St Edward’s School: Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK

St Edward’s School in Oxford, Oxfordshire is one of great boarding schools in England. A co-educational top private school with fantastic location in historic and academic Oxford.

The majority of examinations taken in the Fifth Form are at the more rigorous IGCSE level. These fit comfortably within the structure of our integrated five-year programme developing core skills into behaviours of success. Pupils of this top UK boarding school achieve excellent results and appreciate that intellectual stimulation is aided by these more challenging syllabuses. All pupils study English, Maths, the three Sciences and a Modern Foreign Language. This  famous independent boarding school also offers a range of optional subjects that are consistently reviewed to reflect contemporary society such that GCSEs in History, Greek and Latin take their place with Jewellery, Silversmithing, Decorative Arts, Physical Education and Drama. There is something for everyone. Alongside the core academic programme, pupils at this prestigious boarding school are enriched in the Fourth and Fifth Form with non-examined courses in Religious Studies, Ethics and Political Literacy.

On entry to the Sixth Form, pupils will already have built foundations for working independently and with success. At Sixth Form and IB Boarding school pupils choose either A Level or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) courses. Each route offers breadth and depth, which fits well in the context of the broader St Edward’s  academic programme. The Theory of Knowledge and Taught Skills courses complement the content-focused delivery of subjects to ensure full intellectual development. Pupils who opt for A Levels begin the Lower Sixth year taking 4 subjects alongside our bespoke Taught Skills course. The majority of A Level subjects are examined at AS standard in the June at the end of the Lower Sixth year. A small group of subjects, notably including History and English, are not examined at this time in recognition of the improved skills developed by the Upper Sixth year. Pupils typically carry 3 subjects through to A2 standard in the Upper Sixth year. Pupils who opt for the IB Diploma Programme take 6 subjects and complete learning in what is known as “The Core”. The Core comprises: a course on the Theory of Knowledge; a service and activity programme; and an Extended Essay. The main principles underpinning the IB Diploma relate to internationalism, communication, learning how to learn, being knowledgeable and collaborative. The focus on educating the whole person fits comfortably with the aims and values of this top IB boarding school. A breadth of subjects is encouraged through the structure of the IB Diploma with all pupils taking Mathematics, English, a second language, a science and humanity. During the Lower Sixth, all pupils at this top IB boarding school begin a piece of extended research on a theme of their choosing; at A Level this is the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and in the IB it is the Extended Essay (EE).