Queen Ethelburga’s College: York, North Yorkshire, UK

Queen Ethelburga’s College in York, North Yorkshire is one of top boarding schools in England. It is a truly international boarding school! A co-ed school for boys and girls, one of most expensive schools in the UK. The focus in the College is firmly on traditional academic success, bolstered by a strong programme of extra-curricular activities to provide breadth and enrichment. Students in Key Stage 4 are taught in mixed Year 10 and 11 groups which reflect their ability rather than their age, and they are encouraged to study at the level most appropriate to their individual circumstances. In practice, this means all students can be provided with a personalised curriculum and complete a number of GCSEs at or before the end of Year 10, including a compulsory humanity and modern foreign language, as well as English, Mathematics, Science and ICT. This provides scope for study of a wider range of subjects in Year 11 at GCSE or in some cases AS Level, providing greater depth of study where students want to specialise. The aim is to provide all students with the opportunity to study at their own pace, fast tracking subjects where they have the academic ability and knowledge to succeed at a high level, to give them a strong head start with regards to sixth form courses and preparation for university. In addition, this top UK boarding school offers a One Year GCSE course, designed for students aged 15 or 16 with a strong academic ability who have completed Year 10 or the equivalent in their own country. Students on this course complete a range of GCSE subjects, including English language and literature, mathematics, two science subjects, a modern foreign language and a humanity; with further choice of additional subjects. Students are encouraged through excellent teaching and the flexibility of the programme to strive for the highest possible grades on this fast track and demanding course. Sixth Form Boarding School students are focused firmly on achieving places at excellent universities, including the Russell Group and 1994 Group universities in the UK and other prestigious universities around the world. This is achieved by a firm focus on three academic A Levels, with the opportunity to achieve breadth of knowledge through further choice from BTEC and less traditional A Level subjects for the fourth subject chosen in Year 12. College Sixth Form students are encouraged to have high aspirations, aiming for the greatest possible academic success by the end of the two year course. Our accomplishments in recent years in achieving the highest quality grades at A Level and places for our students at universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, The London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London – as well as globally renowned universities, including West Point Military Academy in New York and The University of Hong Kong – are testament to the hard work and determination of our students and staff.