Course Format
This course runs in conjunction with other courses on each campus. Students from all programmes share the same Core English and Learning & Innovation lessons, BSS Experience and most recreational activities and cultural excursions.
Location
Student can choose to take the course at 1 of 2 locations. Students can choose between Clayesmore School, a senior boarding school located in the picturesque village of Iwerne Minster in the Southwest of England, or Oundle School, a prestigious senior boarding school situated in the charming market town of Oundle in the heart of Northamptonshire in central England.
English Levels
The course welcomes students of English levels from A1 Beginner to C1 Advanced at Clayesmore School and from A2 Pre-Intermediate to C1 Advanced at Oundle School.
Lessons
There are 20 hours per week with 3 types of lessons: Core English, Learning & Innovation and Focus Communication. The objectives of the lessons are to improve students’ receptive and productive language skills and to develop their ability to communicate and operate in the 21st century. Students develop skills required to communicate more freely, naturally and confidently in academic, recreational and professional contexts.
Mission: Integration!
This takes place on Sunday evenings and consists of icebreaker and get-to-know-you activities to help new students integrate into school life and meet continuing students.
Housewarming!
On Monday evenings, students take part in a series of house-based games and activities to help them build new and consolidate existing friendships with other students from the same house.
Sports & Leisure
Students take part in our Leisure programme where they can choose between a selection of different sports and leisure activities.
Pro Options (Only at Oundle)
The Pro Options programme is optional and allows students to specialise in one sport or other recreational activity for the whole week and is designed to increase their skills, techniques, and knowledge in their chosen option.
BSS Experience featuring True Me
This is our evening entertainment programme that consists of a series of fun challenges and events designed to develop students personal and social skills, self-confidence, and authenticity.
Cultural Programme
Saturday and Sunday excursions allow students to visit places of cultural or historical interest or take part in a recreational activity with their friends.
COURSE overview
Centre: Clayesmore / Oundle
11-17 years (Clayesmore) / 12-17 years (Oundle)
English Levels: from A1 to C1 (Clayesmore)/A2 to C1 (Oundle)
20 hours of lessons per week
Core English
Learning & Innovation
Focus Communication
Sports & Leisure
Evening Entertainment
True Me
Dates & Fees 2024
Students can stay for any number of weeks. The recommended minimum stay is 2 weeks.
1-6 July* (Oundle only)
7-13 July
14-20 July
21-27 July
28 July-3 August (Oundle only)
4-10 August (Oundle only)
* Starts on Monday 1 July 2024. The reduced fee for Week 1 will be £1,335, to reflect the shorter week.
Residential course: £1,575 per week. Fee includes:
Accommodation
BSS Experience featuring True Me
Excursion Programme
Lessons
Meals (full board)
Sports & Leisure Programme
Transfers (standard days from selected airports / train stations)
Travel insurance
Effective communication is key to success in the 21st century and developing these skills is an integral and crucial part of this course.
Lessons
Core English
English language lessons are designed to further improve students’ receptive and productive skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), extend the scope and range of their vocabulary in both formal and informal contexts and deepen their understanding of grammar in order to improve spoken and written accuracy.
Learning and Innovation
These task-based lessons enable students to work collaboratively to research, discuss and create projects that reflect their knowledge, skills, and personality while developing strategies that are essential for success in the 21st century. The projects have been specially created to help develop the students’ capabilities in each of the 4Cs that form the core of the 21st Century Learning curriculum: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking.
Focus communication
Effective communication is key to success in the 21st century and developing core communication skills is an integral and crucial part of this course.
These lessons are designed to help students develop the skills required to communicate more freely, naturally, and confidently in English in academic, recreational, and professional contexts.
Lessons include a range of oral and written communication methods such as:
Academic essay writing
Business report writing
Creative writing
Debating
Negotiating
Networking
Presenting
exam courses
Students can choose to prepare and take the Trinity College Communication Skills exam.
This exam is designed around a series of real-world, practical tasks including CV preparation and job interviews, giving presentations and leading discussions and debate.
This exam tests the necessary skills required to excel in education and in the workplace. The exam is carried out at the end of the course either online or in person.
