Newbury Hall

ProspectusA bespoke education

In a class of our own

Using small classes and individual attention to build character and achieve success

Newbury Hall exists to awaken young international minds to a full understanding of their own potential and to enable them to reach it.

The school supports and fosters the building of character, and to help our students to develop into courageous, determined and influential adults.

Sine Labore Nihil

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“Our philosophy of education is to help every student to achieve their full potential.”

Coaching rather than teaching

The academic performance of the students is enhanced by an educational system which puts each individual at the centre of the learning process: tutoring where needed and micro-classes where interaction is more appropriate. Everything is centred toward the student learning: this is coaching.

The teaching team at Newbury Hall

The teachers and staff are passionate about building success and are encouraged to be creative in their teaching approach. Their aim is to find the most effective way of helping the student advance his or her knowledge and to develop into a confident learner.

English language

One of our particular strengths is in developing students’ English language skills and we are able to draw on a wealth of experience and techniques.

Building personal confidence

To help students succeed in their exams and later in university, personal development is uppermost on the list of the school’s priorities: through sensitive support and firm encouragement, students are helped to gain confidence and self-assurance.

Flexibility

Here at Newbury Hall we are very flexible in order to accommodate each student’s needs. If a student would like to experience the school for only a few weeks to see how they adjust to being away from home, then this is possible. We accept students from half a term (6 weeks) to a full academic year.

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Location & site

Newbury

Newbury is a vibrant market town situated less than an hour by train from central London and with excellent transport links to the north and south of the country. Many of the town centre buildings date from the 17th century and there are a wide range of shops and restaurants only a few minutes walk away. The River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal both run through the centre and out into the beautiful countryside that surrounds this safe, friendly and affluent town.

Nicolas House

Nicolas House has a number of classrooms as well as our Science Lab, Library and Refectory. It is also the location for our student residence and is the hub of Newbury Hall life. Originally built in 1859 as a primary school for local children, it is a true Newbury landmark and held in great affection by those who have studied there over the years.

The Litten

The Litten is just a few minutes walk from Nicolas House and provides further classroom space for our students. The Grade II listed building is located in its own mature garden and has a rich history with the chapel dating from the 1600s and the main building from 1884.

Together both sites form Newbury Hall. It is a short 10 minute walk to the town centre and local sports facilities, and only about 5 minutes to the bus and train stations.

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Junior Foundation Course

The Junior Foundation Course is a flexible programme with options to study from anywhere between 6 weeks and 3 years. The purpose of this course is to develop the student’s language and study skills in a range of subjects, and to introduce them to the requirements of the British educational system. There are 25 hours of lessons per week with extra tutorial sessions available.

At this stage of the school career we find that it is absolutely necessary for the students to develop both their vocabulary and their general knowledge. In this course we are doing more than teaching - we are training the imagination and understanding. This course leads onto the GCSE course.

Subjects

EnglishScienceMathematicsArtDesign TechnologyBusiness StudiesHistoryGeographyDramaComputer SciencePhysical EducationSocial and Health Education

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GCSE

Our GCSE courses are designed to train the mind, develop the memory and allow students to explore a range of skills and subjects.

GCSEs are taught with a mixture of class work, coursework and field trips. Although GCSEs are normally completed in two years, at Newbury Hall we offer both a fast-track one-year course and the traditional two year course which comes with a choice of subjects. This is made possible by our use of micro-classes and our personal tuition system. There are 25 hours of classes a week, plus an hour and half homework at the end of the school day.

In addition, there is access to careers advice and a compulsory programme for Physical and Personal Social Health Education (PSHE).

Our GCSE subjects have been selected to offer a firm basis for continuing onto A-level studies.

1 year fast-track GCSE course - 5 subjects

English language* Mathematics*Double Science* Humanities*

2 year standard GCSE course - 6 subjects

English language* Mathematics*Double Science* Triple science History GeographyHumanities Modern Foreign LanguagesBusiness Studies English LiteratureArt/Design

* Compulsory subjects

A-levels

A-level is the perfect route to university for intelligent and hard-working students. Our A-level course is taught over 2 years, giving students time to develop their skills and understanding. The structure of the course includes coursework and final examinations.

The first year of A-level is known as AS (Advanced Subsidiary) where the students study 4 subjects. The second year of the A-level programme is known as A2, and the students drop one of the subjects from AS. University points are awarded for both years. As with the Junior Foundation Course and the GCSE programme there are 25 hours of tuition per week.

A-level students learn their subject in depth: they develop the skills of research and critical thinking. 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 our school.

Subjects

English (IELTS)Mathematics

Further MathematicsAccounting

BiologyChemistry

PhysicsGeography

Art/DesignEconomics

Government & PoliticsModern Foreign Languages

Nicolas House

Extra-curricular activities

We use the term PLACES to include all the different activities, events and experiences that we offer our students outside the academic curriculum.

PLACES

PLACES

Physical/PerformingLeisure/LeadershipActivities/ArtsCulture/CreativityExcursions/Experiences/EventsSports/Socialising

PLACES is an integral part of Newbury Hall life and is a means of developing knowledge, positive attitudes, sportsmanship, and effective social skills. The purpose is to enhance and extend student learning and social experience beyond the academic courses offered in the school.

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PLACES, as well as being enjoyable, has a number of other benefits including:

- Learning time management- Getting involved in diverse interests- Learning about commitments- Making a contribution to the school- Raising self-esteem- Building social skills and cultural awareness

Excursions

We offer a number of trips and excursions throughout the year including visits to the theatre, attending exhibitions and workshops, plus offering the opportunity to visit places of interest in the region. Our destinations include London, Oxford, Bath, Bristol and Brighton.

Activities

Sports

FootballBasketballBadmintonZumba/DanceFencingHorse ridingEton FivesGolfTennisTable-tennisSwimmingKick-boxingCanoeingGymCricketYoga

Music

PianoBrass instrumentsPercussion instrumentsSingingGuitar DJ MixingWind instrumentsString instruments

Clubs

SpanishBeauty therapyScience GardeningCookeryMagicArt & Crafts

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Living at Newbury Hall

Residential accommodation

Our purpose-built residence offers a number of clean, smart, comfortable single bedrooms with a private shower, WC, broadband and study area.

The residence is overseen by our Head of Boarding, who is trained and experienced in dealing with all day-to-day matters from homesickness to a sore throat. In emergencies expert medical help is available from a team of doctors at a nearby medical centre.

Supervision is close, but inconspicuous, so that the students are kept safe at all times without being made to feel unnecessarily restricted. Students are expected to obey the school rules and safety standards, and to co-operate with staff and other students in order to live in harmony in our community. All our staff are cleared with the police and the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) at the highest levels.

Homestay accommodation

For students wishing to stay in a local home, we have a selection of carefully chosen options available. All homestays offer a single bedroom, with a study area and a guarantee that there will be no other speakers of the same language living there. This provides a wonderful opportunity to be further immersed in UK culture and have even more opportunity for practising English.

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Meal times

All meals are served in the School Refectory and created in-house by a professional team working with top quality fresh ingredients, delivering a well-balanced and varied menu of international dishes. Both continental and cooked breakfasts are available each day, as well as a hot lunch and dinner 7 days per week. In addition, a late-night snack is always available in the Refectory and fresh fruit is accessible throughout the day.

Pastoral care

We have an open-door policy which allows students to come and discuss their concerns and difficulties quickly and have them dealt with. A member of staff is always available day or night if needed, and we also have an independent listener if required. In this way we can minimise the difficulties that some students may experience when they leave their families and find themselves living in a new culture.

Sample menu

Breakfast - hot selection

British bacon, homemade hash browns, grilled tomatoes and scrambled eggs.

Breakfast - continental

Croissant, toast, cheese, cold meats, fresh cut fruit platter, yoghurts, juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Lunch - main event

Lemon and thyme chicken served with roast potatoes and green beans.

Lunch - vegetarian option

Mushroom and pepper quiche with the choice of roast vegetables or mixed salad.

Dinner - dessert

Summer berry sorbet or fruit salad served with honey ginger syrup.

Dinner - main event

Stir-fry chicken served with hoisin sauce and egg noodles.

Dinner - vegetarian option

Lemon pea and courgette risotto or stir-fry tofu.

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Services

We provide the following services (included in the course price):

- Termly airport transfers (half-term transfers will be charged)- Holiday accommodation during half-term and Christmas and Easter vacations- 24 hour emergency telephone cover- Regular academic and welfare counselling- Organising medical care, eye tests and dental checkups- Educational advice helping to decide on a course and a university- Coaching and advice on personal statements- Completing UCAS registration forms

How to get to Newbury

By road from London or Heathrow

Take M4 Westbound and join A34 to Newbury (50-60 minutes)

By train

Direct train to Newbury Station from Paddington (55 minutes)

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Contact us:Newbury Hall,Enborne Road,Newbury,Berkshire,RG14 6AD

Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 36879Email: admissions@newburyhall.comWebsite: www.newburyhall.com

@newburyhall

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Terms & conditions

To secure a place on a course at Newbury Hall please send a completed enrolment form and health questionnaire together with a deposit of £2000, (comprising £1000 to secure a place which will be put towards the first term’s fees, and £1000 which will be kept to cover student expenses and emergencies. Any balance will be returned when the student leaves) or full fees in advance. (In the case of a visa refusal a refund of the deposit may be granted at the discretion of the Principal on production of an original visa refusal document). The completed enrolment form can be submitted online or sent by fax, email or post. Newbury Hall will confirm the booking and send a letter of acceptance and an invoice for the total fees due. Any balance of fees should be paid 4 weeks prior to the course commencement date and should include any bank charges. There will be no refund in the event of late arrival or leaving before the end of the course, except at the discretion of the Principal. Enrolments are accepted on the understanding that the student will study for the length of stay that has been stated on the enrolment form.

In the case of a student being dismissed for bad behaviour or insufficient attention to his or her studies, lack of motivation or breaking school rules, any refund will be at the Principal’s discretion and will be subject to a minimum cancellation fee of £1000.

In no case will the school refund more than 70% of the remaining fees, calculated on a pro rata basis.

Any refund due when a course is cancelled will be paid only to the person who paid for the course. Payment will only be made at the end of the course booked or at the end of the academic year, whichever is the sooner.

Newbury Hall reserves the right to make changes to the dates, fees and content of courses, without notice.

In the case of students under the age of 16 who are day-boarders staying with local families, the Social Services Children’s Department will be invited to interview the student and the homestay. This is a legal requirement to ensure the absolute safety of young students.

All students should take the Newbury Hall language test to check their language level. Every student will be interviewed by Skype or in person before a letter of acceptance and enrolment documents are issued. If a student’s language level is too low for the course selected, Newbury Hall will recommend an alternative course, and create a new study plan for the student.

Students are required to sign that they have understood the rules and obey them at all times.

Luggage and personal effects may be left in the residence or in the homestay during half-term, Christmas and Easter breaks, but must be removed at the end of the academic year. The school is not able to store luggage or any student property.

Students are expected to wear uniform during school hours and to maintain good standards of dress and behaviour at all times, both inside and outside the school. In signing our application form you agree that your child will accept the rules and discipline of the

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Terms & conditions

school. Any student who is deficient in motivation or good manners will receive help and advice, and if this fails will receive a written warning. Any further occurrence of the problem may result in the student being asked to leave the school.

Any student who is found breaking the law, drinking alcohol, taking drugs or endangering other students by disregarding the fire regulations may be removed from the school without any notice or warning.

The school has written policies on child protection, discipline, and bullying as well as a complaints procedure. Parents can be given copies of these policies on request. They are also available on the website.

From time to time we take photographs or video footage of students in school situations for publicity purposes. If you do not wish your child’s photographs to appear on our website or brochures then please make a note to this effect on our application form. These images have no commercial or contractual value.

We do not share information with third parties except as required to do so by law (for example we are obliged to share information on under 16s with the Social Services Chil-dren’s Department). The information that you give us is held securely and is accessible to the schools and booking offices in the group of companies to which the school belongs. Please contact us if you wish to see copies of any information that we hold.

Parents should make sure that they organise their own travel insurance to cover medical cost and repatriation costs in the event of an illness or accident.

The school acts only as an intermediary between the school and homestays and between school and travel companies. Unless and to the extent caused by the school’s negligence, the school cannot be held responsible for any delay or accident during a journey or for incident which may happen during the students stay with the homestay.

The school reserves the right not to allow on the course any student suffering from any illness or disability which has not been disclosed on the registration form.

These terms and conditions do not affect your statutory rights under English law.

Full payment of fees is due 4 weeks prior to the start of any course. Payment can be made either by bank transfer, bankers draft, or cheque drawn on a UK bank.

www.newburyhall.com

Newbury Hall, Enborne Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6AD, UKTelephone: +44 (0) 1635 36879 Email: admissions@newburyhall.com