Overview

CATS College (formerly Stafford House College) is a coeducational Independent day and boarding school located in Canterbury, Cambridge and London, catering primarily for foreign students. It is owned by the Cambridge Education Group. The school specialises in teaching English and preparing students for pre-university exams such as A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate. It was the first school in the UK to offer University Foundation programmes for students wanting to go to university from overseas, and the College has in the region of 52 nationalities studying IB, A level, University Foundation or preparation and GCSE courses. It was voted LTM High School of the Year in 2010 and won an award from the Independent Schools Association in 2012. Most students are international boarders although British students attend the college who want to experience a strong international education.

Established year: 1952

Location

Canterburyis a cathedral and university city in Kent, in the South East of England. It lies on the River Stour, about 55 miles (89 km) east-southeast of London. And also it is the Britain's closest city to mainland Europe. The Experian Inner City Vibrancy Report(2013) ranked Canterbury as the 3rd most vibrant city in England and Wales.

Canterbury has been permanently inhabited since pre-Roman times. Many historical structures remain, including a city wall founded in Roman times and rebuilt in the 14th century, the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey and a Norman castle, and perhaps the oldest school in England, The King's School. The Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's church make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Canterbury has a high per capital GDP, it is higher than the Kent average of $42,500 at $51,900 making it one of the wealthiest towns in the South East. The city's economy benefits mainly from significant economic projects such as the Canterbury Enterprise Hub, Lakes view International Business Park and the White friars retail development. Tourism contributes £258m to the Canterbury economy and has been a "cornerstone of the local economy" for a number of years; Canterbury Cathedral alone generates over one million visitors a year.

Canterbury combines history with modernity, and excitement with safety. With plenty of opportunities for sports, culture and entertainment, students will discover that the weather is some of the best in England - and students will be close to some great seaside resorts throughout Kent, known as "the garden of England".

Canterbury has many students as it is home to four universities, together with several other higher education institutions and colleges; at the 2010 census, 22% of the population aged 16–74 were full-time students, compared with 7% throughout England.

From London by train: 45 minutes

Address: 68 New Dover Road ,Canterbury CT1 3LQ

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Learning environment

In CATs College Canterbury students will find such facilities as purpose-built science labs and seminar, tutorial, lecture rooms. Teaching equipment includes interactive whiteboards and the campus offers bespoke libraries and Personalised Learning Centre which are open all week long.

Supervised relaxation and social area are close at hand. High speed WiFi networks make it easy to research on the internet or contact family and friends. A choice of healthy hot and cold meals and snacks are available on-site every day of the week.

Highlights/Advantages

• Available on an invite-only basis for highly motivated / Gifted & Talented students.
  
• Gives you 70 extra UCAS points! (equivalent to an AS level at A+).
  
• Helps students achieve higher results and be more attractive to Universities and employers.
  
• Students take part in a number of activities related to communication, working with others, improving academic performance and problem solving.

Awards

• In 2010 it featured in the following prestigious LTM Star Awards:
  
• LTM Star High School - CATS College Canterbury: WINNER
  
• LTM Star Innovation - CATS College Cambridge: FINAL SHORTLIST
  
• British Accreditation Council for Independent Further & Higher Education (BAC) – CATS College London

Accommodation

CATs College Canterbury has a broad range of accommodation options available, including friendly and welcoming homestays and comfortable student residences.

Homestay

Living with an English family is an ideal way to use what you have learned in the classroom in a practical way. This option is only available to students over 18 years of age. It offers the opportunity to live in a friendly Canterbury family setting, and students gain direct experience of daily life and culture in the UK. Half Board Single Rooms are available. - A private room with breakfast and dinner provided by the host family. (Hot lunch taken at College)

College Residences

• Raemore House: 18 bed house with a mix of shared and single en-suite rooms and two non en-suite single rooms. All rooms are catered and supervised. Ideally located an equal distance between the City Centre and the College. This option is only available to students under 16 years of age.
  
• Old Dover Road: Victorian town house situated near to the college. All seven rooms are shared, with en-suite bathroom and the whole house has recently been refurbished. The house is fully supervised and catered and equipped with a WiFi internet connection. This option is only available to students 16-17 years of age.
  
• St Lawrence House: Brand new deluxe residence, situated very close to the college. All rooms, except one, are single en-suites . The remaining room is a shared en-suite. It is less than a minute to walk to the college and about a 10-15 minute walk to the City Centre. This option is only available to students 16-17 years of age.
  
• Cowdrey Place: All rooms are single non en-suites. The houses are located in a residential cul-de sac , 5 minutes walk from the college. This option is only available to students over 18 years of age.