Skip to main content

Summer Schools

English Adventures – Headington

Improve your English, make friends from around the world, and enjoy an adventure-filled summer in Oxford.

Key Details

  • Ages: 12-16
  • Location: Headington, Oxford
  • Start dates: 12 July & 26 July 2027
  • English level: All levels
  • Duration: 2 weeks

Students from

+

countries around the world

We’re the UK’s

#

multi-campus summer school

We’ve welcomed

+

students since 2008

5 star-rated by

%

of families

Learn, communicate, connect

Learn English. Make friends. Have an adventure.

Want to improve your English while having the summer of a lifetime? English Adventures in Oxford combines engaging language lessons with exciting activities for students aged 12–16.

On this English language summer school, you’ll improve your speaking, listening, reading, and writing through games, conversations, and creative projects. Lessons are tailored to your ability, so everyone can participate and make progress.

Take part in roleplays. Share ideas with classmates. Practise your English while making new friends. Beyond the classroom, enjoy sports, social events, and unforgettable excursions to some of Britain’s most exciting attractions.

Discover more about English Adventures and book your place today.

Our immersive summer schools are delivered by SBC, the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school for children aged 6-17.

English Adventures – Headington

English Adventures is an exciting two-week English summer school in Oxford for students aged 12–16, combining engaging language lessons with an unforgettable international summer experience.

During the programme, you will:

– Improve your spoken English through games, conversations, and roleplay
– Expand your vocabulary and develop your reading and writing skills
– Work with classmates on creative projects and present your ideas in English
– Practise communicating with students from around the world, both inside and outside the classroom

You’ll also enjoy an action-packed summer in Oxford, with sports, social events, and exciting excursions to London and Thorpe Park.

Book your place today and make this a summer to remember.

At a Glance

  • Price
  • Duration
  • Location
  • Ages
  • Start Dates
  • From £2,995
  • 2 weeks
  • Oxford
  • 12-16
  • 12 & 26 Jul 2027

Academic Overview

Discover what you’ll learn – and how you’ll learn – in the academic overview for this programme.

24/7

Pastoral support

From 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff.

1:6

Staff-to-student ratio

Ensuring our focus is always on your child.

15 hours

Academic teaching per week

An immersive learning experience.

15/15

Areas of strength

In our most recent British Council inspection.

Course Modules

Build your English skills through engaging activities, creative challenges, and everyday conversations. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to put what you’ve learnt into practice.

Find your voice in English

Get talking. Through lively discussions, games, and roleplay, you’ll practise the English you need for everyday conversations. Learn to express your opinions, ask questions, and understand others more easily, with plenty of opportunities to speak and listen.

Discover new ways to express yourself

Expand your vocabulary and develop your reading and writing through interesting texts and creative exercises. You’ll learn to understand different types of writing, organise your thoughts, and find the right words to communicate your ideas.

Take your English on an adventure

Put your language skills into action beyond your lessons. Explore cultural topics, collaborate on exciting projects, and practise speaking English with students from different countries. Discover how much you can learn when English becomes part of your everyday summer experience.

Get started

Choose Your Date

Pick the start date that suits you and secure your place.

12 July 2027

2 weeks

Places available

26 July 2027

2 weeks

Places available

Always moving, always learning

A Day at Headington

Life at Headington is a breathless mix of learning, trying new things, and making memories. See what a typical day looks like.

8am: House Meeting and breakfast. Get the day off to a great start with your housemates.

9am: Subject Lessons. Fast-paced, interactive lessons in your subject led by experienced, engaging tutors.

11am: Time to Shine. Collaborate with your peers on researching, designing, and creating a fascinating group project related to your subject.

12:30pm: Lunch. Enjoy a nutritious meal to fuel you for the afternoon’s fun.

1:30pm: Multi-Activity Programme. Enjoy an exciting activity with friends – whether it’s art, drama, swimming, tennis, or adventure sports.

5pm: House Time. Unwind back at your house – a chance to call home or relax with friends.

6:30pm: Dinner. Re-assemble as a whole school to enjoy an evening meal.

7:30pm: Whole-School Events. Everyone comes together for a great evening – from Capture the Flag to Talent Night and the Big Quiz.

“I’ve learnt a lot in my English class that I wouldn’t have learnt in school and I am definitely more social now.”

Emily

English Adventures

Have a Question?

If you’d like to speak to us before you book, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Fill in the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Our Campus

English Adventures is hosted at Headington Oxford.

Life at Headington

A taste of boarding school life – with Oxford just a stone’s throw away. Students benefit from exceptional facilities, excursions to London and Oxford, and a fun-filled programme of social activities.

A home from home

Enjoy a welcoming and comfortable place to call home during your summer school experience. Headington offers five boarding houses, with separate accommodation for boys and girls. Students stay in single or twin rooms, with a small number of shared dormitories also available. Each room includes a desk and wardrobe space, while shared bathrooms are cleaned daily. Comfortable common rooms provide space to relax, socialise, and spend time with new friends after a busy day.

Discover the Best of the UK

During their two-week course, students enjoy three exciting excursions to some of the UK’s most famous destinations. Each trip offers an opportunity to discover new places, make lasting memories, and experience life beyond the classroom.

London – Explore the capital’s iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and famous shopping streets, while soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Oxford – Discover the historic home of one of the world’s most prestigious universities, with its beautiful architecture, famous colleges, and centuries of academic tradition.

Thorpe Park – Enjoy a thrilling day out at one of the UK’s leading theme parks, packed with exhilarating rollercoasters and attractions.

All excursions are accompanied by our dedicated staff, with carefully planned itineraries to help students make the most of every visit.

Relax and have fun

From exciting outdoor adventures to unforgettable evening events, there’s always something happening at Headington. Afternoons offer a varied programme of sports and creative activities, giving students the freedom to pursue their interests or try something new. Whether it’s tennis, drama, kayaking, or paintball, every day brings fresh opportunities for fun and discovery.

In the evenings, the whole school comes together for lively social events, from Capture the Flag and the Big Quiz to Talent Night and Prom. These shared experiences help students from around the world form lasting friendships and create memories they’ll treasure long after the summer.

Safe days, settled nights

We understand that sending your child abroad is a big decision, which is why their safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Our dedicated residential staff provide 24/7 on-site pastoral support, with a staff-to-student ratio of 1:6 to ensure every student receives the care and attention they need. All residential staff are fully trained and DBS-checked, creating a safe, welcoming environment where students can settle in, make friends, and enjoy their summer.

One summer, a lifetime of learning ahead

What Your Child Takes Away

After your child’s programme, they leave with recognition of their achievements and skills that set them up for their next steps.

A certificate recognising that your child has completed the English Adventures programme.

An individual end-of-course report reflecting their participation, progress, and development throughout the programme.

Through regular speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities, students expand their vocabulary and improve their ability to communicate in everyday English.

Students gain valuable experience using English with people from different countries and cultures. Through shared activities and collaborative projects, they’ll develop their communication skills while making new international friendships.

Fees

Day or Residential?

You can choose for your child to board with us or return home each evening. Discover what’s included with each option.

FAQs

Of course. Just fill out our enquiry form and a member of our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible.

All essential materials are provided. Students may wish to bring a notebook and stationery to take their own notes.

Our tutors provide hands-on teaching throughout the course. Students will receive feedback during projects, discussions and presentations. Because we keep our class sizes small, each student gets plenty of individual support.

English Adventures is open to children with all levels of English, from A1 (beginner) to C1 (advanced). Students are placed in a class that matches their ability.

All our residential staff are DBS-checked and trained. We have a high staff-to-student ratio and we offer 24/7 pastoral support.

No. This programme is designed and delivered by Summer Boarding Courses, which is part of Dukes Plus. Summer Boarding Courses contracts the use of these facilities and has no formal connection with Headington Rye School, and it does not deliver, partner in, or endorse our programmes.

Have a Question?

Fill out the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.