St Lawrence College
An Independent Co-educational Day School for ages 3 – 18, Boarding from 11 to 18, 330+ pupils, Counrty of Kent
About the School
St. Lawrence College is located in Ramsgate, a small and historic seaside town. With around 330 pupils, St. Lawrence College is small enough for each pupil to be considered and valued as an individual, but large enough to provide challenge through a variety of different subjects, activities and skills areas. Each year St. Lawrence has a small group of successful Oxbridge applicants, along with students who manage to achieve well above their expectations, whatever their ability level.
St Lawrence College is a school that really makes a difference in people’s lives. Located in Ramsgate within easy walking distance of the sea, the College is set in a safe, spacious campus. The College ensures pupils obtain their personal best academically, whilst preparing them for life in a rapidly changing global society. Modern facilities combined with traditional values based on Christian roots draw out the talents of each pupil. Strong pastoral care, high quality teaching and a great emphasis on extra-curricular activity make this a very special community in which to live and learn. Alison Hall, the Registrar at St Lawrence College, says: ‘This is a small and fine co-educational day and boarding school, with high expectations academically of our students and a fantastic extra-curricular provision. The adults who leave this College are very accomplished young people, and to that end I believe we fulfil our promise to nurture confident, capable and compassionate adults’.
Admissions
St. Lawrence College admits both boys and girls, all overseas students will be pre-tested to better assess their academic needs before they arrive. If this is not possible a level check test will be given on arrival.
Facilities
Cutting edge facilities and state-of-the-art architecture exist happily alongside the more traditional and very fine late nineteenth century buildings, reminding staff and pupils alike of the long and well-earned reputation of the College, which successfully blends traditional values with twenty-first century enterprise. St Lawrence College is proud of our academic record, but also recognise that education in its truest sense is measured not in examination results, but in the preparation of young people for the future. Policy for keeping class sizes small ensures that teachers can look after the individual needs of each pupil, so that high-flyers gain their places at the top Universities, and less able pupils develop skills in areas which will serve them well in the future. Curriculum is broad and, as a small school, St Lawrence is able to cater for individual academic needs. Subject combinations are drawn up every year on the basis of pupils’ preferences giving them more choice. Meticulous care is taken by the Housemaster/Housemistress and the Head of Careers in guiding pupils towards suitable subject choices.
Boarding
Around 20% of student population annually comes from outside the UK; the College welcomes students from Western Europe, Africa, Far East Asia, and Russia – making around 25 different nationalities in total. Most are boarding students, though a few live in the local area with their families and join the college as day pupils. Overseas boarders participate fully in the academic and pastoral life of the College, along with the sports and activities programmes. Some may need additional English training, whilst others will not. All overseas students are pre-tested to better assess their academic needs before they arrive. If this is not possible a level check test will be given on arrival. The College has a small but thriving EAL Centre for those students whose English level is not yet up to the task of studying all subjects comfortably in a new language and tend to take overseas students out of the main Modern and Classical Languages, to provide them with additional English as a Foreign Language training in their place. Overseas students aim to take the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations in Years 11 and 12 respectively, to facilitate university applications the following year. Students may also wish to prepare the TOEIC and TOEFL examinations during their time with us.
Sport
A fantastic new sports hall, fitness centre and dance studio will open in Summer 2010. This will add to what are already impressive facilities. All students take part in an extensive games programme at least three afternoons a week. Taking part is not just about maintaining fitness and developing practical skills, but also involves learning to be part of a team. On offer in the Michaelmas and Lent terms are badminton, football, hockey, rugby, netball, squash and swimming. In the summer there are options to do athletics, cricket, tennis or swimming. Other activities are also available for those who choose to do Physical Education as an exam subject at GCSE or A Level. The school is fortunate to have excellent playing fields an Astroturf, and a swimming pool.
Location
By air – Gatwick 1 hour 40 minutes drive, London Heathrow, Stansted & London City airport all within 2 hours drive. By rail – Ramsgate (10 min walk) to London Victoria under 2 hours, to London Charring Cross 2 hours 15 minutes. Links to France - Ramsgate is 30 minutes from the port of Dover for the shorter car ferry routes to Calais, in Northern France.
Visit the St. Lawrence Callege website.
