One outstanding school, two amazing summer centres.

 But which one is for me?

Wimbledon School of English is one of the top English as a Foreign Language (EFL) schools in Britain, and for summer 2019 we have selected two spectacular centres for our juniors’ summer schools: Lord Wandsworth College and Pangbourne College. So, why should you choose Wimbledon School of English for your junior summer school experience, and which one would be best for you or your child?

Both colleges are traditional British boarding schools, set in the tranquil atmosphere of the southern English countryside, within easy reach of London, the major British airports, and many of our best-known tourist destinations.

About the sites

Lord Wandsworth College lies in the county of Hampshire, in some 500 hectares of rolling hills and pristine woodland – it occupies the largest area of any boarding school in Europe. In 2018, the industry-leading EL Gazette magazine reported that Lord Wandsworth had been named the safest boarding school campus for under 18s in the country.

Lord Wandsworth College has state-of-the-art teaching and sports facilities, including a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool, all-weather sports pitches, a purpose-built theatre and a spacious common room which all students and group leaders can share. It has ten tennis courts, and for an additional fee students here can get professional tennis coaching from an accredited tennis professional, four times a week. Wimbledon School of English juniors’ summer courses at Lord Wandsworth run 7^th July – 10^th August 2019, and here we take students aged from 11 to 16 years old. 

Pangbourne College is in the Royal County of Berkshire, less than 10 kilometres from the historic minster town of Reading. Nestled amidst the lush woodlands of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, students at Pangbourne have access to a 25-metre heated outdoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a state-of-the-art music centre and a well-equipped arts and crafts space.

Pangbourne started life as a nautical college, and it retains its link to the sea despite being 70 km from the nearest coast. As an optional extra, students can buy four sessions a week of water-based activities at a nearby watersports centre. Here, they can try out kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, windsurfing and dinghy sailing under the supervision of Royal Yachting Association (RYA) -qualified instructors. If they wish, students can complete their RYA Youth Beginners’ Course stage 1 certification, which gives them a basic understanding of sailing and provides first-hand experience in steering and handling a boat. The Wimbledon School of English juniors’ summer summer at Pangbourne runs from 7^th July to 3^rd August 2019, and students can be aged 12-17.

Another activity which students at both Pangbourne and Lord Wandsworth Colleges can choose to purchase is a course of horse riding and stable management. The centre is 15 minutes from Pangbourne, 45 minutes from Lord Wandsworth, and it can cater for all abilities and ages; from children who want to sample the excitement of riding for the first time, right through to skilled riders who want to brush up on their techniques in dressage, lunging, show jumping, cross country, or hacking out in the charming Oxfordshire countryside.

Safeguarding and Welfare

Wimbledon School of English prioritises the emotional and physical health of our students; all our summer school staff are police checked and have received training in child protection and safeguarding. We have a dedicated head of welfare at both sites, and an assigned House Parent for every residence to further facilitate students’ well-being.

Our staff stay in the same houses as the students, who reside in single-gender boarding houses in rooms of 1-4 beds. At Lord Wandsworth, we also have some 5-bed rooms which we reserve for our younger students, but at both sites we encourage cultural exchange by housing students in mixed-nationality dormitories wherever possible. All our boarding houses come have large common rooms, equipped with modern entertainment systems, and kitchen facilities where students can prepare hot drinks and snacks.

Our Courses

Our teaching is where we really excel. With more than 50 years’ experience in teaching EFL, Wimbledon School of English has a deep understanding that all students learn in their own unique way. Within a supportive learning environment, we encourage students to push their boundaries and develop new skills. We have crafted our programmes to enable students to make the most out of their summer school experience. All our courses involve a combination of 12 hours of dedicated English classes a week, plus 6 hours of engaging and practical workshops.

At both our Lord Wandsworth and Pangbourne sites, we offer our students captivating and interactive courses built around their needs, to improve all aspects of their English. But at Pangbourne, more ambitious students aged 14-17, with a B2 or higher level of English, can instead choose our Young Leaders course, designed to help them thrive in the modern world.

Both sites offer elective afternoon workshops on British Popular Culture; Film Making & Social Media; The Language of Sport; Debating, Presentations & Public Speaking; and Junior Journalist. But exclusive to Lord Wandsworth we offer a First Certificate (FCE – B2) examination course, and at Pangbourne students can select a course on University Preparation.

Extra-curricular activities

Four times a week, after workshops have finished, students get to choose from a range of enjoyable activities which include at least one sport, one activity involving arts & crafts, and one that focusses on nature. From tag rugby to mandala painting, basketball and swimming to bird & plant spotting, we provide a varied and changing selection of activities to suit every taste.

Then, in the evenings, our expertly crafted entertainment programme provides a diverse and fun end to the students’ day. We endeavour to make the best use of staff and facilities at both sites, so at Pangbourne College the evening entertainments include an Escape Room; Music workshops; High ropes (first and last week only); and British games. The programme for Lord Wandsworth College includes the traditional British sport of Rounders, a WSE’s Got Talent show; and a convivial International Party.

Excursions

Southern England is rich in cultural attractions and world-famous sites, and at Wimbledon School of English summer schools we give our students a taste of these destinations with two full-day trips a week (except in a student’s departure week, when they have one excursion). Our Wednesday excursions are designated Language Experience Days, led by teachers who weave a strong language focus into the programme. On Saturdays, our Activities Leaders take students out to a different destination, which involves a tour around a city and/or entry to a famous attraction.

From both sites, we run multiple excursions to London and a trip to Oxford, where students get to learn about the university and enter one of the colleges. At Pangbourne College, students also get to visit the Roman city of Bath, which was home and inspiration to Jane Austen. From Lord Wandsworth College, meanwhile, we take students on a day trip to Brighton, as well as to Stonehenge and the fine medieval city of Winchester.

All students who stay for more than one week will enjoy a relaxing Sunday, where they can choose to socialise with their friends in their houses or take a rest before coming down to a leisurely brunch. After that, some may wish to stay on site and participate in whole-school games or study, while others can decide to go out with a member of our staff on an optional excursion. For a small extra fee, students can visit Harry Potter World from both sites, or they may wish to spend a few hours shopping in Basingstoke (Lord Wandsworth) or Reading (Pangbourne).

Whichever site you choose, with Wimbledon School of English you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re going to get the best possible summer school experience. We attract youngsters from across the globe, in 2018 our students came from 27 different countries, so not only will your English improve, you’ll learn about other cultures and go home having made friends from around the world. Book your place now!

https://www.wimbledon-school.ac.uk/juniors/