English Adventures Summer Programme at Dulwich College London for Ages 12–16

Course Description: English Adventures Summer Programme at Dulwich College London for Ages 12–16

🌍 Course Overview

English Adventures is a two-week course for students aged 12–16 who want to become more confident and fluent in English. Students use London as their classroom: lessons focus on real communication, project work draws on trips around the city, and they make friends from many countries.

The course takes students from A2 to C1 and suits a wide range of abilities. Lessons build speaking, listening, reading and writing through discussion, roleplay and practical tasks. The fortnight ends with an End of Programme Celebration.

Key facts

• Ages: 12–16

• Length: 2 weeks

• English level: A2 to C1

• Academic hours: 20 per week

• Class size: maximum 15 students

• Options: residential or day

📚 Academic Programme

The course has three modules. Together they build all four language skills and give students regular chances to use English beyond the classroom.

Communication in Action

Students build speaking and listening skills through discussion, roleplay, interviews and group tasks. The aim is to communicate with confidence, not just accuracy.

Reading, Writing & Language

Students develop vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing through accessible texts and practical tasks. They gain the skills to express themselves clearly in writing.

London as Your Classroom

Students use their London experiences for research, observation, discussion and projects. Each trip becomes material for learning.

Projects & Time to Shine

Students work together on London-inspired communication projects. They might research a place, report on an experience or investigate a question about the city. At Time to Shine, students share their work with others, showing how much their confidence has grown.

Outcomes

• A certificate of completion

• Tutor feedback on participation and language development

• Greater confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing

• Experience communicating with students from other countries

📍 Campus & Location

The programme takes place at Dulwich College, a green campus in south London built around a Victorian red-brick school with lawns and trees. It is spacious and calm, but central London is easy to reach, and students travel into the city for excursions. During the summer, students use the College's classrooms, theatre, gym, sports hall, student common room, and modern and traditional dining halls. Wi-Fi and a laundry service are also available. The summer school rents these facilities from Dulwich College, and the College does not deliver or endorse the programme.

🏫 Accommodation & Meals

Residential students live on campus, with residential staff living alongside them. Room types include single rooms with en-suite bathrooms (chosen at booking), twin rooms, shared rooms and small dormitories, some with shared bathrooms. Students also have common rooms and a weekly laundry service.

Residential students get all meals, served in the modern and traditional dining halls. Day students get lunch and an evening meal. The summer school says it will do its best to meet dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan and Halal.

🚌 Excursions & Activities

Each two-week course includes two full-day excursions into London. Excursions vary by session and may include:

• London sightseeing: famous landmarks, world-class museums, cultural attractions and shopping

• Knightsbridge museums: collections covering science, technology, design, natural history and culture

Activities

Afternoons and evenings follow a full multi-activity and social programme. Activities include:

• Sport: badminton, basketball, circuit training, cricket, football, rounders, volleyball and yoga

• Creative: arts and crafts, creative writing, film festival, photo challenge and talent show

• Social: board games and puzzles, karaoke, murder mystery, picnic in the park, pizza and film night, silent disco and Taskmaster

Whole-school events include quizzes, Secret Cinema, sports tournaments, house competitions and themed evenings. The course ends with a leavers' party and a graduation ceremony.

Optional Studios (extra cost, limited places)

Students can add an optional studio for £350 each:

• Filmmaking Studio: led by a professional filmmaker. Teams make a short film on location at Dulwich College

• West End Studio: a practical drama workshop, then a full-day trip to see a West End show

• AI Studio: hands-on creative projects using AI, such as images, video, music or interactive work

• Pro Football Coaching: football training and football trips such as stadium tours

⏰ A Day in the Life

A sample day (subject to change):

• 07:45: wake up and breakfast

• 09:00: Academic Programme, with communication-focused lessons

• 11:00: Academic Programme continues, with presentations, teamwork and practical challenges

• 12:30: lunch

• 13:30: Afternoon Experience, such as projects, campus activities or learning across London

• 16:30: Multi-Activity Programme

• 18:00: dinner

• 19:00: Evening Social Programme

Day students follow the same timetable from 09:00 to 20:30.

📅 2027 Dates & Fees

All sessions start and end on a Monday.

• 12 July – 26 July 2027 — Length: 2 weeks — Residential: £4,495 — Day: £3,495

• 26 July – 9 August 2027 — Length: 2 weeks — Residential: £4,495 — Day: £3,495

• 9 August – 23 August 2027 — Length: 2 weeks — Residential: £4,495 — Day: £3,495

• Deposit: a non-refundable deposit of £700 per student, due within 48 hours of submitting the booking form

• Balance: due by 1 May 2027. Bookings made after that date must be paid in full within 48 hours of the booking confirmation

• Not included: flights and airport or train transfers. Transfers are available for an extra fee

• Places are limited, allocated on a first-come basis and usually fill from spring

• English Adventures is charged at the English-course rate

✔️ What's Included

All students:

• Tuition and course materials

• Standard excursions, including entry costs

• Full afternoon and evening activity programme

• Wi-Fi

• UK SIM card

• Comprehensive student insurance

• Academic progress report and certificate

Residential students also get:

• Accommodation

• All meals

• Weekly laundry

• 24/7 pastoral care

Day students also get:

• Lunch and evening meal. The day programme runs from 09:00 to 20:30, and students go home each evening.

🛡️ Safety & Welfare

• 24/7 on-site pastoral support for residential students

• A staff-to-student ratio of 1:6

• All residential staff are DBS-checked and trained

• The summer school met all 15 of 15 British Council areas of strength at its 2018 inspection

• Comprehensive student and travel insurance is included in the fees

• Classes have a maximum of 15 students

Optional transfers from Heathrow and St Pancras are available for an additional fee. Students who need a UK Standard Visitor Visa should apply early, as processing can take about three to four weeks. Booking can be cancelled if a copy of the visa is not received four weeks before arrival.

💡 Who This Programme Is For

English Adventures suits students aged 12–16 who:

• Want to speak English more confidently and fluently

• Have an English level between A2 and C1

• Learn best through conversation, roleplay and group projects, not just textbooks

• Want to explore London's landmarks and museums while they learn

• Want to make friends from around the world in a safe, supportive setting

It is a good choice for a first UK summer school or for students who want to build on earlier English study.