Style on the River and the Runway: Midweek Moments at Eton

As we moved through the early part of the week here at Eton College, the campus has been alive with energy, and a great deal of laughter. The warm summer weather has added to the cheerful atmosphere, with students happily making the most of the fresh air and sunshine between lessons and activities. Spirits remain high across the programme, and the sense of excitement is growing stronger by the day.

On Monday, students ventured off campus for a scenic and relaxing excursion to Oxford, where they had the chance to go punting along the River Cherwell. It was a highlight for many, with the calm glide of the boats offering a peaceful contrast to the usual buzz of daily activities. The sunshine made it all the more enjoyable, with students soaking in the picturesque views and sharing plenty of laughs as they navigated the river.

Back on campus, academic sessions have continued to progress well, with Tuesday morning focused on project work. These sessions give students the opportunity to delve into their subject area, allowing them to explore their interests and collaborate with peers. There’s a sense of pride growing in the work being produced, and tutors have been impressed by the thoughtful contributions coming from students across a variety of subjects.

Evenings have been a lively counterbalance to the more reflective academic sessions. On Tuesday night, the courtyard was transformed into a fashion runway for our much-anticipated “Trashion Show”. This unique event challenged students to become fashion designers using only provided and found materials to create full outfits, which they then modelled in front of their peers. While some creations were surprisingly polished, others leaned more towards the eccentric – but all were met with applause. It was brilliant to see students stepping outside of their comfort zones, celebrating creativity, and having fun with one another. As one member of staff noted, “Some students definitely had a keen eye for fashion, as well as some more interesting looks you might not see on the high street any time soon!”

Wednesday brought another structured morning of lessons, giving students the chance to build on their earlier work. Tutors reported strong engagement and growing confidence in the classroom, as students continue to adapt and challenge themselves in their studies.

Later that day, the focus shifted to wellbeing and movement with a high-energy game of dodgeball. This proved a popular way to let off steam, and it quickly turned into a memorable highlight of the week – not least because our Summer School Director, Hugh, joined in the action. Despite his best efforts to dodge and weave, he spent most of the game narrowly escaping (and often not escaping) flying dodgeballs, much to the amusement of the students. It was a great example of the joyful dynamic between staff and students, which continues to shape the atmosphere on campus.

We’re excited to see what the rest of the week brings as this fantastic group continues to make the most of their time at Eton.