Westbourne School review
Founded in 1896, Westbourne School may give the impression of a compact IB school, but its performance in public examinations is exceptional. Graduates of Westbourne School consistently achieve IB scores above the world average, and more than half of the students meet the basic entry requirements for Oxford University. Unlike traditional large IB schools, Westbourne's "small class teaching" model is more suitable for parents seeking personalised attention for their children, allowing students to integrate smoothly into the unique IB system. The school is also open to families immigrating through the BNO visa route, offering their children the opportunity to attend as day students with regular school fees, making it an ideal choice for families planning to move to Cardiff and intending to have their children study the IB curriculum.
Westbourne School Introduction
Excellent Small Class ratio, and Over Half of the Faculty are experienced in Teaching International students.
The advantages of a micro-school include teachers being able to dedicate more time and effort to students' learning, daily life, and emotional needs. Westbourne School implements an "Unparalleled Support" system, maintaining a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8 in all classes, enabling teachers to spend ample time in class understanding each student's academic challenges or providing additional one-on-one guidance based on individual learning needs. Furthermore, over 50% of the teachers at the school have taught overseas or have experience teaching international students, allowing them to address the specific issues often encountered by such students effectively.
Targeted Assistance to Enhance Students' Academic Research Abilities
Thanks to the school's small-class teaching model, teachers can provide targeted support to meet the academic needs of each student, especially in the IB Extended Essay. School tutors discuss research topics with students in advance, explaining common research techniques, writing skills, organisation, and other academic skills used in university-level research. These skills are also beneficial for students when writing personal statements and resumes when applying to UK universities, especially for those aspiring to study medicine, engineering, law, or other fields that require extensive research.
Pre-IB Course to Assist International Students in Early Adaptation
In contrast to most IB schools, Westbourne is one of the few schools to offer a Pre-IB course, providing a year of preparatory education for international students intending to study the IB curriculum. This preparatory course follows the specifications of the regular IB curriculum, requiring students to study subjects such as mathematics, English, sciences, and humanities and begin participating in Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Community, Activity, and Service (CAS), and academic research skills required for IB courses. After completing the one-year preparatory course, students can seamlessly transition to the two-year regular IB curriculum. This course undoubtedly provides comprehensive support for international students who are new to the IB system or considering switching to it.