Teenagers: Merrist Wood
• Supportive and promotes learning
• Entertaining educational activities
Campus Life
Merrist Wood Campus is set within 400 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside, offering a peaceful and spacious environment where students can enjoy both learning and outdoor leisure. The campus features a working farm, licensed zoo, landscaped gardens, sports fields, and ancient woodland, creating unique opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities.
Located just outside Guildford, a lively town with shops, cafés, and cultural attractions, the campus is also only an hour from central London, making it the ideal setting to study and experience life in the UK.
Learning Experience
Learning extends beyond the classroom with topical weekly themes that connect lessons to real-world topics. English language classes are taken alongside a range of afternoon electives, while learning through project work and interactive activities that make lessons engaging and practical.
Themes of the Week
Week 1: £$¥ (Money) Talks
Money makes the world go round, or so they say.
It apparently grows on trees.
They say it can’t buy happiness.
How does money really affect the world around us?
We’ll examine current trends in the business world- moves towards social enterprise and recognising that the decimal place is not the only factor we should be considering.
Explore the power of money in shaping economies, careers and lifestyles.
Week 2: Power of protest
Explore how voices unite to create change. Across history protest has shaped societies, we’ll discuss how these movements have led to monumental change. Is protest right for the modern age? Do the ends justify the means? Delve into the language of activism, understand how words, slogans and speeches have shaped societies across the world. Discover how language drives change.
Week 3: Doers and Dreamers
Explore the world of innovators, creators and visionaries. Whether you’re a doer who takes action or a dreamer with big ideas we’ll look at your place in today’s society and the influence of those doers and dreamers that have come before us. Become empowered to express your thoughts clearly, develop critical thinking and collaborate with others. Turn your dreams into action
Week 4: Rhythms and masterpieces
Blending music, poetry and visual art we’ll explore expression, emotion and storytelling in new ways. Embrace your inner creative, examine the influence art in it’s many forms has on the modern world. Through engaging activities, discussions and hands-on experiences you’ll develop your English communication skills.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of creativity.
Week 5: Nature vs Nurture
What makes us the people we become? The environment and people around us or a set of codes within us. How do these factors affect our personalities, behaviours, and life choices.
In the city where the 1860 evolution debate was held, you’ll learn more about the topic and improve your English communication skills through lively debates, real-world examples, and engaging activities.
Week 6: Read all about it
In a digital age of picture and sound. We’ll go back to the written word and how the world of media has transformed into what we see around us, you’ll explore current events, headlines, and captivating stories from around the globe. From fact checking presidential elections to censorship on social media. Learn how to read between the lines, analyse different perspectives and express your own views on a range of topics.
Get ready to explore the power of the press.
Week 7: Bridging the senses
Explore how sight, sound, touch, taste and smell come alive in communication. Discover how language connects ideas, cultures and people! Discuss whether there are only 5 senses. Embrace the beauty of language that speaks to all the senses. Step into a world where language builds bridges.
Week 8: Mysteries unsolved
Unlock your curiosity. In a world full of information, we’ll focus on how we can be sure what we’re hearing and reading is factual. From historical enigmas to modern day riddles we’ll explore famous mysteries, puzzling phenomena, and unsolved cases from around the world. Are you ready to crack the case?
Activities and Excursions
A key highlight of the summer school is its varied weekly sports and activities programme, offering something for everyone. Students can enjoy football, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, and basketball, as well as arts and crafts, mini Olympics, karaoke, movie nights, afternoon tea, bushcraft, survival skills workshops, outdoor yoga, and nature crafts.
Up to three excursions are included each week (subject to availability). Destinations range from London – with highlights such as the London Eye, Tower of London, Westminster, and the British Museum – to Windsor Castle, Canterbury and Leeds Castle, Oxford, and Portsmouth.
Sample Timetable
View the sample activities timetable. Please note these are subject to change.
Accommodation
Students will stay in comfortable residence buildings on campus, designed to provide both independence and support. All rooms are single and include a wash basin, with bedrooms arranged in flats, each featuring a shared bathroom, communal kitchenette, and common area. Boys and girls live in separate flats, with overnight supervision and care provided by dedicated residential staff. All accommodation includes bedding, towels, access to laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi.
Food
All meals are included and served in the dining hall, where students can enjoy delicious and nutritious options with all dietary requirements catered for. Snacks and drinks are also available between meals at the on-site café, Woody’s.
Student Welfare
Student welfare is prioritised with 24-hour support from a team of residential staff and a Welfare Manager, a high staff-to-student ratio, and a daily evening curfew to ensure a safe and supportive environment.
Fees and Dates
Students can choose to study for 2+ weeks, with start dates available in July.
The course fee includes tuition, full board accommodation, a full sports and activities programme, up to 3 excursions per week, insurance, and airport transfers to and from London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
Courses at Merrist Wood:
Project Eco-Innovation – in Oxford:
Where sustainability, creativity, and entrepreneurship come together! In this one-week, multi-disciplinary course, students from different courses across both Oxford and Merrist Wood programmes collaborate to develop bold ideas for a greener world. You’ll research, design, and present innovative, cost-effective eco-solutions to real-world challenges.
Summer and Short Courses brochure
Short courses available in the Spring & Summer
Study one of our short courses to develop new skills
Spring & Summer course enquiry
Please fill in this form to submit an enquiry on our teenager courses.
You may also wish to get in touch to arrange a campus tour or find out what it is like to live and study in the city of Oxford.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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