Supreme Summer Future Scientist (STEM) Program for Teenagers at Headington School Campus in Oxford

Course Description: Supreme Summer Future Scientist (STEM) Program for Teenagers at Headington School Campus in Oxford

Course Description

Headington Oxford Summer School offers English classes for 12 - 16 year olds on Oxford’s beautiful campus in the UK. Headington combines English language learning, cultural excursions and activities to create an enriching summer experience. There are both traditional English language classes and combined English Through Academic Subjects.  There is a maximum of 15 students per class, and students receive 15 hours of tuition per week in addition to excursions and other activities.  Each course culminates with the Time to Shine ceremony, where students present what they have learned to their classmates.

Future Scientists at Headington is a two-week programme for students who want to explore science in greater depth and understand how it applies to the world around them. You’ll study biology, chemistry and physics through practical experiments, guided research and clear explanation, building confidence in how to design, test and present investigations.

The course strengthens your ability to work like a scientist. You’ll learn how to plan experiments with care, record data accurately, and evaluate results critically. Alongside this, you’ll examine current developments in science and consider the ethical and social questions that arise from them, encouraging you to think about the wider impact of discovery and innovation.

Collaboration is central. You’ll take part in group challenges that require shared problem-solving and discussion, reflecting how scientific progress relies on teamwork as much as individual insight. Working closely with tutors who bring both subject expertise and teaching experience, you’ll be supported to stretch your understanding and approach science with curiosity and precision.

By the end of the programme, you’ll have gained a stronger grasp of scientific principles and practical skills, along with the confidence to explore them further at school, university, and beyond.

• Module 1: Life and Living Systems - Explore the complexity of biology, from the structure of cells to the interactions within ecosystems. You’ll investigate processes such as respiration, growth and adaptation, while also looking at how human activity affects the natural world. Practical lab work will give you experience in observation, data collection and analysis.

• Module 2: Matter, Reactions and Energy - Delve into the principles of chemistry and physics by examining what matter is made of and how it behaves. You’ll test chemical reactions, study the properties of materials, and explore how energy is transferred and transformed. Each activity links abstract concepts to experiments you can see, measure and explain.

• Module 3: Earth, SPace and Scientific Frontiers - Look beyond the laboratory to the systems that shape our planet and universe. From geological forces to the movements of planets and stars, you’ll explore how science helps us understand both Earth and space. The module also introduces some of the latest discoveries in science, giving you a glimpse of where research is heading.

Outside Trips

Students participate in three excursions to top UK destinations during each two week session.

Students will broaden their academic experience with three outside excursions to nearby UK destinations, accompanied by staff.  Staff will ensure that students are fully engaged in the excursions in order to make the most of their experience.  All students visit London at least once per session.  Destinations this summer include Oxford, London, and Bath.  Students will also have free time for exploring in small groups.

Food and Accommodation

At Headington Oxford, there are separate boarding houses for boys and girls.  Accommodations include a mixture of single, twin rooms, and some dormitories for 3-5 students.  All houses also have communal lounges where students can relax with friends.

What's Included

• 15 hours of Academic Content Per Week

• Social Programme & Excursions

• End of course Report and Certificate

• Accommodation and All Meals

• Travel Insurance

• Excursions

• Purpose-built boarding houses for students, separated by gender.

• Well-maintained single, twin, and small-dorm rooms with shared bathrooms.

• Common rooms for socializing and forging lasting friendships.

• Experienced House Parents and residential staff to support student bonding.

• Dining Hall is spacious with outdoor seating available.

• Diverse menu prepared by school caterers.

• Daily continental breakfast with full English option three times a week.

• Two hot meal choices for lunch and dinner, including a vegetarian option.

• Salad bar, fresh bread, fruit, and desserts available.

• Evening drinks and biscuits.

• Packed lunches provided for excursions.

• Focus on physical and mental well-being through games and sports.

• Activities to explore extracurricular passions and interests.

• Whole school events including tournaments, quizzes, zorbing, and discos.

• Emphasis on developing teamwork and communication skills while having fun.

• Opportunities for socializing across different subject and language groups.

• Builds a sense of community within the school.

• Three excursions to famous UK cities and tourist destinations during a two-week course.

• Visits to top UK attractions and landmarks.

• Staff team accompanies students, providing a full day's itinerary.

• Guaranteed visit to London, with additional trips to cities like Bath and Bristol.

• Opportunities for independent exploration in small groups, with parental consent.

• Supreme Program provides Airport Transfer Service to/from Headington Oxford.

• Service available for Heathrow Airport flights.

• Operates on scheduled arrival and departure days.

• Covers flights between 09.00 and 17.00.

• Transfer fees: £130 per journey.

• Transport options: Staffed Private Coach, Minibus, Taxi, based on student numbers and flight timings.

• Staff in yellow t-shirts greet students at arrival.

• Students escorted to coaches/taxis for direct transport to the school.

• For special circumstances or other airports, coordinate with our advisor before booking.

• Flights should align with course arrival and departure dates for timely student transitions.

Benefits of This Course:

• Mastering Public Speaking: Standing in front of your peers to present each week helps you grow in confidence and develop clear, engaging communication skills.

• Building Confidence: Sharing your work regularly shows you how much you can achieve, and gives you the courage to express ideas with conviction.

• Celebrating Progress: Each showcase is a moment to recognise what you’ve achieved, reflect on your learning, and take pride in your work.

• Creative Expression: Time to Shine lets you decide how to present your project – through a talk, performance, model or experiment – so you can showcase your strengths and interests.

Course Takeaways:

• Understanding Core Scientific Principles: Develop a strong grasp of the key concepts in biology, chemistry and physics, while also seeing how these subjects connect to explain the natural world. You’ll build knowledge that forms the foundation for more advanced study and gives you confidence in tackling new scientific ideas.

• Developing Practical Skills:**** Gain hands-on experience in designing and carrying out experiments, collecting data carefully and interpreting results with accuracy. These practical skills will help you approach problems methodically and understand how scientific knowledge is created in real settings.

• Thinking Critically About Science: Strengthen your ability to analyse evidence, weigh up competing arguments and reflect on the wider consequences of scientific discoveries. You’ll learn to approach information with a questioning mindset, considering both the possibilities and the responsibilities that come with progress.

• Communicating Scientific Ideas: Practise explaining complex ideas in clear and engaging ways, whether through discussion, written work or visual presentation. By learning how to share your thinking effectively, you’ll gain confidence in contributing to scientific conversations and working collaboratively with others.

Transfer fees:

• £130.00 one-way

Pocket Money Advice:

• Recommended pocket money: £70 per week.

• Prefer bank cards over cash for security. Some shops/attractions card-only.

• If cash, use small notes (£5/£10/£20), avoid £50 notes.

• Pocket money (cards/cash) stored in school safe.

• Collect from office at set times before excursions.

• 15 hours of English language tuition per week

• Small class sizes with a maximum of 15 students

• Traditional English language classes and/or combined English Through Academic Subjects courses available

• 3 exciting excursions to top UK destinations included

• Accommodation in separate boarding houses for boys and girls, with a mixture of single, twin rooms, and some dormitories for 3-5 students

• Airport transfers available at supplementary cost