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Summer 2025 will be the 10th anniversary of us running our very special and unique summer programme. It is a privilege and honour as the Director of International Education at Whitgift to be writing this blog to you all.
We will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary in Summer 2025!
I'm in the unique position in that I actually began my Whitgift journey as an English Language Teacher back in 2017, which was only the third year the summer school had been running. I can safely say that the Intensive English Language Course we run here at Whitgift is one of the most dynamic in terms of what we offer students from a communicative perspective.Teachers are encouraged to use textbooks as a guide only and this ensures that the classroom really comes alive. In this way, students focus on reading, listening, speaking, writing, grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary in an exciting and communicative way.
A slightly younger Mr Chisholm (centre, when he was a teacher) in deep discussion with colleagues during the Friday afternoon Progressive Skills in Action session in 2017!
But back to the history of the summer school for a moment...We first opened our doors to international students in 2015. So, what has changed over the past 10 years? Well, firstly, some numbers: in 2015 we welcomed 160 students, and in 2024 we had a total of 238 students! More impressively, I think, is that back in 2015, we had a total of 13 different nationalities on the programme, but we now welcome over 30 different nationalities each year.
The first ever Summer 2015 group picture!
We also now offer a total of three courses.Firstly, our Intensive General English Course (11– 17) has been with us since the summer school was established back in 2015 and is still our most popular course. Then, 2021 saw the addition of our Pre-IB Course (14–17) and in 2024 we introduced a third course, called the Academic Enrichment Programme (11–13).
Alongside our incredibly popular Intensive General English Course, we now offer 2 academic programmes as well.
Some things, though, don’t change – and for good reasons! All students take part in our afternoon project work (once called ‘English in Action’ and now called ‘Progressive Skills in Action’), alongside students from Whitgift. Known as Student Ambassadors, these English-speaking students are a key part of the summer school and one of the reasons so many international students choose Whitgift for their summer school experience. With around 40 British students on the course each week, our visiting international students have the chance to study, make friends and socialise with boys and girls from Whitgift – a truly unique proposition! Elsewhere, we still offer 2 exciting excursions per week as well as Academies run by professional coaches who work at Whitgift School.
Academies at Whitgift, like Fencing, are run by professional coaches, who work at Whitgift during the academic year.
I feel that Whitgift Summer School is the ideal place for students to develop and thrive, both in the classroom and during activities. Why? Well, because we are the right size in terms of numbers. Including the Student Ambassadors, we have around 160 students each week on the course, and with around 40 members of staff at the school, students receive the care and individual attention that is required to ensure they feel heard, safe and happy with us.
Classes are Whitgift Summer School are small, with a maximum of 12 students per class. Here, some students are deep in thought with one of our amazing teachers, Mr Legg.
On that note, I must make everyone aware about the sheer passion, dedication and professionalism of the staff who work at the summer school.The administrators, teachers, activity leaders, house parents and managers are the people who make magical things happen for the children and I am very proud of the team we have here at the school. You will most likely be in touch with our team here at Summer School HQ, and they are more than happy to help you with any questions you might have, so please do not be shy!
Something different: where else can you go to summer school and enjoy the company of flamingos?
Finally, the Whitgift School campus is an inspiring setting for all our students. Where else can you find peacocks walking around a school and flamingos relaxing in a water garden? When parents and students come to the school, they are always pleasantly surprised by how green and relaxing our campus is and can’t quite believe that we are in south London! Indeed, we are only a 20-minute train journey to London St. Pancras, 45 minutes from London Gatwick and 1 hour from Heathrow. As we enter our 10th year, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of pride in what we do here at Whitgift. We genuinely care about each student and want them to return home having created unforgettable positive memories. We’ve now welcomed over 1,200 students to Whitgift Summer School, and we have, in our own little way, started creating a summer school legacy around the world.