The Gregg School, Private school Gregg

• Location: Southampton, Hampshire County, England,
• Year of foundation: 1901,
• Number of students: about 350,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

The Gregg School — a private day school for boys and girls aged 4-16.

The history of The Gregg School began in 1901: today it is the only surviving member of a commercial network of schools in the British Isles and North America, founded by John Robert Gregg. Initially, the educational institution specialized in shorthand education, but today – teaching high-quality secondary education programs. The school has undergone many changes and innovations to provide students with the best conditions for study, sports, creativity and recreation.

Around 350 students study at The Gregg School, excluding the number of pupils in the preschool department. Teaching subjects and providing additional academic services are organized by qualified teachers and staff, each of whom has higher education degrees and many years of experience in the field of education.

The Gregg School — a small school creating a friendly and supportive atmosphere and aiming for the comprehensive development of each student. To unlock talents and help students determine their future academic path, The Gregg School provides a wide range of extracurricular clubs, sports sections and events, actively cooperates with local organizations to exchange experience and knowledge.

Qualified teachers and staff from specialized departments provide students with comprehensive support throughout each year of their studies at The Gregg School. For example, career preparation (PSD) classes are already organized for middle school students, where they receive assistance with college applications, practicing personal statements and interview techniques. Students are provided with career counseling to help them start developing ideas for future courses and career plans. International students can request support from the EAL Language Center, which will provide additional English language lessons and support in completing the main curriculum.

The Gregg School's academic system includes several educational levels:

• Prep-School — preschool department + primary school (for children aged 4-11),
• Senior School — middle classes, where pupils aged 11-16 study.

Among the school graduates is Millvina Dean, the last surviving passenger of the "Titanic".

The Gregg School operates on a day basis and does not provide accommodation on campus.

The school has recently partnered with catering provider Thomas Franks Ltd, ensuring that all students receive a balanced diet. Dishes on the menu are prepared using locally sourced ingredients, seasonal fruits and vegetables. The general menu changes every three weeks, taking into account student preferences and can be personalized for a specific child with allergies, medical or religious needs.

Upon admission, students are distributed among three faculties with distinctive signs: emblems on their uniforms and mottos. Throughout the year, they will represent their faculty in various school competitions, whether it be sports games, scientific projects or dance contests. For a victory, a group of students receives points, and at the end of the year an award ceremony is held for the winning faculty. Such a distribution system helps students learn healthy and friendly competition, develop leadership qualities and teamwork skills.

Competitions are held between faculties in all sports areas represented at the school, as well as in the fields of humanities, foreign languages, and special skills. Some of the educational areas include:

• Sports: cricket, hockey, basketball, netball, football, badminton;
• Creative: photography, poetry, music, baking, dancing, fine arts;
• Academic: math problems, space science, original writing;
• Humanities: geography, history;
• Computing: coding, typing;
• Special skills: chess, debating.

Music and performing arts are presented as separate large-scale areas of extracurricular development. Students can attend individual lessons in playing musical instruments, develop within an orchestra, choir or ensemble, study theater, and develop as actors on the stage of the Center for Performing Arts.

Sports also hold an important place in the extracurricular life of students: under the guidance of experienced coaches, students attend regular training sessions in team and pair sports, engage individually to maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve their goals. Teams participate in interschool competitions, thanks to which individual players can earn external scholarships.

For each age group of pupils, regular off-site events are organized. For example, students from the junior department broaden their horizons by visiting local attractions, cultural and entertainment centers — in recent years they have visited places such as:

• Fishbourne Roman Palace,
• Lockdown Farm,
• Hiller's Gardens,
• New Forest Wildlife Park,
• Pinkmid Stables.

• 95% of students successfully pass GCSE exams,
• Small educational groups, with each student receiving individual attention from the teacher, overall the school is compact and intimate,
• A wide range of academic subjects to study and take exams in,
• Various extracurricular activities for developing talents and strengths.

The main campus, where students aged 11-16 study, is located on 23 acres of green territory: next to the historical buildings there is a large park with walking areas, a forest and a garden. The infrastructure of the campus is represented by:

• Large concert hall,
• Dining hall,
• Classrooms with interactive equipment,
• Science laboratories,
• Center for performing arts with specialized studios and rehearsal rooms,
• English language learning classrooms,
• Library,
• Computer center,
• Workshop for graphic and web design,
• Art studio.

Sports facilities:

• Fields for football, cricket, athletics,
• Long jump and high jump zones,
• Cricket pavilion,
• Netball and basketball courts,
• Cross-country skiing track.

The Department of Preschool and Primary Education is located in the very center of Southampton, in two large buildings. The infrastructure for educating the youngest pupils includes:

• Learning classes with a lot of materials and tools,
• Open playgrounds,
• Gym,
• Forest School Zone,
• Art studios: music, art, theater,
• Foreign language learning class,
• Computer room.

School buses help elementary school students get to and from The Gregg School campus and extracurricular activities.

The academic year consists of three trimesters:

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

The weekly schedule includes five school days — from Monday to Friday, and two days off. Breaks are provided on holidays and during seasonal vacations.

The cost of annual tuition already includes fees for textbooks, stationery, and most extracurricular activities. Approximate list of additional expenses includes:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• External exams,
• Individual academic support,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Private lessons, education in extracurricular areas,
• Additional language support,
• Food and accommodation,
• School transportation,
• School uniform,
• Personal expenses.

Before submitting an application, families of prospective students can attend Open House Day to tour the campus and ask teachers their questions.

The enrollment process consists of several stages:

• Completing the registration form, providing the necessary documents and paying the registration fee,
• The admissions committee requests a recommendation letter from the previous place of study and invites the candidate for entrance tests,
• Passing an interview, MidYIS or Yellis testing depending on age,
• Attending two trial school days,
• Official invitation to enroll.

Admission of new students is open subject to availability in the desired class, based on the results of entrance tests and a review of academic transcripts, with consideration given to a letter of recommendation from the previous school.

The most popular destinations for The Gregg School graduates year after year are Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh and Peter Symonds College in Winchester, both of which have an outstanding rating according to Ofsted. The vast majority of students continue their education at university, with many successfully entering the most prestigious ones, including universities from the Russell Group, Oxford and Cambridge.

Applicants arriving from abroad must provide:

• Personal documents of the child and guardian/parent: foreign passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic reports for the last academic year,
• Exam results (if available),
• Individual achievements, certificates from specialists (if available).

The Gregg School offers families of students two forms of financial support:

• Discounts: 5-10% for siblings, graduates and military personnel,
• Need-based financial aid.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision