FAQs

Earlscliffe currently has approximately 140 students and they come from around 30 different countries. We are very proud of our diversity at Earlscliffe and every student is encouraged to build friendships and networks with students from all over the world.

Earlscliffe is an ‘in-town’ campus designed for older teenagers. Everything is within 5 minutes’ walking distance. Set in the heart of Folkestone, it is a short walk from the beach, shops and ‘Creative Quarter’, whilst only being 53 minutes from London by train. Our students have a twin or single bedroom with an en-suite shower room. All of our boarding houses have a common room, a kitchen and a garden, so students can relax in their leisure time. Click here to view our boarding houses and bedrooms.

Here at Earlscliffe we pride ourselves on our flexible approach to learning by creating personalised programmes for each student, designed to help them reach their maximum potential. Our small class sizes, family environment and regular testing combined with support from a designated Senior Tutor, ensures that students are constantly encouraged – whether that is regarding their academic pathway, their co-curricular activities or that they are utilising their free time effectively.

Earlscliffe is about 90 minutes from London Heathrow, or 75 minutes from London Gatwick. We are just 53 minutes from central London by train.

Folkestone Central train station is just a few minutes walk away from the Earlscliffe main building.

All students have a bed, a bedside table, a wardrobe to store clothes, a desk, a chair and an en-suite bathroom with WC, wash basin and shower. There is the choice of a single or a twin room. To see more, please take a look at our virtual tour.

We have single and twin rooms. We always room students with someone of a similar age, but different native language. We aim to match room mates based on similar interests.

Each house has experienced and supportive residential boarding staff  who provide fulsome support relating to life as a boarding student. This includes managing general day-to-day life, or emotional support.

Yes, all our buildings have Wi-Fi throughout. The School uses Yonder pouches for students’ mobile phones during the teaching day, thus ensuring both focus during lessons and face-to-face interaction during breaks. 

Student laundry is done once a week. Although students are encouraged to be independent and are advised how to take care of their own laundry needs. There is a rota system for using the washing machines. Bedding is provided but students are asked to bring their own towels.

At Earlscliffe we invite all of our prospective students to visit the school with their families, to enjoy an individual and personalised experience. During a visit, students will meet with our Head Teacher or another key member of staff. They will enjoy a tour of the school with a member of the Marketing and Admissions team, and they will have the opportunity to spend some time chatting with our current students. We also encourage students and parents to tour the town so that they can get a true feel of what their experience here might look like.

We have a 360° aerial tour that can be found on the location page. If you click on the hot spots, you will also be able to see inside some of the buildings.

However, we may also be able to arrange for prospective families to meet the the Head Teacher, subject teachers, or students online. If there is something specific that you want to see at that time we can show it via the laptop camera.

We can also provide a series of videos to give a clear idea of the school environment.

The application process at Earlscliffe could not be simpler and is outlined here.

Please simply start by contacting us. All details are provided on this page.

Earlscliffe seeks to ensure that students will be successful on their chosen programme and with their chosen subjects.  The admissions interview is the first important step in achieving this goal so come prepared to talk about your future plans and ambitions. 

Once the admissions interview is completed and we have received an application and details of your past and current studies, we will confirm if you have met our entry requirements or require additional qualifications to be admitted to the school. Although not essential, providing us with details of your past and current studies before your admissions interview would be very helpful.

We will be looking for an English level of IELTS (Academic) 5.5 or higher for entry to all courses except the Pre-A programme and applicants aiming to study A-levels in mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology should be able to offer GCSE grade 6 or above.

Qualifications equivalent to IELTS (Academic) or GCSE are perfectly acceptable as evidence of meeting our entry requirements. 

All applicants’ selected programmes and subjects are reviewed by senior academic members of staff before arrival to completely ensure the suitability of your chosen programme and subjects to your intended future academic and career plans.

At Earlscliffe we pride ourselves on our small class sizes. On average, our class sizes are around 9 students. This allows us to focus on the individual students’ needs and ensure that we enhance their strengths and address any areas for improvement they may have. 

The one year ATHE Business and Management Diploma is assessed solely through coursework; there are no examinations. It is equivalent to two A-levels and is accepted for admission to nearly all U.K. universities offering business and business related degrees when offered in combination with a single A-level and (for international students) IELTS (Academic).

Students studying the diploma at Earlslciffe also study an own language A-level and IELTS (Academic). This combination enables students to apply with confidence to universities such as, but not solely, Kent and Royal Holloway. 

If you are someone who does not excel at examinations; enjoys studying business and this is your target degree course and are looking for a one year not two-year course, the Business and Management Diploma may be a very appropriate course for you.

For information on our fees, please click here 

Earlscliffe does offer scholarships to students who excel in academics, sport, the arts or who can be true ambassadors of our core Earlscliffe values. Please feel free to contact our admissions team to discuss this in more detail, but we are always happy to discuss how we can support strong students in reaching their goals.

Yes, international students will require a visa to study in the UK. As part of Dukes Education Group we have our own immigration team who will assist with providing the CAS needed for a visa.

For more information on this, please visit our visa guidance page here.

Earlscliffe’s marketing and admissions team work hard to ensure that all enquiries are dealt with immediately. Following receipt of an enquiry, we will arrange an admissions interview and once this is completed, together with an assessment of your child meeting admissions criteria, we will make an offer of a place. When the offer has been accepted by you and we have received all other necessary paperwork, we will confirm your child’s place at the school. 

We encourage all students and their families to read the Student and Parent Guide together before arriving at school.