English Language Summer Camp at Stratford-Upon-Avon

Course Description: English Language Summer Camp at Stratford-Upon-Avon

Set in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, this homestay summer programme offers students aged 10–17 an immersive introduction to British life, English language learning, and cultural discovery.

Based at the historic King Edward VI School, famously associated with William Shakespeare, the programme combines high-quality English tuition, authentic homestay living, and a rich schedule of excursions and activities. Students benefit from studying in a real British school environment while experiencing everyday life with local host families in one of England’s most charming and culturally significant towns.

Designed for junior learners beginning their international education journey, the programme offers the ideal balance of academic development, pastoral care, independence, and cultural enrichment.

Key Information 📌

• Ages: 10–17 years

• Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom

• Programme Periods:

• Turn 1: 22 July 2026 – 5 August 2026

• Turn 2: 6 August 2026 – 20 August 2026

• Format: Homestay accommodation + English lessons + excursions

• English Learning: 30 hours over 2 weeks

• Class Size: Maximum 18 students

• Attendance Requirement for Certificate: Minimum 80%

Each two-week turn offers students the opportunity to improve their English while experiencing British culture in a peaceful and traditionally English setting.

Location & Setting 🏛️

Stratford-upon-Avon is one of England’s most iconic historic towns, known around the world as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

This vibrant medieval market town blends:

• Over 800 years of history

• Beautiful Tudor architecture

• Scenic riverside views

• A highly walkable town centre

• A lively cultural atmosphere

Students are immersed in a destination rich in heritage, with famous landmarks including:

• Shakespeare’s Birthplace

• Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall

• Guild Chapel

• Shakespeare’s New Place

• Holy Trinity Church

The compact town centre and calm residential areas make Stratford-upon-Avon a particularly attractive setting for students seeking a safe, focused, and culturally rich summer experience.

The Homestay Experience 🏡

A major highlight of the programme is the opportunity to live with carefully selected host families, allowing students to experience British daily life in an authentic and supportive environment.

Unlike larger city destinations, Stratford-upon-Avon offers a quieter, more traditional homestay experience, with many families living in spacious homes with gardens in peaceful, leafy neighbourhoods.

Accommodation Features

• Single, twin, or triple rooms

• Shared bathroom facilities

• Maximum of four students per household

• Safe and well-managed residential setting

• Host families who help students feel welcomed and integrated

Host families are often highly community-oriented and play an important role in introducing students to:

• Traditional British routines

• Local customs and culture

• Family life in England

• Countryside walks and community life

Cleaning & Room Expectations

Cleaning takes place once a week and includes:

• Changing bed linen

• Emptying bedroom bins

• Cleaning toilets

• Replenishing toilet paper

Students are expected to:

• Keep rooms tidy and organised

• Store personal items properly

• Maintain a respectful standard of cleanliness

Please note that hand towels and bath towels are not provided, so students should bring their own.

Meals 🍽️

Meals are provided by the host families, giving students a genuine taste of British home life and traditional cuisine.

Daily Meal Structure

Breakfast (07:45 – 08:45):

• Cereal

• Croissants

• Ham and cheese

• Fruit juice

• Yogurt

• Whole fruit

• Tea and coffee

Packed Lunch:

Typically includes a sandwich or wrap, snack, fruit, sweet treat, and a drink.

Hot Dinner (after 18:00):

Students enjoy one main course with side dishes, salad, and a drink.

Sample Weekly Dinner Menu

• Monday: Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread

• Tuesday: Shepherd’s Pie with peas

• Wednesday: Roast Chicken with potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and gravy

• Thursday: Sausage and Mash with onion gravy

• Friday: Fish and Chips with mushy peas

• Saturday: Homemade Vegetable Curry with rice and naan

• Sunday: Traditional Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding and vegetables

Dietary Requirements

Host families can cater for:

• Vegetarian

• Vegan

• Halal

• Kosher

• Gluten-free

• Allergies and intolerances

These requirements must be communicated at least one month before arrival.

A supplement of £46 per week applies.

Academic Programme 📚

All English lessons are taught by a specialist academic team and designed to provide students with a meaningful, engaging, and well-structured language-learning experience.

Studying within a British sixth form school environment, combined with homestay accommodation, gives students the opportunity to develop English both inside and outside the classroom.

Programme Structure

The programme follows a dynamic half-day format, alternating between:

• Morning lessons + afternoon excursions

  or

• Morning excursions + afternoon lessons

Over two weeks, students complete:

• 9 lesson days

• 30 hours of English learning

This format ensures students can immediately apply what they learn in real-world settings.

Teaching Methodology 💡

Lessons follow a Task-Based Learning (TBL) approach.

This means students learn through meaningful, communicative tasks such as:

• Giving presentations

• Solving problems in teams

• Planning events

• Producing digital content

• Debating modern issues

Teaching focuses on:

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Practical language use

• Confidence-building

• Real-world relevance

Topics are engaging and modern, often including:

• Technology

• Social media

• Global issues

• Creativity

• Entrepreneurship

• AI tools

Teachers act as facilitators, helping students use English actively and confidently in mixed-ability, student-centred classes.

Placement & Grouping 🧠

Students complete an online placement test before arrival, followed by any necessary adjustments on the first day of lessons.

Classes are organised by:

• Age group

• Language level

Typical age groupings may include:

• 10–12 years

• 13–15 years

• 16–18 years

This allows students to learn with peers of similar age and ability, creating a more effective and enjoyable learning environment.

Certificate of Attendance 🎓

At the end of the programme, students receive a Certificate of Attendance, recognising their English study experience in a prestigious British school setting.

To receive the certificate, students must attend at least 80% of lessons and programme activities.

School & Campus Facilities 🏫

Students study at King Edward VI School, one of the UK’s most historic schools and the place where William Shakespeare is believed to have studied in the 1570s.

Facilities Include

• Wi-Fi across campus and homestays

• Lecture theatres and teaching spaces

• Refectory and common areas

• Accessible campus environment

• Study spaces

Located just 0.5 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, the school provides a distinctive experience that combines history, academic atmosphere, and access to a vibrant town.

Transport 🚐

Daily Travel

Homestay families typically provide door-to-door school transport, driving students to school in the mornings and bringing them home afterwards.

Alternative pick-up and drop-off points include:

• Leisure Centre Coach & Lorry Park

• Stratford-upon-Avon Railway Station

Both are around 15 minutes on foot from the school.

Arrival Travel Times

Approximate transfer times from major airports:

• Birmingham Airport (BHX): 40 minutes

• London Heathrow (LHR): 1 hour 30 minutes

• London Luton (LTN): 1 hour 45 minutes

• London City (LCY): 2 hours 30 minutes

• London Stansted (STN): 2 hours 30 minutes

• London Gatwick (LGW): 2 hours 40 minutes

Arrivals & Departures ✈️

Arrival

Students are met at the airport by an Activity Leader, who assists with luggage and transfer arrangements.

If students do not locate the staff member within 10 minutes, they should remain at an information point or nearby café and contact the emergency number provided in the pre-departure pack.

Departure

• Group students travel by private coach with their Group Leader at least 4 hours before flight departure

• Individual students travel with an Activity Leader at least 3 hours before flight departure

Departure Notes

• Departures before 12:00: packed breakfast provided

• Departures after 12:00: hot or packed lunch provided

• Dinner is not included on departure day

Unaccompanied Minors

For students under 14, printed travel documentation must be prepared for the accompanying adult or Activity Leader.

Student Welfare & Supervision 💙

Student safety and wellbeing are central to the programme.

Welfare Measures Include

• Staff-to-student ratio of 1:15

• 24/7 support team availability

• Close supervision during activities and excursions

• Curfew and house checks

• Clear safeguarding and behaviour expectations

Curfew Policy

• Students must be home by 19:00

• Lights out / room checks by 22:30

• After 19:00, students may only leave the house when accompanied by supervising adults

Medical Support

If medical care is required, students will be assisted through local healthcare providers or emergency services.

For serious situations, students may be taken to:

• Stratford Hospital

• Warwick Hospital

Because UK treatment charges may apply to non-residents, all students must hold comprehensive health and travel insurance.

Excursions & Activities 🌍

The programme includes a well-designed Discovery Programme featuring full-day and half-day excursions, along with local exploration and cultural activities.

Full-Day Excursions

London Tour: Royals, Parks & Ancient History

Students explore Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park, The Mall, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the British Museum.

London Culture Tour

Includes Downing Street, Whitehall, Parliament Square, Big Ben, Westminster Bridge, South Bank, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Tower Bridge.

Half-Day Excursions

• Royal Leamington Spa Walking Tour

• Stratford-upon-Avon Walking Tour

• Coventry Walking Tour

• Warwick Walking Tour

• Kenilworth Walking Tour

These excursions allow students to practise English in real-world environments while discovering major landmarks, history, and local culture.

Free Days in Stratford-upon-Avon

On designated free days, groups are accompanied into the town centre for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxation.

Individual Students 🤝

Students travelling alone are fully welcomed and integrated into the programme.

Each individual student is assigned an Activity Leader who acts as their main point of contact and support person throughout the stay.

Support Includes

• Daily guidance

• Help with social integration

• Assistance during activities and excursions

• Ongoing pastoral support

Individual students are grouped based on:

• Age

• Nationality mix

• Group size and final enrolment numbers

Icebreakers, team-building, and structured social support help students quickly feel part of the community.

Code of Conduct 📋

To ensure a safe and respectful environment, students must follow clear behavioural expectations.

Strictly Prohibited

• Mobile phone use during lessons and activities unless authorised

• Alcohol

• Smoking, vaping, or e-cigarettes

• Theft or vandalism

• Drugs or illegal substances

• Bullying or harassment

• Unauthorised departures

• Unauthorised visitors

• Curfew violations

• Tampering with fire, power, gas, or safety systems

• Disrespectful behaviour towards host families

Three-Strike Policy

First Strike: Verbal warning and parent notification

Second Strike: Formal written warning and possible restriction of privileges

Third Strike: Immediate dismissal without refund

Serious offences may lead to immediate dismissal without following the full three-strike process.

Pre-Arrival Information 🧳

Students should travel with:

• Passport and visa (if required)

• Flight tickets

• Consent forms

• Medical documents

• Emergency contacts

• ETA approval

• Insurance documents

• Bank card and spending money

• Phone, charger, and UK adaptor

• Toiletries

• Water bottle

• Suitable clothing for classes, excursions, and evening activities

Spending Money

Students are advised to bring a maximum of £150 in cash and use cards for additional purchases where possible.

Shopping, Facilities & Practical Information 🛍️

Students have access to:

• Common rooms

• Laundry facilities

• Study areas

• Outside space

• Wi-Fi

• Reception

Laundry is available through host families, though students are expected to use it responsibly and not request daily washing.

The Experience 🌟

This programme offers far more than English lessons.

Students will:

• Live with British host families

• Study in a real historic school

• Improve English through immersion

• Discover Shakespeare’s town and major UK destinations

• Build confidence, independence, and global friendships

The result is a summer experience that combines education, culture, and personal development in one of England’s most iconic settings.

Why Choose This Programme ✨

• Authentic British homestay experience

• Study at a historically significant school

• Strong academic structure with 30 hours of English

• Rich programme of excursions and walking tours

• Close supervision and strong welfare support

• Ideal balance of independence and safety