The opinion of student about study at Ashford school

The story of a student about Ashford school.

During a visit to Ashford school, we spoke to many students. Masha goes to school the first year, before that, she attended another British school, so she has something to compare with. I was glad when Mary agreed to give me an interview.

L: Tell me how you chose the school and what influenced your choice.

M: I ended up at Ashford by a lucky coincidence, having changed my unknown school in the North of England to one of the top private in the South-East of London. The choice of this school was influenced by the proximity to London and a small number of residents — about 200 people. The majority of pupils of the school are English, not Russian, as it was in my previous school.

L: When and how did you choose the subjects. How are the lessons going?

M: The set of subjects was obvious to me and when applying documents I clearly knew my choice: mathematics, psychology, chemistry and biology. The love of science instilled in me from a past teacher of the English school where I finished 11 years after passing the exams at IGCSE. After retiring from the physics and mathematics department of Moscow far in 2013, having passed the IGCSE at A, I hoped that the math was done once and for all, because, despite the fact that it was given to me almost without effort, I never had a special love for an exact science. Parents convinced to take it at A-Level — if you do not like it, you can quit at any time, leaving three subjects. Less than two months later, teachers and their way of teaching caused me sudden respect and interest in the subject. Now I have no doubt — for the next year I definitely leave the math. Despite the huge amount of homework and a substantial load, I believe that mathematics is never superfluous, no matter how things turn out in the future.

As for teachers, I can say a few things from personal experience. First, there is absolutely no such thing as "favourite" here. Teachers relate well and respect each student, regardless of his / her academic progress or behaviour. By the way, there are no problems with behaviour either - ethe teacher can only ask you not to talk or pay more attention. All equally understand that they came to this school to study and are serious. Teachers are loved and respected — I have never heard "I Hate Mr./Mrs. X". I can confidently advise everyone coming to any English school: build good relations with all at once — it is not known how the circumstances will be in the future and who of the teaching staff will be your mentor and friend. On the other hand, after high school/grade, all the teachers you deal with will write recommendations that consist of personal opinions about you. Thus, completely random you can be in the kitchen in the residence, discussing politics and Greek cuisine with the head of the house and part-time English teacher, and another day a few hours to discuss personal problems with a teacher of biology. I must admit, it is nice to see and realize how all around ready to help at any time and absolutely have no ulterior motives.

L: Tell me about life in residence and in school, weekdays and weekend.

M: I live in a house with students of the international centre - there are only 17 people, boys and girls live together. At that time, the main women's building is home to around 60 girls. If places in the women's house are not enough, then are accomodated here, as happened to me. The residents of our house this year are mainly students of the international center, and a house is designed for them. They have daily English lessons, according to a special program, and all other subjects are in the main buildings of the school.

A week goes by insanely fast — days are so busy that there is simply time to be bored or to walk around. My approximate schedule for the busiest weekdays:

Monday — the school is untill 3:50, rehearsal for the musical from 4 to 6, then I have homework, at 6:30 is dinner, then study again, and from 8.30 to 9.30 badminton, and then finish your homework before 11 o'clock, before lights out.

Tuesday — the school is until 3:50, English lesson on Skype (preparation for exams at the American University) is from 4:30 till 6:30, dinner, then table tennis to 9.30.

On other days, there are mostly less activities after school and in the evening, so most of my free time I devote to training.

At the weekends you can go to London or any other place with written permission from parents. 20 minutes by train is a very nice city Canterbury where there are also a lot of young people because there are several schools and universities. We sometimes go there shopping or just for a walk for the whole day. Despite the fact that Ashford is very small - there is a cinema, various cafes/coffeehouses/restaurants, a small shopping center, beauty salons and a bowling, so at the weekend there is always something to do.

Maria, Russia

Read also my report about visiting this school.