For partners Westbourne Private boarding school
In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources: Wikipedia, International Baccalaureate
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Westbourne Private boarding school
Brief information: an educational program of middle school is designed for international students.
About the educational program: the learning process is intense and active. International students begin to gradually prepare for entering the university at this stage. A wide list of disciplines and subjects is being studied, thus, students can more clearly:
- Define the desired profession and field of activity;
- Understand what they are interested in most;
- Where they can succeed;
- In what area it is better to build a successful career.
Brief information: this course is designed for two years and allows international students to get a prestigious certificate of general secondary education (GCSE). Students are given the opportunity to select priority areas and disciplines from a fairly wide list - this maximizes the disclosure of their talents, abilities and potential.
List of subjects to study:
- Business research;
- Biology;
- Music art;
- French;
- History;
- Art and design;
- Physics;
- English and Literature;
- ICTs;
- Mathematics;
- Physical education and sport;
- Chemistry;
- Geography.
Quick overview: one-year intensive educational course helps to prepare qualitatively and effectively for studying in the senior classes - Sixth Form. Especially it is in demand among students planning to study on the IB Diploma program.
Quick overview: internationally recognized program is designed for two years, allowing international students to get a prestigious certificate required for admission to the best universities.
About the educational program: students study 6 subjects - 3 at the standard level and 3 at the in-depth level. The CAS course (Creativity, Action, Service), cognitive learning classes and essay writing lessons are also included in the compulsory subjects that all students attend classes.
List of subjects to study:
- Spanish;
- German;
- English;
- Biology;
- Physics;
- French;
- Economics;
- Italian language;
- Art;
- English as a Second Language;
- History;
- Mathematics;
- Chemistry;
- Geography.
Nursery, Preschool Department
- Age — from two years old,
- Duration of study — up to four years.
The preschool education program is designed for girls and boys from two to four years old, offering a comfortable and diverse environment for comprehensive development and adaptation to the school setting. The curriculum, lasting up to four years, is based on the key aspects of children's development: physical, communicative, academic, and creative.
Classes are held in groups with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:4, ensuring a high level of individual attention to the abilities and needs of each student. In lessons, children learn to interact with one another and with adults, use various materials for creative activities, and explore the world around them. Some classes are organized in safe outdoor areas where students actively play, engage in sports, and learn the rules of safe behavior.
The step-by-step curriculum prepares students for a smooth transition to primary school: upon completing kindergarten, each child will have knowledge of language, basic numeracy, and other skills that build a strong academic foundation for further success in learning.
Prep School, Primary School
- Age — from 5 to 10 years,
- Duration of study — six years.
The primary school consists of a preparatory group and five grades. In the first year, students follow a preschool education system: they play a lot, explore the world around them in and outside the classroom, interact with each other, and devote significant attention to creative activities and sports. Further education is built around core subjects: mathematics and English. In addition to these, the curriculum includes:
- Natural Sciences,
- Spanish or Latin,
- Computing,
- Art and Design,
- Geography,
- Environmental Studies,
- STEM,
- Philosophy,
- Religious Studies,
- Physical Education.
As students progress from grade to grade, the curriculum becomes more challenging and interdisciplinary areas are introduced. In addition to classroom learning, students participate in sports clubs and creative clubs, and regularly go on excursions around the region.
According to statistics, 60% of primary school students demonstrate outstanding academic results, on average three years ahead of the standard curriculum.
Sixth Form: A-Level
- Age — from 16 to 18 years old,
- Duration of study — two years.
The A-Level course, covering education in grades 12–13, specializes in STEM disciplines and helps students prepare for admission to leading colleges and universities around the world, offering a balanced and academically rigorous individual curriculum.
In the first year, students choose 3–4 subjects based on their interests, studying them in depth — for example, mathematics, business studies, and chemistry; the academic workload ranges from 12 to 20 hours per week, supplemented by almost daily independent work. In the second year, students focus on only three subjects that they plan to sit for final exams: these may include disciplines from the natural sciences, humanities, standard or further mathematics, computer science, foreign languages, creative arts, and others. To complement their portfolio, sixth-formers may optionally participate in the EPQ course — the Extended Project Qualification — which involves creating an individual project and defending it before a qualification committee.
Description of Westbourne Private boarding school
Westbourne School is a British boarding school, which was founded in 1896 and is divided into:
- Kindergarten (from 2 years old) and preparatory school (from 4 to 11 years old);
- Senior (students from 16 to 19 years old) and high school (from 11 to 16 years old);
Westbourne School is a co-educational boarding school, founded in 1896 and comprising two departments:
- Nursery (from 2 years old) and Prep School (pupils from 4 to 11 years old);
- Senior (students from 16 to 19 years old) and high school (from 11 to 16 years old).
Located in the one of the "UK’s TOP-10 Places to Live" (Sunday Times), a safe, beautiful and affluent seaside suburb of Cardiff, Penarth offers the perfect blend of modern metropolis, suburban tranquillity, seaside and countryside. Cardiff airport (20 mins) and Bristol airport (60 mins) offer frequent flights across Europe.
Foreign students are attracted by the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a traditional British school: there is a quota on international pupils at 15-20%. In general, no country has the pre-emptive right to educate students: children from Russia, Germany, Finland, Vietnam, France, China, Spain and Japan are studying here. According to statistics, children from many post-Soviet countries successfully study at the Westbourne School: despite the considerable differences in the educational systems, the pupils quickly adapt to the new conditions and are educated according to the British model. After school pupils can enroll universities or sixth form colleges in UK.
Here there is a warm, friendly, family atmosphere within the boarding school, there is the option to stay in comfortable residences run by traditional British families instead of the boarding house. They follow an individual approach to each student, respect the national values of each student, carefully monitor the safety and comfort of children.
What makes British schools so popular with families around the world?
There are many different schools in Britain: on the one hand, there are the oldest, traditional boarding schools, where world leaders, famous politicians, economists and scientists have been educated for hundreds of years. On the other hand, Britain today has some of the most modern independent schools and colleges you can find! This provides a wide range of choices for any parent - a school can be found that perfectly matches the individual needs and ambitions of the child. Combined with a unique British history and the fact that Britain is home to English - the world's language of science and business - this makes the UK one of the best options for studying abroad.
Educational process
During student learning, advanced adaptive technologies are used, based on individual data and focused on personalizing the curriculum. Thanks to the integration of platforms such as the Westbourne AI tutor, Knowva Coach, and Century Tech, teachers are informed in real time about the academic progress and strengths of their students and can build a plan for achieving goals. Students have access to their personal account with information about their achievements and additional resources for self-study.
Faculties and colleges
The academic structure of Westbourne School consists of four divisions:
- Nursery — from 2 years old,
- Prep School — from 5 to 10 years old,
- Senior School — from 11 to 16 years old,
- Sixth Form: Diploma/A-Level — from 16 to 18 years old.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The Westbourne School Guesthouse is available to children aged 13 and over: the residence is very close to the educational building, and the city center can be reached from it in just a few minutes by transport. Students are provided with double rooms, senior students occupy private bedrooms: all rooms are beautifully furnished, and it is not forbidden to decorate the room to your liking, with memorable photos or decor items from home.
Full and varied meals are organized on the full board basis, three times a day. On request, it is possible to organize a dietary or vegetarian table, a diet for allergy sufferers or diabetics.
At will students can also live in a host family - they provide three meals a day and a cozy room. Each family is carefully checked and constantly monitored by school staff, and their homes are located near the campus, so that the daily road to school does not take much time.
Subjects and sports
Activities Westbourne Private boarding school
Sport is an integral part of studying at the Westbourne School. For international students the following sport activities are offered:
- Sailing
- Basketball
- Swimming
- Squash
- Rowing
- Football
- Tennis
- Lapta.
Many students find themselves in the work: they are engaged in music or drama, play in the theater or on musical tools. There are a large number of clubs and interest groups, you can take part in the competition for the Duke of Edinburgh Prize (exclusively at will).
Advantages
1. Outstanding Academic Results
- 1st in the UK League Tables for the past 5 years and recognized by the Sunday Times Best Schools awards as IB School of the Year 2019
- 90% of Westbourne graduates go on to a TOP-20 UK (Russell Group) university
- 96% of graduates study highly competitive courses; STEM, Medicine, Business and Law.
Established in 1896, Westbourne is a firmly British school with a broad global outlook. The residential school in the UK is complemented by 28% international students from across 25 countries (16% Europe, 12% Asia), no one nationality dominates and fluency in English is assured by graduation.
- "Excellent" is in all 5 inspection categories, 2018.
- 36-38 points IB average. 67% grades 7,6 at HL
- Two-thirds gain a Bilingual Diploma
- GCSE: 40% A* - 20% grade 9, 20% grade 8.
2. Guarantee of university entry
- 90% of graduates go to Russell Group universities or equivalently elite international institutions
- 96% study STEM, economics, business, or law
3. Distinctly British ... plus international elite
- Max of 4-5 per country per class.
- Family-like boarding house of 50, there is also homestay.
4. Best of ALL worlds: Modern metropolis. Suburban safety. Seaside. Countryside
- Penarth: TOP-10 best places to live in the UK (Sunday Times). Our affluent seaside suburb of Cardiff. Safe, leafy, vibrant, active & welcoming
- Cardiff: 3rd best European capital city (EU Quality of Life Survey)
- Seaside, marina, tennis, playing fields, Olympic Pool (one of only 10 in the UK), ice skating, sailing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, golf and High Street shopping ... all within 5 minutes!
- Cardiff Bay, equestrian centre, Millennium Centre and Stadium, and Cardiff’s cosmopolitan car-free shopping and entertainment districts ... all within 10 minutes!
5. Truly exceptional teachers
- Over 50% have a PhD or Masters
- Over 50% have taught internationally
- Average teacher tenure = 11 years!
6. Unparalleled Support
- Excellent student/teacher ratio of only 8:1
- Maximum of 24 per year group for IB... in university-style tutorials of typically 6-8 per class
- Maximum of 20 per class for GCSEs.
Facilities and equipment at Westbourne Private boarding school
The four academic campuses of Westbourne School are located in the seaside town of Penarth, 8 km from Cardiff. The town was named by The Times as the best place to live in 2021 and regularly tops national rankings as one of the most favorable regions for study and living. Thanks to its proximity to the green nature trails and coastline of South Wales, students have easy access to nature and outdoor adventures: from exploring the historic Victorian pier with views of the Bristol Channel to walks through countryside parks and beaches — there is always something to see and do in Penarth.
By placing each academic department on a separate campus, Westbourne School provides students of different ages with the infrastructure and equipment necessary for their development. The early years area is rich with open playgrounds and learning spaces stocked with a wealth of materials for arts and crafts, as well as the exploration of basic mathematics and languages, while the middle and senior school campuses include specialized laboratories, conference halls, computer rooms, and much more. Sports facilities are primarily located on the senior school campus: here you can find tennis and basketball courts, a gym, and multi-purpose indoor areas for team sports, martial arts, and dance. External venues are also used for sporting events: nearby parks, a lake, a pier, and a bay.
Westbourne School offers a student transport service throughout South Wales: modern minibuses take students between campuses, to residential areas, and on excursions.
Admission dates and extra charges
Tuition fee already includes:
- Studying on the chosen program (1 academic year = 3 terms)
- Accommodation and meals (full board)
- Teaching aids, books and materials
- Extra-curricular and leisure activities (basic)
- Guardianship.
Some services are paid additionally:
- Registration fee
- Educational fee
- Examination contributions
- Additional academic lessons
- Additional materials (some subjects)
- Departures outside the school, additional excursions
- Custodianship
- Personal pocket expenses
- Air tickets in both directions
- Transfer in both directions (on request)
- Consular fee (payable at the British Embassy)
- Medical insurance
- Express delivery of DHL visa invitation.
Enrolment process
The admissions process is fully available remotely, providing international applicants with comfortable conditions to prepare for their move to the United Kingdom. Candidates are required to submit a completed online application form and documents, attend an interview, and take entrance tests in three subjects: English language, mathematics, and cognitive abilities. Based on the test results and communication with the admissions committee, a decision is made and will be announced within 48 hours.
Perspectives
95% of seniors in 2025 received top academic scores, enabling them to gain admission to elite universities in STEM, business, and economics programs. Graduates regularly gain admission to leading institutions around the world, including Russell Group universities and Oxbridge.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
It is necessary to pass entrance tests to a sufficiently high score, to pass a personal interview with a school employee and to provide a report card about academic progress.
Scholarships Westbourne Private boarding school
Scholarships are awarded to Westbourne School students who have demonstrated excellent, outstanding academic, scientific, creative or artistic successes, as well as sporting achievements.
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Westbourne Private boarding school
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
