Residential
Junior Courses
Bournemouth · Language · 9–18 yrs
Typically open in January — 2027 dates coming soon
1 / 15
Ages9–15 yrs
FocusEnglish
LevelAll levels
Language lessonsEnglish
Downe House Summer School runs this residential language camp in Cold Ash, United Kingdom. The camp welcomes children aged 9–15, with sports, arts & crafts, and adventure on the programme. Typically open July — new dates coming soon. Sessions last 2 weeks. Activities run in English.
Residential English camp in Cold Ash, United Kingdom
Students will experience an immersive, educational and fun programme, combining exceptional English language tuition and academic learning, with a range of exciting activities and premium excursions to some of the UK’s top destinations including Oxford, London and Thorpe Park theme park. Students will improve their language proficiency and progress academically in English, STEM and Global Solutions, whilst also developing creativity, confidence, leadership and teamwork….and of course, make friends with other young people from around the world. Reasons to choose Downe House Summer School? We are located in the royal county of Berkshire, close to close to Oxford, London and UK Airports. Our school campus is set within a 110 acre estate, which is beautiful and safe. This unique locations allows students to be part of nature and enjoy the wildlife. Our unique 'Best of British' theme includes: Sightseeing trip to London / Excursion trip to the Thorpe Park theme park / Visit to Oxford University for a symposium on Global Solutions / Skills workshop with the British Army where students learn orienteering and survival skills / traditional British high tea. We offer modern, high-quality, comfortable accommodation with a homely feel and our expert pastoral staff are friendly and welcoming. Exciting and unique academic programme with a global focus. Students with lower English levels attend 'Confident in English' classes, students with a higher English level learn about Shakespeare in our 'Beginning the Bard' course. Our STEM classes are unique and offer lots of opportunities for students to leave the classroom and conduct interesting hands on experiments. In our Global Solutions lessons students will learn about globalisation and global business. We accept students with English levels of A2, B1, B2,C1 and C2 and we structure our sessions according to ability and age.
What's Included
Two weeks of full boarding accommodation on the Downe House campus
Ability-focussed English language lessons taught by Downe House teachers
Academic programme in English, STEM and Global Affairs
Activities programme on the school's campus and facilities
Excursions to UK destinations including Oxford, London and Thorpe Park
'Best of British' features — Oxford University seminar and a day with the British Army
Transfers from London Heathrow and London Gatwick
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Ask a questionActivities
Special focus
English · Languages
Downe House Summer School is a single two-week residential course for boys and girls aged 9 to 15, run and taught by the school's own experienced teachers on its Berkshire campus. The programme is built around three strands that run through the fortnight: ability-focussed English language lessons, an academic programme with a global focus covering English, STEM and Global Affairs, and a full activity and excursion schedule. Students are grouped by language level for their lessons, so the teaching meets each child where they are, while activities and trips bring the whole international cohort together. What sets the fortnight apart are its 'Best of British' set pieces, including a seminar at Oxford University and a day spent with the British Army, alongside excursions to Oxford, London and Thorpe Park. The stated aim is to send students home not only more confident in English but more capable in creativity, leadership and teamwork, in the spirit of the school's World Ready ethos.
Levels welcomeA1 — BeginnerA2 — ElementaryB1 — IntermediateB2 — Upper intermediateC1 — AdvancedC2 — Proficient
Other included activities
Videos
Excursions & trips
Included in the programme
Travel - inside the Country
Reviews
E
Ebun
Global Solutions was my favourite class because it challenged me to think Highlight? Getting to stay on the gorgeous campus and meeting some very kind people. I loved the teachers!
Oct 2025
M
Michelle
I love Downe House. The staff were so nice!
Oct 2025
P
Prapang
My favourite lesson was STEM because it was fun and I learnt a lot from it
Oct 2025
R
Romy
I wanted to thank the Downe House staff for the amazing camp. It was fun, well organised and the food was very tasty! Thank you again for investing so much of your time in creating this great DHSS
Oct 2025
Safety & Supervision
Background-checked staff
First-aid trained staff
24/7 supervision
Downe House maintains high safety and welfare standards as confirmed by an Independent Schools Inspectorate report in November 2024. The school has a strategic approach to risk assessment and maintains a safe, tranquil campus on a large estate. We publish a student Code of Conduct and a Student Handbook, which includes all the relevant safety information. We hold a full formal induction talk for students so they are aware of the safety procedures around the campus and online. We have a specific Summer School Safeguarding Policy in place and we have dedicated and qualified safeguarding staff. In each boarding house we follow strict safety guidelines in line with our Downe House School policies, which can be found on our website. The majority of staff are first aid trained and they are confident in dealing with minor incidents, we also have access to a medical consultant from our Medical Centre 24/7. We issue every parent/guardian and student with an emergency contact number. We have a rota in place for overnight emergencies so that a member of the leadership team is always available. All activities are carefully risk assessed and anyone entering the Downe House site is fully vetted and issued with the necessary ID lanyard. We ask all students to complete a detailed medical questionnaire before arrival and any pre existing conditions and medication are reviewed by our medical centre. All prescribed medication is checked and locked away on arrival so it can be administered safely. Door alarms are activated in boarding houses at night.
Screen time policy
Students are NOT permitted to use their phones during lessons, activities and mealtimes. However, students can use their phones first thing in the morning, at breaktimes, in the evenings and when on excursions. If they need to speak to their parents we allow then to use their phones. Our Wi-fi network is filtered and monitored.
Accommodation & campus
Where your child sleeps
Per bedroom
4 campers
Bedrooms
Shared bedrooms
Bathrooms
Bathrooms shared between rooms
Students will love staying in our luxurious and modern boarding houses. Boys and girls will be in separate boarding areas. The bedrooms are comfortable and spacious and there are also large common areas where students can relax in the evenings. Each bedroom will be shared by 3 to 4 students (of a similar age). There are a few rooms for 2 students only – please register your interest and note this comes at an additional cost. The students have access to the kitchens so they can make noodles, cookies and smoothies in the evenings. There are also some outdoor spaces with games on offer. On each corridor there are plenty of share bathroom facilities available.
Campus facilities
Dining Room
Classrooms
Soccer Court
Laundry
Library
Volleyball Court
Games Room
Arts room
Tennis Court
Cinema
Theater
Science room
Swimming Pool
Location & getting there
Downe House School, Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham, RG18 9JJ
Map loads with your permission — it connects to Google Maps.
Getting your child there
Airport
IncludedLondon Heathrow
Pickup service · London Heathrow and London Gatwick pickup free of charge. Other London airports and bespoke transfers available at additional charge of £200 per transfer.
By car
Driving to campus
Families driving in come straight to Downe House School, Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham RG18 9JJ, a 110-acre site in a quiet West Berkshire village just two miles from the M4 and A34 and within easy reach of Oxford and London. · Downe House School, Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham, RG18 9JJ
Airport
IncludedLondon Gatwick
Pickup service · Gatwick is the second included arrival point, with pickup organised by the Summer School at no extra charge. Families flying into other London airports, or needing a bespoke transfer outside the standard arrival window, can have one arranged for an additional £200 per transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Run by Downe House Summer School
Since 2025
Profile managed by the campUpdated this month
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Jul
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