12-17 year olds
English level: Elementary – Advanced
As one of the UK’s most prestigious co-educational boarding schools, Bradfield College English-in-Action Summer Courses aim to equip young people with the skills and confidence to flourish personally and academically, developing the same attributes of lasting value as Bradfield’s year-round students.
Bradfield College English-in-Action Summer Courses blend English language learning with individual passions, allowing students to develop both their English-language abilities and knowledge in a specific discipline. Gaining subject-specific vocabulary, as well as practical language skills in context through activities like presentations, debates, and research projects, makes the learning process both engaging and meaningful.
Students are streamed by age and ability and are tested at the beginning of the course to ensure they are placed in the appropriate class. Students choose one of five English in Action courses, which blends language learning with personal passions through engaging, hands-on activities. Senior students aged 14-17 can also select specialist IELTS Exam Preparation course (with optional exam £495)
All students on English-in-Action courses will partcipate in morning Core English classes through a dynamic and engaging English Learning Model.
The comprehensive syllabus is combined with an enriching programme of activities and cultural excursions. Students live, study and play in an English speaking, multinational environment, where they have fun, make new friends from around the globe, and enjoy every opportunity to improve their English ability.
Course Essentials
Bradfield College English-in-Action Summer Courses consist of a well-balanced programme of English tuition, activities, sports and excursions. It includes:
- 40 hours of English tuition
- Afternoon and evening activity programme
- 2 full-day and 2 half-day excursions
- School report and certificate
- Optional IELTS exam (£495)
- Small class size, average 12
- Insurance and Airport transfers NOT included (£130/transfer if requird; £160/transfer with UM service)
Course Outlines:
Activities:
Outside of the classroom, students will improve language skills through a broad range of sporting, cultural and entertaining activities, such as:
Sports:
- Badminton
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Swimming
- Football
- Rounders
- Yoga
Creative:
- Drumming
- Painting
- Clay Modelling
- Jewellery Making
- Poetry
- Drama
- Music
Evening:
- Fashion Show
- Team Quest
- Casino Night
- Crystal Maze
- Talent Show
- Capture the Flag
- Thrasure Hunt
Excursions:
Excursions are a vital part of the summer experience for international students to gain a cultural understanding of the UK alongside English language learning. Students will have 2 fully day and 2 half-day excursions to experience the rich cultural heritage of Britain. The choices include:
- London Eye
- Buckingham Palace
- Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
- The National Gallery
- House Guards
- Covent Garden Market
- Shopping at Oxford Street
- Thorpe Park
- Oxford
- Cambridge
- Hampton Court Palace
- Windsor Castle
Below is a sample timetable and a typical day of Bradfield College English-in-Action Summer Courses:
Boarding:
Students are accommodated on-site in modern boarding houses of Bradfield College with single and twin en-suite bedroom. Girls and boys are accommodated separately. There are also common rooms in all boarding houses for students to relax and socialise together, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the school.A team of friendly staff will stay with the students within the boarding houses and are available at all times to provide assistance and a high level of supervision. There is also in-house healthcare assitant & on-call doctor available.
Meals:
Well balanced, nutritious three cooked meals a day with a wide range of salads and hot dishes are provided in the school dining room. Vegetarian meals are always available and are clearly labelled. Packed lunches are provided for excursions.
Facilities:
Bradfield College boasts excellent facilities including modern classrooms equipped with the latest technology, state-of-the-art music centre, extensive art block, outdoor amphitheatre, grass and astro-turf sports pitches, flood-lit tennis courts, indoor sports centre, 25m 6-lane swimming pool. Students enjoy exceptional facilities such as the Blackburn Science Centre, 1000-capacity Greek Theatre, the Indoor Sports and Tennis Centres, and the state-of-the-art St Andrew’s Study Centre, etc.Laundry:
Laundry is done once a week. All bed linen is provided and is laundered once a week. Towels are not provided.Founded in 1850 and lset in 250 acres of pristine Berkshire countryside in Reading, yet only 45 minutes from London Heathrow Airport, Bradfield College enjoys a well-established reputation for being one of the UK’s most prestigious co-educational boarding schools through its provision of an outstanding education. The school is a member of the Rugby Group, which also includes Rugby, Harrow, Shrewsbury, Wellington College and Charterhouse.
With 175 years of rich history, the Bradfield is committed to delivering an ‘education for life’ fit for the 21st century. It welcomes students from the UK and overseas with the student body numbering approximately 840, aged between 13 – 18 years old. The school motto is the Latin rendering of Psalm 119:12 “You are blessed, Lord. Teach me your Laws”.According to the Good Schools Guide, “Thoroughly unpretentious yet with lots to boast about, Bradfield is a heavenly place to learn and to grow. Very difficult to imagine who would not thrive here. There’s something for everyone and lots for all.” The school offers an unrivalled co-curricular programme for all pupils which ensures that every girl and boy has the opportunity to develop valuable skills outside the classroom, wherever their interests lie.
Academically, Bradfield is going from strength to strength with consistently excellent GCSE, A-Level and IB results. In 2024 exams, over 39% of all GCSE grades were scored 9/8/A*, and 59% were scored 9-7 (A*/A); 76% of all A-Level grades were A*-B. and 38% A*-A; and an IB average of 37 points, with one pupil scoring the maximum 45 points putting them in the top 1% of all candidates globally. Bradfield is consistently in the Top 10 UK IB schools. Alumni include three Victoria Cross winners, a Nobel Prize Laureate, and senior members of government including former Secretary of State for Defence, and Foreign Secretary.
