More private school pupils accepted at top universities

Pupils at private schools have received more offers of places at leading research universities this year than those at state schools, according to the Independent Schools Council's annual universities survey.


The survey of 139 schools shows a rise in the acceptance rate of Independent Schools Council (ISC) pupils at Russell Group universities to 65.6% this year from 62.5% in 2006.


But the Russell Group, which represents the largest research universities, said that it was working hard to ensure that it took pupils from state and private schools, and in some of its institutions the numbers of students entering from both were roughly equal.


Private school pupils applying for undergraduate studies are more likely to target the top universities. They are also far more likely to take sciences and languages and were more likely to apply to Russell Group universities than before.


The overall offer rate by the university admissions service, Ucas - where offers are made and taken up - for places at Russell Group universities is 13%.


The ISC survey, published today, shows that acceptance rates for independent school pupils are especially high (more than 80%) in biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, and technologies subjects.


According to the ISC, getting three A or B grades at A-level is the key to get a place at a leading universities and it is better to have three top A-level grades than the equivalent A-level points score made up from a larger number of less good results.


For instance, a pupil with three A-level A grades will get 360 points as will a pupil with one A and three C grades. But for many courses at leading universities three A-level A grades is the normal entry requirement, so lower grades with the same point score are unlikely to be accepted.


Jonathan Shephard, ISC chief executive, said: "These results show once again the superb job done by ISC schools in preparing pupils for entry to leading universities.


"Our research also shows that A-level point scores can be misleading as a measure of achievement: it is quality, not quantity, that counts."


According to the Russell Group's director general Dr Wendy Piatt, universities in the group were over-subscribed by high-performing candidates with an average of nearly eight applications per place.


Dr Piatt said: "One of the keys to successful applications to Russell Group universities is a strong academic record, and the facts show that pupils from independent and grammar schools have a good chance of gaining three As.


"However, admissions practices within the Russell Group universities also aim to identify potential in candidates over and above qualifications. Oxford, for example, has recently introduced a new admissions form offering schools the opportunity to provide detailed and reliable information about a candidate's educational environment. We are also exploring the ability of aptitude tests to identify potential which is not reflected in a candidate's academic record."


Dr Piatt added that several Russell Group universities have a broadly similar success rate for both independent and state school applicants. For example, at the University of Warwick the proportion of applicants who accepted a place they were offered from independent schools in 2006 was 10.5% compared to 11.0% from comprehensive schools.

The best international schools around the world

When looking for schools abroad that offer a British curriculum (international GSCEs and A levels), parents are spoilt for choice. There are also thousands of schools accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) across the world that offer the well-established and reputable IB diploma in English.

Some schools focus on a bicultural and bilingual education while others create a miniature version of Britain inside the school gates, emphasising British culture and language. A bilingual curriculum is a challenging and stimulating environment for children who speak English as a first language, especially as students are required to write essays in both their native and host language. Check carefully to see what immersion language classes are available and what support is offered for students who initially only speak English. Few would deny that a bilingual curriculum is both beneficial and enriching for students and encourages them to become global citizens.

In South America, most schools offer the IB programme in Spanish, English or both. In such bilingual schools, around half of the classes are taught in Spanish and the remaining half in English, often taught by imported native-English speaking teachers who make up at least 25% of the teaching staff.

School fees increase incremently according to age group and are often paid in the local currency. There are extra costs to consider, such as application and enrolment fees, school development fund fees, lunch and transport costs, student accident insurance, uniforms and exam entry fees. Full IB diploma examination fees cost around £340. Some schools offer discounts on tuition fees when two, three or more children from the same family are enrolled.

Neither the IBO or the Council of International Schools (CIS), which accredits schools, publish league tables. The following list of the top international and IB schools across the world are based on a combination of factors, such as exam results, school facilities and extra-curricular activities offered, but it's also based on word of mouth and those schools recommended by expatriate teachers and parents.

Asia

India, Japan (and its islands) China, and in particular Hong Kong, have the best and widest range of international schools in the region catering for a large expatriate population. When choosing a school in Bangkok, it's advisable to consider the distance from home to school because of the heavy traffic.

Tanglin Trust school, Singapore

www.tts.edu.sg

Students must be fluent in English to be accepted in the school and the vast majority of teachers are British, giving Tanglin school a predominantly British feel. It has an excellent academic reputation and a strong emphasis on the performing arts, with well-established choirs, orchestras and concerts. Many students go on to study at leading UK universities.

Campus: Modern teaching blocks with a separate sixth form centre overlooking tropical forest. Swimming pool and spacious outdoor playing fields.

Student intake: Of the 2,000 students, about 70% are British citizens.

Curriculum: British curriculum taught in English.

Fees: Termly tuition fee from S$4275 (£1,440) to S$7775 (£2,620).

Examination results: In 2006, 95% of students gained GSCE A*-C grades and 82% A-C grades at A-level.

Dulwich College international school, China (Shanghai and Beijing)

www.dulwichcollege.cn

A partner of Dulwich College in London with a traditional public school atmosphere. The vast majority of its staff are native English-speakers.

Campus: Excellent sport and music facilities.

Student intake: Over 900 students (ages 2-16) at the Shanghai school.

Curriculum: British curriculum taught in English with IB offered from September 2007. In Beijing, a Montessori curriculum is offered at pre-school. Spanish and Chinese as a second language classes are available.

Fees: Annual tuition fees from RMB135,100 (£9,000) to RMB186,500 (£12,500).

The Garden international school, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

www.gardenschool.edu.my.

The largest international school in Malaysia. It has an academic and friendly atmosphere with an excellent range of extracurricular actitvities on offer, from modern dance to judo and Mandarin classes.

Campus: Modern and well-resourced teaching blocks with excellent sport facilities.

Student intake: Students from over 58 different countries.

Curriculum: British.

Fees: Tuition fees per term (three terms in total) from RM6,590 (£950) to RM12,010 (£1,740).

Examination results: In 2006, the percentage of students with A and B passes at A level was over 80%, with almost 60% obtaining grade A.

Europe

International School of Geneva, Switzerland

http://www.ecolint.ch/ecolint/ch/en-ch/index.cfm

This hi-tech flagship IB school with its bilingual international environment, academic excellence and strong emphasis on global issues, feels a bit like the UN headquarters.

Campus: Three separate leafy campuses, including a chateau in the countryside with a lake and mountain views.

Student intake: Over 3,750 students, representing 120 nationalities, including 84 languages Curriculum: IGSCE, IB and French bac. At secondary school, students can choose to study in French, English or both. SAT (standard assessment tests) can be taken at the school. Palm-held computers are used in some classes.

Fees: Annual tuition fees from CHF19,760 (£8,400) to CHF25,075 (£10,600).

Latin America

St Paul's school, Sao Paulo, Brazil

www.stpauls.br

This Anglo-Brazilian bilingual school is regarded as one of the leading British schools in Latin America. It boasts an excellent academic reputation and is a demanding and challenging environment for students. Many of them go on to study at the top UK and US universities.

Campus: A large, bright and well kept campus set in the leafy suburb of a wealthy residential area.

Student intake: Brazilian elite and students from over 30 other countries.

Curriculum: IB and school curriculum is a mixture of Brazilian and British national curriculums. IB diploma in theatre and visual arts offered.

Fees: Annual tuition fees from £7,600.

Examination results: The IGSCE A*-C pass rate was 94.3% (2006). On average 34.5 points were awarded per IB candidate (maximum IB points are 45).

Newton College, Lima, Peru

www.newton.edu.pe

One of the leading British-style, bilingual, international schools in Peru.

Campus: A special feature is its field-study centre in the Amazon jungle used for student research projects.

Student intake: About 85% of its 1,300 students are Peruvian, with a growing international student community.

Curriculum: IB and IGSCE taught in English and Spanish. 80% of classes in kindergarten are taught in English.

Fees: Annual tuition fees from US$3,070 (£1.600) to US$6,280 (£3,300).

Grange school, Santiago, Chile

www.grange.cl

A well-established and renowned bilingual school with a traditional feel.

Campus: Boasts plush, landscaped grounds complete with a swimming pool and snow-capped mountain views. 1:1 computer-student ratio.

Student intake: Over 1,700 students, with waiting lists for first school year (pre-kinder).

Curriculum: Integrated British and Chilean national curricula. IGSCE and AS/A2 exams are in English.

Fees: Tuition fees from £150 a month (11 monthly payments).

Middle East

St Christopher's, Bahrain

www.st-chris.net

A welcoming and friendly school with a predominantly British feel.

Campus: Modern teaching blocks, swimming pool and a good sixth-form centre.

Student intake: 2,000 students from around 50 countries.

Curriculum: GSCEs and a broad choice of A-level options offered, including media and business studies, PE and psychology. The music department enjoys a good reputation.

Fees: Termly tuition fees (three terms) from BD751 (£1,050) to BD1,630 (£2,300).

Examination results: Last year, 42% of students obtained A grades at A-level and 92% obtained A*-C passes at GSCE.