Training in the UK: 8 interesting ceremonies and traditions of English schools

Great Britain is a country of cherished traditions, rooted in the deep past. Separate "niche" in the assembly of traditional rituals is occupied by the ceremonies of English schools, rightly considered the "cradle" of many vivid historical personalities: Winston Churchill, Damien Lewis and the enlightened persons of the British royal house.

If you are aiming for a quality secondary education and want to use training abroad for this, this article will help you navigate the traditions of the most famous schools in the UK.

1. Eaton College

The history of the popular and exciting game called "Etonskiy pristenok" (wallgame), one of the famous old rituals of English private schools, has more than a hundred years. The essence of the game, described in the middle of the 18th century, is the active movement of two groups of players, consisting of fellows and students on a five-meter wide strip of land.

This strip is called "furrow" (furrow) and is located along the main wall of the college. The main goal of the match is to hold the ball to the opposite end of the above wall without using the hands and clogging the goal. It is worth noting that, despite the undoubted tediousness and complexity of the tradition, this fun, usually held on November 30, has not lost its relevance.

2. Harrow School

The special love of British schools for singing is embodied in the creation of their own unique hymns. Harrow School was no exception and even introduced a new fashion for vocal art. The fact is that besides the hymn in the walls of this educational institution they perform a lot of original works, timed to any solemn and most ordinary occasion.

Students sing on picnics and meetings, at alumni meetings and school parties and even have their own hit under the original name. This tradition, zealously supported, including by former pupils, helped to win the institution an extraordinary popularity.

3. Winchester College

This is a remarkable ritual called "illuminations", which arose in the middle of the 19th century in honor of the demolition of the wall, which shared Scholars, who lived on the campus, and paid students (Commons). Initially, for such illumination, candle sticks, accumulated during the lessons, were used.

Currently, this tradition, carried out on the last day of the autumn short trimester, is maintained with the help of specially prepared candles for these purposes. Hundreds of lights are placed along the main wall and playgrounds, creating amazing live illumination, and the staff of the institution, students and parents are located around the fire symbolizing the approach of Christmas, sing songs and tidy pies with firm punch.

4. Westminster School

In this school every year from the middle of the 18th century, on Tuesdays of every Shrovetide week, it is customary to arrange an amusing ritual called "Greaze" ("unification"), the essence of which is the competition of the student fraternity to "snatch" a larger piece from a huge pancake hanging on a high beam. Behind the desperate competition is watched by an extensive company of director, school staff, pupils and abbot of the Abbey of Westminster. Sometimes representatives of the royal clan are also invited.

The reward for the champion is a sovereign from gold, and for students at the request of the abbot a day off, foreshadowing the holiday, is arranged. It is interesting that in the old days the cook, who could not successfully throw the notorious pancake on the beam, was thrown with books in Latin. Now this tradition is no longer in progress, to the delight of the employees of the Westminster school cafeteria.

5. Charterhouse

The elite of this educational institution, which has especially inquisitive minds and the highest level of intelligence among pupils, is called the "brotherhood of the apostles". The meeting of the members of the fraternity is held on Mondays and consists in reading individual reports on a school subject. To the club of the elect, there are usually increased academic requirements, which provide a reliable and safe base for admission to such prestigious institutions as Cambridge.

"Apostles" stand out among the mass of the other students with a special "Cambridge" tie and scarf of pale blue. Personal growth and intellectual development are cultivated in English private educational institutions very carefully, unlike state ones, which undoubtedly favorably allocates the first when choosing an educational institution.

6. The Rugby School

The name of this school speaks for itself - it is the founder of the famous rugby game that arose in the beginning of the 19th century as a result of an accidental violation by the pupil of Webb Ellis of the rules of a football match. With a ball accidentally caught in the hands, he rushed to the gate of the opposing team. So there was a new sport, which became quite popular not only in English schools, but also throughout Foggy Albion. Currently, in honor of this event at the Rugby School, everyone can see a memorial plaque, as well as a monument to Ellis. In addition, the prizewinners of the world rugby championships are awarded the Ellis Cup, decorated with gilding.

It is noteworthy that almost two centuries, thanks to a new invention in the history of English sports, a list of popular sayings has been replenished with one more, where rugby is called a hooligan game for gentlemen, referring to the "high" origin of this sporting and controversial game. And to this day rugby is considered entertainment for the British elite, and the "culprit" of the invention is football - the game of "ordinary" people.

7. Eaton College

In addition to the "Eton wall", there is one more important tradition in the college - the main celebration, called "June 4", according to the date of birth of the monarch George III, the first English king, famous for his special favor to science, active patronage of Eaton and contribution to the organization of studies in Great Britain . The students of the college answered the King with reciprocity and often visited Windsor Castle at the invitation of the august person. George's birthday is just the official date of the holiday, in fact it is celebrated on Wednesdays before the first weekend of June.

A memorable solemn event is the performance of a flotilla of wooden boats under the management of the most skillful oarsmen in the sea uniform of the 19th century. The rowers swim up to the observant to a safe distance and greet the oars in a gesture of welcome, which sometimes leads to the overturning of the vessel. But no incident does not overshadow this magnificent celebration. The crowd applauds the procession, speeches are made, sports competitions, exhibitions are organized, and then - a wonderful summer outing for the pupils, relatives and employees of Eaton. The springboard for this action according to the annual tradition is the famous cricket pitch of Agar's Plow.

8. Winchester College

Along with the "illumination" ritual, an old private school has another remarkable tradition. The ritual of the College of Winchester, which received the romantic name of "morning hills," appeared in 1884 as a celebration of the school's acquisition of historical rights to land.

Twice a year, mainly in the fall and spring, many inmates of the institution wake up to sunrise in order to make the famous ascent to the nearest hill - St. Catherine's Hill. After the ascent, which is carried out in the school uniform, the general prayer is read and the disciples leave for the return journey. This unusual ritual, no doubt, will please the "larks" who are accustomed to waking up at dawn.

The described traditions of private schools in Great Britain will help the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the mores of the English and to imbue with the "legends of the old times" in order to make an informed choice of an educational institution for their children. Education in England is considered one of the most prestigious in the world, and private schools are among the best in terms of organizing the educational process and the systematization of knowledge.