Townshend International School School in Czech Republic

• Founded: in 1992,
• Location: Gluboka nad Vltava, South Bohemia, Czech Republic,
• Age of students: 3-19 years old,
• Total number of students: 140,
• Programs: British system, including IGCSE and A-level
• Type of study: mixed,
• Type of accommodation: residence (full board),
• Language of instruction: English.

Townshend International School is an international day and boarding school that has been successfully operating in the Czech Republic for more than 20 years, providing students from all over the world with high—quality education that meets the highest international standards, primarily British standards. They strive to fully unleash the potential and capabilities of each student in academic, social, athletic and creative terms, to give them the opportunity to prove themselves, learn useful skills and gain comprehensive knowledge for a successful life and career. The school pays great attention to character education: Townshend graduates are independent, critically minded young people with a developed sense of social responsibility, acceptance of cultural and intellectual diversity.

Much attention is also paid to the spiritual, and moral development of students: they cultivate such important qualities as the ability to be a leader, independence and entrepreneurship, honesty, responsibility and respect, tolerance for others. Today, the school operates as a secular institution, but it is welcoming to representatives of any religious beliefs and denominations.: In the evenings, there is a special time for prayer or meditation. Socially useful, socially significant and volunteer work is actively encouraged, as well as an active lifestyle: the school even controls the amount of pocket money from its students in order to smooth out the manifestations of social inequality. There is a friendly, supportive atmosphere here, in which students enjoy spending their childhood and youth — from 3 to 19 years old.

Townshend International School prides itself on the quality, balance and effectiveness of its academic programs. Since 2009, Townshend International School has been a member of The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and operates according to the Cambridge curriculum, offering IGCSE and A-level programs, allowing students to receive an international diploma, which is highly regarded worldwide. The school also operates as the official center of the CIE (University of Cambridge International Examinations), and the A-level course for high school students has received a separate certification from the University of Cambridge. All studying is conducted in English (students are offered additional ESL support), so students have the opportunity to continue their studies in the best institutions in the English-speaking world: in the UK, USA, Canada and other countries.

Studying at Townshend International School allows graduates to easily enter the best universities around the world.:

• California Institute of Technology (CalTech),
• Berkeley University of California, 
• Oxford University,
• Cambridge University,
• Harvard University,
• University of Edinburgh,
• LSE, 
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich,
• University of Warwick and others.

The school is small, with only about 140 students, allowing the teachers to pay proper personal attention to everyone, carefully monitor personal successes and possible difficulties. The teaching staff deserves a special mention here: 80% of teachers have academic degrees, and 14 people have a master's degree, and 4 specialists have a doctorate degree. The best specialists from a wide variety of fields are actively involved in teaching, as well as for one—time workshops and lectures: famous writers and opera singers, researchers and scientists, entrepreneurs, professors, actors and artists work with children.

It is worth noting that this is one of the few boarding schools in the Czech Republic: the closed territory and careful security ensure the round-the-clock safety of children. The school is open to students from 3 years old and older (kindergarten, elementary grades), and boarding is available for students from grade 7 and above (12+ years old). There are many students and foreigners: representatives of about 30 countries study here every year, and in total, students from more than 100 countries have been educated here for the entire period of their work.

Marie de Tito Mount

Chief Executive Officer

What advice would you give to future applicants before applying to schools and why?

Understand the school’s ethos and ensure it aligns with your goals. I would further advise students to prioritise their English language studies in preparation for the entrance testing phase. 

When looking at applicants, we consider not only the academic record and entrance exam performance, but also students who not only excel academically but also demonstrate character and potential for growth. 

The school community is very close—knit and friendly:every teacher knows his students by sight, older students are happy to help the younger ones, all students feel comfortable and safe. A strong and trusting friendship is born here, which often lasts for years, for a lifetime. There is no bullying, all problems are solved respectfully and correctly.

Useful and supportive events are regularly held: Family days, communal dinners, celebrations, team-building games and team building. Every year in June, a big graduation is held, which attracts many previous graduates of the school to see their favorite teachers, friends and classmates.

The school offers a choice of full-time education and full-board accommodation on campus (available from age 12). Two comfortable boarding residences have been built on the territory of Townshend International School (each for about 30 people) — boys and girls are accommodated separately, tutors and some teachers live with the children: they are responsible for maintaining cleanliness, order and discipline, help maintain a friendly environment and solve any issues together with the students. The main "commandants" of each house are a married couple who are assisted by their own team of volunteers.; Doctors and school psychologists also come to the children once a week, and you can get an individual consultation from the right teacher. This creates a dynamic, friendly, warm environment for children to develop and grow up, literally a "home away from home."  

Students are accommodated for 2-3 people in cozy rooms with bathrooms and all necessary amenities, furniture, and a work area. All boarders have common use living rooms for relaxation, kitchens, game rooms with TV and board games, even with musical instruments, laundries, self-training classes, a bicycle storage room, prayer rooms. At certain hours, students are given access to fast Wi-Fi.

Boarding, balanced and varied meals are provided, taking into account all tastes and wishes of teenagers: breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Meals include hot and cold dishes, soups, salads. There is also a separate menu for students with medical or religious reasons: vegetarian and vegan, gluten-free.

Extracurricular development (not only academic) is very important here, as it provides a harmonious, comprehensive, balanced education. Every day, school staff encourage children to develop physically and creatively, academically and personally, spiritually and socially, offering them a wide variety of activities and activities. 

Much attention is paid to art in the development of schoolchildren, and in its most diverse areas.: It is included in the main schedule of every student, and is offered as leisure clubs.:

• Language classes,
• Art, Music,
• The choir,
• Drama and Theater,
• Photo,
• Yearbook Issue,
• The Debate Club,
• Leadership Seminars,
• The UN Youth Model,
• Chess,
• Gardening,
• Crafts.

Sports play an equally important role, as students can improve in a wide variety of physical activities.:

• Football,
• Yoga,
• Basketball,
• Horse riding,
• Bicycle,
• Choreography,
• Karate,
• Gymnastic,
• Swimming,
• Athletics,
• Gym classes,
• Tennis,
• Golf,
• Baseball,
• Hockey,
• Frisbee (ultimate).

Socially important communities and destinations:

• Environmental protection projects,
• Mutual learning,
• Volunteering in local elementary schools,
• English Spoken Language Club,
• Fundraising for charity.

All events are grouped by areas: skills development and personal growth, sports, and communities. Students who complete the agreed number of hours in each direction receive the Townshend Youth Award (the equivalent of the International Youth Award or the Duke of Edinburgh Award).

Since 2001, the school's campus has been located in the Southern Czech Republic, on a hill in the Gluboka Valley, opposite the Gluboka nad Vltava Castle: the windows offer a beautiful view of the Austrian mountain peaks and the peaceful picturesque landscape, the surrounding golf courses. There is also a beautiful majestic castle next to the school, built back in the 13th century. It once served as the official country residence of the King of Bohemia, and today it is considered one of the main and most visited attractions of the region and the country as a whole.

It takes about 2 hours to get to Prague and the international airport, and the state border between Germany and Austria is not far away (Vienna or Munich airports are easily accessible). 

The total area of the territory reaches 5000 sq.m. — in a two-storey building, everything necessary for education, accommodation, recreation and useful, exciting leisure is prepared for students.:

• bright classrooms for lessons (designed for a maximum of 15 people),
• administrative offices,
• scientific and practical laboratories for experiments and research (chemistry, physics, biology and other sciences),
• creative studios and workshops,
• a theater studio,
• modern computer labs with new PCs and office equipment,
• libraries,
• a kitchen and a spacious common dining hall of Nations,
• a special quiet room for meditation or prayer,
• cozy living rooms for relaxation and socializing,
• numerous sports fields for team games and individual sports,
• a tennis court,
• a football field,
• playgrounds for volleyball and basketball,
• two comfortable residences (boys and girls live separately),
• dance studios, jogging and athletics tracks,
• a spacious auditorium for general meetings and theatrical performances,
• a private stadium,
• gardens for walking and relaxing.

There are plenty of opportunities for recreation, walks, and entertainment around the school.:

• sports facilities (football, baseball, swimming, trekking, rafting, outdoor activities, horse riding),
• cultural attractions (museums, exhibition halls, art galleries),
• leisure facilities (restaurants, cafes, shopping malls and shops).

The price already includes:

• Studying course,
• Accommodation and meals (full board),
• Cambridge International Education (CIE) exam fees,
• Books and educational materials,
• Individual consultations,
• Laundry services,
• Extracurricular excursions and activities.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 2030 EUR

Applications are accepted throughout the year: if there is free time in the right class, applicants can enroll on almost any date.

First, the applicant submits a completed application form along with his passport photo, attaches a report card with grades from the previous school. There are usually no exams for enrollment: The school is not strictly selective, but it may offer to take a test in mathematics or English (for example. this will determine if the student needs a supportive ESL language course). By and large, the applicant is assessed based on their compliance with the academic requirements and philosophy of the Townsend School. Separate questionnaires are provided for parents. 

The application review process usually takes 2 weeks. 

Each graduate of Townshend International is unique. They enter the best universities in the world to become qualified doctors, scientists, researchers, educators, and engineers. Many people devote themselves to art: cinema, music, and visual arts. Someone becomes an innovator, the author of promising startups, chefs, CEOs of large corporations.

The school accepts applications throughout the year: if there are still available places in the selected course, the student can be enrolled almost at any time. The busiest time in terms of the number of applications is spring (March, April, May), therefore it is recommended to apply before this time. 

The main requirement for applicants concerns the level of English, since English is accepted here as the official language of instruction. To enroll, you must provide a language certificate from 4.0, and the older the student, the higher the required parameter.:

• Grades 7-9 = from 4.0,
• 10th grade = from 4.5,
• Grade 11 = from 5.0,
• Grade 12 = from 5.5,
• Grade 13 = from 6.0.

The decision on enrollment is made by the admissions committee together with the director: it would be useful to prepare a report card with grades from the previous school, all kinds of certificates, awards, medals and letters of thanks, recommendations and characteristics from teachers / class teacher / director.

Gifted and successful students (active participation in student life, academic success) are eligible for scholarships, and it can cover 10-85% of tuition and living expenses, meals. Financial assistance can also be provided for refugees (socio-economic scholarships), for students from countries with unfavorable economic/social conditions.

Applications for scholarships or financial assistance can be submitted together with the main application of a student.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision