Compare International Schools in Bishop's stortford, United kingdom

Hockerill Anglo-European College is located on Dunmow Road in Bishop's Stortford, a market town in Hertfordshire about 30 miles north of London. The town has direct rail connections to London Liverpool Street with journey times of around 35 minutes. Bishop's Stortford is also close to Stansted Airport, making it convenient for international families.

The college accepts students from Year 7 (age 11) through to Year 13 (age 18). The school is divided into a lower school (Years 7-9), where students follow the IB Middle Years Programme, and an upper school with IGCSEs in Years 10-11, followed by the IB Diploma Programme in the sixth form (Years 12-13).

Hockerill is a state-funded boarding and day school. As a state boarding school, there are no tuition fees for UK or eligible students, though boarding fees apply for those who board. The school is co-educational throughout.

Students come from over 20 different countries, reflecting the school's international outlook. The majority of students are British, but there is a significant proportion of international boarders. The mix of nationalities is a key part of the school's identity and contributes to its Anglo-European ethos.

The college has a learning support department that provides help for students with identified learning needs. Staff work with students who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and offer support for students with mild to moderate learning difficulties.

Hockerill is a Church of England foundation school, though it has a distinctly international character with students from over 20 countries.

The college has a Church of England foundation, though it welcomes students of all faiths and none. The school's ethos is broadly Christian but inclusive and internationally minded.

The school day begins at 8:40am and lessons end at 3:30pm, with an extended day for boarders that includes supervised prep time in the evenings. There are morning and afternoon breaks as well as a lunch period. Boarders have structured evening activities and study periods.

The college does not operate its own bus service. However, the school is well served by public transport, with Bishop's Stortford railway station within walking distance and local bus routes serving the area.

Boarding is available from Year 7 onwards. The school offers weekly and full boarding options. Boarders are housed in dedicated boarding houses on the school campus, with separate accommodation for boys and girls. Weekend activities are organised for full boarders.

Students are required to wear school uniform in Years 7-11. The uniform consists of a navy blazer with the school crest, grey trousers or skirt, white shirt, and school tie. Sixth form students follow a smart dress code rather than a uniform.

The college provides meals for boarders and day students in the school dining hall. Menus cater to a range of dietary requirements including vegetarian, halal, and allergy-specific options. Boarders receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The college operates a house system where students are assigned to one of several houses. Houses compete in academic, sporting, and cultural events throughout the year. The system fosters a sense of belonging and community within the school.

Hockerill Anglo-European College is a state-funded Church of England academy. It is a single academy trust, meaning it operates independently with its own governing body. The school receives state funding for education but charges for boarding.

The college follows the IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7-9, giving students a broad and balanced international curriculum. In Years 10-11, students take Cambridge IGCSEs, with modern languages being a strong component. The sixth form offers the IB Diploma Programme, which is the school's flagship qualification. All students study at least two modern languages throughout their time at the college, with many studying three or more.

The student to teacher ratio is approximately 12:1. Class sizes typically range from 20 to 28 students in Years 7-11, with smaller groups of around 15-20 in IB Diploma classes.

Hockerill consistently achieves strong IB Diploma results, with average point scores typically well above the global average of 30 points. The school regularly produces students achieving 40+ points. IGCSE results are also strong, with a high proportion of grades at 7-9.

Graduates go on to study at leading universities in the UK and internationally. Common destinations include Russell Group universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and King's College London. A number of students pursue higher education in continental Europe, reflecting the school's international outlook.

The school offers an extension programme for academically gifted students, including opportunities to participate in national and international academic competitions. Students with particular language aptitude can take additional languages or accelerate through language programmes.

Each student is assigned a form tutor who acts as the first point of contact for pastoral care. The school has a PSHE programme that covers social and emotional learning topics throughout each year. Boarding staff provide additional pastoral support for residential students, including evening check-ins and regular one-to-one meetings.

The learning support department works with students who have identified special educational needs, including those with EHCPs. Support is available for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other specific learning difficulties. The school can accommodate mild to moderate needs but may not be suitable for students requiring intensive specialist support.

As an internationally minded school, Hockerill has experience supporting students for whom English is an additional language. EAL support is available to help students access the curriculum. However, a good working level of English is expected at entry.

The school has a counsellor available for students who need additional emotional support. Staff are trained in mental health first aid. The boarding environment includes structured pastoral time, and houseparents are on hand to support boarders' wellbeing.

The school follows statutory safeguarding guidance as set out by the Department for Education. Designated safeguarding leads are in place, and all staff receive regular safeguarding training. The boarding provision is inspected by Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate in relation to boarding standards.

1. Prospective families should attend an open day or arrange a visit to tour the campus and meet staff. Open days are held several times a year and provide an opportunity to see the school in action.
2. Applications for Year 7 entry are made through the Hertfordshire County Council admissions process. The school is oversubscribed and uses aptitude in modern languages as part of its admissions criteria, with a language aptitude test administered to applicants.
3. For boarding places, families should also complete the school's own boarding application form. Boarding places are allocated separately from day places.
4. Sixth form entry requires strong IGCSE or equivalent results, typically at least six IGCSEs at grade 6 or above. Students must apply directly to the school for Year 12 entry.
5. International applicants should contact the admissions office directly to discuss entry requirements and visa arrangements. Evidence of English language proficiency may be required.

As a state school, Hockerill does not offer traditional academic scholarships. However, bursaries and financial assistance may be available to help with boarding fees for families who qualify based on income. The school encourages families to enquire about means-tested support.

The school maintains a waiting list for oversubscribed year groups. Places are offered from the waiting list if vacancies arise during the academic year, following the published admissions criteria.