The Russian Department at Bolton School Boys' Division has picked up a prestigious teaching award from the Good Schools Guide.  The award recognises the sustained quality of "A” level teaching in the subject.

The Russian Department is one of the largest in the country and the subject has increased in popularity over the past few years.  150 boys in Years 8-13 now take the subject.  Each year has seen a steady growth of about 10-15 more pupils taking the subject.  The Russian Club meets every Friday lunch and further enhances what has been learnt in the classroom.  The numbers going on from Bolton School to university to study Russian at degree level are also increasing.

Pupils that do go onto study this subject at university often end up with very good jobs.  On a recent School visit to Russia pupils met up with an Old Boy who had made his fortune selling real estate in St Petersburg.

Paul Davidson, Head of the Russian Department, commented: "This is one of the few schools that still offers Russian at both GCSE and A level.  Pupils really appreciate the opportunity to study this unique language and culture.  They benefit from a dedicated teaching staff, including a native Russian speaker, small classes and our frequent trips to Russia.  The boys" writing skills are further enhanced through their correspondence with pen pals at a Moscow school that we are linked with.”