Explore Headington Summer School

Our Headington Summer School is hosted at a leading independent school located in Oxford, ideal for students aged 13-16. The programme offers teenage students a great combination of academic courses and English language learning, cultural excursions and activities, which will provide them with a truly memorable summer experience.

Discover Headington

Connect and grow this summer by taking advantage of all that Headington has to offer.

Discover how you can find your spark at this fantastic school.

DOWNLOAD OUR SAMPLE TIMETABLE

Discover more about what a typical two-week course at Headington Summer School looks like for our students. Please note our sample timetable is given as an example and can be subject to change.

Life on Headington Summer School Campus

Headington Summer School provides students with an idyllic setting in which to study and meet other students from around the world. It is a great opportunity to enhance their English language learning and immerse themselves into the cultural excursions and social activities.

Located in a picturesque suburb and spanning 23 acres, Headington is a 30-minute walk from the centre of Oxford, making it conveniently accessible to the city’s historic beauty.

Headington’s facilities accommodate a wide range of skills and interests including a sports hall, theatre, dance studio and new purpose-built art students. Students will be able to take advantage of these during the social programme whether they wish to challenge Headington’s famous alumni Emma Watson on stage or compete against new friends while using the school’s extensive sports facilities.

Available Courses

 

Headington Summer School Programme Highlights

At Headington Summer School, our student experience goes beyond classroom learning and offers an action-packed social programme led and designed by our enthusiastic activity leaders. Encouraging students to get stuck in and participate in a variety of engaging activities and excursions which will help students build confidence and form lasting friendships.

Social Activities

At Headington Summer School, students can fully immerse themselves in a wide range of fun activities. We aim to facilitate the physical and mental well-being of all our students, by providing a whole host of activities that allow students to explore their extracurricular passions and interests.

On Tuesdays, students can take part in the cultural programme which has previously featured activities such as Oxford Walking Tours, Punting on the River Thames, and visits to local attractions such as the Ashmolean Museum.

In addition, there will also be several whole school events, such as tournaments, quizzes, zorbing and discos.  This helps develop key teamwork and communication skills whilst, most importantly, having fun! This part of the experience ensures students socialise with peers outside their subject and language groups and builds a sense of community within our schools.

EXCURSIONS

During a two-week course, students will go on three enjoyable excursions to famous UK cities and popular tourist destinations, providing the opportunity to see some of the UK’s most famous attractions and landmarks.

To ensure that our students get to make the most from their trip, our dedicated team of staff accompany the students and provide a full itinerary for the day.

During previous years, all students previously visited London, but to broaden our students’ cultural horizons even further, our excursions frequently include visits to other famous British locations such as Bath and Bristol. This year’s trip to Bristol included the Bristol Graffiti Experience, where the students learnt about the world’s most famous graffiti artist.

Students have also visited the famous coastal city of Brighton! Here they saw panoramic views across Brighton in the spectacular i360 observation tower, and had the chance to explore the wonderful city with friends in their spare time.

In each location, with parental consent, students will have the opportunity to explore independently in small groups during their excursion free time.

Academic approach

Because we encourage experiential learning, SBC goes above and beyond the curriculum. Our students are challenged to use and exhibit new skills in a supportive and encouraging setting.

At SBC, we take full advantage of how we can differentiate ourselves from more formal teaching settings and cultivate a relaxed atmosphere. With more dynamic lesson structures, our students have an even greater opportunity to demonstrate their individuality and to enhance their soft skills.

By creating fresh possibilities for important skills like critical thinking, leadership, communication and teamwork, we bring theory into practice.

Each of our students are empowered to think independently and critically while working together with others to find solutions, under the careful guidance of our excellent teachers.

Time To Shine

A highlight of the students’ week is our famous Time to Shine projects. Here, students work in teams to develop a special presentation throughout the week, which is then presented to the class. Outstanding presentations will be given in front of the whole school during a special Time to Shine event.

Confidence, public speaking skills and teamwork are just a few of the qualities that are developed during this special project. By placing student autonomy at the heart of our academic programme, students deliver their own ideas, solutions to problems and outlook on the world.

English Plus

We offer optional English Plus courses with students able to select one choice each week, at an additional cost. Our English Plus courses provide students with an opportunity to engage in exciting new activities and classes or to develop existing interests and skills. Each weekly course is six hours in total, replacing the Multi-Activity Programme on two days per week.

Adventure Sports

Students can try adventure activities carefully selected to allow thrill-seeking fun in a safe environment. Activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, indoor climbing and paintballing will help students build their confidence, while exploring the outdoors and having fun.

£275 per week 

Dance

Our contemporary dance course taking place in Headington School’s outstanding dance studio is open to students of all levels who want to have fun, learn new moves with like-minded individuals. Sessions are upbeat and bespoke to students’ interests with a focus on building confidence, self-expression, creativity and fitness.

£150 per week 

Art

Headington school’s inspirational art department provides the perfect backdrop for our bespoke Art course which combines elements of Art, Craft and Design. Students will be introduced to the work of a contemporary artist and use this to develop their artistic skills in media such as drawing, painting, ceramics, and sculpture.

£150 per week 

Honestly, Headington was the best thing that happened to me this year, I met so many different people with different cultures. All the stuff members were amazing and so nice and supportive , I felt safe and at home here and I’m so sad to be leaving but hopefully I will be back next year

Gracious, Student, Zimbabwe

STUDENT SUPPORT & WELFARE

The safety and well-being of students is our number one priority. We have a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures in place to which all employees, volunteers, visitors, and contractors are obligated to adhere to.

All staff are given the tools, through their extensive training, to guarantee that all students feel safe, secure, valued and respected whilst studying with SBC. Students are accommodated in secure and comfortable boarding houses with each house managed by a dedicated House Parent alongside a team of residential staff. Our staff teams are always available to provide high-quality pastoral support and remain on call 24 hours per day.

Free time and supervision

During some offsite activities, students aged 12 and over are permitted ‘free-time’ where they can independently explore a designated area in groups of at least three, for a set amount of time. Students must have consent from their parents/guardian to be allowed unsupervised free-time.

All students will be given an SBC Gold Card which they must carry with them when offsite. Gold Cards have details of the emergency number to call in the event of a student becoming separated from their group.

Student Feedback

Student voice also features heavily in our students’ experience and we empower our students to shape their own experience by championing that voice. SBC is committed to our response to student feedback and welcomes student-led initiatives which help us to continue to provide excellent services.

Learn more about our awards and accreditations.

Accommodation at Headington Summer School

At Headington summer school, there are five boarding houses with separate houses for boys and girls. Accommodation is mostly made up of single and twin rooms, and some small dorms. Students have access to shared bathrooms which are cleaned every day and common room areas for rest and relaxation. Rooms have a desk and small wardrobe for hanging clothes.

Take a virtual tour of Headington accommodation.

Discover all of our Oxford summer schools

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for why not check out our other Oxford summer schools.

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Headington Summer School FAQs

 

Our Awards & Accreditations

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Join our diverse learning community today. An unforgettable summer awaits.

To begin the summer of a lifetime simply fill out our enquiry form below and a member of our expert admissions team will be in touch.