Bournemouth Collegiate School

• Year of foundation: 2009
• Location: Bournemouth, Dorset, UK
• Age of students: from 3 to 18 years old (boarding house from 11 to 18 years old)
• Language of instruction: English
• Type of eduaction: joint
• Accommodation: residence, host family.

The classical UK boarding school, was founded in 1890. Now the school has more than 640 students from 20 countries aged 2 to 18 years. 200 students live on the board. The school is located on the coast, in the incredibly beautiful Bournemouth.

Today, there are about 600 students from different parts of Britain and other countries, about 110 of them reside on campus. The programs are of exceptional quality, the high level of teaching is supported by excellent and qualified specialists with extensive experience. At school you can get prestigious diplomas and certificates, engage in sports and creativity, develop your talents in various fields. All students receive maximum attention and support, they feel at home on campus.

Bournemouth Collegiate School (Bournemouth Collegiate School) is the best choice for those parents who want a good and happy future for their child!

The school day in the senior and preparatory school follows a two-week timetable (weeks A and B):

• five one-hour lessons per day,
• registration at 8:40,
• lessons from 9:10 to 15:35,
• one hour of extracurricular activities after lessons.

Each student is assigned a personal tutor who meets with them at least once a day and serves as the primary point of contact for the family.

The teaching approach is characterised by small classes and individual attention. The preparatory school uses:

• the Curiosity Approach methodology, where the environment acts as the «third teacher»,
• the GRIT principle: Growth mindset, readiness, independence, teamwork,
• the Chilli Challenge tool for students to independently choose their level of task difficulty.

Physical education is part of the curriculum:

• in years 7–11 — two single and two double PE lessons per two-week cycle,
• each student is guaranteed at least one hour of PE and two hours of active play per week.

Student support is provided by:

• the SENCO department for students with special educational needs,
• an EAL programme coordinator for international students,
• mental health leads,
• a school counsellor-psychologist,
• weekly PSHE lessons — a course in personal, social, health and civic education.

In the sixth form (ages 16–18), students independently manage their workload with the support of a personal tutor. They have access to:

• a quiet study room,
• a supervised independent study space,
• the Unifrog career guidance platform,
• an annual careers event «Futures Day»,
• a compulsory month of online courses, during which each student completes one course,
• specialist tutors for preparation for entry to medicine, veterinary, dentistry programmes, as well as Oxford and Cambridge.

The school operates across three levels of education.

BCS Prep (ages 3–11) — pre-school and primary education, including nursery and the Early Years programme. One of the few schools in the region with a Forest School — a learning format based on play and exploration of nature: children learn to interact with the environment, developing independence, confidence, and a love of learning through hands-on outdoor experience. .

BCS Senior (ages 11–16) — a broad core curriculum in Years 7–9. Compulsory GCSE subjects:

• mathematics,
• English language and literature,
• sciences: combined course (2 subjects) or three separate subjects — biology, chemistry and physics.

Optional GCSE subjects: art and design, business, computer science, dance, technology, drama, enterprise, French, geography, history, music, physical education, religious studies, Spanish, sports science, natural sciences, and English as a foreign language.

BCS Sixth Form (ages 16–18) — sixth form.

Academic programmes:

• A-Level — in-depth study of chosen subjects, typically 3 subjects,
• BTEC — a practically oriented programme, equivalent to one A-Level subject,
• EPQ — an independent research project, counted as 50% of an A-Level subject.

Arts disciplines include fine art, textiles and photography, and an annual visual arts festival is also held.

Physical education can be studied as an academic subject — through the Cambridge National Sport Science or BTEC Sport Level 3 programmes.

Additional English lessons for international students:

• Years 7–8 — 6 lessons per two-week period,
• Year 9 — 4 lessons per two-week period,
• Accelerator intensive course — more than 25 lessons, levels A2+ for GCSE and B1+ for A-Level,
• programme start — September or January, duration 2–3 terms,
• preparation for the Cambridge English: First exam, level B2,
• IGCSE course in English as a second language.

•  
• The school consistently ranks among the leaders in academic progress of senior students in the United Kingdom. 
• BCS became a finalist of Independent Schools of the Year 2020 in the Performing Arts category.
• BCS sports academies reached the final of a national sports award and were recognised as a successful model of comprehensive athlete development.
• The BCS swimming team set records at the county championship in 2026 and performed successfully at the James Marino Open Meet.
• The prep school trampolining team won the IAPS competition.
• Graduates of the fine arts programme went on to study at the Royal College of Art, St Martins and London College of Fashion.
• One school graduate became a professional basketball player.
• The school received a high rating following the ISI, Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection in 2025.

The school's history spans more than 125 years: it was founded in 1899 in Poole as a secular school for girls. Its predecessor was Bourne School for Girls, opened in 1895. In 1923, the school moved to Wentworth Lodge, the former residence of Lord Portman, built in 1872.

During the Second World War, the school's buildings were occupied by military units, and the educational process was temporarily relocated to Wales. In 2009, following a merger with Uplands School, Bournemouth Collegiate School, BCS, was formed in its current shape.

Since 2021, BCS has been part of CATS Global Schools, which unites 16 schools in four countries. In the United Kingdom, BCS is among the independent boarding schools on campus.

The alumni community The Blue Society brings together former pupils of BCS, Wentworth and Uplands. The school's archive covers more than 125 years of history, and alumni can join the community free of charge and take part in mentoring programmes for current pupils.

Bournemouth is a major international education hub outside London and one of the UK's rapidly developing digital hubs. The city is home to two universities: Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth.

Bournemouth is conveniently located for travel to London and the airports of Southampton and Heathrow. The city is situated on the coast with extensive sandy beaches, close to the New Forest national park and the Jurassic Coast.

The school also serves as a training ground for future educators and welcomes student teachers.

International pupils living in the boarding house are placed with children who do not speak their native language. This approach helps them acquire English more quickly and immerse themselves more deeply in the cultural environment.

The preparatory school offers morning and after-school clubs, as well as holiday programmes. These are run by Foundation Sports, a sports organisation from Dorset and Hampshire.

The school provides foreign students with the opportunity to live in their own residences as well as in host families. Both options are comfortable, students are guaranteed safety and a homely atmosphere. On campus students from 10 years old are accommodated in one of two residences (1-2 people in a room):

• Lodge House (for girls)
• Davies House (for boys).

Host families who have the right to host foreign students undergo a process of careful selection and are monitored by special agencies. Homes of host families, as a rule, are located not far from the school: students get a room, a work area, the opportunity to use the amenities at home. Both in the residence and in the host family, children receive good nutrition several times a day.

The institution is famous for sports and creative department that help students develop their talents and talents. Sports Academy (BCS Sports Academy) is a unique program that includes diverse classes, exclusively professional teachers, individual attention and schedule. Sports:

• Rugby
• Football
• Basketball
• Swimming
• Cross Country Run
• Surfing and sailing
• Canoe
• Rowing
• Triathlon
• Cricket
• Hockey
• Netball
• Fitness
• Badminton
• Athletics
• Tennis
• Volleyball.

Creation:

1) Music:

• Playing musical instruments
• Vocals
• Chorus
• Orchestra
• Rock bands

2) Performing arts:

• Artistic game
• Directing
• Makeup and Artists 
• Sound and light equipment
• Accompaniment of theatrical productions

3) Art and photography:

• The photo
• Painting and drawing
• Textile
• Media resources
• Design
• Fashion
• Architecture.

Extra-curricular life is full of events and activities - they provide an opportunity to relax and gain strength:

• Festivals and holidays
• Participation in seminars and conferences
• Excursions in the city and surrounding area
• Visiting theaters, science centers, planetarium and attractions
• Excursions to other cities and areas of Britain
• International travel (historical tours, music tours, international educational visits and much more)
• Performances of student groups and circles
• Hiking.

The school is included into  TOP-5% in Value Added Education in the UK

Ideal for those looking to pursue Art, Design, Drama and Performing Arts

• The school is a finalist for the independent schools in England of the Year 2020 in the Performing Arts category.
• 100% of our students receive A * -B in Drama and Theater, Fine Art, Photography and Textiles
• 25% of students go to creative specialties (Arts University Bournemouth, St Martins, NABA, etc.)
• Individual support for the Art and Design Portfolio and preparation for auditions for Drama and Performing arts.

Incredible results in sports

• Our elite sports academy is ranked 21st in the UK and was a National Award in Sports final in 2019.

Preparation for admission to Oxbridge and medical programs

• Preparation and admission is overseen by our Deputy Head Academic, who has over 25 years of experience as a tutor in preparation for admission to Oxford and Cambridge and has processed over 900 successful university applications over the past 15 years

Our programs:

• GCSE (2 year and 18 months)
• iGCSE 1 year
• A Level (2 year and 18 months)
• Pre A Level
• Academic Preparation (for students whose level of English is not enough for A-levels or GCSE)

The campus is located in the city of Bournemouth, on the very coast of the English Channel and a 5-minute walk from the beach. It has everything you need for a comfortable life and study:

• Educational and administrative building
• Classes with comfortable jobs and multimedia equipment
• Science laboratories
• Library and Science Center
• Computer audiences
• Creative, theater, music studios
• Sports centers, fields and grounds
• Indoor pool
• Tennis courts, jogging tracks
• Residences
• Canteen
• Places for recreation and walking
• Medical office.

The academic year is divided into 3 semesters:

• Autumn: September-December
• Spring: January-April
• Summer: May-July.

Extra charges:

• Registration fee
• Deposit confirming a place on the course
• Service fee
• Exam Board
• Tuition deposit
• Air tickets in both directions
• Round trip
• Mandatory Medical Insurance
• Personal pocket expenses
• Visa fees and services, translation and certification of documents
• Consular fee (paid at the Embassy).

Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of the admissions process.

BCS academic results are consistently above national averages. In terms of academic progress, the school ranks among the top 30% in the UK at GCSE level and among the top 2.5% at A-Level over the past four years. This means that students progress faster on average than peers with a similar starting level.

GCSE Results in 2025:

• 39% of grades at 7+, equivalent to A*-A,
• 91% of grades at 4+, A*-C,
• 100% of grades at 2+, A*-E.

In 2024:

• 33.3% of grades 7+,
• 92% of grades 4+,
• 100% of grades 2+.

In 2023:

• 25% of grades 7+,
• 90.3% of grades 4+,
• 99.6% of grades 2+.

A-Level Results in 2025:

• 9% of grades A*,
• 26% A*-A,
• 52% A*-B,
• 83% A*-C,
• 100% A*-E.

In 2024:

• 16% A*,
• 33% A*-A,
• 56% A*-B,
• 79% A*-C,
• 97% A*-E.

In 2023:

• 12% A*,
• 36% A*-A,
• 64% A*-B,
• 86% A*-C,
• 98% A*-E.

The preparatory school also shows strong results. In the 2023–2024 academic year:

• 32% of Year 6 pupils received scholarships,
• 91% successfully passed grammar exams. 

The average standardised age score in English and Mathematics was 108, against a national average of 100.

In 2022–2023: 45% received scholarships, 80% successfully passed exams, and the average score was 110.

• Statements of the established sample)
• Extract from the previous place of study with marks
• Recommendations from teachers and class teacher
• Knowledge of English: from IELTS 4.5-5.5 (depending on the program)
• High general level of knowledge and skills
• Interview
• It is possible to conduct tests to identify the level of knowledge.

BCS awards a limited number of scholarships annually and only upon admission. The maximum amount is 25% of the tuition fee. The following types of scholarships are available:

• Academic (Years 7–11) — CAT4 test, interview with the principal, most recent academic progress reports,
• Academic (sixth form, Year 12) — application with predicted results and references, interview and written exam; may depend on final GCSE results,
• Sports — physical and fitness testing, portfolio of achievements; the scholar regularly represents the school at competitions and trains at the sports academy,
• Performing Arts — portfolio, references and a video of a performance; involves studying drama or BTEC Performing Arts,
• Music — performance of two contrasting pieces; the required level is above Grade 3 for Year 7 students and above Grade 6 for sixth form,
• Visual Arts — portfolio of 10–20 slides; compulsory study of visual arts as part of GCSE or A-Level.

The school also offers discounts for families with multiple children: 5% for a second child and 10% for a third and each subsequent child.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision