News

What a busy 2 weeks it has been here during Weeks 2 and 3 of Whitgift Summer School. If Week 1 was about resilience, Weeks 2 and 3 were about confidence! During the past two weeks the hum of learning in our English classrooms has been accompanied by a shift in student confidence. Conversations are flowing more freely, questions are being asked with greater assurance, and presentations are delivered with style! Our "Progressive Skills in Action" sessions have been a particular highlight, with students confidently tackling debates, collaborative projects, and creative writing tasks. It is really nice to see them embrace the challenge and express themselves.

But the growth in confidence goes far beyond the classroom walls. The entire idea of the Whitgift Summer School is for students to create global connections, and this week has truly delivered on that promise. New friendships have formed across cultures and continents and it is inspiring to see students from different backgrounds laughing, learning, and navigating new experiences together. The bonds created between our international students and our fantastic student ambassadors are particularly strong – these interactions are at the very heart of what makes our programme so special, providing authentic opportunities for cultural exchange and real-world English practice. Every moment matters, whether that is a conversation at lunchtime, a discovery in lessons or a joke shared between activities - all these moments help to create lasting friendships that will go beyond our summer school!

Our afternoons continued to be very busy, with our students having a 'can do' attitude in the wide-ranging activities and specialist academies they chose to take part in. These include:

Basketball Academy: The courts were full with energy as our Basketball Academy honed their skills, dribbling, shooting, and perfecting their teamwork under the expert guidance of our coaches.

Tennis Academy: The tennis courts buzzed with activity, as our Tennis Academy focused on forehands, backhands, and strategic play, with many students showing remarkable improvement.

Swimming and Water Polo were popular this week, with students making the most of our beautiful indoor swimming pool. For some students, this was the first time they had ever tried Water Polo, so this was a good example of students putting themselves in at the deep end!

Our excursions were varied and offered our students an opportunity to discover more about British history and culture. One of our excursions was a fascinating walking tour of Central London, which enabled the students to walk across bridges, past St Pauls and back down Westminster bridge. This was followed up by a trip to Hampton Court Palace & Jousting!

Another unforgettable trip took us to the majestic Hampton Court Palace. Stepping back in time to the Tudor era, students explored the opulent state apartments, whispered through the grand halls, and imagined life at court. The highlight for many was undoubtedly witnessing a thrilling jousting display in the authentic Tudor tilt yard! The hooves, the armour, and the cheers of the crowd created an electrifying atmosphere. Students also had the chance to wander through the exquisite formal gardens, including the famous maze, and admire the stunning fountains. Somehow, we managed to avoid the most of the wet weather. In typical British summer weather, it was very wet! Other excursions included a trip to Buckingham Palace as well as a water sports afternoon at a lake near to Whitgift School. 

We are now at the halfway point of the summer school, and have said goodbye to so many lovely students. At the same, we are thrilled to welcome a new group of students to Whitgift Summer School. What will this week bring, I wonder!?