FAQs
The Downe House Summer School is an all-inclusive programme. Students will only require a small amount of money to buy presents or treats. Students should consider having a payment card or a payment facility on their smart phones. If students want to bring cash, we suggest a maximum of £100 in GB Pound Sterling. This will be handed over to the Housemistress for safekeeping and released on a need basis.
We offer complimentary airport transfers from London Heathrow and London Gatwick to Downe House on Sunday 6 July and a return transfer on Sunday 20 July 2025. Ideally, we prefer for students to arrive and depart between 10am and 2pm, however, we will also consider alternative times, please enquire directly by email: dhsummerschool@downehouse.net.
Yes, students can also be dropped off at Downe House on Sunday 6 July and they can be collected on Sunday 20 July, no other arrival or departure dates are being offered for 2025.
Yes, direct bookings cover the programme cost only; flight and visa costs to and from your home country are not included, students will need to organise these themselves. Downe House will provide a visa invitation letter for free.
Agent bookings cover the programme and transport costs, please check directly with your agent.
The academic programme will consist of three 90 minutes sessions per day on 4 days of each of the two weeks. This academic program is engaging and well-rounded! Here’s a brief overview of each component:
- English Language Skills: Tailoring sessions to different ability levels ensures that all students can progress at their own pace, building confidence in their language skills.
- STEM Sessions: By incorporating experiments and practical activities, students can grasp complex scientific concepts in a fun way, fostering curiosity and a love for learning. Focusing on hands-on experiences will help students actively engage with the material, making learning more effective.
- Global Solutions: This part of the curriculum is particularly valuable. By working in groups to tackle real-world issues, students not only develop critical thinking and collaboration skills but also gain a sense of global citizenship.
Overall, this program promises to be both educational and inspiring, preparing students to face future challenges with creativity and resilience. If you need help with specific details or implementation ideas, feel free to ask!
We are planning to offer a wide variety of sports and activities; Swimming (we have our own 25-meter heated indoor pool), tennis, Introduction to British Sports (lacrosse and hockey), yoga, orienteering, drama, arts and crafts, team games, table tennis, movie nights, silent disco. (Please note: Some of the activities offered are weather dependent, therefore, the programme could vary slightly. At Downe House, we have plenty of indoor spaces for activities if the weather is unsuitable).
We aim to make our Summer School as inclusive as possible, students with special educational needs or disabilities should get in touch with us by email: dhsummerschool@downehouse.net.
Yes, students will be provided with details during the induction session.
Students will not have access to their mobile phones when lessons and activities are taking place. Mobile phones can be used in the evenings when students are relaxing in the boarding houses after the evening activities, at the weekends and when they go out on trips. The students will not have access to their phones through the night.
The maximum class size is 15 students.
Yes, there are 4 beds in each room and there will be one boarding house for boys and one for girls.
Yes, the bathrooms are shared, however, there are plenty of facilities available on each floor for students to share comfortably.
No, unfortunately not, we want the students to all mix together (from all different nationalities) to help enrich their international experience and help new friendships develop.
