For over 45 years, our courses have been among the most consistently popular in the country, with more than 60,000 students choosing to spend their summers with us. We work with only the most prestigious English boarding schools. Though they were founded hundreds of years ago, they’re as up-to-date as any in the country.
For over 45 years, we've been helping young people from all over the world improve their English.
During this time, more than 60,000 have spent their summers with us. Many of them returning for a second, or even a third season.
So, what is it about our schools and our courses that has made them among the most consistently popular in the country? You don't have to look far to find the answers.
We work with only the most prestigious English boarding schools. Though they were founded hundreds of years ago, they're as up-to-date as any in the country.
Millions of pounds are spent on them every year to make sure they're constantly being developed.
Our residential Summer Schools could hardly be better situated. All are within easy reach of London, Heathrow airport and some of England's most historic towns and cities.
Our courses are designed for students aged 8-17 and they're among the very few in the country to concentrate on the Trinity College examinations in spoken English. Our average pass rate over the past three years is 99%, with 83% of students achieving merit or distinction. We now also offer FCE and IELTS exam courses at Rugby.
From start to finish, we make sure your time with Thames Valley is worry-free.
When you arrive at the airport, you'll be met by our staff and taken to your chosen centre by private coach. At the end of the course, we'll take you back to the airport and see you safely through check-in and passport control / security. If you'd prefer your own taxi transfer, this can be arranged at additional cost.
All four Young Learner centres are residential. A typical boarding house would have 35-50 students staying there and you'd sleep in a single or twin room, or in a larger room with 3-6 beds. Mixing and making friends in these surroundings comes very easily.
Accommodation is full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and there is a free laundry service for your machine-washable clothes.
Each boarding house is supervised by an experienced Housemaster or Housemistress who is responsible for your personal safety and welfare. They're on call 24 hours a day helping to organise every aspect of your visit; looking after your pocket money, flight details and passport; ready with support and encouragement whenever you need it. You won't have to worry about a thing.
On average, there's one adult in residence for every five students. It's reassuring to note too, that most of our senior staff work in UK boarding schools throughout the year. Many of them come back to work with us summer after summer
No students are allowed to leave campus without adult supervision.
During time allocated for shopping on excursions or in local shops, students aged 14 and above have the freedom to shop in pairs or small groups with guidance from their supervisor. Students aged 13 and below are supervised by adults at all times.
Students are issued on arrival with an Identity Card, which must be carried at all times. The card shows the TVSS emergency mobile telephone for the centre.
There will be trained first aiders at each centre.
There will be a morning 'Nurse Surgery' most days for minor ailments. Students who need further medical attention during their course will be accompanied by a member of staff to the school doctor's surgery or, if necessary, the Accident & Emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Thames Valley Summer Schools appointed nurses/first aiders will administer non-prescribed medicines (such as cold and flu medication, allergy tablets) as necessary, except when advised by parents not to.
Thames Valley Summer Schools takes its safeguarding responsibility very seriously and expects all staff to share in this commitment. Staff are given safeguarding training to help them create a caring, safe environment and there are two Designated Safeguarding Officers at each centre.
Passing the Trinity Examination may be the main priority, but we make sure you enjoy yourself outside the classroom too.
In the afternoons, teachers and specialist staff will organise a whole host of activities for you.
If you're keen on sport, there's volleyball, tennis, badminton, basketball, squash, table-tennis, football, softball, swimming and water polo. If you prefer to do something more creative, all our centres have classes in ICT, arts and crafts, aerobics and Zumba.
View the activities and excursions available at our centres here.
At three of our schools our afternoon Academy courses give you the chance to learn new skills from qualified instructors.
In the evening, you'll find there are all sorts of entertainments, ranging from discos to karaoke, talent shows to sports competitions, film shows to themed barbecues.
Our excursions are an important part of our teaching programme. We build language exercises around trips to many of the country's most famous landmarks. Places like Canterbury, Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton and Stratford-upon-Avon are all on the itinerary — depending on the centre you choose.
You'll also enjoy excursions into London. These usually include an educational tour of great museums (British, Natural History, Science or the National Gallery) combined with the opportunity to do some shopping in Oxford Street, Covent Garden or Regent Street.
Depending on your centre too, there'll be some splendid sightseeing with a ride on the London Eye, a cruise on the River Thames or the opportunity for a tour on an open top bus.
Trinity College London has been assessing abilities in listening and speaking English for over fifty years. Its examinations are internationally recognised and we take great pride in our students' annual pass rate.
All our Trinity courses prepare students for the examination.
At our Ascot, Epsom and Leatherhead centres, you study for the examination at grades 1-9 (beginner to upper intermediate). Grades are aligned to levels pre A1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Average size of classes is 13-14 students, maximum 15.
The examination is entirely based on your conversational ability and, from the word go, you'll be carefully coached towards achieving the required level.
You'll have 5 forty-minute lessons each morning, five days a week (16 hours and 40 minutes contact time). In lessons 1-3, you'll focus on conversational and interactive language tasks. In lessons 4-5, the emphasis is on topics required by Trinity for their examination (subjects like global warming, fashion, festivals, music, shopping and travel).
At Rugby, the course is designed to speed up improvement in the accuracy and fluency of your English so that you can take the Trinity examination at a higher and more challenging level. (We prepare for grades 1-11, aligned to pre A1-C1 of the CEFR.)
In addition to morning classes, you'll have lessons on two afternoons a week (total contact time 20 hours). Classes will be smaller with an average of 9 students, maximum 10. You'll also have the use of additional language aids such as DVDs and ICT.
Whichever teaching programme you choose, you'll practise one-to-one interviews so that, by the time the examination comes around, you'll be perfectly comfortable and confident.
The level at which you'll prepare for the Trinity examination is determined on day one, when you take an oral test.
From here on, your progress will be monitored closely by your teachers and your Director of Studies. They'll do their best to make sure that, whatever the length of your course - 2, 3, or 4 weeks - you'll be ready to take the examination at the end of it.
All languages are constantly changing and English is no exception. With this in mind, we go to great lengths to make sure our courses are constantly being updated.
We're as selective about our teachers as we are about our schools. We insist on them being friendly, fun to work with and easy to relate to.
They're all native-level English speakers and are expected to hold internationally recognised teaching qualifications — as required by the British Council. Usually, they're in their twenties or early thirties and will already have had teaching experience in language schools abroad.
We have a team of language experts with over fifty years' experience between them. Their task is to make sure that you learn the most current form of English. And that you learn it in the most stimulating and enjoyable way.
Computers, of course, are an essential part of the modern learning process. But over and above these, you'll have the help of the most up-to-date textbooks.
Course material is rewritten on average every four years and it includes a Trinity Student Book that is unique to us.
Covering all sorts of up-to-the-minute topics like film, sport, music and technology, it also reinforces what you'll be seeing and doing on your excursions
Develop your confidence with English boys and girls throughout the day.
In each class at all of our centres, you'll have the chance to make friends with English boys and girls of a similar age to yourself.
They'll be with you throughout the day: working with you in lessons, joining you for lunch, taking part in your afternoon activities and encouraging you to speak as much English as possible.
It's one of the advantages we enjoy over most other summer schools and it's a great way to develop confidence in your conversational ability
St George's School, Ascot has won the Tatler Best School Food for Independent Schools in the UK Award!
Read MoreBuilt on the slopes of the beautiful Epsom Downs, the college is within easy reach of London, and walking distance from Epsom town centre.
Read MoreSt John's School, Leatherhead is a splendid mixture of old and new with the feel of a traditional Oxbridge college.
Read MoreRugby is one of the oldest and most famous schools in England. It was founded during the reign of Elizabeth I and has a splendid history.
Read MoreAll our centres prepare students for the Trinity examination. Grades 1-9 are offered depending on centre chosen.
In addition to the Trinity English examination course, the Afternoon Academy options give students the opportunity to learn new skills.
At Rugby, the intensive course is designed to further speed improvement in the accuracy and fluency of your English.
Having led the way in preparing students for the Trinity examination, we now offer examination courses for the Cambridge FCE and for IELTS.
of pupils achieve a passing grade or higher. 83% achieve a merit or distinction. (Trinity GESE Exam.)
students have chosen Thames Valley for their English Language Summer School.
adult-student ratio means student welfare is always prioritised.
Our summer schools have a lot to offer. Explore the images below to learn more.
In each class at all of our centres, you'll have the chance to make friends with English boys and girls of a similar age to yourself.
They'll be with you throughout the day: working with you in lessons, joining you for lunch, taking part in your afternoon activities and encouraging you to speak as much English as possible.
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