Course Description: Creative English + Sports / Arts / Culture Summer School in Mary Hare UK.

🏫 English Summer Course in Mary Hare School, Newbury

Study English on a classic English campus set in formal gardens and woodland near Newbury, Berkshire Downs about 70 km west of London, 45 km south of Oxford, and roughly 40 minutes from Heathrow. The campus features playing fields, tennis courts, a gym, and a large indoor swimming pool (rebuilt 2017).

⭐ Key Facts

• Location: Mary Hare School, Newbury (residential campus)

• Schedule: Morning lessons 09:00–12:50 (breaks included); ~15 taught hours/week*

• Class size: Max 14 • Digest study period after lunch (daily)

• Masterclass: Free, optional, advanced tutorial (small group) during Digest

• Exam option: Trinity GESE (Spoken English) available at cost

• Task-Based Learning 2026: Create a short film (script → shoot → edit → upload)

• Sports & Social: Daily organized activities; inter-house Sports League; big Sports Day; nightly events

• Excursions: Optional, charged separately (e.g., London day trips, theatre, shopping)

  * Some afternoon theatre/other trips may reduce the weekly taught hours.

📚 Teaching & Academic Experience

• Morning lessons every day except Sundays and days with full-day trips.

• Digest (teacher-led study block) follows lunch for consolidation and feedback.

• Board Meetings: Each class meets formally with the Director in the boardroom (first three weeks); becomes an optional Public Speaking Event in the final week.

• Prefects/Senior Prefects: Fewer taught hours (they gain language via responsibility/leadership).

• Task-Based Learning (Film Project):

• Write a script and use it for focused language study

• Film with classmates as actors/crew

• Edit on computers

• Keep a final cut uploaded to Vimeo to share with family/friends

Masterclass (Advanced) 🎓

• Free, optional 40-minute tutorials 3×/week during Digest, aimed at students aspiring to higher proficiency.

• Topics may include literature, advanced vocabulary, pronunciation (examples in past years: Macbeth, metaphysical poetry, rap lyrics).

• Placement at staff discretion.

Trinity GESE (Optional, at cost)

• Graded Examination in Spoken English, a recognised speaking assessment available during the course.

🏅 Sports Programme

• Students are placed in four Houses to encourage participation and friendship.

• Not obligatory—non-participants may watch or join non-sport options.

• Weekly schedule run by a Sports/Social team (often former students/native-level English).

• Includes football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, table tennis, swimming (enclosed, heated pool), plus dance choreography, community music and singing.

• Culminates in an end-of-course Sports Day with performances (dance, singing).

🎭 Social Programme (Evenings)

• A different themed event every evening after sports. Past examples include: Christmas, Soap Slope, Orienteering, UV Disco, Folies Bergère, Garden Fête, Campfire, Fashion Show, So You Think You Can Dance, Crazy Games, Pool Party.

• One Sunday in the month may be swapped with a weekday for an optional trip.

🛌 Accommodation

• Shared bedrooms to promote English speaking; girls and boys in separate buildings or floors.

• Typical mix by nationality and age per dorm.

• Room types vary: 4-bed, 3-bed, twin (some ensuite), and a few single (shared-ensuite).

• Bedtime: 22:30 (may extend to 22:45).

• Linen: washed weekly • Clothes: washed twice weekly • Towels: bring your own.

🍽️ Food (Catered Daily)

• Prepared by professional caterers to a high standard; vegetarian/vegan always available; special diets (e.g., gluten-free) can be accommodated.

• Lunch & Dinner: choice of three hot dishes (incl. vegetarian) or a cold dish, plus a salad bar (10+ items), desserts, fresh fruit; drinks (e.g., cold juice) at no charge; tuck shop on site.

• Breakfast: cereals; breads; meats/cheese; fruit; spreads; tea, hot chocolate, coffee, milk, fresh orange juice.

• Themed meals appear during the course (e.g., Barbecue, Christmas Dinner, English High Tea, national meals with student input).

• Before bedtime: hot chocolate & biscuits.

🧳 Trips & Excursions (Optional, Extra)

• Chargeable add-ons such as London day trips, theatre, and shopping outings. Details and sign-up provided on site.

✈️ Arrivals, Departures & Transfers

• 2026 dates: Course starts on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday.

• Heathrow group transfers (no charge) for students arriving Sun 12 July 2026 (flights 12:00–16:00) and departing Sat 8 August 2026 (flights 11:00–14:00), if advised before 6 June.

• Other dates/times: transfers can be arranged at cost (typically £40–£120, varies by date/time).

• Staff supervise airport meet & greet and returns to all Heathrow terminals.