Learning, thinking and creating in Russian
-> A Saturday educational community in London for children aged 2–17
- -> Russian through literature, maths, science, drama, music and art
- -> Age-appropriate groups for children who speak, understand or are beginning to learn Russian
- -> A Pearson Edexcel-accredited examination centre for GCSE and A-level Russian
Come and spend a Saturday with us. Meet the team, experience the lessons and find the right group for your child.
More than a language class
At Gymnasium No. 1, Russian is not simply a subject. It is a language children use to investigate the world, ask questions, explain ideas, solve problems, perform on stage and make friends.
For more than 20 years, our London school has brought together linguists, mathematicians, scientists, artists, actors and educators who know how to share both knowledge and curiosity with children.
We welcome families of many backgrounds. Some children hear Russian every day at home; some use it with one parent or grandparent; others are only beginning. We place children according to age, confidence and current language level, so that they can participate fully and make real progress.
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Original programmes for ages 2–17
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Groups of up to 15 pupils; no more than 12 in the youngest groups
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Saturdays during three terms, from September to July, following the London academic calendar
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Five or six lessons in a day, depending on age
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Russian, maths, developmental learning, science and humanities, drama or music, art and Sociarium
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Year-round admissions
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24 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 2BQ
- 5 centresLondon, Paris, Amsterdam, Dubai and Buenos Aires
- 20+ yearsExperience in multilingual and Russian-language education
- 800 pupils200 teachers, 300 original courses
How children learn at Gymnasium
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An intellectual environment
Children do much of the talking. Whether the subject is the Solar System, a Russian novel or Newton’s discoveries, pupils learn to express ideas clearly, ask better questions and create in Russian. -
Whole-child development
Every Saturday combines language, mathematics, science and humanities, drama or music, art and social learning. The aim is not language practice alone, but intellectual, creative, emotional and social growth. -
Learning through action
We do not rely on conventional lessons and passive repetition. Children take part in investigations, experiments, debates, quests, performances, exhibitions and project presentations. -
Learning how to learn
We help pupils become curious, independent learners. They practise finding and evaluating information, working in a team, understanding their emotions and interests, and taking responsibility for their work. -
Teachers who inspire
Our teachers are scientists, artists, journalists, directors, linguists and researchers. They bring real expertise and a genuine love of their subjects into the classroom. -
Psychological safety
Programmes are designed around each age group’s developmental and emotional needs. Children learn best when they feel safe, respected and trusted.
Our programmes grow with the child: from first words and imaginative play to independent thinking, public speaking and examination pathways.
PROGRAMMES BY AGE
EXPLORE THE AGES 2–4 PROGRAMME
At this age, our goal is not formal language study. It is to make Russian a natural language of play, discovery and connection.
- Five short, varied sessions designed for young children’s attention and energy
- Russian, early logic, developmental learning, music and art
- Stories, songs, movement, conversation and hands-on exploration
- Up to 12 children in a group
- Parents may stay when their child needs their support
EXPLORE THE AGES 5–9 PROGRAMME
Russian becomes a language for learning. Children read, write, calculate, investigate, discuss and explain their thinking across six connected subjects.
- Russian language
- Mathematics
- Developmental learning: anatomy, astronomy, biology, geography, history and literature
- Music
- Art
- Sociarium: a dedicated subject in listening, dialogue, social understanding and group participation
EXPLORE THE AGES 10+ PROGRAMME
VIEW CLUBS AND EXAM PATHWAYS
- 11+ preparation: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, comprehension, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, mock tests and exam technique
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE Russian preparation and examinations
- Pearson Edexcel A-level Russian preparation and examinations
- Online GCSE and A-level Maths preparation
- Chess and drama clubs
FEES
Payment is available monthly, by term or for the full academic year.
- Term 1
September–December£1218 - Term 2
January–March£957 - Term 3
April–July£1131 - 2026/2027
Full academic year£3306
2026/27 SATURDAY CALENDAR
Results that speak for themselves
ГGymnasium No. 1 London is a Pearson Edexcel-accredited examination centre. Our teachers prepare pupils for the examinations and the examinations can be taken at our centre.
- 100% of our GCSE Russian candidates achieve Grade 9, the highest grade
- Our A-level Russian candidates achieve A* or A
- Gymnasium alumni have gone on to study at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, the University of Edinburgh and Dartmouth College
Admissions
Children may join Gymnasium throughout the academic year. The first step is a free trial Saturday.
- Family interviewWe begin by learning what your family hopes to gain from the programme. We explain our approach, speak with your child in a relaxed setting to understand their current Russian, and discuss practical questions such as timetable and fees.
- A real Saturday at Gymnasium.If the programme appears to be a good fit, your child joins a complete Saturday of lessons with teachers and future classmates. Parents stay with children in the youngest Alpha group; older children attend independently.
- Feedback and a recommendation.After the trial, we gather feedback from the teachers and talk you through what we observed: how your child responded, where they felt comfortable and which group we recommend. The final decision is yours.
FOUNDER
" believe education beyond the school day can change a child’s world. It gives families the freedom to choose the people they trust to teach their child — and help shape the person that child becomes."
Yulia Desyatnikova is a practising psychologist and business consultant, and the founder and director of the international education projects Gymnasium No. 1 and London Gates Education Group.
Born and raised in Moscow, Yulia later lived in Tel Aviv before moving to London, where she opened the first Gymnasium in 2004.
Today, Gymnasium centres operate in major cities around the world. Their programmes are created by an international group of scientists, university educators, artists and performers. Alumni of Yulia’s education centres study at universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale and Stanford, work for leading international organisations and teach in outstanding institutions around the world.
Born and raised in Moscow, Yulia later lived in Tel Aviv before moving to London, where she opened the first Gymnasium in 2004.
Today, Gymnasium centres operate in major cities around the world. Their programmes are created by an international group of scientists, university educators, artists and performers. Alumni of Yulia’s education centres study at universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale and Stanford, work for leading international organisations and teach in outstanding institutions around the world.
OUR TEAM
More than 40 teachers and assistants work at Gymnasium No. 1 London. Each is a specialist in their field and genuinely committed to children’s intellectual and personal development.
- Yulia DesyatnikovaFounder and programme creatorDoctor of Psychology, practising psychologist and business consultant; founder and director of Gymnasium No.1 and London Gates Education Group.
- Maria MalyshevaDirector of Gymnasium No. 1 LondonMaria joined Gymnasium in 2019 and progressed from teaching assistant to director. She has taught Russian and drama, led school events and theatre projects, and supervised the assistant team. She graduated from Queen Mary University of London in Theatre and Film Directing.
- Nadezhda BraginaRussian curriculum expert and authorLecturer and coordinator of Russian programmes at Queen Mary University of London; author of Russian lessons for the U-Lang online project and three Russian-language courses; Head of Russian at Gymnasium No. 1 London; and author of the Gamma class textbook Bukovkiny istorii.
- Sergey KarabanDrama curriculum expert and authorDirector, actor and acting teacher. A 2015 graduate of the Moscow Art Theatre School, Sergey taught there and at Gogol School for nine years. He performed with Brusnikin Workshop and directed productions for Brusnikin Workshop, the Bolshoi Theatre and Praktika Theatre.
- Yulia GorelikDevelopmental learning curriculum expert and authorProfessor of Cellular Biophysics at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, and a recipient of the Imperial College Research Excellence Award.
- Yulia YakovlevaMathematics curriculum expert and authorPhD in Engineering, creator of the 11+ preparation course and a long-standing Gymnasium teacher, with a particular interest in TRIZ and libraries.
WHAT PARENTS SAY
"Our children do not simply go to Gymnasium on Saturday mornings — they run there. The teachers share knowledge, but more importantly they inspire children to discover, achieve, make friends and learn how to be part of a team. We do not just attend Gymnasium No. 1; we love it."
“For nine years Gymnasium has been my partner in raising my daughter. It has taught her not only to speak Russian, but to think, read, write, argue her case and express herself in it. The teachers bring science to life, and the mathematics programme made her confident and well prepared for 11+.”
“Gymnasium helped our family preserve Russian language and culture naturally, without dull repetition. The children learn to think, question, debate and respect other viewpoints. The friendships, confidence and warmth they find here continue long after they leave the classroom.”
“After lessons, the children talk excitedly about insects, ask to repeat experiments at home, sing new songs and show us their art. I value the imaginative teaching and the attention given to how children think and develop as people. Gymnasium has also become a wise and supportive partner for parents.”
“Gymnasium has become part of our family’s life. Saturday may bring teachers with guitars, a real heart for a science lesson or an unexpected creature in a terrarium — but always passionate specialists who make children curious. My five-year-old shouts ‘Hooray!’ when it is time to go.”
“We are a multicultural family and use four languages every day. My husband is Portuguese and I am from Baku; apart from my own childhood education, we had no direct Russian-speaking environment at home. Gymnasium gave our children access to another rich world and another international language — and gave me the support to help them enter it.”
Frequently asked questions
- How many children are there in a group?Up to 15, depending on age. Groups for ages 2–4 have no more than 12 children. Small groups are a deliberate choice: teachers know every child and can see how each one thinks and participates.
- Are groups based on age or language level?Primarily on age, with language level taken into account. During the trial Saturday, we assess where your child is now and recommend a group in which they can feel comfortable, interested and appropriately challenged.
- Can we choose individual subjects?No. The Saturday programme is designed as one coherent curriculum. Russian, maths, developmental learning, art, drama or music and Sociarium reinforce one another and create the environment in which children make meaningful progress.
- Can parents attend lessons?Parents take part with children in the youngest Alpha group. Children in older groups attend classes independently.
- Will my child be tired after a full programme?The day is carefully paced. Lessons alternate with breaks and the type of activity changes throughout the day. Most children are reluctant to leave because they want to continue.
- Is homework compulsory?Yes, there is a small amount of homework. It consolidates the lesson and keeps Russian active during the week. Families often tell us that children complete it willingly because the tasks are interesting.
- Is the workload too demanding?Programmes are adapted to children’s age and psychological development. We do not drill children for results; we create an environment in which they want to learn.
- Are missed lessons refunded or transferred?Missed lessons are not refunded or transferred. Fees are fixed for the term.
The best way to understand Gymnasium is to experience a Saturday with us.
Meet the teachers, see how your child responds to the programme and receive a personal group recommendation.
Meet the teachers, see how your child responds to the programme and receive a personal group recommendation.
OUR CENTRES
CONTACTS
07737 375038
london@gymnasium-one.com
07737 375038
london@gymnasium-one.com
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