Understanding the Transition to Online Schooling in Russia
Over the past few years, online schooling has rapidly gained traction in Russia. Parents are increasingly weighing the pros and cons of conventional (in-person) schooling, and understanding the benefits of making the transition to online learning for their children. Taken at face value, conventional schooling is believed to be the best approach for students. However, a closer look at its dynamics reveals a plethora of hidden cracks often left unnoticed by parents and even some educators.
In-person learning has been the norm for decades and centuries, long before the advent of the internet. Over the years, it has resulted in a sharp increase in bullying and harassment among students. Many conventional schools have a high student-teacher ratio. As a result, the teachers are unable to supervise each student as closely as they should.
Students misuse the leeway they’re provided and start experimenting with drugs/alcohol, hurling taunts/abuses at their peers, and letting go of their moral and ethical responsibilities along the way. This affects their demeanour, grades, and personal growth in the long run. According to research, school bullying in Russian schools emboldens perpetrators as they face little to no consequences. It also discourages and demoralises the victims as they aren’t provided the support and help they need.
In-person schooling also comprises children’s safety and security. The recent school shooting in Kazan is a glimpse of the many ways students are made to feel unsafe in a space they should feel comfortable and secure in. In light of these incidents, parents have been considering sending their children to online schools in Russia.
As the threat of the pandemic lingers, this decision has gained even more traction among parents who aren’t willing to compromise their children’s health and safety. However, many parents are still sceptical about making the switch to online school.
Will your child acquire the same quality of education? Will their grades remain consistent, fall, or improve? Will their personal development and social growth be affected? Will they learn the essential skills and insights that are required for long-term student success? Continue reading to dive deeper and understand why the transition to online school is the right decision for your child in Russia.
Why Should I Choose Cambridge Home School?
1. Focus on Academic Growth
As one of the leading online schools in Russia, Cambridge Home School provides a quality British education across four schools: Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 (ages 8 to 10), Lower School/Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 13), Upper School/IGCSEs (ages 14 to 16), and Sixth Form/AS & A Levels (ages 17 to 19).
Established in 2002, the institution has 19 years of experience and counting. Cambridge Home School is recognised for its focus on academic growth among students. We have a team of MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers on board. By providing lessons in small groups of 8 to 10 pupils, our teachers ensure that each student receives individualised attention, remains engrossed in the lesson, effectively absorbs and retains the concepts and themes that are explored, and actively participates in class.
Since the student-teacher ratio is low, the risk of overcrowding is eliminated. Our students confidently ask questions, interact with their teachers and peers, and request more clarification on subtopics they struggle with. These factors help our students achieve high levels of academic growth at Cambridge Home School. Additional features that contribute to student success at our institution include:
- A well-rounded, independent curriculum
- 24/7 parental access to children’s coursework
- Three parent-teacher consultations per year (one in each term)
- A vast online library filled with educational resources, guides, notes, past papers, and revision tools
2. Focus on Student Mental Health
Instead of simply prioritising academic growth among students, Cambridge Home School has a razor-sharp on student mental health, which is a pressing issue in Russia. Institutions that strictly focus on academic success and dismiss mental health end up doing a lot more harm than good. Students face a wide range of pressures today. They may struggle with their academic workload, friendships, relationships, and other aspects of their life that become a source of anxiety, stress, and turbulence.
At Cambridge Home School, we’re particularly cognisant of mental health issues among students. We provide one-on-one success coaching and pastoral support to each student. In addition, our teachers are provided empathy training which enables them to understand and effectively respond to the struggles students face today. By focusing on both academic growth and mental health, we help our students stay on track, perform well, and circumvent hurdles with confidence.
3. Healthy, Balanced, and Productive Scheduling
Our teachers and education specialists work assiduously to make online schooling structured, cohesive, and well-balanced. From carefully selecting the right class duration to encouraging students to explore their passions, hobbies, and interests outside of class, we cover all the bases to ensure healthy scheduling.
As stated earlier, we’re focused on a lot more than just academics. Our students excel at competitive sports, socialise with their friends, play skill-building games, participate in character-building activities, go on family trips to learn about new cultures, and enjoy a healthy school-life balance.
We’re extremely particular about maintaining this balance to prevent students from feeling overwhelmed by their classes. While we double down on academic growth as that is indubitably our top priority, we also ensure that students have enriching experiences after class. Parents are provided tips to structure their child’s day accordingly. As a result, our students feel content about their online schooling journey and actualise immense personal and social growth.
4.Impeccable Track Record
We’re trusted by hundreds of parents across Russia owing to our impeccable track record. Over the years, we’ve been committed to helping our students secure top grades in their examinations. The results have been gratifying for parents and, of course, our team.
Our students are recognised for securing A*s and As in their target subjects. Their impressive grades have helped them receive acceptance letters from some of the leading universities across the globe. Our younger students also perform exceptionally well on their tests and examinations.
At Cambridge Home School, we attribute each student’s success to their hard work and the commitment of our teachers. Students are encouraged to commit to their studies, revise diligently, and communicate any concerns they may have leading up to their exams. Based on the feedback provided by students, our teachers help resolve any confusion they may have with a certain concept or subtopic.
Our teachers use an individualised approach to help students perform exceptionally well. Each student’s progress is tracked meticulously. This includes their strengths and weaknesses. By honing their strengths and working on their weaknesses, Cambridge Home School’s teachers ensure that every student is equipped to sit their exams with confidence, clear concepts, and an excellent grasp of the course materials. This approach helps our students achieve a high level of academic success that makes their parents and teachers immensely proud.
5. Putting Students First
Since our establishment in 2002, we have been committed to providing a quality education to students. By putting each student’s needs first, we equip them with the unique tools they need to succeed.
As an academic, it’s important to understand that every student is different, learns differently, and requires a different approach. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach for students, we understand their penchants, learning habits, retention pace, revision style, and responsiveness in class, among other facets of their educational personality.
This helps our teachers customise their approach for each student. Since our classroom size is small, our teachers are able to understand and closely keep up with each student’s evolving learning persona. As a result, they use the most appropriate strategies to bring out the best in each student.
Over the span of 19 years, we’ve been diligently using this insight to transform curious students into committed learners. As our students learn and retain knowledge more effectively and intently, they’re able to recall and apply it better during their exams. Not only do they secure exceptional grades, but they also retain these skills and insights in the long run.
As they pursue higher education and start their professional lives, these skills and insights follow them along and serve as a strong foundation for new ideas, thoughts, capabilities, and strengths to be constructed atop.