Mary Hare Private School

• Location: Newbury, Berkshire, England,
• Age of students: from 4 to 18 years old,
• Type of study: blended,
• Language of instruction: English.

Mary Hare School is the largest educational institution for deaf children in the UK, which is located in the city of Newbury, Berkshire. It is a day boarding school that accepts children with hearing impairments from pre-school to 13th grade, i.e. between the ages of 4 and 19. All school buildings are located on the same territory, providing a safe and comfortable environment for students. 

At Mary Hare, the main priority is to fully immerse students in the English language, both orally and in writing. Staff and teachers have been successful in helping students learn their voice control skills and English, which is an important aspect of the development and future of students' communication in an international context.

At Mary Hare School, we place great importance on achieving a balance between the social and academic development of students. The school has a team of speech therapists who assist students and teachers in developing an individualized learning program. Distinctive criteria of the educational process:

• Small classes,
• Students learn English in the classroom to develop language skills, literacy and listening,
• Classrooms have horseshoe-shaped desks so that students can read each other's lips and the teacher's lips
• A complete curriculum including GCSEs, BTECs, A-Levels and diplomas offered at various levels,
• Classrooms equipped with group assistance technology to allow students to hear the teacher and each other.

Mary Hare Elementary School offers boarding only during the school week: this is a stay of four days at school and a three-night stay at home. This allows children to enjoy the benefits of boarding life without being too disconnected from their families and home environment.

The secondary school already offers boarding 7 days a week. About 90% of high school students are boarders, but some students prefer to return home for the weekend (weekend activities are provided for those who stay).

The new Bradbury House Boarding House is located next to the primary school: children aged 6-12 live here. For primary grades, it is only available once a week. Bradbury House strives to create a homely atmosphere for pupils: games and social interactions are the foundation of boarding school life, with a focus on leisure time, reading stories and furnishing the room.

Howard House is a boarding school for boys and girls in Year 7 who are just starting their secondary school education. The staff fulfills an educational role, using a safe, structured and home-based approach to help children integrate with new peers.

Mansell House is home to boys aged 8-10. The staff pays special attention to supporting adolescents in building friendships and developing their independence, supporting boys in the transition from one grade to another.

Manor House is a place where girls in grades 8-10 live. Similar to Mansell House, the boarding staff offers a safe and consistent approach to care and routines, helping girls build friendships and develop their independence. 

Murray House is an 11th grade boarding school for boys and girls. It has been specially designed to maintain an environment conducive to the learning of children in the 11th grade, especially during the exam period. In addition to the emphasis on studying, the staff creates a positive atmosphere and provides opportunities for relaxation.

The Sixth Form consists of 4 cabins, each with a small common room and kitchen, as well as a large common area and kitchen. The Sixth Form focuses on preparing youth for adulthood and life after Mary Hare School, including life skills development.

Mary Hare School prides itself on its holistic approach to child development. A homely atmosphere has been created in the houses, the staff of the boarding houses work closely with the team of speech therapists, teachers, nurses and the wellness team.

A rich program of activities is organized for Mary Hare School students. Evening clubs are held on weekdays on and off campus: this can be swimming, circus skills, cadet squad, yoga, life skills, and more. Weekend trips can range from local trips to the movies and shopping to larger trips, rock climbing, go-karting, and visits to theme parks.

Mary Hare School has created optimal conditions for the education and development of children - these are a variety of rooms, laboratories and sports facilities designed for a full-fledged educational process. The school is equipped with spacious classrooms equipped with modern audio and video equipment, which facilitates learning and creates a comfortable environment for students. All classrooms are equipped with a new wireless group hearing aid design, allowing students and teachers to move freely around the classroom, ideal for hands-on education and professional subjects.

For practical education, Mary Hare has modern laboratories equipped with specialized equipment, so that students have the opportunity to conduct experiments and scientific research in the field of natural sciences.

In addition, the school campus is equipped with sports facilities, a large sports hall and outdoor sports fields.

Mary Hare School's Department of Audiology is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and a team of specialists is available throughout the school day to perform hearing tests, take impressions for earmolds, and maintain equipment, including personal devices. Your child won't have to waste precious time at school visiting a separate clinic! Any problems with the equipment are immediately reported to the audiology team.

The school year at Mary Hare School lasts 10 months and is divided into three trimesters: fall, spring, and summer. The school year starts in September and ends in June. To ensure sufficient time for rest and recovery, there are holidays between trimesters.

Additional costs:

• Registration fee,
• Visa fee,
• Migration
• Transfer
• Residence
• Nutrition
• Personal Accident Insurance,
• Medical insurance,
• Additional lessons with a tutor,
• Educational materials and stationery,
• Uniforms and sports uniforms,
• Excursions and activities,
• Personal expenses.

The main steps on the way to admission to Mary Hare School are:

1. Tour of the school. Getting to know the faculty and the campus.
2. Evaluation. It is necessary to fill out the booking form in order for the Admissions Office to set a date for the trial day. Assessments can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days depending on the age of the child. After the assessment, within 2 weeks, the school will send a letter with the admission decision.
3. Give an answer. Upon receiving a positive answer about the place, parents need to promptly confirm the place and the child's intention to study at school.
4. Tuition at Mary Hare for international students is financed, among other things, by private foundations (if necessary, by the family).

Today, more than 230 children between the ages of 4 and 18 study at Mary Hare School.

Core enrollment at Mary Hare School is in Pre-Home, 7th Grade, and Sixth Form. Candidates are invited to a trial day, where reactions in certain situations are assessed and entrance exams are conducted.

• Preparatory class. During the trial day, the school's teachers assess the children's reactions to various situations, such as small group discussions, school-wide activities, social games, one-on-one lessons, and extracurricular activities. Teachers can test reading and non-verbal reasoning skills.
• 7th Grade and Sixth Form. During the trial day, the candidate will go through a series of introductory texts on cognitive abilities, including verbal and non-verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning.

The main criteria by which formal assessments will be carried out for all candidates:

• Language test,
• Mathematics
• Written language in English.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision