Swiss boarding school takes pupils from nations in lockdown

One of the most exclusive schools in the world has seen a rise in demand from parents who are living in countries in lockdown – with skiing, robotics and creative thinking on the curriculum. 

One of the oldest and best known schools in Switzerland, the Institut auf dem Rosenberg, is situated in 100,000 square meters of private park, above the city of St. Gallen.

After teaching moved online amidst the coronavirus pandemic in March, the £110k-a-year school invited its 200 students back to repeat the spring term in person with teachers. 

Headmaster Bernhard Gademann told The Telegraph the crisis had provided the school and its pupils with an opportunity to learn, explaining: ‘The pandemic has shown how important it is for students to be in a classroom where they can interact with each other. You can learn an exam spec behind a screen, but you cannot experience education from behind a computer screen.’    

Students at one of the most exclusive schools in the world have benefited from having more lessons than they would have in a normal year due to global lockdowns amid the Covid-19 crisis

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities with a sporting bent on offer, including horse riding and skiing

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities with a sporting bent on offer, including horse riding and skiing

The grounds of the school include a golf course as well as workshops where students are encouraged to pursue entrepreneurial projects and passions

The grounds of the school include a golf course as well as workshops where students are encouraged to pursue entrepreneurial projects and passions

With children across the world unable to attend school and lessons in person due to the pandemic, the school has seen an increase in demand from parents.

Some parents brought forward plans to enrol their offspring at Rosenberg, including those living in the UK.

Bernhard said: ‘We’ve observed increased demand from [families in] the US and Central America simply because students were unable to attend regular school.’ 

Pupils, who can attend the school from the age of six, sit entrance exams in maths and English, the school’s working language, in order to gain a place.

Pupils, who can attend the school from the age of six, sit entrance exams in maths and English, the school’s working language, in order to gain a place.

Pupils, who can attend the school from the age of six, sit entrance exams in maths and English, the school’s working language, in order to gain a place.

After the start of the global pandemic last March, and with many countries in lockdown, the school invited pupils to study throughout the summer to further their learning

After the start of the global pandemic last March, and with many countries in lockdown, the school invited pupils to study throughout the summer to further their learning

Meanwhile parents are also invited to upload anything that helps their child stand out, such as artwork or a piece of music they have composed. 

The school plans to compensate for delaying the start of the current term by two weeks – a decision made to anticipate any post-Christmas infection spike – by scrapping a mid-term break and shortening the Easter holidays. 

On offer at the school are five different methods of education, including British A-levels and the US high school diploma, and students get intense attention from teachers with a typical class made up of just eight students.

Every year the school throws its flagship event, the Rosenberg Ball, and parents jet in from all over the world to see their children performing acrobatic shows, which they have train for throughout the year

Every year the school throws its flagship event, the Rosenberg Ball, and parents jet in from all over the world to see their children performing acrobatic shows, which they have train for throughout the year

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities with a sporting bent on offer, including horse riding and skiing, but the school also places a heavy emphasis on cultural activities.

The grounds of the school include a golf course as well as workshops where students are encouraged to pursue entrepreneurial projects and passions.

Those boarding at the school have their own bedrooms, with cherry wood floors and en-suite marble bathrooms, while they enjoy meals prepared by chefs who’ve worked at Michelin-starred restaurants. 

Students at the school are encouraged to be entrepreneurial and creative, with workshops and classes to help motivate them

Students at the school are encouraged to be entrepreneurial and creative, with workshops and classes to help motivate them  

The £110k-a-year school is situated in 100,000 square meters of private park, above the city of St. Gallen

The £110k-a-year school is situated in 100,000 square meters of private park, above the city of St. Gallen

Every year the school throws its flagship event, the Rosenberg Ball, and parents jet in from all over the world to see their children performing acrobatic shows, which they have train for throughout the year.

Between September and November, they are coached by professionals every day after academic lessons. 

It also gives them the opportunity to perform modern and traditional dance routines, while some gives speeches. 

The school plans to compensate for delaying the start of the current term by two weeks by scrapping a mid-term break and shortening the Easter holidays

The school plans to compensate for delaying the start of the current term by two weeks by scrapping a mid-term break and shortening the Easter holidays