Rockport School (Belfast, Northern Ireland) (2024)

Rockport School is a small private school offering mixededucational services for children from 3 years old (boarding house is available from 8 years old and up). Approximately 75% of students choose a full-time form and do not live on campus all the time, while foreign students, for obvious reasons, prefer boarding.

Rockport School was founded in 1906 as a preparatory school for boys, founded by Jeffrey Bing. Now the facility is located near the city of Hollywood in the Craigavad area: Belfast (Northern Ireland) can be reached in 15-20 minutes, and the distance to Dublin is 175 kilometers. The total territory reaches an area of ​​10 hectares, and the main building, a majestic and ancient mansion serves as the center of the campus (the buildings around it are related to the later years of construction).

The school is divided into several departments (the age of transition of children from one level to another can vary within 1-2 years):

• Nursery
• Junior School
• Senior School
• Sixth Form (was established in 2015 with the goal of creating a complete, continuous model of secondary education and enable students to fully prepare for entering universities).

Every pupil here is treated as a unique and distinct personality with special interests, abilities and talents. At the primary school stage, students learn basic knowledge of academic subjects, and actively engage in sports. The main disciplines include:

• Foreign languages ​​(Spanish or French)
• Drama
• Natural sciences
• Mathematics
• Geography
• Music
• History
• English.

Much time is devoted to creative development: all art classes are closely related to the English language course, with the culture and history of Ireland and Britain. Since the age of 5, children become accustomed to seeing and perceiving the beautiful, freely and actively manifested themselves in various fields of creativity - they are engaged in music, painting, theater and literature, freely moving from one type of art to another.

Like other hostels, Rockport School has a system of residences: pupils are assigned to one of them (white or green) until the moment of departure, permanent competitions are held between the houses. This helps to educate children in an atmosphere of healthy competition, encourage skillful competition, develop a sense of responsibility, solidarity with friends, the ability to work in a team.

As already mentioned, the school works in full-time and on board basis (4 or 7 nights a week). Students boarders can freely equip their room: bring things from home, your favorite pillow or toy, your own blanket. Security is monitored around the clock - staff and tutors are constantly on duty at the residence.

High school students have a greater level of autonomy and freedom: they can personally organize their leisure time, have a little more free time, occupy personal single bedrooms. At the same time, they often take patronage over the younger ones, help them in adaptation, organize their leisure time and help in solving everyday problems.

Meals are organized on the full board basis - three times a day, plus tea in between sessions.

A variety of clubs for interests, sports and creative sections work every day for international students.You can also relax on the beach, go skating, and bowling or watch a movie. On weekends, the program becomes even more interesting: for children cognitive and fascinating trips, excursions, sightseeing tours, visits to museums, theaters, cinemas, art galleries, premieres and exhibitions are arranged. You can also go to a sports match or a zoo, ride a horse or play laser tag, learn karting and mountain biking.

Both girls and boys can attend group or individual lessons on vocals or playing musical instruments (violin, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, drums), learn stage speech, practice in dance and ballet, take a fancy photo.

The sports component of studying is not less developed also - from the most popular kinds of sports it is possible to note the following:

• Swimming
• Netball
• Jumping on the trampoline
• Athletics
• Cross
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Rugby
• Tennis
• Cricket
• Hockey.

Rockport School cooperates with a professional yacht club and a golf center, so children under the guidance of experienced instructors can master these sports. From an early age, the foreign students learn the skills of living in a hike, navigation and orientation in the terrain: in the senior classes pupilsawait exciting trips and, if desired, fight for the Duke of Edinburgh Prize.

• The small size, the chamberiness: there are only about 200 students studying here, and the ratio of pupils to teachers is 1: 8. Groups for learning are very small, each student is known by face and by name: this helps to realize a personal, individual approach, to create the warmest and most comfortable, friendly atmosphere.
• A geographically advantageous location close to the shoreline offers admirable views of the sea. The air here is very clean, "tasty", healthy. Also, proximity to the coast and other cities and places of interest opens up ample opportunities for active recreation, travel and excursions, and the proximity of Belfast City Airport (just 10 minutes drive) facilitates the transfer.
• Independence. Rockport School is subject to the national curriculum, but does not blindly follow its instructions. Students are allowed a reasonable, adequate degree of independence and freedom, for them the most comfortable, balanced and effective studying programs are selected. There is also a milder and more flexible age transition from class to class: it takes into account not so much the age of the student as his maturity, readiness and independence, the level of knowledge. If you wish, you can prepare for entering other schools (including the senior one) in 11, 13 and 16 years.
• Cosmopolitanism and the international atmosphere. The institution is part of the Round Square organization: students from all over the world freely communicate with each other, organizingjoint projects and studies and participating in exchange programs.
• The main principles of the school's work are leadership, internationalism, the environment, democracy and service.

Despite its small size, Rockport School is actively developing and constantly improving, which allows it to provide students with all opportunities for high quality and effective education. For example, in 2006, just in time for the centenary, a modern art center was opened with the latest equipment.

There is also a well-developed sports infrastructure:

• An indoor sports hall;
• Tennis courts;
• Afield for football;
• Cricket and rugby;
• A huge well-groomed lawn for outdoor activities and outdoor games.

The cost of tuition (1 term), including accommodation and meals (full board) is:

• Junior and high school = 4430-6510 £
• High School (Six Form) = 6820 £.

The indicated cost is already included:

• Studying on the selected program (the academic year includes three terms)
• Accommodation and meals (full board)
• Stationery
• Teaching aids, books and materials
• Use of school infrastructure
• Visiting circles, sections and clubs by interests
• Laundry services.

The total price does not include and is paid additionally:

• Registration fee - 1100 GBP (non-returnable)
• Deposit - 1000 GBP (refundable)
• Additional trips and excursions
• Examination fees
• Individual music lessons
• Academic support if necessary
• Guardianship
• Air tickets in both directions
• Transfer (upon special request)
• Consular fee in Embassy
• Medical insurance
• Express courier delivery of the invitation for a visa (DHL) = £ 50.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 1100 GBP

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision