You like hearing different viewpoints, explaining what you think and discussing questions that do not always have one simple answer.
Adventure Programmes
AGES 12–16
Future Global Leaders at Headington Oxford
Spend two weeks developing your English through politics, international relations and leadership. Discuss global questions, consider different perspectives and practise communicating ideas with clarity and confidence.
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- British Council accredited
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
At a glance
- Fees from
- £4,795 2-wk residential · Day Programme £3,495
- Ages
- 12–16 Adventure Programmes tier
- Start dates
- 12th & 26th July Two-week sessions, 2027
- Class size
- 15 max Students per class
- English level
- B1+ Intermediate and above
- Academic hours
- 15 hrs Lessons per week
- Location
- Oxford Headington School
What’s included: tuition, accommodation (residential option), meals, excursions, social programme, student report, certificate and student insurance.
Transfer service available for an additional fee.
Is this right for your child?
Develop your English through global ideas
Future Global Leaders is a two-week English-language programme exploring politics, international relations and leadership through accessible themes and questions. Students use English to discuss ideas, compare perspectives and communicate their own views.
Through debate, collaborative scenarios, negotiation and presentation, students practise listening to others, explaining decisions and working towards shared responses to global questions.
- Develop English through politics, leadership and international themes
- Practise debate, negotiation and collaborative decision-making
- Build confidence expressing and defending ideas in English
What you'll study
Explore leadership in an interconnected world
Students develop English through accessible questions about politics, international relations and leadership. Lessons encourage discussion, collaboration and consideration of different perspectives.
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Module 01
Politics & Governance
Explore some of the ways societies organise leadership and make decisions, building vocabulary for discussing governments, political ideas and representation.
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Module 02
International Relations
Consider how countries cooperate and disagree over shared issues, using scenarios and discussion to explore diplomacy, international organisations and global relationships.
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Module 03
Leadership & Communication
Consider different approaches to leadership while practising how to listen, negotiate, explain decisions and communicate effectively within a group.
The signature experience
Make your voice heard at Time to Shine
Students work collaboratively to explore a leadership or global question, considering different viewpoints and deciding how they want to communicate their response.
At Time to Shine, students present their ideas to others, using the discussion, negotiation and English communication skills developed during the programme.
- Collaborative exploration of a global or leadership theme
- Public-speaking and presentation practice in English
Is this programme for you?
Does this sound like you?
Students arrive with different interests, but many recognise themselves in at least one of these.
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You enjoy a good debate.
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You're interested in the wider world.
Politics, international relations or global issues interest you, and you’d like an accessible introduction to these topics.
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You want to communicate with greater confidence.
You want to practise presenting, negotiating and contributing to group discussions in English.
Sound familiar? This course was built for you
Outcomes
What your child leaves with
Future Global Leaders combines English development with exploration of politics, international relations and leadership, giving students regular opportunities to communicate with purpose.
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Certificate of Achievement
An SBC certificate recognising completion of the Future Global Leaders programme.
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Personalised Report
An individual end-of-course report reflecting participation and progress during the programme.
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English for Discussion & Debate
Practice explaining viewpoints, responding to others and participating in structured discussion.
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Leadership & Collaboration
Experience negotiating, making decisions and communicating ideas as part of a team.
Independently recognised
The UK's leading multi-campus summer school — inspected, ranked and reviewed to prove it.
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No.1
Ranked the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school provider
EL Gazette
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15 / 15
Areas of strength, including student welfare and safeguarding (2018 Inspection)
British Council
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Excellent
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot by families
SBC STAFF
Meet some of the SBC team
SBC staff support students throughout their summer — in lessons, activities and daily life. They help students settle in, grow in confidence and make the most of their time with us, in a safe and friendly environment.
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Natalia Mavromoustaki
MA Careers Guidance, BSc Psychology
As a tutor, Natalia teaches through discussion, activities and real examples. "It's rewarding to see someone grow in confidence or find a real passion. Summer schools let students learn outside the classroom, build confidence and meet new people."
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Cas Slater
Office Coordinator
As Office Coordinator, Cas handles arrivals, departures, excursions and daily site running. "Watching students go from shy and overwhelmed to leading group presentations is inspiring. They get to know themselves, make friends for life and really come out of their shells."
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Olivia Clark
Activity Leader · University of Warwick
As Activity Leader, Olivia runs the daily sports, arts and evening activities. She studies Theatre and Performance at Warwick. "Knowing I played a part in watching students have fun, learn and try new things is very rewarding. You will make friends from all over the world."
Beyond the classroom
Excursions & activities
Some of the fortnight’s most memorable hours happen away from the lab bench — on excursions that showcase the best of UK culture and attractions.
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Excursion
Thorpe Park, London and Oxford
Excursions designed to ignite adventure and curiosity, broaden horizons and create lasting memories.
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Social programme
Multi-activities and specialist events
Football, basketball, tennis, arts and crafts, disco, talent shows, karaoke, punting and many more!
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Time to Shine
Practise presenting like a leader
Weekly showcases where ideas turn into speeches, charters and debates, building public-speaking confidence.
A day in the life
Always moving. Always learning.
Subject lessons and projects by day, a packed activity programme by afternoon and evening. Here’s how a typical day on Future Global Leaders at Headington runs — and how each one builds toward the Time to Shine Ceremony.
Roll over a moment in the timetable to see it — and what it’s really like.
Activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Board Games & Puzzles
- Circuit Training
- Creative Writing
- Cricket
- Film Festival
- Football
- Karaoke
- Murder Mystery
- Museums
- Photo Challenge
- Picnic in the Park
- Punting
- Rounders
- Silent Disco
- Taskmaster
- Trashion Show
- Volleyball
- Yoga
Excursions
A sample of what recent groups have done. Excursions vary by session.
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Oxford
Wander through the historic city of Oxford, home to the world-renowned university, stunning architecture, and centuries of academic tradition.
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London
See famous landmarks, visit world-class museums and cultural attractions, take epic photos, shop some big-name stores, and soak up London's unforgettable energy.
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Thorpe Park
Experience the thrills of Thorpe Park, one of the UK’s top theme parks, packed with exhilarating rides and unforgettable adventures.
Safeguarding & welfare
Safe days, settled nights
Sending your child abroad is a big decision. So we start with your child’s wellbeing, and build everything else — lessons, activities, boarding life — around it.
- 24/7 On-site pastoral support
- 1:6 staff-to-student ratio
- 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff
- 15/15 British Council areas of strength met (based on 2018 inspection)
Accommodation & campus
Live and learn at Headington Oxford
Headington Oxford Summer School is a fast-paced summer built on learning by doing. Through project-based lessons, sports and creative activities, students build confidence, independence and skills like teamwork and problem-solving — with the historic city of Oxford all around them, part of the experience itself.
Everything is on one campus: an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, tennis courts, dance studio and theatre, plus five comfortable boarding houses with separate accommodation for boys and girls, mostly in single and twin rooms, and staff available for pastoral support.
- Art Studio
- Dance Studio
- Laundry Service
- Lecture Hall
- Modern Dining Hall
- Shared Bathrooms
- Single Bedrooms
- Small Dorm Rooms
- Sports Hall
- Student Common Room
- Swimming Pool
- Tennis Courts
- Theatre
- Twin Rooms
- Wifi
Why SBC
Trusted, accredited and part of Dukes Education
Dates & fees
Two Options. One transformative fortnight.
Whether your child boards with us or returns home each evening, your fee covers everything in their programme. See what’s included with each option below.
Residential
From £4,795
per 2-week course · Boarding — full days plus evenings and weekends
- Full board — all meals & accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities & excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Non-residential
From £3,495
per 2-week course · 09:00–21:00 daily · varies by campus
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch & evening meals included
- Full activity programme and excursions
- Return home in the evening
2027 dates
Flexible lengths
2 or 4-week options available
Programme start dates
12th & 26th July
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Check availability before you plan.
Places can start to fill from spring — book early
Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. The programme is designed for curious students at all levels. Key ideas are introduced step by step.
You’ll need a notebook, pens, and access to a laptop or tablet for research and group projects. All other materials will be provided.
A large part of the course is activity-based — debates, model negotiations and leadership challenges that put theory into practice.
You’ll strengthen your ability to analyse global issues, argue with clarity, and work effectively in a team, alongside public speaking and leadership confidence.
B1+ is required, though teachers can adapt to mixed-ability classes.
All residential staff are DBS-checked and trained, with 24/7 pastoral care and British Council–accredited safeguarding procedures.
No. This is a Summer Boarding Courses programme. We use the facilities at Headington School in Oxford so students can live and study in a prestigious school setting, but the course is designed and delivered by Summer Boarding Courses. Summer Boarding Courses contracts the use of these facilities and has no formal connection with Headington School, and the school does not deliver, partner in, or endorse our programmes.
Explore before you enquire
Take the detail home
No call, no pressure. Just the documents that help you decide — sent straight to your inbox.
Academic Overview
Every module, the learning outcomes and how the programme builds over the fortnight.
Free PDF download
Sample Timetable
A full fortnight, hour by hour — lessons, activities and excursions. Please note that timetables are given as an example and are subject to change.
Free PDF download
Dates & Fees
Full pricing, what's included, and when the programmes take place
IGNITE YOUR SPARK
Arrange a free consultation
Our friendly Student Experience team are happy to answer any questions, big or small, and help you find the best summer experience for your child — no pressure, ever.
What happens after you enquire
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Step 1
We read it personally.
A member of our Student Experience team reviews your enquiry.
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Step 2
You're matched with an advisor.
Someone who knows this course and can answer your specific questions.
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Step 3
We arrange a call.
Phone or video, at a time that suits you, to talk through dates, options and any concerns.
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Step 4
You decide — no pressure.
We help you find the right fit. You book when you're ready.
One student's summer
Adziky
Student · Oxford College · Indonesia
I have made so many friends here
Julia
Student · Headington Oxford
My daughter is looking forward the next SBC summer camp!
Paula
Parent · Headington Oxford · Belgium
155+
Nationalities represented since 2008
21,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette)