Dean Close International Summer School
Highlights
- Learn English in stunning South West England
- Experience a taste of British Boarding School life
- Pursue your passion in our many Skills Academies
- Visit Oxford, London, Bristol, Bath Spa, and more!
Overview
Dean Close Summer School in Cheltenham is the perfect place for young people aged 9–17 who want to improve their English, make international friends, and experience real British boarding school life.
Our programme combines high-quality English classes with exciting activities, cultural excursions, and unique Skills Academies such as Coding, Performing Arts, Outdoor Adventure, Sports, Swimming, and Horse Riding. With over 30 hours of English tuition, small class sizes, and expert teachers, every student receives personal attention and the chance to grow in confidence.
The Summer School is set on a beautiful campus with world-class facilities, including a theatre, swimming pool, sports pitches, and climbing wall. Students also enjoy six unforgettable excursions every two weeks, visiting famous cities like Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Stratford-upon-Avon, and London.
More than just a course, Dean Close offers the chance to live, learn, and play like a British student, joining house teams, taking part in evening events, and celebrating achievements at our magical final presentation night.
It’s a safe, supportive, and fun environment where every student leaves with improved English, new skills, and lifelong memories.
9-17 yo
From July 8th to August 5th
2 weeks
From $1,950
English
Max 150 campers
Co-Education
Private
Activities
Dean Close Summer School combines English learning with an exciting mix of activities, sports, and creative experiences.
Students enjoy 30+ hours of English tuition in small classes, then spend afternoons in their chosen Skills Academy – Coding, Performing Arts, Outdoor Adventure, or Sports – with optional Swimming and Horse Riding available.
Outside the classroom, our vibrant activity programme includes team sports, archery, kayaking, art workshops, dance, cooking, wall climbing, laser tag, and more. Evenings are packed with social events such as discos, quiz nights, campfires, BBQs, and talent shows, creating plenty of chances to practise English and make new friends.
Students also take part in our House Team system – working together to win challenges and celebrate achievements at our special Presentation Evening.
This rich programme ensures that every student leaves with new skills, greater confidence, and unforgettable memories.
Academics
All of our English classes are taught by professional teachers. Lessons are engaging and fun, in the communicative style to encourage confidence and foster language growth.
On the first full day, students are given a short placement test that will estimate their level on the CEFR scale.
Students are then placed in to small class sizes of less than 12 students of a similar ability and similar age, allowing for a good mix of nationalities and genders.
Classes are designed to equip students with the language that they need throughout their stay at Dean Close, giving them phrases and vocabulary to support them in their activities, and their Skills Academies.
Students who are at C1 or above can opt in to our academic English classes, which take place in the morning alongside our general English lessons.
Language lessons
Students take a placement test on day 1 and then are sorted into small classes based on their estimated CEFR score, their age, and their nationality ensuring a good mix of cultures in classes of similar ages and levels.
Classes are taught by highly-qualified professional English language teachers with a focus on the communicative method, enabling students to have plenty of opportunities to practise speaking skills whilst ensuring grammatical accuracy as well as pronunciation practice.
The lessons are focussed on building confidence and competence in English.
Students at C1 or above will have the opportunity to take our Academic English lessons.
30hours of lessons per week
Schedule
Every day at Dean Close Summer School is designed to balance learning, activities, and fun.
A Typical Weekday
08:00 – Breakfast in the school dining hall
09:00–12:30 – English lessons (with a short break)
12:30 – Hot lunch with friends
13:30–15:30 – Skills Academy (Coding, Performing Arts, Outdoor Adventure, or Sports) OR group activities (e.g. swimming, tennis, art, or cooking)
15:30–17:30 – Afternoon activities, games, or team sports
18:00 – Dinner
19:00–21:00 – Evening social programme (disco, quiz night, campfire, BBQ, movie night, talent show, or House Team competitions)
21:30 – House time and relaxation
22:00 – Bedtime (varies slightly by age)
Weekends & Excursions
One full-day excursion each weekend to a famous UK city (London, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, or Stratford-upon-Avon).
Half-day trips during the week, such as to Cheltenham or Shakespeare’s hometown.
Evening events continue at weekends to keep the atmosphere lively and fun.
This schedule ensures a perfect balance of study, creativity, sport, culture, and social time, giving every student the chance to experience life like a real British boarding school pupil.
Accommodation & facilities
Accommodation
Dean Close Summer School offers safe, comfortable, and modern boarding houses where students experience a true taste of British school life. Rooms are a mix of single and shared dorm-style bedrooms, with shared bathrooms and large common rooms for relaxing, chatting, or playing games with friends.
Boarding houses are supervised by trained staff 24/7, and welfare is a top priority. Students receive a full safeguarding briefing on arrival, laundry is taken care of weekly, and all meals are freshly prepared on campus.
Food
Our award-winning catering team serves three hot meals daily, plus snacks and drinks at break times. Menus include both international favourites and traditional British meals like Sunday roast and fish & chips. All dietary needs are catered for, and the campus is a nut-free site.
Campus & Facilities
Set in the beautiful Regency town of Cheltenham, Dean Close offers world-class facilities:
- A 25-metre indoor swimming pool
- Full-size sports pitches, tennis courts, and a modern sports hall
- An outdoor climbing wall
- A professional 500-seat theatre for performing arts
- Spacious art studios and music rooms
- Large green spaces for games and relaxation
The secure, gated campus gives students plenty of room to explore, enjoy activities, and feel at home during their stay.
Video
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Q&A
£500 deposit is required at the point of booking.
Students are supervised at all times, including their time in the house where a House Parent will be on call to ensure their safety and help with any issues.
All teachers are required to have a British Council approved English language teaching qualification. All sports coaches and staff are required to have relevant coaching qualifications. All staff are DBS checked, and go through rigorous safeguarding checks.
All staff are DBS checked, and go through rigorous safeguarding checks.
Many staff already work for the school all-year round and take part in continuing professional development and relevant training.
Students from all nationalities and all backgrounds are welcome at Dean Close. We have a diverse staff with a varied international background.
As an independent school running all year round, Dean Close is a safe and secure school with access through coded gates. All staff are trained in fire safety. Safeguarding and welfare is a top priority.
It is important that students keep in touch with their family during their time at Dean Close but it is also important they are able to make the most of their time in lessons, activities, and through face to face interaction with other students. Mobile phones are kept in the boarding houses during lessons and afternoon activities. Students have access to them from dinner time onwards and also on all excursions. Students from countries where timezones make it difficult to keep in touch with family will have special dispensation to call during lunch time and in the afternoon.
