Greene's Tutorial College

Greene's Tutorial College
Motto Non Sine Numine
(Aeneid Book II, line 777:"As to naught without providence")
Established 1967[1]
Type Independent school
Religion Church of England
Master Christopher Upton
Principal Carmen Prozzillo[2]
Founder Edward Greene[3]
Location Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 1BT
United Kingdom United Kingdom
Staff 14[4] administration members and approximately 150 tutors[5]
Students 400[6]
Gender Co-educational
Ages 13–18+ (no age restriction)[7]
Colours Oxford Blue     
Former Pupils Old Greenites
Website www.greenes.org.uk
Greene's Tutorial College - Oxford

Greene's Tutorial College (informally referred to as Greene's) is an independent (i.e. private) British international day and boarding school[8][9] and tutorial college and the oldest[10] of its type in Oxford, England which specialises in providing one-to-one tuition for students of any age,[7] though particularly 16- to 18-year-olds. Established in 1967 by Edward Greene,[3] an Oxford-educated tutor who had studied Classics and History at Wadham College, Oxford - University of Oxford,[3] Greene's Tutorial College was originally named Edward Greene's Tutorial Establishment, and is the oldest tutorial college operating in Oxford.[3] It is situated near Pembroke College and Christ Church. Many of the other tutorial colleges were in fact founded by former Greene's employees.[11] Unlike some other Oxford tutorial colleges, however, Greene's has an "overlay of pedagogic principle or style", and has been described in the media as "the Rolls-Royce of Oxford crammers".[11]

The college takes on a variety of students, from students doing A-level resits, those preparing for university, particularly at Oxbridge and younger students preparing for public-school entry, to intellectually gifted children unable to find appropriate education within the mainstream system, and "the oddball or dropout who finds it hard to adjust to the restrictions of ordinary schooling".[11] The college has recently been taken over by Christopher Upton and Matthew Uffindell, both Oxford-educated tutors who had studied Agricultural science and English Literature respectively at the University of Oxford.

The college has educated 15,000[3] students since 1967[12] and a number of high-profile students, which most recently included the 9-year-old Math prodigy March Tian Boedihardjo.[13] March was taught by about seven tutors during his two years of study.[14] Jonathan Christie, at the time the Academic Registrar at Greene's, said that March was one of the youngest students the college had had. "It is not normal [to have such a young student taking A-levels]. But we don't judge students by age or ability."[14]

In addition to the main school and headquarter of Greene's Tutorial College in the historical 17th century premises of 45, Pembroke Street in Oxford, England, UK; the college also has campuses and branches in Tianjin, China and in Lisbon, Portugal.[15][16] The majority of the students are from Great Britain, with others from nations and continents including China, Russia, USA, Africa and Europe.[17] Greene's has the "Highly Trusted" status rating of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for student visas.[18]

History

The history of Greene’s Tutorial College goes back to 1967[3] when Edward Greene founded a small tutorial college known as Edward Greene’s Tutorial Establishment in the seventeenth-century buildings of 45, Pembroke Street in Oxford.[19] Since then, over 15,000[3] students have been taught at Greene’s at various stages of their education. Most of Greene’s academic staff have learnt through individual tuition at Oxford or Cambridge University[20] and combine substantial knowledge of education with an understanding of how a programme of tuition can best support each student’s learning. Greene's core teaching principle is therefore traditional Oxbridge University face-to-face individual tuition.[21] Nevertheless, to reflect the school's global and international character, Greene's increasingly also uses modern technology teaching methods based on E-learning via the Greene's Online System.[22] Students are free to choose either face-to-face tuition or e-learning or a mixture of both. However, all exams must be completed and are invigilated at Greene's Tutorial College's Exam Halls/Testing Centre in Oxford, England; in Tianjin, China or in Lisbon, Portugal.[16][23][24]

Campuses

Greene's Tutorial College has three campuses consisting of four buildings:

Oxford, England:

Head Office: Greene's head office and registry is based in the historical 17th century premises of 45, Pembroke Street in Oxford, England.[25]

Study Centre & Exam Halls: Tuition and examinations for Greene's students takes place at the college's study & testing centre at 97 St Aldate's in Oxford, England.[26]

China:

Campus China: Greene's Chinese campus is in Tianjin, China, in the Nan Ma Lu, Heping District.[27]

Portugal:

Campus Portugal: The campus of Greene's Tutorial College - Portugal is located in the city of Lisbon.[16]

Curriculum

In the Greene's system, tutors set homework after every tutorial, go through it at the next tutorial, and write reports about performance, effort in class, and homework after every class.[14] Greene's Tutorial College teaches primarily on a one-to-one basis, the same teaching method used at the University of Oxford. However, there are also group seminars for holiday revision courses and exam prep classes.[28] In addition to the traditional British university preparation curriculum, Greene's also offers International Qualifications such as the Cambridge International General Certificate of Education - Advanced Level as well as the US-American curriculum geared towards SAT exams and SAT Subject Tests for students wishing to progress to university/college in the United States or abroad.[29]

Greene's offers its students tuition and preparation for a broad and diverse variety of different qualifications and examinations. In essence, the most important ones include:[30]

In addition, Greene's offers tuition and courses for a large variety of subjects which include core subjects such as English, Maths, Sciences & Foreign Languages.

Greene's Tutorial College offers 93[34] different subjects in total taught via approximately 200[34] tutors. The college has strong links to Oxbridge: approximately half of Greene's tutors (45%)[34] have a degree from either the University of Oxford or from the University of Cambridge.[34]

To measure current as well as potential academic performance of students, Greene's has developed what it calls the "Greene's Index of Independence" (IOI) based on an individual student's independent learning as well as tuition reports.[35]

The school follows the structure of a traditional academic year with the conventional British trimester terms (i.e. Michaelmas, Hilary & Trinity) but also provides students the possibility of enrolling at any point in the year due to the flexibility of their courses.[36]

Academic achievement

According to the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in England, "the college exceeds expectations".[17] Academic results are above national average[37] with 60% of examination grades being A* to B.[37]

Academic achievement at Greene's is particularly high in sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Economics, Geography, History and Modern Languages.[37] However, the college's strongest subject is Mathematics, with 70% of exam grades being A* to B.[37]

Almost 90% (87%) of Greene's students are accepted at their first choice university.[37] The school remains to have a strong bond to the University of Cambridge and, in particular, to the University of Oxford.[34] Due to the long-established relationship between Greene's and the University of Oxford, the university also grants to Greene's students the right to become a member of the university's fraternities, sororities and societies such as the Oxford Union.[38][39]

Admission

Although the college declares "Greene’s is non-selective and accepts students of all ages and abilities"; admission remains competitive as the college also states "Admission to our sixth form is based on an assessment of each student’s aptitude".[40] The school does not publish any statistics on admission rates.

Student accommodation

Greene's provides its international students with board and lodging via host families in Oxford.[41][8][9][42]

Criticism

The college has been repeatedly criticized that the focus on high academic achievement and, in particular, the school's tutorial method of one-to-one tuition may happen at the cost of students' social activities and relationships; supposedly causing pressure and loneliness among students. As a consequence, Greene's announced that it would increase its commitment in encouraging extra-curricular activities: "We try to do all we can to help students meet new people and to encourage participation in a range of activities both in and around Oxford. There are monthly socials and an active student committee whose purpose it is to assist the scheduling, planning, and advertising of a variety of social events for the college community to enjoy. Directors of Studies are very approachable and have an open door policy so that help is always at hand.".[43]

Student life

The school has a Student Committee which organizes social events for Greene's students all year round. Extra-curricular activities include cultural events such as theatre and museum visits; sports events such as rowing as well as movie nights, Christmas Balls and Summer Parties.[44]

Notable alumni

Greene's follows a principle of discretion about the school's alumni via a privacy policy[45] and thus does not confirm or deny names of current or former students. The school merely states: "Some, like the tutors who taught them, have gone on to distinguished and prominent careers.".[46]

Tuition

Annual tuition fees for students who come from the European Union and who wish to study at Greene's Tutorial College in Oxford, England, vary between £19,155[47] (roughly $28,500) and £21'768[47] (roughly $32,300). For international students who come from outside the European mainland (e.g. US, Russia, China), annual tuition fees are £28,693[47] (roughly $42,600). For students who wish to study via Greene's Online System, annual tuition costs are £17,473[47] (roughly $26,000).

Miscellaneous

A considerable number of Greene's students and tutors have engaged in the past or still engage at present in significant sports contests and tournaments such as the Olympics where they have won prizes and medals in various disciplines. One example includes a Greene's tutor and Harvard graduate who is a member of the Oxford rowing team in the world-famous Oxford versus Cambridge boat race.[48]

References

  1. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - History".
  2. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Principal".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Greene's Tutorial College - Foundation".
  4. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Staff".
  5. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Tutors".
  6. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Students".
  7. 1 2 "Greene's Tutorial College - Student Profile".
  8. 1 2 "Which School?" 2011 by John Catt's - page 199
  9. 1 2 "Independent School Guide" 2013 - page 149
  10. ↑ "Consortium of Oxford Tutorial Colleges".
  11. 1 2 3 Snow, Peter. Oxford Observed. London: John Murray, 1991
  12. ↑ "Alumni". Green's Tutorial College. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  13. ↑ Daily Telegraph, 25 August 2007, Maths boy, 9, wins university place
  14. 1 2 3 South China Morning Post, 17 August 2007, Star pupil makes an impact with college staff
  15. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - China Campus".
  16. 1 2 3 "Greene's Tutorial College - Portugal Campus".
  17. 1 2 "Independent Schools Inspectorate - Report Greene's Tutorial College".
  18. ↑ "Parliament of the United Kingdom".
  19. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Registry Pembroke Street, Oxford".
  20. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Tutors".
  21. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Tuition & Teaching".
  22. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - E-Learning".
  23. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Examination Centre Oxford, UK".
  24. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Examination Centre, China".
  25. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Pembroke Street, Oxford, England".
  26. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - St Aldate's Street, Oxford, England".
  27. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Campus Tianjin, China".
  28. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Courses & Classes".
  29. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - US qualifications".
  30. ↑ "ISBI - Greene's Tutorial College: Subjects offered".
  31. 1 2 "Greene's Tutorial College - Educational Qualifications".
  32. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - SAT I, SAT ll and ACT Tests".
  33. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - English Language Tests".
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 "Greene's Tutorial College - Subjects & Tutors".
  35. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Index Of Independence".
  36. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College".
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 "Greene's Tutorial College - Academic Performance".
  38. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Oxford Union".
  39. ↑ "University of Oxford - Oxford Union - Member Status Greene's Tutorial College".
  40. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Admission".
  41. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Accommodation".
  42. ↑ Oxford Tutorial Colleges
  43. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Extra-Curricular Activities".
  44. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Social Welfare".
  45. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Privacy Policy".
  46. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Alumni".
  47. 1 2 3 4 "Greene's Tutorial College - Tuition Fees".
  48. ↑ "Greene's Tutorial College - Sports".

External links

Coordinates: 51°45′03″N 1°15′26″W / 51.7507°N 1.2573°W / 51.7507; -1.2573

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