CHOOSING THE BEST SUMMER SCHOOL

What better way for your child to spend a few weeks of the summer than taking part in an exciting programme of lessons, sports and activities with other young people from all over the world? The summer schools held on the campuses of the UK’s most prestigious boarding schools give children the opportunity to experience a huge range of activities, and are a wonderful way to boost their language skills, gain in confidence and independence and make friends.

With the positive sterling exchange rate, summer courses offered at the UK’s top boarding schools are enjoying a buoyant start to 2017. Many of the most popular courses are already turning away students from some countries, as they are always careful to avoid having too many speakers of any one language. This is the time to book, to secure a place and a favourable price.

To help you find the right course for your child, we’ve put together a selection of the very best programmes.

Are you looking for a programme to help your child learn or improve their English language skills and have a fun holiday?

- choose an English Plus Sports and Activities programme

This is the most popular type of summer school and combines English language lessons for beginner up to advanced students with a range of sports and cultural activities. Some are general programmes and others allow a child to choose one or more particular sports or activities for the whole course. Popular choices are football, tennis, and horse riding. There are also courses offering drama, film making and cooking.

Would you like your child to prepare for an English language test?

- choose an English Test Preparation course

These courses are suitable for students who will be taking an official English language exam such as IELTS and include exam skills as well as intensive help in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Will your child be entering a UK boarding school?

- choose a Boarding School Preparation course

These courses are designed especially to help students who will be studying at an English-speaking school, and cover a range of different academic subjects. They offer an extremely useful introduction to boarding school life and will help your child make a confident start at their new school, both in the classroom and socially.

Is your child already fluent in English? Are they looking for a stimulating course to explore new subjects and improve their academic skills?

- choose an Academic Summer School

These programmes are usually suitable for native English speakers as well as those with advanced English, and cover a range of academic subjects as well as courses in skills such as public speaking and debating.

Is your child already studying, or about to start an A Level/IB programme?

- choose an A Level/IB programme

These courses focus on building the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in these demanding 6th form programmes. They include an element of English language tuition to help students who are studying in English as a second language and can be very valuable either before entering 6th form or as an intensive course between Year 12 and Year 13.

For younger children there are a range of summer schools where the focus is on learning through fun activities in a very safe, friendly and nurturing environment. For very young children we would recommend a parent and child course. You can see a selection here:

- Summer Courses for younger children

If you need some help, we’ll be happy to suggest the best courses for your child. This is a completely free and impartial service. Just complete the Enquiry Form and we’ll get back to you with some recommendations.