For Choice in Education
The RWS Visiting Student Programme
It is a great environment to improve your English at your own speed and to help you, we offer EFL (English as a Foreign Language) lessons to all non-native speaker students. There are no compulsory formal exams, but there is an option to sit GCSEs in maths and English in Class Ten. We offer a wide ranging curriculum including arts, crafts, drama, music, physical activities, maths, science, languages and much more! Classes are small (15-20 on average) and have a caring, intimate and friendly atmosphere. You will acquire proficiency and competence in the English language very naturally by virtue of being in daily contact with English speaking people.
The Application Process
Class 9 and Class 10 are now full for the academic year 2023-24 and we are unable to accept any more applications for visiting students for these classes. Applications for the academic year 2024-25 are welcome.
The enrolment of visiting students is arranged by the school and our partner organisation – The Lewis School of English.
To apply, please complete the Application and Parental Consent forms. The School will then review the application and, if suitable, give their approval. Once approval has been granted, an invoice is raised and a homestay family is booked. Details of the homestay are sent out 2-3 weeks before arrival. Travel / arrival details are requested and transfer booked if required.
To complete the application form, please have the following documents and information ready.
Passport number - Your dates of proposed stay - Name, address, phone and email of current school - Details of contact person (class teacher/guardian) - Names and dates attended at previous schools - Parents/guardians details - Information on health and dietary requirements - Flight information if assistance required.
You must also upload a copy of the following documents with your application:
Passport or ID
Latest school report
Letter of motivation by the student (in English)
Letter of recommendation by a teacher (in English)
We are unable to consider your application without these documents.
Parents also need to complete the parental consent form.
In partnership with
Travel & Medical Form
Please download and complete the Travel & Medical Form below, save it and email it to us. Please also print this form, sign it and make sure the student travels with this.
The enrolment of visiting students is managed by our partner organisation The Lewis School of English. Payment details: you will be invoiced in advance for the tuition and accommodation fees. Accommodation fees are paid directly to the host parents by The Lewis School of English. Please read carefully the Conditions of Enrolment.
"A small but close community of people...I liked it when we sang on a rare occasion during the main lesson. Also enjoyed the little games in the science lessons and drawings we did in the literature main lesson...I have been exposed to new things, a different method of teaching and learning. I have learned the standards of the world and am able to compare myself to it."
Shaguftha from India
Class Twelve, 2019
"It was a wonderful experience!"
Kaya from Germany
Class Ten, 2019
"Very nice teachers and friendly students. I liked when we had art because it was nice to just sit and do something creative and talk with your classmates. And the teacher was very good. I learned a lot of English and I really liked to make the main lesson books. I think that writing so much in English has been very good. I also got many new friends and it was nice to be away from home and just come to something new."
Emma from Denmark
Class Ten, 2020
"All teacher were helpful and supported me."
Leon from Switzerland
Class Ten, 2019
"My first impression was that the people accepted me like I was. I liked to play basketball and football with my classmates, because we had lots of fun. I think the school did very well."
Ann-Kathrin from Germany
Class Ten, 2020
Staying at Ringwood Waldorf School
by Luca Girkens
"The idea started at the end of the eighth class that Thomas and I could leave our school to experience school in England, mainly it was because the boring English lessons. After we spoke with a few teachers and found the school in the internet. It was surprisingly easy to organise a stay at Ringwood.
The problems were the costs and the lessons in school we will have to catch up, that’s why we just stay for six weeks but this is really too short!
Early we found out with who we will stay in Ringwood, Colin and Carrol.
We met two other German speaking boys and spend whole days together. Sometimes we have supper at Carrol's and sometimes at Colins. The food is very good and the houses are very clean and comfortable.
The biggest difference between German and English school is that we don’t call our teachers by the first name but more like ‘’Herr Schneider’’. I think that calling teachers by their first name is good for the relationship between teacher and pupil.
The everyday life in school is a bit different too. The breaks are shorter but more often in Germany.
If I wouldn’t need to catch up, I would love to stay for a very long time. I like the little town, the people and the school. Thank you all for everything!"