Newbury Hall School, Newbury, Berkshire
Newbury Hall School exists to help young people from overseas to grow into successful adults with good social skills, self-discipline, high self-esteem and strong academic credentials. We believe that young people develop best in a structured and orderly environment which takes account of their individual needs.
At Newbury Hall School, we start teaching each student in each subject from the level of that student’s own development in that field. We do not follow an arbitrary curriculum which tries to fit all students into the same pattern of knowledge.
Boarding at Newbury Hall School
Our boarding programme is run on modern and student-friendly principles for the safety and happiness of the students. The boarding experience is fundamental to the student’s overall acculturation and ultimate academic success. We are intensely aware of the possibility of loneliness and homesickness in children who are far from their homes and families, and all our efforts are directed to helping the students to settle in and form part of a cooperative, creative learning community.
Throughout the student’s stay members of staff will be available to discuss their concerns and any worries, needs, or problems that they have, and to find solutions. The size of the school means that every student will get to know every member of staff and every other student in a very short time. This helps to build a sense of identity and a feeling of belonging, which in turn helps to foster confidence and self-esteem. After lessons finish, the student’s academic needs continue to be supported by a small team of teaching assistants who are on hand to advise with homework.
There is an obligatory homework hour each evening and an additional quiet hour during which students may continue to study if they have still not completed their homework. Students are allowed to leave the school between the end of lessons at five o’clock and the beginning of homework hour at seven, to go shopping in Newbury.
Newbury Hall School is exceptionally well placed for out of school activities. Within walking distance of a medium sized English town and all its facilities, it enjoys a great combination of shopping, sports facilities, and entertainment. Unlike schools which are deep in the country, our students have the privilege of being able to walk into a safe, but busy, commercial and cultural centre. This is one of the unique advantages of the school’s location. Another is its excellent road rail links, which put Heathrow Airport and Central London within less than one hour’s easy access.
In terms of activities provided in the school and by the school, we are able to tailor-make our programme to suit the individual student’s needs. The conventional majority sports, football, basketball, badminton, gym and swimming are available under school supervision at the local sports centres, which are within easy reach. Additionally small numbers of students choose golf and horse-riding, and we provide transport to these. Within the school are clubs for drama, music, singing, Boxercise, self-defence, break-dance, Zumba, Pilates and cookery. Trained and qualified staff are used to supervise all activities, and the safety of children is paramount. There are no compulsory sports or activities at Newbury Hall School, but students are strongly encouraged to choose at least one area of activity and to show some commitment towards it, as we find that this has benefits for the student’s overall quality of life.
More information on Newbury Hall School through our e-mail address at StudyUnitedKingdom EU <- click for e-mail
Study at Newbury Hall School
A-Level is the perfect route to university for intelligent and hard-working students. The structure of the courses includes modular exams, coursework and final examinations. A-Level is always a two-year course, giving students time to develop their skills and understanding. The first year of A-Level is known as AS (Advanced Subsidiary) Level where students take 4 subjects. The second year of A-Level is known as A2. The students drop one of the subjects from AS. Points are awarded for both AS and A2. The advantages of A-Levels go far beyond the certification of students for university.
A-Level students learn their subject in depth: they learn the skills of research and critical thinking. Students who take A-Levels become familiar with British education before they go to University. Newbury Hall alumni often say that when they arrive at University, much of the first year’s work is already familiar to them from their studies at Newbury Hall.
Our GCSE subjects have been selected to offer a firm basis for a range of A-levels. This is the course for students who, for any reason, did not complete High School in their own country. In England this is the exam students take aged sixteen. GCSE is a course which trains the mind, develops the memory, and allows the student to explore a range of skills and subjects.
GCSEs are taught with a mixture of classwork, coursework and field trips. Although GCSEs normally take two years, in Newbury Hall we offer both a fast stream one year course, for students who are of a level to be able to benefit from this, and the traditional two year course. This is made possible by our use of micro classes and our personal tuition system.
Language support, study skills, Career guidance, IGCSE English as a Second Language, Physical Education and Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) provide a solid foundation for our GCSE students. Our students normally study six GCSE subjects, all taught through the medium of English. English Language lessons and subject lessons are integrated into an effective study programme.
One of our areas of particular strength is in the key area of growing students’ English language skills and we are able to draw on a wealth of experience and techniques for developing this. We are proud of the quality and frequency of our reporting (twice every term), and the short turnaround times we have for responding to parental queries.
- We talk to the students every day in order to gain understanding and build a connection.
- We constantly monitor student progress in learning, social life, health and happiness.
- We provide counselling, extra tuition and informal guidance to every student that can benefit from them.
- We provide free one to one lessons for students who need them.
- We do our best to provide any out-of-school activities that a student wishes to try.
Excursions
Twice a month there is an excursion to a major city. This provides an opportunity to look at possible locations for future university study, and to sample the variety, shopping facilities, and cultural and historic attractions of south central England. Additionally, early in the first term we organise an adventure weekend to a purpose built rural location, where students will engage in activities such as raft-building, fire-lighting, orienteering, climbing, and other team-building activities. During this weekend students will sleep in sleeping bags on camp beds in communal huts. The challenge of this type of activity is extremely beneficial to students and breaks down barriers and cements friendships right at the beginning of their stay at Newbury Hall School.
Tuition fees at Newbury Hall School for 2020 - 2021
£ 17,640 per term boarding (four terms)
Fees include
- Tuition & learning resources; induction, progress tests & certicates
- Guided educational visits, extracurricular programme & sports centre membership
- Advice on careers and personal statements as required
- Residential accommodation in a single, en-suite room on campus with full board
- Weekly laundry service
- Uniform (shirt or blouse and jumper)
- First aid and medical care
