Padworth College is a small sixth form international boarding college, offering a highly personalised education, preparing students from all over the world, aged 14 to 19 years, for entry to leading universities globally. Since they were established in 1963, they have helped thousands of students from the UK and overseas achieve excellent academic results and gain entry to some of the best universities in the UK. Situated on a beautiful campus, close to the university town of Reading and within a 50 mile radius of 40 universities, including 7 Russell Group institutions, they are a great place for students to live, learn and thrive.
Facilities
Padworth College occupies a 12 acre site in West Berkshire. The campus offers a range of learning facilities for students. The location, close to the university town of Reading, means that you are well located, with central London accessible within an hour and 40 universities, including 7 Russell Group institutions situated within a 50 mile radius of the College.
There are four boarding houses on campus – Fison, Granary, Ritz and Stables – with capacity for 100 boarders – with separate houses for boys and girls. All of the boarding houses have kitchen facilities and common room areas for student use, with laundry facilities close by. Almost all students benefit from having their own single study bedroom, offering private space, whilst being part of the boarding house family. Bedrooms are clean, comfortable and furnished to a good standard.
Meals are served by a team of experienced and skilled chefs in spacious, airy dining room, which benefits from stunning views of the West Berkshire countryside. All meals are prepared on campus using fresh ingredients.
In all of the classrooms, class sizes are small, enabling you to participate fully in classes, discuss, debate and ask questions. There are three specialist science laboratories, where you can apply scientific theories learned in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics classrooms through experiments and tests.
Outside of class, you can relax in the library within Padworth House and spacious communal areas, including Stables Common Room. There is Wi-Fi access throughout the college. If you are feeling sporty, you can use on-campus Multi Use Games Area for basketball or tennis. In campus Fitness Suite, there is a range of fitness equipment available and during the summer months, the heated outdoor swimming pool is available for use during evenings and at weekends.
Features
Things to note
Students participate in PE (‘physical education’) twice a week, playing a wide range of sports, including football, badminton, tennis, basketball, rugby, volleyball, netball and ultimate frisbee. There are additional opportunities to play football and volleyball in supervised after school clubs. Students often use the College’s facilities and equipment to play with their friends in their free time too.
Taking part in clubs and activities outside of regular classes is a great way to meet new friends and expand your horizons. It also allows you to develop and demonstrate a broad range of interests outside of your studies, something that all top universities look for in applicants.
Padworth students are diverse and curious and take full advantage of the wide range of extra-curricular activities and clubs on offer throughout the week. From Monday to Thursday, they offer a number of exciting after-school clubs. The weekend programme for boarders also includes activities such as yoga, baking/cooking, offsite trips and use of the Fitness Centre. These are designed to provide you with amazing opportunities to achieve outside of the classroom.
The broad and flexible GCSE, A Level and Foundation programmes can be adapted to each individual student to maximise both academic and personal success.
They require all applicants to have an admissions meeting with a member of the academic team, during which they will offer expert and honest advice on programme and university selection. During this meeting, applicants will also have the opportunity to find out more about College life. Applicants may be required to sit an entrance test.
They encourage prospective students and their parents to visit the College to meet the Principal and the academic team and to explore excellent facilities. Applicants are welcome to join for a Taster Day, which will give them the chance to experience life as a Padworth student. For those considering boarding, it is also possible to stay overnight.
2.33 miles
