Summer Boarding School Experience with Animal Care and Husbandry

Course Description: Summer Boarding School Experience with Animal Care and Husbandry

The Abbotsholme Summer Boarding School Experience offers students aged 11–17 a truly immersive introduction to life at a traditional British boarding school. Set in the heart of the English countryside, this residential programme combines high-quality English language learning, hands-on activities, and unforgettable cultural excursions, creating a summer that builds confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships.

Students live on campus in welcoming boarding houses, follow a structured yet exciting timetable, and use English naturally every day—both in lessons and through real experiences. The programme is designed to be enriching, adventurous, and supportive, ensuring every student feels challenged, inspired, and cared for.

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📚 English Language Learning

Students receive 15 hours of General English tuition per week, delivered by fully qualified, native English-speaking teachers.

Key features:

• Maximum 15 students per class

• Focus on grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, speaking, and listening

• Communication-focused lessons that build confidence in real-life situations

• Interactive learning through discussions, role-plays, presentations, and group projects

• Cultural learning to help students understand and use English naturally in a British setting

• End-of-course certificate and report card

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🐾 Animal Care & Husbandry Elective (Optional)

For students who love animals or are curious about veterinary, agricultural, or environmental pathways, Abbotsholme offers a 9-hour-per-week Animal Care & Husbandry Elective.

What students experience:

• Hands-on work with animals on the school farm

• Feeding, grooming, handling, and welfare monitoring

• Learning daily routines, health checks, and responsible animal care

• Developing empathy, teamwork, confidence, and responsibility

• Guided by experienced and knowledgeable staff

This elective provides a rewarding blend of practical learning and real-world responsibility.

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🏕️ On-Campus Activities & Adventure

A rich programme of activities keeps every day varied and exciting:

⚽ Sports & Creative Activities

• Football, tennis, volleyball, basketball

• Arts & crafts

• Dance and drama workshops

🧗 Adventure & Team Building

• Kayaking

• Raft building

• Hiking and navigation in the Peak District

• Climbing wall and bouldering

These activities help students develop leadership, resilience, teamwork, and confidence—all while having fun.

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🗺️ Cultural Excursions (5 Full Days)

Students take part in five full-day excursions, offering a fantastic opportunity to explore the UK and practise English in real-life settings.

Included destinations:

• Liverpool – including entrance to The Beatles Museum

• Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Castle

• Alton Towers Theme Park

• London weekend with overnight hotel stay

• Royalty & Politics walking tour

• British Museum

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🕘 Sample Weekly Timetable Highlights

• Morning: English lessons

• Afternoon: Activities, electives, and team-building sessions

• Evening: Social programme including quizzes, discos, karaoke, drama, and talent shows

• Weekend: Excursions and overnight London stay

(The full timetable balances learning, activity, and rest to ensure students stay engaged and energised.)

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🍽️ Meals & Nutrition

Students enjoy full-board catering with three nutritious meals per day, served in the school dining hall.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

• Special diets catered for (vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, allergies)

• Packed lunches provided on excursion days

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🏡 Accommodation & Pastoral Care

• 14 nights in boarding school accommodation

• Twin, triple, and quad rooms with shared bathrooms

• 24/7 supervision by experienced houseparents and welfare staff

• Strong pastoral care ensuring students feel safe, supported, and settled

📅 Sample Programme Timetable

This is an indicative timetable to show the structure of the programme. Sessions may vary slightly.

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Week 1

Sunday

Arrival Day

• Arrivals, orientation & induction

• Campus tour and settling in

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Monday

Morning:

• Welcome & Introduction to Veterinary Medicine

  (roles, ethics, animal welfare, and the life of a vet)

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Farm experience: handling cattle, sheep, and pigs

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Welcome disco

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Tuesday

Morning:

• Veterinary surgery theory & workshop

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Surgical skills practical

  (suturing and bandaging on models)

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Campus photo challenge

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Wednesday

Morning:

• Animal nutrition & physiology

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Half-day visit to a rehabilitation clinic

• Anatomy & physiology workshop with physiotherapists

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Sports / Drama / Dance

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Thursday

Morning:

• Equine veterinary experience

  (anatomy, physiotherapy, lameness diagnosis)

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Veterinary careers & pathways

• UK & international routes

• University applications & interview masterclass

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Networking evening with professionals

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Friday

Morning:

• Small animal consultations

  (examinations and diagnosis)

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Clinical challenge: real-world veterinary scenario

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Disco night

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Saturday

Morning & Afternoon:

• London weekend excursion

Lunch:

• Lunch included during excursion

Dinner:

• Dinner in London

Evening:

• Overnight stay in London

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Sunday

Morning & Afternoon:

• London weekend continued

Lunch:

• Lunch during excursion

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Movie night

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Week 2

Monday

Morning:

• Comparative anatomy: mammals, reptiles & avians

• Dissection workshop

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Veterinary ethics workshop

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Forest walk & campfire

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Tuesday

Morning:

• Emergency & critical care workshop

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• First aid for animals

  (CPR and wound management)

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Drama workshop

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Wednesday

Morning:

• Exotic & wildlife medicine workshop

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Wildlife experience

  (zoo / wildlife park sessions with vets and keepers)

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Networking evening with professionals

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Thursday

Morning:

• Veterinary pharmacology & medication

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Lab session: dosage calculations, case studies & practice

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Talent show

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Friday

Morning:

• Animal handling workshop (small animals)

Lunch:

• Lunch on campus

Afternoon:

• Final clinical challenge: real-world veterinary scenario

Dinner:

• Dinner on campus

Evening:

• Movie night

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Saturday

Morning & Afternoon:

• Full-day excursion to Alton Towers

Lunch:

• Lunch included during excursion

Dinner:

• Dinner on return

Evening:

• Farewell disco

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Sunday

Departure Day

• Breakfast

• Departures

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✈️ Transfers

• Transfers included for arrivals into Heathrow and Gatwick

• Available between 08:00 and 18:00

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✅ What’s Included

✔️ English tuition & learning materials

✔️ Boarding accommodation & all meals

✔️ Full activities & adventure programme

✔️ Five full-day cultural excursions

✔️ 24/7 supervision & welfare support

✔️ End-of-course certificate & report card

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🌟 Why Families Choose Abbotsholme

• Authentic British boarding school experience

• Outstanding balance of academics, adventure, and culture

• Optional specialist electives such as Animal Care

• Safe, supportive, and inspiring countryside setting

• Ideal for curious, globally minded young people

This programme is perfect for students ready to boost their English, build independence, and experience real British boarding school life—all while creating memories that last a lifetime.