Ashbourne College

• Year of foundation: 1981
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Age of students: 14-19.
• Number of students: 300
• Language of instruction: English
• Type of study: mixed.

One of the best private colleges in England and London, Ashbourne College, is designed to prepare high school students (15-19 years old) for the best world and British universities. Founded in 1981 by Mike Kirby, it initially specialized in mathematics, economics, and natural sciences. Today, the list of subjects includes more than 3,520 options (humanities and social sciences, creativity, art, design).

In the 1990s, the college opened a GCSE department, which is actively developing and expanding from year to year. The British Council's accreditation was obtained by the college in 1993, and it was repeatedly confirmed later.

Marie de Tito Mount

Chief Executive Officer

What advice would you give to future applicants before applying to British schools and why?

Understand the school’s ethos and ensure it aligns with your goals. I would further advise students to prioritise their English language studies in preparation for the entrance testing phase. 

When looking at applicants, we consider not only the academic record and entrance exam performance, but also students who not only excel academically but also demonstrate character and potential for growth. 

Outside of class time, students have access to additional support from teachers who organise subject-specific consultations in small groups. Each sixth-form student is assigned a personal tutor who works on adapting the study plan, helps with subject and university selection; in addition, a wide range of activities is organised for all students: career guidance counselling, seminars on developing study skills and CV writing, writing examination papers and preparing for university applications (UCAS).

International students can participate in EAL electives aimed at improving their level of English proficiency. Group sessions are held for two hours per week. In addition to these, seminars are organised to prepare for the official language examination, in which students work through four examination sections, practise with past papers, and participate in a conversation club.

Parents can monitor their children's academic progress and communicate with personal tutors through a dedicated online portal. Each term, teachers compile a report on each of their students, including comments on current performance and target grades, the quality and volume of completed work, and punctuality in attending classes.

Specialised Programmes

•  
• Age — from 16 to 18 years,
• Duration — one year.

The specialised programmes prepare sixth-form students for admission to university courses in their areas of scientific interest. Ashbourne College offers five tracks:

Cultural Studies (AAP)

Throughout the academic year, students explore various areas of contemporary art: graphic arts, sculpture, photography, fashion design, and painting. Under the guidance of qualified teachers, they try their hand and study different media in order to choose a suitable subject at A-Level in the future.

Engineering (AEP)

The course helps to sharpen theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the exact sciences, and to explore engineering professions: bridge design, development of emergency medical equipment, design of protective equipment, construction of incubators, and so on.

Finance (AFP)

Students explore the world of business, finance and economics through elective seminars and visits to leading companies in the financial sector.

Medicine (AMSP)

By completing this specialised course, students gain a full understanding of the effort a medical career will require, can consult with practising doctors, attend classes in preparation for the BMAT, UCAT and interview, receive full admissions support, and assistance with portfolio preparation and choice of specialisation. The core of the course consists of chemistry and biology classes.

Preparation for Admission to the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge (AOP)

This course will help sixth-form students choose suitable subjects, improve their grades and learn more about the stages of the admissions process, requirements, essay-writing rules and entrance examinations for Oxbridge. In spring, students choose a university, faculty, specialisation and topic for an individual research project; in summer they get acquainted with UCAS, attend subject electives and admissions seminars, and complete their personal project, so that in autumn they can submit their university application and focus on interview preparation.

All courses run in parallel with the main sixth-form curriculum.

The academic system at Ashbourne College has two stages:

• GCSE: grades 10-11,
• A-Level: grades 12-13.

Ashbourne College does not have its own residences for students: rooms are rented in the nearest partner dormitories or a hospitable host family is selected.

Residences that the college cooperates with (24-hour security of the entire territory):

• Queen Alexandra House is a women's house 10-12 minutes walk from the academic building (capacity up to 100 people). Cozy single rooms with amenities, Internet access, Wi-Fi, shared lounge areas for relaxation, piano classes, computer labs, kitchens, laundry rooms on each floor. Meals are provided for an additional fee in the shared bright, spacious dining room (half board on weekdays, full board on weekends).
• Beaumont House is a hostel where the Ushers themselves lived. This option offers accommodation really close to the center of London, with a wide range of rooms. 
• Fulham Palace Studios is conveniently located near Hammersmith, Broadway, where there are transport links, restaurants, shops, the banks of the picturesque Thames, the Hammersmith Apollo Theater. 30 minutes by bus to Ashbourne College.
• Chapter Portobello offers a friendly atmosphere, many amenities, several studios. The accommodation is located about a 20-minute drive from Ashbourne College.
• Ideally located near Kings Cross St Pancras Station, the King's Cross Student Residence offers a relaxed atmosphere, gym, cinema room.
• Chapter White City is a new student residence located in West London: a 15–minute subway ride from Zone 1. It offers a wide range of self-contained studio apartments, gyms, public spaces, and study areas.
• HFS Garrow House offers various student accommodation options, rooms with bathrooms, mini-kitchens, and plenty of storage space. There is a large common room where students can socialize; they are constantly looked after by staff.
• The HFS Lightfoot Hall Hotel is located in Chelsea. The en-suite rooms are equipped with a kitchenette and other necessary functions that allow students to live independently.
• Lyra Court is located in Acton, West London, less than 30 minutes by train from Ashbourne College, and offers a variety of studios with everything you need for independent living.
• Canto Court is a private hotel that offers students a modern, comfortable place to stay. It is located in the charming Shoreditch area, where there are many markets, cafes, vintage shops, and a great music scene.
• Ealing Studios is a stylish place for young people. The studios accommodate an office, a comfortable double bed, plenty of storage space, a separate shower room, and a kitchenette.
• Lee Abbey is an accommodation housing Christian students from all over the world. The residence has a large staff of staff.
• IQ Hostel (Hammersmith, near High Street, Kensington) offers studio apartments with 24-hour concierge. 
• Yara Holland Park offers everything you need right outside your door, including retail outlets. Urbanest offers many places to stay for students over the age of 18 near Hoxton, Kings Cross, St. Pancras, Tower Bridge, Vauxhall, Westminster.

Host families

All the families with whom the college cooperates have been carefully selected and are constantly checked by the school staff. A personal guardian will also look after the child (we will help you choose the right agency with an impeccable reputation). Students are offered half-board meals (breakfast + dinner), they dine in numerous cafes and restaurants near the college.

Subject list: Accounting, anthropology, biology, economics, engineering, geography, history, international relations, Machinery manufacturing, maths, music, politics, Psychology
Activity list: badminton, bowling, carting, fitness, football, karate, rock climbing, skating, table tennis

All students are offered a choice of three weekly sports electives: football, badminton and netball.

There are large sports centers (Westway Sports Centre, Chelsea Sports Centre) in the neighborhood of Ashbourne College, where discounted season tickets are offered to students.

There are many interest groups, clubs, and studios where everyone can show their unique talents and abilities:

• Language clubs (Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese)
• Astrophysics Club
• The Debate Club
• Drama Club
• Cinema Club
• The Model United Nations Meditation Club
• Fashion Club
• Musical Improvisation Club
• Programming Club
• Seminars on critical thinking
• The choir
• The chess club.

Interesting and exciting community events, meetings, games, and celebrations are regularly organized. The Ashbourne Review is held annually: a major talent show during the Christmas period. Students demonstrate their talents in music, vocals, drama, acting, dance, design, fashion, and conduct graphic, linguistic, cultural, and regional studies presentations and screenings.

During the winter holidays, a week–long trip to European countries is usually organized -  festively decorated cities and a cheerful atmosphere will not leave anyone indifferent!

Events open to all comers are:

• Visits to theaters, museums, art galleries in London,
• Visits to interesting exhibitions, performances, to the opera and major concert halls
• Trips to major sports games, matches, competitions (especially football)
• Karting
• Ice skating
• Mathematical and scientific contests,
• Olympiads
• Guided tours of London districts.

• 60% of the students are British (mostly residents of London), the remaining 40% are foreign students, representatives of more than 40 countries. Boys and girls can study here on equal terms – the college operates according to a mixed system of education. For foreign students, two hours of compulsory classes are held weekly to prepare for the IELTS test, which is one of the mandatory requirements of British universities.
• The college's operating mode is unique for England: it is open every day until 8 p.m., even on Saturdays, which allows students to complete all tasks, study hard and intensively. The Oxbridge system of study organization is used: small classes of 7-10 people, an intensive curriculum with a large number of hours, academic rigor, individual approach to everyone, flexibility. At the same time, the atmosphere is very informal and friendly: students are treated as independent adults (despite constant quality control of work and studies), and their opinions are always listened to.
• There is no mandatory uniform, and it is customary to address teachers by name (but with the necessary subordination). High school students have a sufficient level of freedom and independence: This is shown by surveys of graduates, more than 95% of whom say that their time at Ashbourne College was very happy and eventful. Despite the informal atmosphere, close attention is paid to the success and behavior of students.
• Twice a trimester, parents receive a full-fledged report from teachers and supervisors: the results of exams, tests, and test papers are noted, information about attendance, homework schedule, analysis of diligence and responsibility, comments received, omissions, non-compliance with rules, and information about participation in leisure activities. Convenient electronic journals are kept, where parents can quickly get any information about the educational/extracurricular process.
• Most of the institution's teachers have been working here for more than 10 years: they are equally successful in working with British and foreign students, helping children achieve outstanding results. Thanks to an individual approach, they can give each student the right amount of personal attention, monitor academic progress and achievements more closely, check exams and homework, and adjust the course to the needs of students if necessary.
• In 2012, the Council of Independent Schools ranked Ashbourne College third among colleges in London and the suburbs (based on A-level exam results). University preparation is the main direction of the educational process (which affects the rather high requirements for applicants, the level of English).
• It has developed and offers special programs for students wishing to enroll in the faculties of medicine, engineering, finance, arts, as well as a special program for applicants from Oxford and Cambridge universities. The purpose of these programs is to help students make an impression at their chosen universities.
• Students are assisted with writing motivation letters, preparing for specialized entrance tests such as the BMAT and UCAT medical exams, entrance interviews, and selecting appropriate internships. The students achieved particular success in studying film studies, physics and mathematics: in these subjects, the latest A*-A grades (highest scores) at A-level were 100%, 59%, 57%, respectively. The students also excelled in additional mathematics (72% A*-A) and English literature (54% A*-A).
• More than half of the graduates successfully enter the most prestigious, ranked universities in the UK: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, London College of Fashion, University College London.
• Qualified consultants help high school students to prepare an application for admission, collect the necessary documents, write a motivation letter, train them to undergo a personal interview and interview, choose a university, faculty or internship program.
• Each group of students has its own mentor-curator, who meets with them weekly, constantly monitors their progress, progress, and general well-being, helps organize useful trips to university campuses, meetings with representatives of admissions committees, and talks about making a portfolio.
• In the A Level program, 47% of students earned the highest A-A* scores.
• According to the GCSE graduation program in the UK, 41% of students scored 7-9 points.

Both buildings in which the college is located are literally 100 meters from the famous Kensington Palace (the official residence of Prince William and the Duchess of Catherine), close to many city attractions, monuments of culture and architecture:

• Imperial College of London
• The Victoria and Albert Museum
• Hyde Park
• Museum of Natural History
• concert hall Albert Hall.

The major international airport of Heathrow is only 20 kilometers away, which greatly facilitates the transfer and travel of students.

The buildings of the college are excellently equipped for comfortable, productive education and a pleasant stay:

• Bright and modern audiences, classrooms and lecture halls with interactive boards and computer equipment
• A large computer lab (all PCs have Internet access, software is constantly updated)
• An extensive library with printed and electronic resources (including periodicals, art publications and teaching aids)
• Fast Wi-Fi for laptop owners
• Scientific and practical laboratories
• Spacious, beautifully equipped art studios: for ceramics and pottery, photography, design, drawing, painting
• A modern cinema laboratory with the latest digital equipment (students are involved in animation, directing, journalism and design), plasma TV equipment and MAC, a rich collection of the best examples of world cinema.

• Registration fee
• Examination fees 
• The first trimester fee must be paid as soon as possible after accepting the invitation to study, so that Ashbourne can guarantee a student's place on the course.
• Additional academic and language classes with a tutor (optional)
• Additional leisure activities, excursions (optional)
• Refundable deposit for teaching aids, materials
• Accommodation and meals (residence/family, half board)
• Guardianship (registration with the agency + guardian services for children under 15 years old)
• Air tickets (both sides)
• Transfer (both sides)
• Personal pocket expenses
• Visa fees, services, translation, document certification
• Consular fee (to be paid at the Embassy).

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 300 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 250 GBP

The admission process consists of several stages:

• Filling out the registration form, submitting the required documents,
• Taking entrance tests in core subjects or specialized disciplines. For example, candidates wishing to study drama and theatre arts will need to attend an audition, while those who would like to develop in the visual arts — a portfolio review,
• Interview with the principal or a senior member of the admissions committee.

According to statistics from recent years, more than 60% of high school students are admitted to leading universities in the United Kingdom, including elite Russell Group institutions: University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, and others.

From all applicants entering Ashbourne College from abroad, the admissions committee expects:

• Personal documents: international passport, medical insurance and health certificates, visa or residence permit. Each prospective student must have a parent or guardian residing in London,
• Academic transcripts for the last two academic years,
• GCSE exam results or equivalent, if entry is planned for Year 12,
• A personal essay of 500 words, in which the applicant describes their interests, hobbies, achievements and ambitions,
• Language test results confirming English proficiency of at least B2.

If wishing to study creative subjects in the senior years, candidates must have a portfolio of works.

Ashbourne College awards a limited number of music/academic scholarships at A-Level, each covering from 10 to 100% of annual tuition. Awards are determined based on outstanding achievements and exceptional talent in the areas of music and drama, and the study of natural science and technical disciplines.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision