UK Boarding Schools | Independent Schools | Private Schools

The atmosphere at d’Overbroeck’s
d’Overbroeck’s College is a leading independent day and boarding school based in Oxford. It is well known for its encouraging and supportive approach as well as for excellent academic results. Teaching is in small groups so every student can be heard and can participate in lessons and ask questions. As well as being experts in their field, our teachers excel in motivating and inspiring students.

The d’Overbroeck’s International Study Centre has 40 students (in four classes of ten students), and is characterised by an atmosphere of support, friendship and understanding.

One-year GCSE programme
The one-year GCSE programme (for students aged 15–17) provides an intensive course in English as well as other academic subjects (maths, geography, biology, chemistry, physics, history, business studies, art, French, etc). It is suitable for students who wish to prepare for their A-level (see page 87 for details of the d’Overbroeck’s Sixth Form) or the IB studies in the UK.

Students’ welfare is taken very seriously. The College wants students to be happy as well as academically successful. Pastoral care was assessed as ‘outstanding’ by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Students have their own personal tutor who gives them excellent advice and guidance throughout their studies. Parents are kept well informed about their child’s academic and pastoral progress.

Extracurricular activities
Students participate in a wide range of sports and activities including art, basketball, cricket, music, dance, rowing, rugby, debating, drama, etc. Each term, there are events, trips and activities that bring students together including a pantomime, an international arts festival, sightseeing trips, the Oxford University rowing race, a drama workshop, etc.

Accommodation
A number of boarding places are available. We recommend, however, that students live with one of our carefully chosen host families. This way, students will be encouraged to speak English at all times. The majority of our families have worked with us for many years and are typically  professionals such as artists, doctors or lawyers.

A host family provides the individual care and support that is essential when studying abroad. In addition, students have a perfect opportunity  to  experience British culture and customs. Families are located 10–25 minutes from the Study Centre and offer comfortable single or double study-bedrooms.

Location
The Study Centre is located in the centre of Oxford, a friendly, welcoming city with a worldwide reputation for academic excellence and lots for students  to do. London and major airports are only an hour away by bus or train.

Summer English courses
The College’s two- to six-week English summer courses are a unique mixture of lessons, interactive workshops, discussions with professionals (eg  journalists, actors and fashion designers) and trips (the Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London, the National Space Centre in Leicester, the BBC  Television Centre in Cardiff, etc). Every week has a different topic (media, science, music and performing arts, etc), allowing students from many  different countries to explore subjects from interesting perspectives

After achieving the very best GCSE grades our students go on to achieve exceptional A-level results and consequently gain places at top UK  universities.