You’re curious about how the world works and enjoy exploring questions, comparing ideas and finding possible explanations.
Adventure Programmes
AGES 12–16
Future Scientists at Headington Oxford
Spend two weeks developing your English through the language and ideas of science. Explore themes from biology, chemistry and physics through discussion, investigation, problem-solving and collaborative projects.
- 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 (4-week options also available)
- 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?
Explore science while developing your English
Future Scientists is a two-week English-language programme for students who are curious about the natural world. Through themes drawn from biology, chemistry and physics, students develop their speaking, listening, reading and writing while learning to describe scientific ideas, ask questions and communicate their thinking clearly.
Learning is centred on accessible scientific ideas, investigation, discussion and collaborative activities. Students encounter scientific vocabulary and ways of thinking while using English to interpret information, compare explanations and share conclusions with others.
- Develop English through themes from biology, chemistry and physics
- Explore scientific questions through discussion, investigation and problem-solving
- Build confidence communicating scientific ideas in English
What you'll study
Science through language, ideas and investigation
Students explore selected scientific themes while developing the English needed to describe observations, explain ideas, interpret information and discuss evidence. The emphasis is on accessible classroom learning rather than specialist laboratory work.
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Module 01
Scientific Language & Communication
Develop the language used to describe observations, explain processes, compare ideas and communicate scientific information. Students discuss questions, encounter accessible texts and practise expressing scientific ideas clearly.
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Module 02
Investigation & Evidence
Explore how questions, observations and evidence can be used to develop explanations. Students interpret information, consider simple data and work collaboratively on classroom-based investigations and problem-solving tasks.
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Module 03
Science, Ethics & Society
Explore how developments in science can raise wider questions for individuals and society, using themes from health, technology, the environment and discovery as starting points for discussion in English.
The signature experience
Share your science at Time to Shine
Throughout the programme, students work collaboratively on a science-themed project. They develop an idea, organise information and consider how to explain it clearly and engagingly to other people.
At Time to Shine, students bring together their science learning and English-language development by presenting what they have explored to an audience.
- Collaborative science-themed project developed across the programme
- Presentation practice that develops English communication and confidence
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 love asking why.
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You're interested in science, but still exploring.
Biology, chemistry or physics might interest you, and you’d like to explore different scientific themes without having to specialise in one.
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You want to use English for something you enjoy.
You want to build your English while discussing interesting scientific topics, solving problems and working with other students.
Sound familiar? This course was built for you
Outcomes
What your child leaves with
Future Scientists combines English-language development with accessible scientific exploration, helping students become more confident communicating ideas and working with information in English.
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Certificate of Achievement
An SBC certificate recognising completion of the Future Scientists 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 Science
Practice using English to describe, explain, compare and discuss scientific ideas.
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Communication & Collaboration
Experience working with others to investigate questions, exchange ideas and present a shared project.
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
Theatre & Performance · 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 scientist
Weekly showcases where ideas turn into performances, experiments or displays, 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 Scientists 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 course is designed for students with a range of experience. An interest in science and curiosity to learn are the most important requirements.
All essential materials, including lab equipment and safety gear, are provided. You may wish to bring a notebook and stationery for your own notes.
Students explore scientific ideas through discussion, problem-solving, accessible investigations and collaborative activities. The focus is on developing curiosity, scientific thinking and English-language communication rather than specialist laboratory work.
Tutors provide guidance throughout, with feedback during experiments, discussions and presentations. Small class sizes mean plenty of individual support.
B1+ is required, though teachers can adapt to mixed-ability classes depending on the group’s competency with English.
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
Junghoon
Student · South Korea
It is really easy to make friends
Max
Student · Headington Oxford
No better opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded students
Irena
Parent · Germany
155+
Nationalities represented since 2008
21,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette)