College Profiles

Padworth College is a co-educational boarding school for students aged 13-19 offering a range of flexible programmes – GCSE, A Level, University Access and English Language - as well as Easter and Summer Language and Activities courses. Padworth is located in beautiful countryside just 45 minutes from Heathrow. The College is characterised by excellent academic results, small class sizes, individual attention and an informal and friendly atmosphere.

Academic Programmes
Our academic programmes offer choice and flexibility and courses are tailored to meet the individual student’s academic needs.

GCSE Levels (Students aged 14-16)
A full two-year programme leading to GCSE/IGCSE in up to 9 subjects, chosen from a wide range. There is also a one-year GCSE/IGCSE programme for older or re-sitting students.

A Levels (Students aged 16-19)
Students choose 3, 4 or 5 subjects from the wide range available, English Language support is available for all students throughout their studies at Padworth.

University Access (Foundation) (Students aged 17+)
One-year course leading to direct university entry in Business, Finance and Law including English language tuition for overseas students who have not taken A levels but who wish to go to a British university.

International Study Centre (ISC)
Our International Study Centre welcomes overseas students aged 13-19 – both those who wish to begin learning or improve their English Language skills and those who need to improve their English before embarking on academic study (GCSE or A level) either at Padworth or elsewhere. Students of all levels are accepted for any length of time (one term to two years) at any point in the academic year and a suitable programme of study is prepared according to their needs and abilities.

ISC Option One (Full time)
Intensive English Language programme for overseas students with any level of English Course content includes a strong focus on English Language skills, British culture, PSHE and Sport and can extend to include Maths depending on ability. This programme is also available as a short course for groups and individuals with a 2 week minimum stay at any time in the academic year.

ISC Option Two (Full-time)
This programme prepares students from pre-intermediate level who need to improve their English before taking up places on GCSE and A level programmes. Course content includes General English, Mathematics, IT, Study skills, British culture, PSHE and Sport. Some students may also wish to choose to take skills for Science and/or Business Skills. Students may commence GCSE or A level study once they have reached the required level of English.

ISC Option Three (Full-time)
This programme is for students with an Intermediate level of English. Course content includes General English, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), Mathematics, IT and the student’s choice of academic subjects.

ISC Option Four (Part-time supporting course)
This EAP programme provides continuing English Language support preparing students studying A level and Access for the IELTS examination which is a compulsory requirement for entry into British universities and students studying GCSE level for the Cambridge ICGSE English as a Second Language examination.

Academic Success
Outstanding academic results are achieved and most students go on to Universities in the UK and our students have regularly won places at Oxford, Cambridge and other leading Universities.

Boarding life
The majority of students at Padworth are boarders and many are away from home for the first time. All are given a warm welcome and helped to integrate into boarding life by our caring team of resident House Staff. Boarders enjoy readily available educational, social and sporting facilities and the chance to enjoy all the opportunities of school life to the full. Boarding students come from all over the world creating a rich and culturally diverse student community.

Girls and boys are housed in separate boarding houses, each with their own resident house staff and are accommodated in comfortable single or shared bedrooms. There are kitchen facilities and cosy sitting rooms with televisions where students can relax and socialise. All meals are taken in the College Dining Rooms where healthy and interesting food is on offer to cater for all tastes and diets.

Activities and Facilities
After-school and weekend activities are organised for the student community both on and off the campus. We have our own open-air heated swimming pool, two tennis courts incorporating a basketball court and a volleyball court. There are also table tennis and pool tables for indoor entertainment. Off campus activities include horse riding, ice skating, bowling, trips to the cinema, theatre and to places of interest.

Contact details:

Padworth College, Padworth, Reading RG7 4NR, UK

Tel: +44 118 983 2644

Fax: +44 118 983 4515

E-mail: info@padworth.com