SBC at Canford Summer School
Ages 11 -15
Our SBC Canford Summer School offers a blend of exciting multi-activity programmes and academic programmes at an award winning school. Designed by our experienced SBC team, our course ensures you have an action packed summer to remember!
With its idyllic grounds and impressive facilities, discover why Canford School recently won Public Boarding School of the year.
Discover more about what a typical two-week course at Canford summer school looks like for our students. Please note our sample timetable is given as an example and can be subject to change.
Set in a picturesque independent school, spanning over 250 acres, students have the opportunity to live and study in grounds which boast 10 boarding houses and impressive facilities including the Layard Theatre, music school, sports centre and art studios.
With its vast open green lawns and woodland surrounding the historic campus buildings, Canford offers the perfect space for students to be fully immersed in the Summer School experience. Every day students will use The Great Hall for dining and be mesmerised by the grand windows and minstrels’ gallery, a truly inspirational space.
The campus offers an excellent variety of sporting possibilities too. There are multiple tennis courts, netball courts and well-maintained football and cricket fields on the grounds. The Sports Centre includes a double-court indoor sports hall, a dance studio, as well as a heated indoor 25-metre swimming pool with 6 lanes.
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At SBC, we support experiential learning through project work and games, going above and beyond the curriculum, to ensure students have a dynamic and exciting learning experience. . Instead of being sat down for long periods in a classroom and taking notes, our students are challenged to use and demonstrate new skills in a nurturing and supportive environment.
With a dynamic and interactive learning environment, SBC allows students to enjoy an inspiring change of scenery and experience new learning approaches. By creating space for important skill development like critical thinking, leadership, communication and teamwork, we bring theory into practice and allow students to grow in ways that might not always be possible in term time.
At SBC, each student in the classroom is actively encouraged to take the initiative, think critically, and cooperate with others to solve problems. This is done under the direction of our dedicated and dynamic teachers.
At SBC, we want students to gain recognition for their work in class, whilst sharing the passion and interest they have for their subjects, with the rest of the school. So each week we come together and all students takes part in a group presentation we call Time to Shine.
Serving as the high point of the week’s work, in Time to Shine students can demonstrate their growth and learning. This public speaking opportunity provides students with a fantastic chance to take the limelight, which improves their ability to work together as a team and individually. By working to a deadline and gently pushing students out of their comfort zone, we believe that Time to Shine provides invaluable experience for students that will serve them well in the future.
We offer optional English Plus+ courses with students able to select one choice each week, at an additional cost. Our English Plus+ programme provides students with an opportunity to engage in exciting new activities and classes or to develop existing interests and skills. The English Plus+ courses take place on two afternoons per week, replacing the Multi-Activity Programme. The English Plus+ courses available are:
This course is for our adventurous students and offers activities such as Bushcraft, High Ropes, Archery, Mountain Biking and Paint Balling. All activities take place off-site and are run by professional instructors.
Students are taught by British Horse Society approved instructors at their school in the New Forest, which provides some of the finest countryside riding in the South of England. Beginners or experienced riders receive tuition in riding and looking after horses.
This 2 week course is for creative students looking to develop their artistic skills. Students will focus on painting, sculpture and drawing, creating their own portfolio over the 2 week period.
After successfully finishing the course, students receive a certificate of completion. This will be awarded during a special celebration ceremony, where students and teachers come together to celebrate the achievements of each individual.
Students will also receive a report from their teacher detailing their academic progress and overall effort on the course. In addition, the report will offer potential areas for further development and learning, to ensure future success.
Students at SBC Canford Summer School enjoy a fun and varied social programme with a range of exciting activities every day. The social programme allows students to learn new skills, make friends, build confidence, and make unforgettable memories.
Students will participate in a multi-activity programme with a wide range of activity choices including football, arts and crafts, music and swimming. There are activities to suit every child, allowing them to explore their personal interests, as well as try new ones.
Our carefully designed evening events programme brings the whole school together with a mix of high energy events, such as sports tournaments, creative challenges, quiz nights and discos, and relaxing events, like secret cinema, throughout the week.
Over 2-weeks, students will go on three excursions to famous UK cities and popular destinations. Our dedicated team of staff accompany the students and, have a series of activities planned for the students to ensure that they make the most of their trip.
Canford School’s superb south-coast location means beach day trips feature on the excursion programme, as well as adventures to famous cities such as Bath and Portsmouth, not forgetting the capital city, London. As well as visiting tourist attractions, students will also have the opportunity for shopping and, with parental consent, exploration in small groups.
Unique to our SBC Canford Summer School is an evening visit to Splashdown Waterpark, a course highlight! Students can explore the 13 indoor and outdoor water slides and vast splash zones for masses of fun with their friends.
SBC has helped me improve my English whilst having fun. That’s why I’m coming back for the third time in a row!
The safety and wellbeing 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 are given the ability to 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 and experienced 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.
Student voice also features heavily in our student’s experience. We empower our students to shape their own experience by championing that voice. SBC is committed to our response to student feedback and welcome student-led initiatives which help us to continue to provide excellent service.
At Canford Summer School, all students reside in purpose-built boarding houses divided into male and female accommodation. The houses are well maintained and are made up of comfortable single, twin and small-dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and spacious common rooms.
Boarding houses are where our students forge strong friendships, which often last beyond the summer experience our House Parents and residential staff are supportive and experienced in facilitating these bonds.
| Start Date | End Date | Duration | General English Price | Introduction to Leadership, Introduction to International Relations & Introduction to STEM Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 10th July 2023 | Monday 24th July 2023 | 2 Weeks | £3,200 | £3,700 |
| Monday 10th July 2023 | Monday 31st July 2023 | 3 Weeks | £4,800 | - |
| Monday 10th July 2023 | Monday 7th August 2023 | 4 Weeks | £6,400 | - |
| Monday 24th July 2023 | Monday 7th August 2023 | 2 Weeks | £3,200 | £3,700 |
| Monday 24th July 2023 | Monday 14th August 2023 | 3 Weeks | £4,800 | - |
| Monday 31st July 2023 | Monday 14th August 2023 | 2 Weeks | £3,200 | - |
Canford Summer School includes:
See our campus sample timetable here.
Situated in 250 acres of parkland near to the market town of Wimborne Minster in Dorset, located in south west England, it is one of the largest schools by area. Canford is within reachable distance from Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth, which are some of the largest southern cities outside of London.
It is under two hours from London, Oxford and Exeter, 90 minutes from the M3/M25 junction and within easy reach of London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Bournemouth, Exeter and Southampton airports.
If you’re driving to the school directly then use the postcode BH21 3AD for sat nav.
Typically, we welcome over 150 summer school students each week from all over the world.
At Canford we have classes to suit all levels of English from beginners to B2 level and above. Although for some subjects a minimum level is required to ensure that all students will be able to make the most of the programme.
Before the summer, we send an online test for students to complete. We will use the results to confirm their suitability for the course. In the case that a student does not meet the required level on the test, we will conduct an academic consultation to assess the next best step.
We have a high ratio of staff to students throughout the summer. At each Campus, we have a Welfare Coordinator, who oversees the welfare and safety of the students and would deal with any pastoral issues. We also have several House Parents, who are responsible for the day-to-day care of the students and are the first point of contact if any student felt as though they were upset in any way. Alongside these members of staff, all employees are trained before the summer in Child Safeguarding and many of the staff are trained in giving First Aid. There will also be a dedicated Admissions Manager for each Campus, who will be the main point of contact for families with any issues or concerns.
Our friendly and supportive staff team are available 24 hours per day to support students. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible care to students, and achieved British Council area of strength in ‘care of students’ and ‘safeguarding under 18s’.
Ready for an unforgettable summer of adventure and fun? Speak to a member of admissions about the right course for you at Canford.
