Arsenal Football Academy

Football camp for boys and girls.

Ages: 9-17.

Dates, 2026:
28 June - 4 July 2026
5 July – 11 July 2026
12 July – 18 July 2026
19 July – 25 July 2026
26 July – 1 August 2026
2 August – 8 August 2026

Exsportise has been running summer camps since 1988, offering language and sports programmes that really work. Courses are held in one of four excellent English boarding schools and combine English language learning with sports.

The company was founded by Dutchman Bram van Asselt. As a former top level hockey player and sports development specialist, Bram saw an opportunity to create something special and unique. He initially founded Exsportise to offer professional sports coaching to young people in the UK. Then in 1997, Exsportise began offering English language courses alongside sports coaching, using sport as a catalyst for learning and developing English.

The aim of the summer camp is for all students to leave Exsportise with improved language confidence, motivation for sport, new friends from all over the world and memories that will last a lifetime.

Every year, over 60 nationalities attend the summer camps. Friendships are formed through a shared interest – football. The children eat, learn, train and develop together. They have so much fun that they don’t even notice that they are learning English!

The program includes 2 areas:

• The English program is taught by experienced teachers and includes 3 hours of language lessons per day. Students improve their language skills, improve their vocabulary, and develop fluency. They also develop such important skills for learning in the 21st century as critical thinking, communication, creativity, problem solving, teamwork, and leadership. English is further improved during classes at a specialized sports academy.

• The football program is designed for children of all skill levels – from serious players aiming for professional sports to those who like to play for fun. The Football Academy is run in conjunction with the Arsenal Football Development coaching staff, making it one of the best in the UK. The programme is designed by the Arsenal Football Development Head Coach and focuses on developing key sporting skills and knowledge including nutrition, fitness and confidence.
  
  The Arsenal Football Development coaching philosophy is focused on providing a holistic experience and developing children in every area of ​​the game: technical, tactical, social, mental and physical. All the skills learned can be transferred to everyday life, helping children to become better players and better learners.
  
  That’s why the summer camp trains and coaches boys and girls together based on their skill level and motivation, rather than separating them into single-sex groups. Coaches have found that this builds self-confidence, creates a mutually beneficial atmosphere, breaks down age and cultural barriers and increases both the effectiveness and enjoyment of boys and girls playing together.

Key Factors

• Exsportise is one of the best summer schools for sports training and English language.
• The summer camp uses a dual approach to improving English: English language training + specialized sports academies, which are conducted in English by experienced teachers and professional head coaches. This ensures the progress of every child, regardless of their talent or initial experience.
• Since its establishment in 1988, Exsportise has trained more than 25,000 students. Today, most children come to the summer camp from abroad to study a combination of professional sports and English.
• The courses are designed for those students who want to improve their English, as well as their football skills and technique.
• The aim of the camp is to develop each player in the technical, tactical, physical, mental and social aspects of football.
• The average ratio of coaches to players is 1:10.
• The program includes 15 hours of language lessons per week and 15 hours of sports activities and training.
• The maximum class size is 1,500. 14 people, which ensures individual attention to each student.
• The school has a Director of Studies who ensures that teaching and learning are of a high standard.
• The summer camp is home to all staff, including medical staff and those who monitor the stay and well-being of the students (ratiostaff to children - 1:4).
• The Exsportise school program is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
• At the Exsportise summer camp, English becomes an integral part of children's daily lives. English is constantly heard around, practiced during lessons and during all recreational activities. This is a real immersion in the language environment and an opportunity to apply in real life what children have learned in the classroom.
• Participation in the sports camp requires that the child has at least one year of experience in football!
• You can choose only the sports program, without learning the language! For those who value practical application of knowledge more than learning in the classroom. Players will be able to improve their spoken English by participating in training, talking and listening to coaches and other participants. This is a very natural way of learning, improving and gaining confidence in English and has been successfully used at Exsportise camps for many years.

Facilities

The football programme takes place in one of 4 UK boarding schools. All locations are close to major London airports and have been carefully chosen to provide the ideal environment for students to learn together and grow.

1. Haileybury School

The summer camp can accommodate up to 70 children aged 9–15.

The school is located in a picturesque 200-hectare park. The historic yet modern campus is located 1.5 km from central London.

Thanks to its elite facilities, Haileybury School is often used by many Premier League football academies, including Arsenal FC, to train young players and hold matches with other academies.

The school has excellent sports facilities: football pitches, cricket and rugby pitches (in 2015, the school hosted the Rugby World Cup on its grounds). There is a fully equipped sports complex with a sports and gymnastics hall, two glass-walled squash courts, a bowling alley, indoor cricket pitches, a new climbing wall and a 25-metre swimming pool (the pool's design has won a national award). In 2008, a tennis centre with four indoor and four outdoor courts was opened.

2. Oundle School

Summer camp capacity: 160 people. The camp accepts children aged 11–17.

Oundle School is one of the UK’s most prestigious boarding schools, renowned for its academic excellence and elite facilities. The school is set in a beautiful rural county in central England, within easy reach of Cambridge and an hour from London. It is located in the safe and charming town of Oundle, which is often compared to a miniature version of Oxford for its academic atmosphere and stunning architecture.

It offers state-of-the-art facilities, including the flagship Oundle School Sports Centre. The school has excellent sporting facilities, including large playing pitches, sports halls and sports centre, heated indoor swimming pool, hard tennis courts, floodlit artificial turf pitch.

3. Seaford College

Summer camp capacity – 160 people. The camp accepts children aged 10-17.

The school is located in the picturesque South Downs National Park in the south-east of England, within easy reach of the beautiful sea coast and the bustling city of Brighton.

The school has excellent sports facilities: huge sports playing fields, a modern sports centre, two sports halls, 6 hard tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, a professional dance studio. The school has excellent golf facilities: a floodlit golf course and a 9-hole golf course.

4. Worth School

The summer camp has a capacity of 140 people. The camp accepts children aged 9-16.

The school is located in the beautiful Sussex countryside, in an area of ​​outstanding natural beauty. It is an hour's drive from central London and within easy reach of the beautiful seaside and bustling city of Brighton. Winner of the 2024 Independent Boarding School of the Year award.

The school has excellent facilities and boarding houses that provide a safe environment for pupils. The school has excellent sporting facilities: large playing fields, sports halls, 6 hard-surface tennis courts, a floodlit pitch with artificial turf, a 9-hole golf course (small), a professional dance studio, a theatre. Riding stables are located ina few minutes drive from the school.

The girls' soccer program is only available at Worth and Oundle Schools.

Program

English Language

The English language program includes at least 15 hours of instruction per week. The program is carefully designed to improve English proficiency and confidence with a strong emphasis on interactive communication.

Children are tested before the start of the camp, based on their current level of English and age. The level of communication skills is also assessed during an interview on arrival at the camp.

The summer camp is designed for children with English levels from A1 (Beginner - Elementary) to C1 (Advanced). The program does not include those who are just beginning to learn English and have little knowledge of the language, and those who have already reached the C2 (Proficiency) level.

The camp is taught by dedicated teachers who want to help students succeed. In their teaching, they use interactive and engaging teaching methods, making children feel comfortable and encouraging active participation in the learning process.

The teachers are committed to helping children feel at ease, fit in with the group and make friends. All lessons are interactive, engaging, fun and meet the needs of young people.

There are three 60-minute lessons per day with a 15-minute break. Three different lessons are studied to develop all language skills, expand your vocabulary, improve your speaking and writing accuracy and increase your self-confidence. Much attention is paid to pronunciation and fluency in the lessons.

Each three-hour lesson includes the following topics:

• Functional language: grammar / vocabulary.
  This lesson includes expanding vocabulary, improving understanding and use of grammar, and improving pronunciation. It also provides understanding and use of phrases for specific situations.
• Skills development with an emphasis on language.
  Focus on improving the four core skills: reading/listening and writing/speaking, using topics that are interesting and relevant to students, with an expanded emphasis on productive speaking.
• Sports cooperative projects.
  Children participate in projects where they work together to achieve a common goal, while developing creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, communication and fluency. These classes are particularly engaging for students, as they learn English, learn about British culture, develop presentation skills and boost their confidence.

Football

The football programme includes 15 hours of training per week.

If children choose the programme without language classes, they will have 6 hours of training per day, 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon, for a total of 30 hours of training per week.

The Football Academy is designed by Arsenal Football Development and is run by the Arsenal Football Development Head Coach, supported by Assistant Coaches.

The coaching philosophy is aimed at bringing out the best in each child. The programme is designed for children of all abilities and ensures that every player develops on and off the pitch in a supportive and enjoyable environment, learning to 'play the Arsenal way'.

The Arsenal Football Development training programme is based on teaching young footballers the same techniques, skills and game IQ that academy players receive at the official Arsenal Youth Academy. It is designed to give players an understanding of what it takes to play for Arsenal.

The camp model is built around the Arsenal Strong Young Player model, with 4 distinct development strands:

1. Effective Team Player – technical and tactical decisions.

Players will learn how to improve their technical ability and tactical mastery under the guidance of Arsenal Football Development coaches.

Drills will cover:

• ball possession, dribbling, 1v1,
• defending, pressing,
• transitions - counter-attacking and counter-pressing,
• passing and receiving skills,
• finishing the game,
• general decision-making and dribbling.

2. Efficient Movement - the ability to move well and remain stable throughout the game.

Players will be taught how to move effectively in the game, i.e. to be the best football athlete they can be. Football Fitness - is the creation of athletes adapted to all the demands of the modern game. This includes:

• agility,
• speed,
• balance,
• worklegs,
• coordination,
• endurance,
• sprint repeatability,
• functional movement.

3. Be a Lifelong Learner - adopt a learning mindset to strive for consistent and continuous improvement.

Summer Camp encourages players to be lifelong learners by remaining curious, seeking knowledge, and continually finding ways to improve themselves. They want to develop both the individual and the player:

• a mindset of continuous and continuous improvement,
• self-reflection,
• learning how to be a team player.

4. Champion Mentality - use every moment to maximise their potential.

Coaches will teach players to strive to improve, challenge and win. This is where football leaders are created on and off the pitch.

Goalkeeper Development Programme

Boys and girls are immersed in the life of a professional goalkeeper with daily lessons covering every aspect of the position. Football lessons and coaching sessions cover goalkeeping techniques such as footwork, positioning, diving saves, maintaining and distributing possession, 1v1 play and passing.

Arsenal International Academy Goalkeeper Development Programme also develops the physical and mental skills needed to be an effective modern goalkeeper.

Accommodation and protion

1. Haileybury School

Accommodation is in rooms for 1-2 people (there are several rooms for 4-8 people, which are occupied by younger students). Bathrooms are shared.

2. Oundle School

Accommodation is in secure boarding houses on the school grounds. Girls and boys are accommodated in separate rooms and are supervised at all times. Rooms are mainly for 2, 3, 4 people (there are some private single rooms and a few rooms with accommodation for more than 4 people). Bathrooms are shared. The houses have common rooms where children can relax in their free time and in the evenings.

3. Seaford College

Accommodation is in rooms for 2 or 3 people (there are some private singles and a few rooms with accommodation for more than 3 people). Bathrooms are shared. Girls and boys live in separate rooms and are always supervised. The houses have comfortable common rooms where students can relax in their free time.

4. Worth School

Accommodation is in rooms for 2 or 3 people (there are some private singles and a few rooms with accommodation for more than 3 people). Bathrooms are shared. Girls and boys live in separate rooms and are always supervised. The houses have comfortable common rooms where students can relax in their free time.

Each school residence has common rooms with sofas, TV, table tennis and table football, and a volleyball court. Here children can relax and socialise in an informal and comfortable environment. Wi-Fi is available in some common areas on campus.

All schools have their own school canteen where children can eat. A varied menu is available, featuring British and international dishes. There are always two hot dishes to choose from for lunch and dinner, as well as an additional salad bar. Special diets for vegetarians and most special diets for medical reasons or religious preferences are available, but these should be advised before the course starts.

Schools have their own snack bar in the evenings where children can have a light meal. Fresh fruit is available free of charge throughout the day.

All schools have two nurses, a medical room and several trained first aiders, and are located close to excellent hospitals.

Entertainment

The evening entertainment programme is designed to create lasting memories, make new friendships and provide the perfect environment to practise English in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

A dedicated summer camp team plans a variety of activities including:

• talent shows
• movie nights
• quiz games
• team games
• discos
• Olympic Games
• international nights where students celebrate different cultures with an international music, dancing and cuisine,
• exciting racing competitions,
• a game of "Treasure Hunt", where children solve clues and problems along the waycamp exploration.

During the evening, the children are fully supervised by Exsportise staff. This gives everyone at camp the opportunity to socialise and get to know each other better outside of English lessons or sports activities.

Excursions

The adventures don't end at camp! The programme includes 2 full-day excursions per week at the weekend (for those attending the course for 2 weeks or longer).

Excursions are an important and mandatory part of the programme and allow students to visit London and other places of cultural and historical interest, go to the seaside and do some shopping.

After a busy week of school, weekend excursions allow students to enjoy new friendships in a more informal, sincere and relaxed atmosphere. On Saturdays and Sundays, children can choose between two options, depending on their previous visits and individual preferences.

Saturday trips are more leisure-oriented and give children the opportunity to relax, enjoy meeting new people and have a day of adventure or fun.
Examples of excursions:

• Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club, including a full stadium tour and behind-the-scenes tour of an international football club, as well as a visit to the club shop and museum.
• Theme parks: Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland, Thorpe Park.

Sunday excursions are cultural in nature, usually visiting a city where pupils will learn about the historical culture of Great Britain, natural attractions and famous monuments.
Examples excursions:

• Bath
• Brighton
• Cambridge
• Oxford
• ·Portsmouth
• Southampton

During the day, children have free time to leisurely stroll around the city centre, go to a cafe or go shopping.

Sometimes there may be a London excursion. This is usually a walking tour of London, during which children will be able to see famous sights.

• Big Ben
• Buckingham Palace
• Changing of the Guard
• Covent Garden
• 10 Downing Street – official residence of the British Prime Minister
• Houses of Parliament
• Oxford Street
• Piccadilly Circus.
• South Bank is a bustling bohemian area on the banks of the River Thames
• Regent's Street
• Trafalgar Square

Sample daily schedule

8:00 - Breakfast
9:00 - School assembly
9:15 - 3 English lessons (with breaks)
12:45 - Lunch
14:00 - School assembly
14:15 - Sports training
18:00 - Dinner and free time
19:30 - Evening activities
21:00 - 22:30 - Relaxation at home (time depends on the age of the children)
21:30 - 23:00 - Lights out (time depends on the age of the children)

Price, 2026

£1,830 per week.

Included in the price

• Tuition
• Accommodation and meals
• All sports, entertainment activities and excursions
• Transfers from and to the airport

Additionally paid

• Flight
• Visa
• Insurance
• Educational company services

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMPANIES

• We have been working since 1996
• We choose camps with a minimum number of Russian speakers
• We only place children in good conditions
• We conducted a personal inspection of almost all the schools we offer
• We do not work with the mass segment, only camps for discerning clients
• 24/7 phone always works 
• Why our clients value us

How to choose summer courses