Russian is the largest native language in Europe, with around 144 million speakers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and many other Eastern European countries. It is the fifth most spoken language in the world and is used all over ethnically diverse Russia and the former Soviet Union as a lingua franca and language of business. Russian is not just a highly rewarding language to study; it is also a gateway to some of the most influential thinkers, writers and artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Competence in the Russian language enables you to read Chekhov’s short stories, Akhmatova’s poetry and – eventually – the ‘thick novels’ of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. Contemporary Russian culture is equally fascinating, and much can be learnt about post-Soviet politics and everyday life from the films of Balabanov, Serebrennikov and Zvyagintsev. Russian is taught as an optional subject from the Lower Shell (Year 10). The Edexcel GCSE Russian course aims to provide pupils with a solid grounding in vocabulary, grammar and Russian culture. The examination tests all four skills (listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking and writing), and they are weighted evenly, all being worth 25% of the total mark. The qualification is graded from 9 to 1. The Edexcel A Level is designed to familiarise pupils with social, political and cultural themes relating to the Russian language, its culture and communities. It covers such topics as youth culture, education, the world of work, the media, mass culture and festivals. Pupils also analyse contemporary Russian films and later explore historical topics such as urban change in Russia and the collapse of the USSR. We also undertake close analysis of a literary text, enabling pupils to put their advanced reading ability to use and to develop their comprehension skills.
Offers of places will be sent out in December. Some candidates will be placed on a waiting list, and these candidates will be contacted if they are going to be offered a place. The offer of a place is conditional on a candidate achieving a minimum of eight (I)GCSE passes at A / 7 grade, of which at least four are at A* / 8-9 in the subjects to be studied at A Level. Candidates require a grade 8 or 9 in Russian (I)GCSE. We will consider applicants predicted on grade 7 or above and will review a candidate’s merits and potential during the application process. Absolute beginners can also apply and will follow a slightly different course in the Sixth Form (Year 12). Candidates admitted on this pathway sit an Aptitude Test.
The examination consists of a 45-minute paper comprising: Section 1, a mix of reading, grammar, translation and gap-fill exercises; Section 2, an essay of 160-200 words; and Section 3, an optional commentary on a short passage. Questions are based primarily on GCSE content, vocabulary and grammar, enabling candidates to perform to the best of their ability.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Westminster |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £49,518 |
| Sixth Form Fee | £34,299 - £37,485; |
| Address | Little Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PF |
Russian is the largest native language in Europe, with around 144 million speakers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and many other Eastern European countries. It is the fifth most spoken language in the world and is used all over ethnically diverse Russia and the former Soviet Union as a lingua franca and language of business. Russian is not just a highly rewarding language to study; it is also a gateway to some of the most influential thinkers, writers and artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Competence in the Russian language enables you to read Chekhov’s short stories, Akhmatova’s poetry and – eventually – the ‘thick novels’ of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. Contemporary Russian culture is equally fascinating, and much can be learnt about post-Soviet politics and everyday life from the films of Balabanov, Serebrennikov and Zvyagintsev. Russian is taught as an optional subject from the Lower Shell (Year 10). The Edexcel GCSE Russian course aims to provide pupils with a solid grounding in vocabulary, grammar and Russian culture. The examination tests all four skills (listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking and writing), and they are weighted evenly, all being worth 25% of the total mark. The qualification is graded from 9 to 1. The Edexcel A Level is designed to familiarise pupils with social, political and cultural themes relating to the Russian language, its culture and communities. It covers such topics as youth culture, education, the world of work, the media, mass culture and festivals. Pupils also analyse contemporary Russian films and later explore historical topics such as urban change in Russia and the collapse of the USSR. We also undertake close analysis of a literary text, enabling pupils to put their advanced reading ability to use and to develop their comprehension skills.
Offers of places will be sent out in December. Some candidates will be placed on a waiting list, and these candidates will be contacted if they are going to be offered a place. The offer of a place is conditional on a candidate achieving a minimum of eight (I)GCSE passes at A / 7 grade, of which at least four are at A* / 8-9 in the subjects to be studied at A Level. Candidates require a grade 8 or 9 in Russian (I)GCSE. We will consider applicants predicted on grade 7 or above and will review a candidate’s merits and potential during the application process. Absolute beginners can also apply and will follow a slightly different course in the Sixth Form (Year 12). Candidates admitted on this pathway sit an Aptitude Test.
The examination consists of a 45-minute paper comprising: Section 1, a mix of reading, grammar, translation and gap-fill exercises; Section 2, an essay of 160-200 words; and Section 3, an optional commentary on a short passage. Questions are based primarily on GCSE content, vocabulary and grammar, enabling candidates to perform to the best of their ability.