Tonbridge School review by University of Oxford student.
ARTS program at Tonebridge school: The school is blessed with fantastic facilities for the arts, boasting two extremely large art studios. These include a dark room, pottery, screen printing room and art library. The design technology department is just as large and is extremely well equipped. The drama department hosts a very large theatre that is frequently used by external parties due to its size and quality. Due to the facilities alone most students engage in this area of academics and the results are frequently outstanding. SCIENCES: All of the physics, chemistry, biology and electronics departments have very well equipped and maintained laboratories. The teaching of the sciences is very much geared towards getting the pupils to get as much hands on experience as possible without detracting from the required normal class teaching. If a lesson does not include a practical then it will certainly have a demonstration from the teacher, these were often the most enjoyable as the teachers were allowed to do things we weren't! The IT department in particular is superbly equipped and is updated yearly. The high level of IT has rubbed off on all other departments with every classroom boasting projectors and an increasing number having interactive whiteboards. HUMANITIES: These subjects naturally don't need such advanced facilities but every classroom is fine. They are very well catered for by the Smythe library. The average class size at the start of your tonbridge career is around 20-25, though by the time you start the sixth form these class are around 10 at the largest. The average work load is nothing to worry about since it is very structured as to when certain subjects are able to set work. The majority of teaching trys to teach far more than just the exam curriculum. Certainly as you progress through the school and as the teachers get to know you teaching is geared in such a way as to harness you personal interests. Teachers encourage you to express your thoughts and misunderstandings, preferring a two-way method of teaching. With the extensive amount of compulsory sports and the cadet force there is also a great emphasis on building leadership and teamwork skills that are transferred seemlessly to the classroom.
Although the school does have a well equipped careers department it was not of great.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Tonbridge School as experienced by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
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They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
Admission to Tonbridge can occur in one of two ways, throught the common entrance exams.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Tonbridge School by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
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For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
The quality of life for most is very high, providing you are a stereotypical rich boy. I felt very compelled to conform to this typical arrogant condescending and materialistic manner but did not. as such I was a bit of an outcast and was rejected from many friend groups. I did however make some good friends but we were a minority. if your son is intelligent and can make the most of the superb teaching and thus gain entry into an oxford or cambridge I would thoroughly encourage to send your son to tonbridge. if you son is not the.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Tonbridge School as experienced by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review