Teenagers: Oxford
• Supportive and promotes learning
• Entertaining educational activities
Campus Life
With students from over 45 countries, the programme offers a vibrant international community set on its own IB World School campus in North Oxford. The campus comprises several buildings and features well-equipped science labs, an art studio, modern teaching spaces, and a large library. Located within walking distance of both Summertown and Oxford city centre, it provides the perfect setting to experience living and studying in Oxford.
Learning Experience
Learning extends beyond the classroom with topical weekly themes that connect lessons to real-world topics. Study visits and guest speakers tied to each theme enrich the experience, while English classes tailored to every excursion help students gain a deeper understanding from each trip.
Themes of the Week
Week 1: Breaking Boundaries
This week challenges students to look at innovation, courage, and the people who go beyond the norm to capture a global audience’s attention. Connected to science, history, and social studies, students will explore boundary-breaking ideas and figures while working on their own projects. Using English to discuss and present, they’ll grow as confident risk-takers and creative thinkers.
Week 2: Is it reel?
With social media blurring the lines between reality and performance, how do we know what’s real? From viral reels to AI-generated videos, this week dives into how stories are told online and what clues we can look at to establish their veracity. Students will analyse, create, and present their own digital productions — all while sharpening their English for modern communication.
Week 3: Composition & creation
At a time of great debate about the influence of AI on the creative industries this is a week for budding creators. This theme combines the written word, art, and digital media. Linking to subjects like literature, music, and design, students will work on original compositions and creative projects. By using English to craft, collaborate, and present, they’ll gain confidence in expressing themselves across different forms.
Week 4: Voices of change
Social media has given a voice to all, allowing young people to shape the world’s conversation more than ever before. Young people such as Greta Thunberg and Nicole Becker are heard and can make a difference, can our students? This week focuses on people who inspire change, from activists and leaders to creative thinkers. Connected to history, politics, and the arts, students will explore how voices — past and present — have shaped the world. Students will research, write, and present through the medium of English, they’ll find their own voice and practise making it heard.
Week 5: Practice makes perfect
10000 hours = mastery, or so we were told. From dance challenges to Duolingo, practice and persistence are hot topics in culture. With such a demand for instant results can we learn to enjoy the long and sometimes slow route to success, however it is we might define that. This week explores how effort and resilience lead to mastery, whether in sports, the arts, or study. Students will reflect, discuss, and present in English, gaining confidence in celebrating progress as much as success.
Week 6: Work to live/live to work
From side-hustles to debates about work-life balance and a four-day work week. Students will explore the world of work, careers, and what motivates us. Through projects and discussions linked to business, economics, and social studies, students will consider how work shapes our lives and futures. Using English to debate, present, and problem-solve, they’ll build both confidence and employability skills.
Week 7: Question Everything
We’ll examine fact checking, conspiracy theories and biases. Delving into the media, science and philosophy, this week encourages students to be curious, challenge ideas, and think critically. By linking to subjects such as history, literature, and ethics, students will sharpen their skills of enquiry while working on projects that explore different perspectives. Using English as a tool for inquiry and debate, they’ll grow as thoughtful communicators.
Week 8: A feast for the senses
From reaction videos to viral ASMR clips, our senses play a major role in pop culture. This week, we’ll explore whether it’s the heart or the head that should take precedence, and step into the shoes of those with sensory impairment. Students will examine how sight, sound, taste, and touch shape creativity and experience. Through hands-on projects, they’ll use English to describe, share, and showcase their own sensory-inspired creations.
Activities and Excursions
A key highlight of the summer school is its varied weekly sports and activities programme, offering something for everyone, from punting, football, badminton, volleyball, tennis, and basketball to arts and crafts, quizzes, table tennis, games nights, karaoke, film nights, and even an English tea party (some may incur an additional charge).
One excursion is included each week (choice subject to availability), with the option to join additional trips. Destinations range from London – where students can experience the London Eye, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, British Museum, West End shows, Oxford Street shops, and Covent Garden – to Windsor Castle, Stratford-upon- Avon, Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace, theme parks, and many more.
Sample Timetable
View the sample activities timetable. Please note these are subject to change.
Accommodation
Students can choose to stay in one of our college residences or with a trusted English-speaking homestay provider, depending on their preference for independence or a more immersive cultural experience.
Our residential houses offer:
- A single, twin or triple room, with shared or ensuite bathrooms
- Sociable communal spaces, including common rooms, small kitchens, and outdoor green spaces
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner available in the dining hall
- Boys and girls live separately
Living with a homestay provider includes:
- A single room with a shared or private bathroom
- Breakfast and dinner provided daily at the homestay, lunch served in the dining hall
- A homestay provider for student welfare and support
- The chance to practise English daily and experience the life and culture of modern Britain firsthand
All accommodation options include bedding, towels, access to laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi.
Food
All meals are included and served in our modern 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 our on-site café, The Globe.
Student Welfare
Student welfare is prioritised with 24-hour support from House Parents and the Welfare Team, access to our College Nurse, 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 June, July, and August.
The course fee includes tuition, full board accommodation, a full sports and activities programme, 1 excursion per week, and insurance.
Courses in Oxford:
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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