20 different nationalities and a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Students are prepared as quickly as possible – in as little as one term up to a year – until they are ready for entry into their mainstream school.

The diversity of the College’s student body encourages students to speak English while they are enrolled at the College. All of the College’s students share a commitment to study, a strong sense of purpose, high expectations and good manners. Combined with the exceptional skills and dedication of the College’s teaching, boarding and support staff, it makes for a dynamic learning environment, where students can achieve their very best.

Academic Curriculum

The College offers a range of programmes to suit all ages and requirements:

• Lower College Programme (ages 7-11+): Intensive English language tuition and preparation for prep school and 11+ senior school entry.
• Middle College Programme (ages 12-13+): Intensive English language tuition, foundation for GCSE and preparation for 13+ senior school entry.
• Upper College Programme (ages 14-17): Intensive English language tuition, 1 Year IGCSE / Preparatory-IB programme and preparation for senior school entry.

These programmes help students:

• Improve their language skills, through intensive English language tuition;
• Immerse themselves in the National Curriculum, in a number of subjects including Maths, Geography, History and Science, through the College’s Lower, Middle and Upper College Programmes;
• Pass placement tests for UK independent schools and Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations, including YLE, KET, PET and FCE; and
• Discover Britain and the British and experience boarding school life first hand.

Students benefit from small class sizes, with a maximum of 8 students in each English class, allowing very high levels of individual teacher time. An Individual Learning Plan is prepared for every student, detailing progress, areas for improvement and recommendations for the next level.

Destination Schools

Students leaving Bishopstrow College go on to enrol at some of the UK’s leading prep and senior schools, including Bradfield College, Charterhouse, The Dragon School, Godstowe, Harrow, Prior Park College, Summer Fields, and Wycombe Abbey.

Boarding and Pastoral Care

Students’ safety and welfare is taken extremely seriously. The College’s pastoral care has been judged an area of strength by the British Council. Fully-qualified staff are always available to discuss personal and health matters with students.

Boarders in the Lower and Middle College live in Barrow House at the heart of the main campus, in shared rooms of between two and eight. Upper College students live in shared rooms of 2 or 3 in separate Senior Girls’ and Boys’ boarding houses a short distance from the College.

Extracurricular Activities

The College’s Activities Programme offers students the chance to explore interests, talents and abilities outside the classroom, and build their self-confidence, leadership and social skills. Often, these discoveries turn into life-long interests and passions.

All students enjoy activities during the week and at weekends. On-site activities include debating, race nights and murder mysteries, all designed to foster team spirit and the confidence to integrate with others when they move on from Bishopstrow.

As well as on-site activities, the College organises a stimulating and varied programme of fully-supervised trips at weekends. Some of these trips allow students to discover places of cultural and historical interest, such as visits to Bath and Oxford; others encourage students to sample the great outdoors, through walking, hiking, cycling and other physical pursuits.

Like most British independent schools, the College has a House system, with students competing in multinational teams for trophies in a variety of areas, including sports, drama and debating.