Riverston School, Riverston School

• Location: London, England,
• Founded in: 1926,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of training: mixed.

Riverston School is an inclusive school that offers programs for children from 9 months to 21 years old.

In 2021, the educational institution celebrated its 95th anniversary. Throughout its history, Riverston School has been distinguished by an individual approach to each student, qualified teaching staff and a balanced curriculum, thanks to which it has won the trust of many families.

Based on the UK's national curriculum, Riverston School has created its own academic model with unique elements: it fully meets the needs of students in certain age periods, accurately describes the values of the school itself. The school's educational system, called Riverston Tapestry, is formed from six aspects that are emphasized in the development of students: Thinking, Digital Literacy, Health and Well-being, Global Worldview, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship. Particular attention is paid to the development of students' resilience, their preparation for life after school. Recognizing that each child has unique personalities, talents, and skills that may not be revealed through standard academic subjects, the curriculum incorporates a wider range of disciplines; In addition to them, students will have a variety of opportunities for extracurricular activities, which are also aimed at revealing individual abilities and gaining new experience.

Due to the distinctive academic and extracurricular features of the educational institution, its students achieve high results in GCSE and A-Level exams, continue their studies at selected universities.

Highly qualified, experienced teachers work alongside speech therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, and learning support specialists to meet any individual student needs that may be required at certain stages of development and learning. Even children with disabilities are admitted to the school, who receive comprehensive support and achieve the same high results as other students.

Riverston School provides a parallel curriculum for Key Stage 3 students who are working at levels two to three years below their age. Children are engaged in semi-annual thematic projects with a cross-curricular approach: teachers have developed 18 plans for a three-year course of study combined with STEM learning resources. Each year, the group will explore six different topics that will allow it to advance to the next stage.

Career guidance, aimed at studying the personal abilities of each student, is included in the curriculum from the 7th grade. Separate thematic lessons help students understand what they would like to become after school, which university would suit them best. Students are invited to individual interviews with career consultants to determine exactly which direction to follow: there, employees draw up "road maps" in which the interests of each student and ways to achieve academic goals are most accurately determined.

Riverstone School's academic system covers all stages of school education: kindergarten, middle and high school.

All classes, especially during the exam period, are regularly attended by Douglas, a trained therapy dog.

Riverston School does not provide accommodation for the duration of their studies.

A qualified team of chefs prepares meals based on a varied menu every day, providing children with a healthy, balanced diet. Hot meals consist of freshly prepared main courses, plant-based or vegetarian recipes, a salad bar, and a dessert list includes fruit and yogurt. Meat is purchased from local butchers who make their own sausages and bacon, beef, lamb and chicken are supplied by reliable suppliers and always British producers. Vegetables are also sourced locally with a strong emphasis on seasonal produce. All packaging used in transportation is biodegradable, which is in line with Riverstone School's environmental vision.

The chefs are responsible for the individual needs of students, trying to provide them with a variety of vegan, vegetarian, dietary dishes.

Riverston School offers a variety of extracurricular activities that take place at lunchtime. Students are offered a number of thematic clubs, each of which is aimed at developing certain skills, improving knowledge, and expanding horizons. Among the communities:

• Board games,
• Music Technology,
• Quiz
• Creation
• Club of homework, self-study,
• Reading.

The most visited sports areas are football, chess, basketball.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is an important aspect of the extracurricular programme. Students have the opportunity to start participating in the project from the 7th grade as part of the enrichment course, usually receiving a bronze award by the time they graduate from school. The award consists of four sections, which must be completed within a different period of time:

• Volunteering is the provision of services to individuals or a community. Services will include extended school projects, charitable activities,
• Physical activity – improvement in the field of sports, dance or fitness. Students can participate in team and individual sports, dance, fitness courses,
• Skills – development of practical skills, personal interest: creative arts, performing arts, science and technology, animal care, music, life skills,
• Expedition – planning, preparing and conducting a trip in the UK. Expedition covers skills such as first aid, risk awareness, navigation, knowledge of gear and equipment, cooking, traffic rules, observation, and recording.

• "Ensuring the well-being of children is top-notch", "Children are happy to go to school", "All staff are excellent role models", – ISI Inspectorate,
• Excellent GCSE and A-Level results: 80% get grades 9-4, 100% of students pass BTEC,
• More than 90% of middle school students continue their education in the Sixth Form, wanting to complete their school education,
• A balanced curriculum with unique disciplines aimed at developing important life skills,
• Cooperation with local organizations for large-scale academic, recreational events,
• Qualified support for learning from subject teachers, speech therapists, psychologists and other specialists.

The territory of Riverston School is located in a quiet part of London, occupying a large green space with several buildings. Each building has modern equipment, includes a number of classrooms, specialized laboratories, computer rooms, recreation areas. For the youngest schoolchildren, conditions have been created to encourage children to explore the world around them: safe outdoor areas for games, research, sports, spacious classrooms with play sets and interactive equipment, music and creativity studios. Middle and high school students have access to a wider range of facilities, including technical studios and workshops.

Riverstone School has its own garden, in which dozens of types of vegetables, greens, and fruits are grown. The safe, open environment allows students to spend a lot of time outdoors playing their favorite sport, caring for plants, doing project work, or relaxing with friends.

The academic calendar includes three trimesters:

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

Between semesters there are seasonal holidays, rest is also provided on weekends, days of national and international holidays. Training sessions are held on weekdays: Monday to Friday, in the morning and afternoon. At the end of the lessons, students can participate in the activities of thematic clubs, sports sections, extracurricular activities.

Approximate list of additional costs:

• Registration fee,
• Nutrition
• Some extracurricular activities outside campus,
• Personal training materials, stationery,
• Individual academic support,
• Personal expenses.

The admission process consists of going through several stages. Before applying, staff advise contacting the admissions office to familiarize yourself with the curriculum, extracurricular opportunities, and features of the school. After communicating with the staff, the parents of the future student must:

• Fill out the registration form, provide the required documents,
• Pay the application application fee,
• Together with the child, pass an interview, possible entrance tests,
• Receive an official letter of readiness for enrollment,
• Pay part or all of the cost of annual tuition,
• Arrive on campus for orientation activities, start of classes.

Admissions officers provide support at any of the entrance stages, helping foreign families to obtain a visa, draw up the necessary documents, and get help from government agencies.

Every year, Riverstone School high school students achieve excellent results in GCSE and A-Level exams, thanks to which they have a wide choice of universities for further admission. 91% of students who complete their secondary school program continue their studies in the Sixth Form in order to gain competitive advantages when enrolling in leading higher institutions in the UK, USA, Canada.

For admission, candidates must provide:

• Personal documents, including passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic certificates from the previous place of study, report cards,
• IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or other language test results recognized by the school; all classes are conducted in English, so the student will need a level of B1 and above,
• Individual achievements (if any).

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision