Basic Information & Location
Worthgate School (formerly known as CATS College Canterbury) was established in 1952, being the very first school to offer University Foundation courses 30 years ago. It is a member of CATS College from the Cambridge Education Group (CEG), having three other sister schools in Cambridge, London and Boston (USA). The school is situated in a beautiful countryside, which takes 50 minutes train from London.
Academic Development
According to the 2016 report by Independent Schools Inspections (ISI), the school is “highly successful in meeting its aims to develop independence and maturity in pupils… Achievement is excellent in academic results.” Apart from that, the school scored “Excellent” for all of the nine criteria, including quality of achievement and learning, contribution of curricular and extra-curricular provision and pastoral care. As a matter of fact, by reviewing its past result, 66% of its 2016 A-Level students scored an A* or A grade, while the national average number is 26%. All of its 2017 graduates progressed to universities. Therefore ISI is not the only organisation recognizing the school’s success, according to best-school.co.uk and sixth-form.com, the college ranked the 3rd and 2nd in the UK top sixth form colleges in 2016 respectively.
The school is offering courses for Year 10 to Year 12 students. Students aged 14 plus can choose to study two year GCSE programme, lasts for four to six terms. Student aged 15 plus can consider the Pre-programme which lasts for one to three terms. It follows the GCSE approach, but for one year or less. Students can take GCSE exams in some subjects depending on the progress they make. The focus of the programme is to prepare for A-Level or IB.
Similar with her sister schools, students whom English proficiency needs to be enhanced can take the CATS Academic English Programme, as a full-time intensive course which lasts from one to four terms. Or if students want to have an insight into a British education and culture, they can also choose to follow an individual programme, High School Term, which last for about one to three terms, to improve English and understanding towards British culture.
For A-Level programme, students can choose courses that last for five to six terms, making up two years in total. For year one, students can study three to four subjects and study three in the next year. University Foundation Programme (UFP) is an alternative to A-Level, which takes only three terms to finish. Students who aged 16 plus can study three to four subjects at a detailed and challenging level. They can also further consider International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which is a unique programme offered by Canterbury but not the other branches. IB is one of the fastest growing and most respected qualifications in the world. It lasts for six terms, about two years. Students need to study six subjects and three core areas.
The school has different summer programmes for students aged 14 to 16. Students who are interested in Medicine, Law, Business and Finance can have mock interviews, skills workshops and workplace experience and meetings with industry professionals. University open days and tours are also included. There is a UK Education Taster Programme, letting students to experience A-Level, IB and Foundation Programme, by meeting with past and present students, and taking typical UK-style lessons.
The school has various events to provide students with useful progressing information. CATS University Fair is one of the exclusive events only open to CATS students. Over 70 universities attend each fair, including University of Cambridge, London School of Economics and Imperial College London, as well as US and Canadian universities. During the fair, students can directly talk to university admission teams. There are also different universities visiting the college by every week, to share their information to students who are interested to study at.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
For boarding, the school is offering a range of residences for students. There are total 12 boarding houses, offering total over 220 single on-suite rooms. Some residents are only for boys or girls, as well as the co-gender one. Students can choose among different styles of accommodations.
Extracurricular & personal development
The school offers more than 125 activities to its students, comprises sports and arts, academic and leadership, and social activities. One afternoon a week is devoted to sports, in order to encourage the students to relax and do exercise. The school even provides an Elite sports and performing arts programme, allowing students to take a UFP or A-Level Business course while receiving top coaching. Past students have been an Olympic gymnast, professional footballer, golf and snooker players. There are also cultural and international events and trips all over the world.
