Summer Boarding School Experience with Horse Riding

Course Description: Summer Boarding School Experience with Horse Riding

The Abbotsholme Summer Boarding School Experience offers students aged 11–17 a truly immersive introduction to British boarding school life. Set within a safe and inspiring campus, the programme combines high-quality English language learning, exciting on-site activities, and unforgettable cultural excursions, creating a summer that is educational, confidence-building, and great fun.

Students live on campus in comfortable boarding houses, experiencing the full rhythm of boarding school life while developing independence, resilience, and strong communication skills. English is used naturally throughout lessons, activities, teamwork, and social time, helping students gain confidence both inside and outside the classroom.

A major highlight of the programme is the five full-day cultural excursions, giving students the opportunity to explore iconic UK cities, historic landmarks, and major attractions, all while building international friendships and cultural awareness.

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📚 English Language Learning

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

✔️ Maximum 15 students per class

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

✔️ Communication-focused lessons to build real-life confidence

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

✔️ Practical English for everyday situations, academic study, and international communication

✔️ Cultural learning to support natural English use in a British environment

✔️ End-of-course certificate and written report

Small class sizes ensure personalised support and faster progress.

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🐎 Horse Riding Elective (Optional)

Students may choose a 9-hour per week Horse Riding Elective, delivered by experienced, BHS-accredited instructors.

🐴 Arena riding sessions

🌿 Countryside trail rides

🏇 Cross-country riding on a dedicated course

🧹 Stable management and horse care

💪 Builds confidence, responsibility, patience, and self-awareness

Suitable for a range of experience levels, this elective offers a rewarding and confidence-boosting equestrian experience.

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⚽ On-Site Activities & Adventure

A varied programme of supervised activities encourages teamwork, leadership, and enjoyment.

🏀 Sports & Creative Activities

Football, tennis, basketball, volleyball

Arts & crafts

Dance and drama workshops

🧗 Adventure & Team Building

Kayaking

Raft building

Climbing wall and bouldering

Hiking and navigation in the Peak District

These activities help students build resilience, collaboration skills, and confidence.

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🗺️ Cultural Excursions (5 Full Days Included)

Learning extends beyond campus with a rich programme of fully supervised excursions:

🇬🇧 Liverpool – including entrance to The Beatles Museum

🏰 Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Castle

🎢 Alton Towers theme park

🏙️ London weekend (overnight hotel stay), including:

• Royalty & Politics walking tour

• Visit to the British Museum

Students use English in real-world settings while discovering the UK’s history and culture.

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🏡 Accommodation & Welfare

Students enjoy a safe and supportive boarding environment:

🛏️ 14 nights of boarding school accommodation

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Twin, triple, or quad rooms with shared bathrooms

🍽️ Full board – three meals per day

💙 Pastoral care and welfare support

🕒 Structured daily routines with supervision

The residential experience helps students grow in independence while feeling secure and supported.

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✈️ Transfers

🚐 Airport transfers included for arrivals into:

• Heathrow

• Gatwick

🕗 Available between 08:00 and 18:00

🍽️ Meals & Nutrition

Students enjoy three nutritious meals per day, served in the school’s dining hall. Meals are designed to support busy days of learning, activities, and excursions.

Our kitchen team caters for all dietary requirements, including vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, and allergy-aware diets, when notified in advance.

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🛡️ Supervision & Pastoral Care

Students are supported 24/7 by an experienced boarding team, including houseparents, tutors, and dedicated welfare staff. Supervision is provided throughout lessons, activities, excursions, evenings, and overnight, ensuring students feel safe, settled, and supported at all times.

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🕘 Sample Programme Timetable

The programme follows a structured boarding-school routine that balances learning, activities, and cultural experiences.

Sunday

Arrival day, orientation and induction

Weekdays (Monday–Friday)

• Morning: General English lessons

• Lunch

• Afternoon: Multi-activity carousel (e.g. horse riding, football, arts & crafts, team-building, rafting, climbing) or full-day excursion

• Dinner

• Evening activities: Welcome disco, karaoke, quiz night, drama, talent show preparation, movie night, or farewell disco

Mid-Programme Highlights

• Full-day trip to Liverpool (including The Beatles Museum)

• Weekend London trip with overnight hotel stay

• Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Castle excursion

• Alton Towers theme park visit

Final Day

Departure day

(Exact schedules may vary slightly depending on weather and operational needs.)

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✅ What’s Included

• English tuition & learning materials

• Boarding accommodation

• Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

• Full activity & adventure programme

• Cultural excursions and weekend London trip

• 24/7 supervision and pastoral care

• End-of-course report & certificate

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➕ Optional Add-Ons

• Football Coaching (9 hours per week)

• Horse Riding (9 hours per week)

• Vet & Animal Science Experience (9 hours per week)

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🌟 Why Choose This Programme

✔️ Authentic British boarding school experience

✔️ Strong balance of academics, sport, creativity, and adventure

✔️ Five full-day cultural excursions included

✔️ Small class sizes and personalised support

✔️ International environment encouraging confidence and independence

✔️ Safe, supportive campus with experienced staff

Perfect for curious, globally minded students ready to improve their English, build confidence, and experience real British boarding school life.