Westbourne Academy https://westbourneacademy.com Learn English With Us Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:48:48 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://westbourneacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/westbourne-favicon-150x150.png Westbourne Academy https://westbourneacademy.com 32 32 100 Things to Do and See in Bournemouth for International Students https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/100-things-to-do-and-see-in-bournemouth-for-international-students/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:54:09 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=17645 The post 100 Things to Do and See in Bournemouth for International Students appeared first on Westbourne Academy.

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]]> WA CAFE https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/wa-cafe/ Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:55:06 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=12155 We are pleased to welcome Andy our new chef at Westbourne Academy. Andy is offering a range of delicious meals […]

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We are pleased to welcome Andy our new chef at Westbourne Academy. Andy is offering a range of delicious meals for students. There is also a tasty  selection of snacks and drinks to choose from.

If there is anything in particular a student would like to see on the menu they can mention it to Andy, he welcomes any feedback and suggestions.

The cafeteria is the main social area in the school and it is a great place to enjoy lunch. We also have a beautiful garden area which is perfect on a sunny day.

Andy will also be catering for group lunches and hosting our BBQ’s in the summer!

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]]> WHY TAKE THE IELTS EXAM? https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/why-take-the-ielts-exam/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:42:04 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=12098 IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System – an English Language proficiency test. Globally, there are more than […]

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IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System – an English Language proficiency test. Globally, there are more than 4 million test takers a year, making IELTS the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration.

IELTS is aimed at people who want to study in an English-speaking environment, work in or emigrate to an English-speaking country, or get a job in your own country where English proficiency is required. For this reason, there are two IELTS tests to choose from: 

IELTS AcademicIELTS General Training
This test can help you secure university acceptance, student visas, and prove your English ability to professional organisations.This test measures your English proficiency in the workplace and is often useful to prove your level when applying for a new position in an English-speaking company or organisation.

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]]> EXAM COURSES 3.3.25 https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/exam-courses-3-3-25/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:24:49 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=12087 On 3rd March we will begin our IELTS, B2 FIRST & C1 ADVANCED Cambridge Examination courses

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On 3rd March we will begin our IELTS, B2 FIRST & C1 ADVANCED Cambridge Examination courses

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]]> Do You Need a UK Visa or ETA? A Complete Guide for 2025 Travelers https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/eta-electronic-travel-authorisation/ Wed, 08 Jan 2025 10:59:31 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=11834 Check if you need a UK visa You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study, […]

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Check if you need a UK visa

You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study, or work.

Depending on your nationality, you may need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Who can apply now?

The following nationalities can apply for an ETA to travel to the UK immediately:

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates

If you are travelling on or after 8 January 2025

Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA now:

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR), Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Taiwan (specific passport holders), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States, Uruguay

Who can apply from 5 March 2025

Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City

They can travel to the UK with an ETA from 2 April 2025.

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]]> Mental Health Awareness Week https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/mental-health-awareness-week/ Fri, 17 May 2024 11:18:51 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=11045 Mental Health awareness week in the UK is 13th -19th May this year. It is run by the Mental Health […]

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Mental Health awareness week in the UK is 13th -19th May this year. It is run by the Mental Health Foundation. There are a few things we can do to improve our mental health such as exercise and being out in the fresh air. In Bournemouth and Poole we are very lucky to have beautiful beaches and coastal walks nearby.

In school if you are worried or concerned about anything then you can speak to a member of staff or our Safeguarding Team. If you are staying with one of our Home stay providers you can also speak to them about any worries or concerns you may have.

We have a Mental Health noticeboard located in our Cafeteria with posters and advice about what to do if you are suffering with your mental health. Remember, it is always best to speak to someone.

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]]> Earth Day 22nd April https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/earth-day-22nd-april/ Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:28:12 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=11011 Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. It is aa global event dedicated to environmental protection. It marks a […]

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Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. It is aa global event dedicated to environmental protection. It marks a moment of environmental consciousness and action, bringing together people from all walks of life to focus on the planet’s health and sustainability. The first Earth Day in 1970 was a pivotal moment in the environmental movement, mobilizing millions of Americans and sparking environmental legislation in the United States. 

Today, Earth Day’s influence has gone global, engaging over 1 billion people in more than 193 countries, making it the largest civic observance in the world.


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]]> Ramadan https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/ramadan/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:58:09 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=10935 Some of our students are currently participating in Ramadan. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, […]

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Some of our students are currently participating in Ramadan. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer and reflection. Fasting takes place from dawn to sunset and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran over the thirty days of Ramadan.

At sunset, families break the fast with Iftar, traditionally opening the meal by eating dates to commemorate Muhammad’s practice of breaking the fast by eating three dates. Lots of social gatherings take place at Iftar, often in buffet style.

The festival Eid marks the end of Ramadan. It is declared at the sighting of a new crescent moon after the completion of thirty days of fasting. Eid marks the return of the usual eating and drinking habits.

A couple of our students delivered an excellent presentation on Ramadan followed by a meal of Betsey’s delicious Kabsa. It gave students of other nationalities and insight into how their fellow students observe their religious festival.

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]]> Why choose to study in Bournemouth? https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/why-choose-to-study-in-bournemouth/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:39:26 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=10888 Bournemouth is a popular choice amongst students due to its vibrant nightlife and vast range of activities on offer. As […]

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Bournemouth is a popular choice amongst students due to its vibrant nightlife and vast range of activities on offer. As well as seven miles of sandy beaches, Bournemouth has its own microclimate. There are water sports including surfing and plenty of walks to enjoy along Bournemouth Beach, Alum Chine and Hengistbury Head.

You can also use the Hop-On, Hop- Off sightseeing bus if you wish to explore the area around Bournemouth as well as the Jurassic Coast Coach Tour where you can explore famous landmarks such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. In the neighbouring town of Poole there are also some great Boat Cruises to choose from.

In the school we also advertise various activities and excursions such as the Russell-Cotes Museum and Art Gallery, Oceanarium, VR experience and Bowling. Look out for the posters at the school reception and on Social Media.

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]]> Mural https://westbourneacademy.com/blog/mural/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 15:41:14 +0000 https://westbourneacademy.com/?p=10797 You may have noticed some updates on social media regarding the wall in our Cafeteria. For anyone who knows Mr […]

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You may have noticed some updates on social media regarding the wall in our Cafeteria. For anyone who knows Mr Pierce, you may also know that he is a very talented artist as well as a great teacher. So who better to ask to design and paint our new mural? We wanted something colourful which incorporated some of the attractions in Bournemouth. Can you recognise any? The mural is nearing completion now so keep following us on social media to see the finished product.

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