Core elements of Bales College’s programme are as follows:

  • Each student is treated as an individual.
  • Strong focus on pastoral care. We have a family atmosphere within the school.
  • Small class sizes – individualised and supportive academic experience.
  • Continuous progress monitoring, with each student assigned a personal academic tutor.
  • Expanded sport & co-curricular programme.
  • Regular day trips and visits throughout the year – e.g. talks at the LSE or Royal Geographical Society, universities, Yayoi Kusama art exhibition, French Institute, “A Curious Incident” theatre visit, British Museum.
  • Member of the Independent Schools Association. We had a full inspection from ISI in March (see link below).
  • Destination universities in the last few years have included UCL (for medicine and pharmacy), University of Bristol, Kings College London, SOAS, University of Manchester, Birkbeck (University of London), Royal Holloway (University of London), University of Durham, University of Exeter, University of Nottingham, University of Bristol.
  • Students average a two-grade improvement when retaking A levels.
  • In later school years:
    • Full, tailored support through the UCAS application process.
    • Supervised private study.
    • Holiday revision courses in the lead-up to public examinations.

We provide a highly tailored academic experience at the school.

We had an Educational Quality inspection from the Independent School’s Inspectorate (ISI) in March. Some comments from the inspector are as follows:

  • “Pupils are proud of being part of the school and have a strong sense of loyalty to it.”
  • “Pupils throughout the school have a positive attitude towards their learning and are keen to succeed.”
  • “Pupils embrace opportunities to contribute in lessons.”
  • “Pupils have good numeracy skills.”
  • “Pupils are confident communicators.”
  • “Linguistics skills of a high standard were in evidence with extremely descriptive language.”
  • “Pupils enjoy participating in the academic and extra-curricular activities available.”
  • “Pupils have good self-understanding.”
  • “Pupils collaborate with one another very productively in many aspects of school life.”