Exceptional Summer Pre-College Creative Writing Program for Teenagers at Oxford University Campus

Course Description: Exceptional Summer Pre-College Creative Writing Program for Teenagers at Oxford University Campus

This camp in Oxford University campus is the perfect gateway to creative writing for 13, 14 and 15 years olds.

Exceptional introductory course in Creative Writing in Oxford colleges

For centuries, the halls of Oxford University colleges have produced some of the world’s most renowned professional writers, including Oscar Wilde, J.R.R Tolkien and Agatha Christie. On Creative Writing summer courses, you will hone your creative skills within the very same surroundings, in our creative writing program. You will get your creative juices flowing, while our expert tutors lead small classes to ensure you get the attention needed to perfect your craft.

The Creative Writing Summer School for 13-15-year-olds in Oxford will reveal the secrets to becoming a great writer. The curriculum will introduce you to all phases of the writing process, including idea generation, writing and editing, revising drafts, and more.

Learn directly from expert academics from world-class universities

You will explore novel concepts and share ideas in small groups of like-minded and ambitious peers from around the world. In small class sizes averaging 7 students, you will be guided by expert tutors who have honed their expertise through teaching undergraduate students at world-class universities, including the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard.

Our rigorous vetting process guarantees that all participants are taught by engaging and supportive educators who are, most of all, enthusiastic about sharing their expertise to ensure our summer school teaching is of the highest quality. It is an unrivalled academic experience.

Boost your confidence and develop key attributes in academic skills workshops

Our workshops are geared towards unlocking participants’ potential, giving them the tools to prepare for the next steps of their education and future goals. Build upon existing study skills to support future university-level learning.

These workshops explore a diverse and enriching range of topics – past examples have ranged from ‘Productivity tips’ to ’21st Century Technology Skills’. We’re sure that you’ll learn something completely new. Unlike traditional schools, it allows you to learn beyond the traditional curriculum.

This programme is designed for students with at least an upper-intermediate level of English (B2).

Example Modules

**The Blank Page: **Beginning a creative project can often be daunting, even for experienced writers. During this module, you will look at various techniques for overcoming the fear of the blank page, including a range of warm-up exercises and quick-fire short assignments, as well as gaining inspiration from the work of other writers.

**Character Creation: **Creating a character who lives beyond the page is one of the biggest challenges for an author. In this module, you will discover a variety of techniques for building a memorable character. From creating CVs and family trees to 'mapping' relationship networks in order to identify potential sources of conflict in their lives.

Plot Mapping: With a fresh understanding of how to build character, dialogue and much more, you will turn your attention to the plot. In this module, you'll address the importance of moulding ‘tension points’ and ‘turning points’ in our stories, as well as the creative possibilities of ‘plot twists’.

Written Portfolio: The Creative Writing programme concludes with a workshop devoted to the portfolios-in-progress. By this point you will have completed a short written piece. You will have the opportunity to present your work to the class and receive constructive feedback from your tutor and peers.

Key Facts

• Average class size is 7

• Maximum class size of 12 students

• 1:1 Career Coaching

• Personal support and guidance for success

• Professional development workshops

• Building essential skills for success

• World-class experience

Activities Offered

Outside of lessons, we are proud to offer a busy and diverse social programme to help you get the most out of your time in Oxford. This includes activities such as punting on the River Cam, zorb football and a murder mystery night in the college.

There are also two excursions during the programme, one day trip to visit Oxford and its constituent colleges, as well as an optional day out in London, seeing the city’s most famous landmarks as well as some free time for shopping. Those who choose not to travel to London are invited to afternoon tea in Oxford.

Activities and excursions are run by our team of friendly mentors – whose main job is to maximise your enjoyment.

Experience traditional 'Formal Hall'

Formal Hall is a traditional weekly meal that takes place in every college. This is an opportunity for students to dress up, dine by candlelight in the magical surroundings of an Oxford University college’s dining hall.

As a student, you will experience formal dinner two times during your stay – once per week in Oxford in different colleges.

Formal hall is truly a memorable occasion, so remember to bring some smart clothes!

Accommodation

Experience life as an Oxford University undergraduate

All participants will be allocated to a college a few weeks before arriving, based on their dates and subject choice.

If you would like to stay in the same location as a friend/sibling – please let us know and we will do our best to arrange this, where possible.

Males and females have separate accommodations in every college, and there is wi-fi available throughout.

Included with Course

• 13 nights accommodation in a central college of the University of Cambridge/Oxford

• Breakfast and dinner in College Hall

• Accommodation in an individual bedroom

• 30 hours of academic sessions from Oxford University and Cambridge University tutors

• Carefully designed study and lecture materials

• Mentor programme and access to support material

• All excursions- including formal dinner at Cambridge/Oxford colleges, punting, croquet

• Comprehensive summer school insurance

• 2 coach excursions including a trip to London

• Graduation ceremony and certificate

• Detailed evaluation written by tutor

• Notebook and pen

• Mentor family photograph

• College allocation based on dates and subject choice, assigned a few weeks before arrival.

• All colleges are central, historical, with unique culture and character.

• Accommodations designed for study, not luxury; many buildings over 500 years old, no air conditioning.

• Accommodation requests for friends/siblings considered where possible.

• Separate male and female accommodations in each college; wi-fi available throughout.

• Single occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms (one per four participants); some ensuite facilities available, prioritized for additional needs.

• Mixed-gender corridors for ensuite facilities; gender-separated corridors for shared bathrooms.

• Welcome Pack includes possible college details for program dates.

• Rooms secured with locks, housekeeping access for maintenance.

• Breakfast and dinner included on campus

• Host venues accommodate all dietary requirements, special attention to religious observances and medical needs (Please let us know if you need to follow any particular religious observances or have any medical requirements that we need to know about.)

• As a student, you will experience formal dinner two times during your stay, making formal hall a memorable occasion, so remember to bring some smart clothes!

• Outside of lessons, enjoy a busy and diverse social program including punting on the River Cam, zorb football, games night, movie night, quiz night, talent show and a murder mystery night at the college.

• All activities and excursions are led by our team of friendly mentors, dedicated to maximizing your enjoyment.

• Two excursions offered: a day trip to visit Oxford and its colleges, and an optional day out in London to see famous landmarks and enjoy shopping.

• If you opt out of the London trip, you're invited to afternoon tea in Oxford.

• Arrival Time: Participants should arrive between 2 pm and 5 pm on the first Sunday of the program, with registration and accommodation showings upon arrival (accommodation ready by 3 pm).

• London Heathrow Airport Transfers: Shared airport transfer service available from Heathrow Terminal 3 directly to Cambridge/Oxford colleges. Pastoral team to meet participants at any Heathrow terminal and escort to Terminal 3.

• Transfer departures at 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00 on arrival Sunday; return transfers to London Heathrow Airport depart at 07:00 and 12:00 on the final Saturday.

• Transfer Fee: Available for booking post-enrollment at £150 each way.

• Detailed information is provided closer to the program date, including contact numbers.

• Alternative Arrivals: For those arriving at different airports or by other means, details are in the Welcome Pack sent after enrolment confirmation.

• 30 hours of academic sessions from Oxford University and Cambridge University tutors

• Carefully designed study and lecture materials

• Mentor program and access to support material

• Average class size of 7, maximum class size of 12 students

• 1:1 tutorials: Supportive, challenging and engaging

• All participants receive an individual report from their tutor

• Develop a personal project or a creative portfolio to present at the end of the course

• Interview skills, academic writing and presentation

Academic Skills Workshops:

• Unlock participants’ potential, giving them the tools to prepare for the next steps of their education and future goals.

• Focus on enhancing study skills

• Support for university-level learning

• Diverse and enriching range of topics – past examples have ranged from ‘Productivity tips’ to ’21st Century Technology Skills’.

• Unique learning experience outside traditional schools

Sample Modules:

Module 1: The Blank Page

• Techniques to overcome the fear of starting a creative project

• Warm-up exercises, quick assignments, and inspiration from other writers

Module 2: Character Creation

• Discover techniques for building memorable characters

• Create character CVs, family trees, and map relationship networks for potential conflict

Module 3: Plot Mapping

• Focus on building tension points, turning points, and plot twists in stories

• Enhanced understanding of character and dialogue for plot development

Module 4: Written Portfolio

• Workshop to review and develop portfolios-in-progress

• Present a short written piece and receive feedback from tutor and peers

• Transfer Fee: £150 each way.

• Pocket Money Advice: Money we recommend that participants bring £80 per week to cover any souvenirs that they may wish to purchase. Various banks and ATMs are available throughout Cambridge, and Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

• 13 nights accommodation in a central college of the University of Cambridge or Oxford

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on campus

• Accommodation in an individual bedroom

• 30 hours of academic sessions from Oxford University and Cambridge University tutors

• Carefully designed study and lecture materials

• Mentor program and access to support material

• All excursions- including formal dinner at Cambridge/Oxford colleges, punting, croquet

• Comprehensive summer school insurance

• 2 coach excursions including a trip to London

• Graduation ceremony and certificate

• Detailed evaluation written by tutor

• Notebook and pen

• Mentor family photograph