FAQs

We have a strict nationality policy, which ensures there is never over 15% of any one language at any one time. This means our students really do have the opportunity to practise English as much as possible. In 2025 we welcomed students from 29 different countries!

There are approximately 110 international students and between 30-40 British students from Whitgift and another partner school who take part in the programme each week.

We accept applications for students aged 11-17 years. 

Intensive General English covers all ages and levels.

The Digital Champions and Skills in Academic courses are designed for students aged 14-17 years, and the Academic Enrichment course is designed for students aged 11-13 years old.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements. Email us on summerschool@whitgift.co.uk or call us on +44 208 633 9924. 

To ensure the student gets the best from the courses, we have recommended course lengths as well as set transfer days.

Please visit our booking page here and complete the booking form. One of our team will respond within one working day to confirm your place or discuss the next steps.

When you complete the 'student information form' you must upload a photo of the student attending the summer school. It's very important that the student is happy with this photo and it's a recent image. This photo will be used on the photoboards in the boarding house, on the graduation presentation if they win a prize, and on a medical photoboard should they have any medical issues.

Fees include accommodation, lessons, excursions, the airport transfer service (within the advertised times and airports), laundry, course books and materials, all sports (except academies: Golf, Horse Riding and Fencing) and all meals.

Due to limited places on some academies, these must be booked before arrival. 

Whitgift is an all-inclusive course and therefore students will only require money to buy small items from the Whitgift School Shop, or presents and treats during excursions. We highly recommend bringing a payment card or having a mode of payment on your smart phone.

We suggest no more than £100 per week if you are bringing cash. We look after the pocket money and students can sign small amounts out to take on excursions.

Each student is required to bring £30 cash as a damage deposit for their room, as well as cash for any outstanding fees owed. Please ensure cash are current UK notes and not those that have gone out of circulation. More information can be found here.

If you would like to discuss pocket money, please do get in touch. 

Sports

Golf, Horse Riding and Fencing are all run by professional coaches and cost an additional £220. These must be booked in advance of the summer.

Airport transfers

A complimentary airport transfer to/from Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, London City and St. Pancras Station is offered between 9am and 6pm on the arrival / departure Sundays. We highly encourage you to book flights / trains that arrive / depart in this time frame. 

If the student is travelling as an unaccompanied minor, out of hours the charge will be from £200. 

Transfers can be arranged at different times or from different airports at an additional cost. These are charged from £150 each way if the student is NOT an unaccompanied minor. 

Please email us at summerschool@whitgift.co.uk if you have transfers arriving / departing from a different airport / station than our included list, if your transfer is out of hours and/or the student is travelling as an unaccompanied minor.

More information here

We offer free transfers to and from Gatwick, Heathrow and London City Airports, as well as London St. Pancras Station between 9am and 6pm on each transfer Sunday. Students are met by Whitgift Summer School staff.  We highly encourage you to book flights/trains that arrive/depart in this time frame. 

If you are arriving/departing outside the advertised times, we may still be able to provide a transfer but this will be charged at £150 minimum each way. We do not support transfers to other airports other than Heathrow, London City or Gatwick.

Yes, on the arrival Sundays, we advise that students are dropped off from 11am as our induction day begins at 12 noon. However, you are more than welcome to drop your son or daughter at Whitgift at a time that is convenient for you. 

Of course, we request that you advise us of an arrival time in advance, so that we can make sure your son/daughter is ready to go. Please present yourselves to the Boarding House welfare team when you collect your son/daughter as you will need to sign them out and collect their travel documents and pocket money from the team.

It's 25 minutes to Central London by train. Heathrow and London City Airport are approximately 60 minutes and Gatwick Airport is 45 minutes by road. 

There is a maximum of 12 students per class.

In the morning, international students have 2 hours of General English followed by 1 hour of British Culture.

The British students arrive at the school at lunchtime and have a 2-hour lesson with the international students in the afternoon.

Yes. All our students take an English test before arrival. The results of this will be used to place students in the correct English class.

All students will receive a weekly progress report. This covers all areas of their Summer School experience, and will be completed by their English teachers, Activity Team and Welfare Team.

At the end of a student's last week a more detailed leavers report is produced, giving feedback on how the student can improve over the next academic year. 

The reports are emailed to parents/agents each week.

There are a total of 23 teaching hours per week. 

Yes there is a minimum level requirement of A2, and the students who have had two years of English language lessons.

Yes we only accept student admissions from those who are aged 11 or older.

There is a maximum of 12 students per class.

Students immerse themselves in an exciting minimum two-week  course that revolves around essay writing skills, extended listening practice and seminar style discussions. These skills are essential for any student contemplating studying higher education in an English-speaking context, and this course will give them the skills to succeed in the future.

All students will receive a weekly progress report from their teacher as well as their activities and about their welfare.  The progress report will be emailed to parents/agents each week.

There are a total of 23 teaching hours per week. 

You must have a minimum C1 level of English to participate on our Skills in Academic English course and as part of the admissions process we will ask you to complete an online English test and one short hand-written essay. If your English does not meet the minimum requirements we will politely suggest you enrol in our Intensive English Course.

Our course is designed for students aged 14-17 years old.

There is a maximum of 12 students per class.

On this three-week course, and under the guidance and tutorship of experienced Whitgift Teachers, students will study AI & Ethics, Computer Science and Critical Thinking. This course has been specially designed by Whitgift staff who specialise in the subject matter. Students will take part in debates, analyse and use AI, and learn to think critically about the rise of technology in our society.

All students will receive a weekly progress report for the subject they have been studying as well as their activities and about their welfare.  The progress report will be emailed to parents/agents each week.

There are a total of 23 teaching hours per week. 

You must have a minimum B2 level of English to participate on our Digital Champions Course. If your English does not meet the minimum requirements we will politely suggest you enrol in our Intensive English Course.

Our Digital Champions course is designed for those who have knowledge and are semi-regular users of technology for studying, and therefore is suited for students aged 14-17 years old.

There is a maximum of 12 students per class.

Students immerse themselves in an exciting three-week  course that revolves around English, Maths, and Science. Guided by our expert Whitgift teachers, you'll dive deep into these subjects, building a strong foundation that will set you on a path to academic success. Engaging lessons, interactive activities, and collaborative projects will make your learning experience both enriching and enjoyable.

All students will receive a weekly progress report for the subject they have been studying as well as their activities and about their welfare.  The progress report will be emailed to parents/agents each week.

There are a total of 23 teaching hours per week. 

You must have a minimum B2 level of English to participate on our Academic Enrichment course and as part of the admissions process we will ask you to complete three English tests; one short hand-written essay, an online interview for approximately 15 mins with our Course Director, and an online English test. If your English does not meet the minimum requirements we will politely suggest you enrol in our Intensive English Course.

Our course is designed for students aged 11-13 years old.

Almost all activities are included in the course fee. The following academies cost an extra £220 each: Golf, Horse Riding and Fencing. These academies are delivered by professional coaches and have limited spaces.

At the time of booking, you will select your multi-activity options. There will be three and you submit them in order of priority. On your first Monday at Summer School, you will find out the two activities for the week.

Yes, you must bring moulded football boots and shin pads for the Football Academy.

If you have them, please bring jodhpurs. Otherwise, please bring long straight trousers or strong leggings/jeggings (which do not have a thick seam). Jeans or flared trousers are not suitable.

Riding boots, such as wellingtons, or a strong shoes with a small heel will be required. Boots can be borrowed from the riding school and riding hats will be provided. 

Please ensure you bring any golf shoes you may have, and a collared top for when you play at the golf course. You are not required to bring golf clubs, we do not have the storage for them at the boarding house. 

Comfortable sports shoes, all other materials are provided.

One half-day excursion (Wednesday) and one full-day excursion (Saturday) take place each week.

When there are no airport transfer days, we run an extra Sunday excursion to a large shopping centre. 

Our excursions are carefully planned to be varied as well as thematically linked to the English Lessons. They typically include visits to Thorpe Park, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, Brighton, Cambridge. We also visit an outdoor activity centre and a water sports centre for the students to experience kayaking, paddleboarding and windsurfing among other activities.

All excursions and equipment required are included in the course fee.

We will publish a provisional list for the 2026 summer school in April/May.

Our boarding house is split into separate boys and girls accommodation. 

All rooms are double or triple. Our modern boarding house was built in 2013 and all rooms are en-suite. If the student is very tall, please let us know in advance as there are a limited number of extra long beds.

We have a very limited number of single rooms and cannot guarantee availability. To discuss this please contact our team at summerschool@whitgift.co.uk

Unfortunately not, all students are placed in rooms with a student of a similar age, but of a different nationality. This is to encourage students to make new friends. 

Yes, our Welfare Team live in the boarding house with the students and are available 24/7.

Yes, you will be provided with the details during your induction. 

No! Our house parents will lock each student's phone in a box in their bedrooms. This is to make sure students get a good night's sleep. Phones will be returned the next afternoon, but they are not allowed to be used at mealtimes or in activities.

Students are allowed to use their phones during excursions and at weekends, provided they do so responsibly.