Our International Programme

History of the School Founded in 1702 by the Society of Friends (Quakers) as a Christian community, the school has always been co-educational. The school welcomes young people from all religious faiths. The senior school caters for those aged from 11 years to 19 years.

Where are we?

The school is located within Saffron Walden, a small market town set in rolling farmland but within easy reach of the cities of Cambridge and London. The school has extensive sports fields, a heated swimming pool and a modern sports hall on its 30 acre site.

Social Integration and Care

The students are fully integrated with British students both inside and outside the classroom, sleeping in bedrooms, sharing meal facilities and social activities. Boarders are accommodated in houses according to age. Each house is run by a Housemaster or Housemistress and students each have an individual pastoral tutor. The House staff aim to ensure the welfare and happiness of the young people particularly when they are so far from home. All students from abroad are registered with the school doctor who visits once a week and we have a Medical Centre which is run by qualified nurses.

Each year a residential trip is organised to a destination in the UK to sample the culture. This is in addition to the normal school trips that are organised for all students. To see information from the last trip click here.

Each year our young people from around the world organise an International Evening to which the rest of the school is invited.

Click here to see photos from the last International Evening

The ESOL Unit

The School's ESOL ( English for Speakers of Other Languages ) unit provides a comprehensive programme of English language tuition for all levels of competence. It combines small group teaching with individualised " self-access" study. Cross-curricular support is given in liaison with subject teachers by highly qualified and experienced staff. The unit is well equipped with books, worksheets, tape recorders, computers and video recorders.

Entry and Courses

Entrance is by either personal interview, entrance tests or recommendation from the student's present school. All pupils are tested on their English ability upon arrival and then depending upon whether they have passed the " Threshold Level", are offered either the main programme or one with additional support tailored to their needs.

The main programme consists of between 5 and 10 hours of English as a Foreign Language Teaching and in January 2005 the cost of this was £575 per term. Additional support to this would incur an extra charge depending on the level of support required. Click here to see the section on school fees.

We are also able to offer short courses for a term or just for several weeks for students to have a taste of British boarding school life and culture and to improve their English.

 Examinations

The University of Cambridge offers examinations in English as a Foreign Language which are recognised worldwide. Friends' School prepares students for these examinations so that continuous progress is assured and monitored. Students leave Friends' School with an English Certificate, which can be used for employment purposes or for entry to further study.

Qualifications that can be obtained are: P.E.T. - intermediate level F.C.E. - upper intermediate level I.G.C.S.E. - Advanced level I.E.L.T.S. - Advanced level ( IGCSE or IELTS is required for entry to a British University)