DCS Summer School 2025 by Dean Close School

Dean Close Summer School

2nd July – 16th July 2025

An English language course with skills academy programmes for students aged 8–16

Course Highlights

30+ hours of English tuition per two-week course

Six excursions per two-week course

Three hot meals a day at our award-winning canteen

Bespoke activity choices with our different skills’ academies

Mix of single and dorm style rooms

Free transfers from and back to selected airports

World-class facilities, including an outdoor climbing wall and a 500-seat commercial theatre

Introduction

We are incredibly excited to welcome you to Dean Close Summer School, set in the beautiful Regency town of Cheltenham.

Steven Hirst, Head of Summer School and Short Courses

We offer an excellent academic programme, which aligns to the educational principles we follow all year-round here at Dean Close. Our course provides a unique taste of British boarding life, which will push your English language learning journey to the next level

Our broad programme offers wonderful opportunities for new experiences, making lifelong friends from across the globe and the chance to finetune a new (or existing) skill through our bespoke academy offerings, whether that means levelling up coding skills, finding adventure in the great outdoors, riding a horse through the English countryside, or participating in many of our other exciting academies

Our unique location on the edge of the beautiful Cotswolds area allows for some unforgettable excursions to cities such as Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and London, allowing you to absorb the best bits of British culture.

Since being established in 1886, Dean Close has welcomed students from all across the world and we very much look forward to welcoming you to the Dean Close family in July 2025!

Excursions

All our excursions are designed to explore the best cultural highlights and history of the UK. The excursion programme includes trips to famous museums, special activities in unique cities, and countless photo opportunities with new friends. All our excursions are by private coach or minibus, and all visits/attractions are included within the course fees

Bath

A postcard-perfect city not far from Dean Close. It was founded by the Romans in 60AD who created a spa from the natural hot springs there It was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987 and is home to some wonderful boutique shops and quirky architecture

Oxford

Home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world, of 43 different colleges, and countless wonders of architecture day excursion takes on a unique punting (boating) tour as we of the city’s many wonderful museums.

Cheltenham

The picturesque spa town of Cheltenham is just down the road from Dean Close school which makes it the perfect place for our half-day excursion, soaking in some of the local history, and checking out its many unique features.

London

No trip to the UK would be complete without stepping foot in our nation’s capital; a city where famous landmarks can be found around every corner Our fullday excursion takes you to the best of these landmarks and lets you experience what makes London one of the coolest cities in the world.

Home to the street-artist Banksy and to one of the world’s most impressive suspension bridges, Bristol is a metropolitan hub of shopping, cool graffiti, and urban living. It is one of the largest cities in the UK, with an attractive array of shops museums, and special sit f i

Stratford-Upon-Avon

The home of William Shakespeare, this beautiful medieval market town makes for a wonderful half-day excursion and a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a key part of British (and world) history As the final destination on our excursion list, it also provides the perfect chance to get some essential final souvenirs before leaving the UK to return home

Academic Programme

Our Teachers

The academic programme is planned and delivered by a combination of experts who work at Dean Close School all year round as well as highly-qualified teachers connected to the school Our English teachers come from a rich variety of educational backgrounds and have worked all over the world, so they understand the challenges that are faced by our international students They use a communicative approach to language learning to build confidence and navigate the ever-growing English language world around them The programme is reflective of the excellent teaching standards upheld at Dean Close throughout the entire academic year.

Our Programme

The course is designed to teach English that is relevant and useful; not only teaching grammar to “tick a box”. Teachers get to know students’ needs and cater their lessons to strengthen their skills and address their weaknesses Lessons are designed to overlap with all of the activities, excursions, and events that take place at Dean Close Summer School so that students have every opportunity to practise and develop their English mastery

Placement Tests

At the beginning of each course, students sit a simple placement test that is carefully designed to help place students in the English class that is right for their current point in their English journey These tests take place in the morning after their arrival so that students are fresh and ready to begin growing in confidence

Classes

Classes are arranged so that there is a mix of different nationalities and that the ages and ability of the students in each class is similar. Classes do not usually have more than 12 students in them so that teachers can focus on each student’s individual needs and there will be plenty of opportunities to practise and improve their English.

End of Course Reports + Certificates

All students receive an end of course report from their teacher, as well as a certificate recognising their achievement in completing a two week programme at Dean Close. These documents recognise that each student who comes to Dean Close Summer School is now a member of our ever-expanding international community.

Skills Academies

There are plenty of opportunities to learn and grow at Dean Close. We understand that each person is unique and has different goals, talents, and ambitions Our academy options allow students to choose to specialise in a subject or sport and grow their ability and confidence over a two week period.

Coding Academy (included in course fees)

Students work with a dedicated teacher to learn coding skills and coding languages such as Python, completing tasks and challenges, and working on a final project or programme over the two-week course

Coding is an invaluable future skill, and this academy is suitable for those looking to start learning, or to improve their current skillset.

Performing Arts Academy (included in course fees)

Dean Close is home to the impressive Bacon Theatre, a 500-seat commercial theatre which hosts many professional productions each year. Students looking to improve either their acting, musical, dance, or technical theatre skills will love this academy.

Students can choose after their first session which discipline they would like to pursue: theatrical arts, dance, or a musical instrument.

Outdoor Adventure Course (included in course fees)

Students work with an outdoor education expert to learn survival skills, get a taste of the great British outdoors, and experience adrenaline-inducing activities

There is also the opportunity to go on an overnight camping trip.

Academy sessions take place 8 times over the period of a two-week course, allowing students 8-12 hours to improve their chosen skills

Each academy has a minimum number of students needed to run and will not run if these numbers are not met. Students are therefore encouraged to choose a second preference (or backup) in their application form.

Sports Academy (included in course fees)

Students enjoy a variety of different sports, focusing mostly on British sports but with some old favourites such as football, tennis and hockey

This Academy helps students learn to work in a team, as well as to learn how to push themselves outside their comfort zone by trying new things.

Swimming Academy (additional fees apply)

Swimming is at the heart of Dean Close’s sporting programme, and our 25-metre swimming pool offers enthusiastic swimm the chance to work with a qualified instru improve form and technique.

This Academy is more suited to strong swimmers looking to improve their techn

Horse Riding Academy (additional fees apply)

Dean Close has close links with a local riding skill who offer bespoke riding lessons to all levels of equestrian

This Academy is suitable whether you are an experienced rider looking to improve your form or if you are a new rider looking to dip your toes into this fantastic hobby.

Modern Sports Centre

50 Acres of Grounds and Woodland

Dedicated Art School

Fully equipped gym

Communal Dining Room

Dedicated Music School

Cookery School

Climbing Wall

50 acres of parkland

Modern Boarding Houses

Sample Timetable

Below is an example of what students can expect when taking part in our Summer School programme

Catering

We offer a varied and healthy menu with options from around the world as well as staple British meals such as a Sunday roast and fish & chips.

Breakfast is a variation of cooked and continental with lunch offering a salad bar, with cold options and a hot option

Our fantastic catering team have a wealth of experience and have been with us for many years They are a massive hit with both staff and students at Dean Close.

We are a nut free site with all dietary requirements catered for.

Snacks and drinks are served during break times.

Activitiesand Events

Students will enjoy group activities most afternoons, as well as an entertaining evening social programme. These activities and events are designed to help build a great group atmosphere and provide students plenty of opportunities to improve their English, experience a taste of British boarding school life, win some points for their house teams, whilst allowing them to easily make friends with each other and forge lifelong memories together.

Our group activity programme makes the most of all the fantastic on-site facilities at Dean Close and include things such as:

Archery Art Workshops

Circus Skills Basketball Cooking Dance Hockey Netball Tennis

Overnight Camping Experience

Rounders

Football Kayaking Badminton Wall Climbing Cricket

Swimming

Capture the Flag Tag Rugby Design Challenges Laser Tag and much more

Students signed up to our Outdoor Adventure Course will have the opportunity to go on an overnight

Evening Social Programme may include:

Quiz Night Disco Talent Show Staff vs Student competitions

Casino Night House Team Challenges Film Night Campire Activities

BBQ Olympic-style games Activity Workshops and much more .....

Presentation Evening

On the last evening of the two-week course, students get dressed up to enjoy a formal dinner. This is one of the many social occasions that students enjoy at Dean Close throughout hte academic year and our summer school gives them a taste of this; letting them enjoy some live music, listen to speeches and drama performances, and receive prizes for the top-scoring House Teams, as well as end of course certificates We recommend bringing smart clothes to really celebrate in style

It is a magical evening to conclude two magical weeks at Dean Close Summer School

House Teams

Just like Harry Potter helped Gryffindor win the Hogwarts House Cup every year, you too can be part of the time-honoured tradition of joining a House Team at a British school It is very typical of British boarding schools, and many commonwealth schools, to divide students into different House Teams and that is no different here at Dean Close Summer School

Here, we offer you many chances to win points for working together with your house teammates to overcome and win challenges and contribute to your overall house points total Hard work and dedication in lessons, as well as participation throughout the activity programme is rewarded through the House Team system It is a system that encourages collaboration and rewards hard work, innovation, and courage

Students are randomly assigned to a House Team prior to their arrival at Dean Close Summer School House Teams are a balanced mix of nationalities, ages, and genders to enable fairness and encourage teamwork throughout the entire group There will be a number of different friendly challenges to enable students to work together towards a common goal.

Accommodation

Our boarding houses offer modern and relaxing living spaces, set within beautiful traditional buildings Our accommodation blocks offer a range of single and dorm-style rooms, as well as large communal spaces for students to hang out, chat, and enjoy catching up about the day’s activities.

Health&Welfare

Students are supervised at all times. Welfare or health concerns are spotted quickly and dealt with promptly. All our staff will be trained in Safeguarding and will also have the support of our Designated Safeguarding Lead throughout.

Students will be covered by a basic insurance policy with a nurse available to assist, if necessary, through our onsite Medical Centre

The student's laundry will be washed once per week as required with bedding also changed once during the two week stay.

Students will be given a safeguarding briefing upon arrival and will have staff they can contact if they need support