Papplewick Private School for Boys

• Location: Ascot, Berkshire, England,
• Age of students: from 6 to 13 years old,
• Type of studying: separate, school for boys,
• Language of instruction: English.

A day and preparatory boarding school for boys aged 6 to 13, known as Papplewick School, is located in England, in the picturesque area of Ascot. The school is a private educational institution. Its territory covers 15 acres of land and is located opposite the famous racecourse.

The school considers that boys succeed when they are given high expectations and are challenged, whether in the classroom, on the sports field or in the arts. By setting high standards for themselves, the boys of Papplewick have the opportunity to enter the best senior schools in the UK. Yet, despite all these high demands, the most important factor for them is the happiness of the boys.

Papplewick School offers education based on the National Curriculum, which is used in public schools, as well as general admission and scholarship programs.

The school attaches great importance to an individual approach to the learning and development of each child. Classes are small, usually no more than 15 people, allowing teachers to pay more attention to each student.

The school is also known for its emphasis on developing the character and morals of students. The education of boys at Papplewick School is based on the values of discipline, respect, cooperation and self-discipline.

Papplewick School provides ample opportunities for sports, music, art and other extracurricular activities.

Papplewick School is proud of its modern and family-friendly approach to boarding school. The main goal is to provide boys with the best possible preparation for life in high school. Here they are taught, among other things, to have fun and find friends.

Papplewick has three groups of educators for different grades: grades 3-6, grade 7, 8th grade. They create a homely atmosphere for the boys in their care. Parents are strongly encouraged to keep in close touch with their sons and the school, which is accepted and the norm at Papplewick – parents can communicate with their children on a daily basis via mobile phone or email.

Boys in the 8th grade have access to their own modern boarding house called Willow House, allowing them to gain more independence before entering high school.

Beginning with the summer term of the 6th grade, all boys live in boarding either on a weekly or full-time basis. During this period, boys can spend one additional night at home if they wish, in the middle of the week or on Sunday. In the 8th grade, boys have the opportunity to spend only Saturday and Sunday evenings at home in order to be as well prepared as possible for their future life in high school. It is recommended that day boys also stay at school from time to time. Papplewick offers a part-time boarding house that is very popular with younger boys and offers one, two or three days a week. On Saturday and Sunday, there are a large number of activities and walks for all students. During the week, pupils can choose from 8 to 10 lessons each evening after dinner.

Three daily return flights from London are available at Papplewick School, with transport from Chiswick, Brook Green, Hammersmith and near the Millennium Gloucester Hotel. These services are provided for the convenience of parents for whom regular trips to Ascot are problematic.

Papplewick School offers a variety of sports activities. During the first 10 weeks of the Christmas term, children play football, then move on to rugby (in the last three weeks in preparation for Lent). In the summer, cricket is the main sport, and in the winter semesters, boys have the opportunity to play squash, swimming, cross-country running, hockey, polo, shooting, table tennis, and chess. In summer, they can play tennis, swimming, athletics, golf, polo and croquet.

Papplewick is known for its wide range of activities that the boys particularly appreciate: every Thursday they take part in a variety of activities, ranging from sporting to dramatic. Among the activities offered: karate, squash, photography, horseback riding, tennis, golf, drama, cooking, bibliomania, Airfix club, Lego club, handicrafts, children's puzzles, board games, Harry Potter club and martial arts.

The Music Department strives to develop the talents of students and bring up in them the love and pleasure of creating music of different styles and genres. Throughout the year, boys have many opportunities to improve their musical skills. The choir performs at weekly services in the chapel, there are secular and junior choirs. Most boys learn to play musical instruments, the school has a junior brass ensemble, a string ensemble, a brass band, a jazz band and a chamber orchestra.

Art education at Papplewick plays an important role in the development of creativity, imagination and visual thinking. Students follow a structured program that develops their skills during their studies. Papplewick offers a well-equipped art hall for ceramics and engraving classes.

Drama begins in the lower grades, where students are encouraged to work together and achieve a common goal: they participate in poetry readings, classroom performances, and a variety of performances, which stipulate music and team work. Every year, Papplewick School hosts a theatrical performance, the Spring Arts Festival takes place during Easter, and every Christmas there is a full-fledged musical with a large number of actors.

Papplewick School has a modern infrastructure that meets high modern standards: living quarters offer comfortable conditions, classrooms are equipped with modern technology and equipment, scientific laboratories, allowing students to conduct practical experiments and research.

The school offers a variety of sports facilities, including football, rugby and cricket, tennis courts, a swimming pool and water sports.

The library provides access to a wide selection of books and resources for study and self-education. In addition, Papplewick has visual arts studios where students can express their creativity.

The school year at Papplewick School is organized with a balance between study and leisure, helping students to use their time efficiently and be ready for new challenges. The academic year lasts 10 months, starting in September and ending in June (in rare cases early July), divided into autumn (Michaelmas Term), spring (Lent Term) and summer trimesters. The longest holidays are summer, lasting about 2 months.

Additional costs may include: 

• Registration fee,
• Deposit
• Visa
• Migration
• Accommodation
• Nutrition
• School transport,
• Accident insurance,
• Health insurance,
• Learning support,
• Educational materials and stationery,
• School and sports uniforms,
• Laundry service,
• Game sets,
• Music lessons,
• Extracurricular activities,
• Activities and excursions,
• Personal expenses.

The normal school admission process involves parents meeting with the principal usually during the school term. Before that, parents are asked to provide a report on their son's academic progress for the last trimester at the current school. After making an appointment for a meeting, you must fill out the registration form (if desired, it can be sent in advance), pay the registration fee.

A year before a boy is due to enter Papplewick School, expectant parents are asked to pay an entrance fee confirming the child's place in the school (for those who do not live in the UK, this is the amount to cover the costs of one trimester). The installment is non-refundable, it is used as a loan to pay for the child's expenses in the last trimester. Each boy is asked to spend part of the day at Papplewick in the pre-admission trimester to assess his abilities. In addition, reports from the boy's current school will be requested.

Papplewick School now has about 200 boys aged 6 to 13, many of whom are enrolled in grades 2 and 3 (ages 6-8).

Every year, more than half of Papplewick School graduates enter public schools. During its history, the school has sent boys to more than 30 different educational institutions, historically the most popular are:

• Eton (20% graduates),
• Harrow (15%),
• Winchester (8%),
• Wellington (7%),
• Bradfield (7%),
• Charterhouse (7%).

50% of boys receive awards and scholarships.

The candidate must know English at least B2 (Upper Intermediate).

Upon admission, future students from 6 to 11 years old can be awarded one of the following scholarships:

• Academic
• Universal
• Awards for those who have strong musical, artistic, athletic or other talents.

The cost of the award can be up to 50% of the boy's full tuition fee for the period of their stay at Papplewick. The approximate calculation of the award is up to 15% merit scholarship and up to 35% scholarship, depending on the level of wealth. The aim is to attract boys who would not otherwise consider private education.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision