Discovery Summer (Winchester)

Discovery Summer - Winchester 2023

Age: 13-17 years old.

Dates, 2026:
2 weeks: 3–17 July, 17–31 July.
3 weeks: 3–24 July, 10–31 July,
4 weeks: 3–31 July.

Winchester College is located just outside the historic walls of Winchester. Founded in 1382, it is one of the UK's leading academic schools and has the longest continuous history of any English school. The historic buildings offer a tranquil setting in beautiful grounds.

Winchester is 100km south-west of London and around 1.5 hours from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

The Summer School offers a Pre-University course - a challenging programme to help advanced students prepare for university and career options.

Key factors

• The programme requires English levels between CEFR B2 and C2.
• A fantastic opportunity to live and study in one of Europe's most beautiful historic cities. An ideal, quiet place to study.
• Explore local historic sites (such as Winchester Cathedral) as part of a cultural experience.
• Discuss universities and careers with staff.
• Pupils will learn to give effective presentations in English with fluency and confidence.
• Experienced teachers bring complex subjects to life, making them fun and interesting.
• Children will also improve their critical thinking skills.

Facilities

Many of the school's buildings are historic, dating back to the 14th and 17th centuries, and are of national importance, including the chapel. Later buildings include a concert hall, theatre, music school, science school, art school and a physical education centre (including a fitness suite and 25m swimming pool), as well as badminton and ball courts and 4 squash courts.

Curriculum

The school offers three programmes:

English Plus (13–16 years old)

An exciting programme for teenagers who want to strengthen their confidence in their English language skills. 21 hours of lessons per week (including English lessons, English seminars and a presentation at the end of the week). Maximum class size: 12 students.

The programme includes the following modules:

• English language skills

Upon arrival, students will take a written and oral test to be placed in a class appropriate for their age and language level. Students will develop basic language skills by communicating in spoken and written English. Classes are lively, interactive and engaging. For example, a lesson topic might be ‘TV Stars,’ where children learn about the rise in popularity of reality TV shows, discuss their pros and cons, and develop their own reality TV show concept.

• English Language Seminar

Learning through research, discussion, collaboration and creativity. Seminar topics change every week, for example: ‘Technological Innovators’, ‘Manga Authors’, ‘Music Videos’, ‘Portrait Photography’, ‘Model United Nations’, ‘Escape Room Design’.

• Trinity Exam

Spoken English exam. Held on 16 and 30 July 2026. This is an optional extra, costing £130.

Young Leaders (13–16 years old)

A programme for students with an English level of B1 and above.

The programme includes 21 hours of tuition, including English, STEM, young entrepreneurs and presentation skills. The maximum class size is 16 students. This is an excellent programme for improving fluency and developing strong leadership skills through communication and the ability to solve real-life problems – important skills for life in the 21st century

The programme includes the following modules:

• English

Improve basic skills and technical accuracy while increasing fluency through engaging activities. Students will express their thoughts clearly and concisely while exploring interesting topics. They will use mind mapping techniques to organise information, enrich their vocabulary, and develop persuasive writing and speaking skills. They will improve their note-taking skills and use active listening techniques.

• Young Entrepreneurs

Students will develop essential business and entrepreneurial skills: learning about the product life cycle to identify target markets, creating an appealing brand image, and developing effective marketing strategies. Children will study leadership models and conduct their own research on influential leaders. They will understand their strengths, deepen their understanding of team dynamics, and improve their leadership skills.

The programme includes brainstorming ideas for a product and conducting marketing research to identify their niche. Students will compile their findings for a presentation and share their understanding of market demand and business concepts. Digital tools (e.g., iMovie and Audacity) will be used to create impressive visual or audio advertisements. Students will use persuasive language and storytelling techniques to create compelling marketing materials. At the end, students will present their product to the school and compete for the title of ‘Entrepreneur of the Week’!

• Presentation Skills

A module for developing the presentation skills necessary for academic success and future career success. Students will study famous speeches on contemporary topics to understand their structure and effectiveness. They will develop and deliver quick speeches in front of the class, ensuring that each presentation is concise, well-structured, and professionally delivered.

The module includes training in effective debating, encouraging a respectful tone of discussion. Students will learn what makes a debate successful and establish rules for constructive discussion. By participating in class debates on topics of interest, children will learn to justify their position with clear arguments. The result of the training will be a convincing and engaging business presentation, effectively answering detailed questions from a group of classmates. Students will understand what makes a good presentation and learn the techniques used by successful speakers.

• STEM

The module includes collaborative work on practical tasks that combine science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It also includes designing and conducting experiments, applying scientific concepts, and developing innovative solutions.

For example, students will learn how to build a bridge using engineering principles such as tension and compression. They will evaluate the load-bearing capacity and characteristics of the bridge during load testing. They will create simple electrical circuits using batteries and components such as resistors and LEDs. They will use Ohm's law to analyse voltage and current readings. They will troubleshoot design problems, deepening their understanding of electrical engineering principles.

The module includes learning survival techniques using solar energy by building a solar oven and developing ways to purify water. Learning map reading and navigation skills to orientate themselves in space and test their skills in practice.

An important part of the programme is a visit to Winchester with a teacher. Here, children will discover ancient historical sites, visit museums and galleries, and enrich their understanding of British culture. They will be surprised at how much more confident they become when practising English with the friendly local population.

University Preparation (15–17 years old)

This programme will help prepare students for their future choice of university and career.

The programme includes 22.5 hours of lessons per week divided between core subjects (12 hours), optional subjects (6 hours), masterclasses (3 hours) and a presentation at the end of the week (1.5 hours). Students choose 1 core subject and 1 elective subject per week. You can register for the IELTS exam (for an additional fee, subject to availability). Specialised teachers make lessons interesting and bring complex subjects to life. There is a maximum of 16 students per class.

Core subjects:

• Business.
• Study key concepts of management, strategy and innovation. Through practical case studies and interactive activities, students will gain an understanding of how leading international companies such as Tesla, McDonald's and Nike operate and thrive in a competitive global market. This programme is an excellent foundation for future studies in business administration, economics or marketing.
• International Relations.
• Explore the interdisciplinary world of international relations, where politics, economics and society intersect. Students will study current global issues such as climate change, migration and international security, while gaining an understanding of how countries navigate the global arena.
• Film Production.
• Students will create high-quality short films as a team, honing their skills. From storyboarding and script editing to directing and filming, the entire spectrum of film production is covered. Developed by an experienced academic team, this programme is ideal for international students who are new to acting and filmmaking, or for those who already have some experience.
• IELTS Exam Preparation
• Preparation for IELTS (International English Language Testing System), the world's most recognised English language test for higher education.
• Developed by an experienced academic team, this intensive summer programme is designed for international students planning to study at English-speaking universities. By the end of the course, they will have mastered the skills and techniques necessary to pass the exam successfully.
• Engineering.
• An introduction to the interconnected world of engineering through hands-on experiments and problem-solving. An experienced science teacher draws on concepts typically introduced in mathematics and physics in GCSE and iGCSE programmes. Children will gain a solid foundation in engineering principles and will be well prepared to tackle the complex challenges of our increasingly technological world.
• Artificial Intelligence.
• How AI is driving innovation at major companies such as Google, Tesla and OpenAI, and shaping the future across a range of industries. For those planning to study computer science, data science or artificial intelligence at university.
• Economics.
• Students will learn modern economic theory through interactive case studies and real-world models, and critically analyse the decisions made by politicians and business leaders that shape our daily lives. This programme is ideal preparation for further study of economics, business strategy or international relations at university.

Additional subjects:

• Film Production.
• Create a short film in small international groups. The work will be presented to other students and guests at presentations at the end of the week.
• IELTS: Speaking and Listening.
• Develop key listening support skills. For example, students learn to listen for the main points and specific information and learn tips and techniques for improving their scores. Students also learn what examiners expect from the IELTS exam and how to become a successful communicator.
• Debate.
• Students learn how to defend, exchange and reject ideas with clarity and confidence. They explore key contemporary issues, such as environmental migration, and learn how to formulate clear arguments effectively.
• English Language and Culture.
• Using the city of Winchester as a large classroom, this subject gives an insight into how language is used in the real world. Students will expand their knowledge of spoken English and learn more about British culture.
• Digital Photography.
• Students will learn the basic functions of a camera, such as shutter speed and aperture, and become familiar with composition and different genres: landscape, still life and portrait.
• Philosophy.
• Students discuss, debate, ask questions and explore the world and their place in it. This course, which requires an advanced level of language, is designed for those who want to tackle the “big questions” while gaining an insight into some of the greatest thinkers in history.
• Working together on practical tasks stimulates curiosity, critical thinking and develops problem-solving skills.
• Political Science.
• Students will be able to look beyond the headlines and understand the forces shaping the modern world. They will learn to connect theory and practice by studying issues that are central to our lives.
• STEM. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
• A key feature of STEM programmes is solving practical problems and developing projects at the intersection of technical disciplines based on the theory studied. STEM education is the foundation for training employees in the field of high technology.
• Artificial intelligence. Exploring the possibilities of AI through practical projects such as creating personalised stories with OpenAI's ChatGPT, creating unique works of art with RunwayML, and developing AI-controlled characters with Replika.
• Business sciences. Explore real-world scenarios and gain insight into the strategies of global companies such as Apple, Tesla, and Nike. Children will develop key critical thinking skills by studying and discussing the secrets of their success.

Additional masterclasses enrich the experience, such as learning about British culture, logic and problem-solving skills, and leadership development.

Accommodation and dining

Accommodation is in college residence, in comfortable 1-6 bed dormitories with shared bathrooms. Winchester is a historic, traditional school so don’t expect 5-star accommodation.

Meals are served in the impressive 14th-century, oak-panelled college hall. The menu is varied.

Pupils can go out in small groups in the afternoons to visit Winchester city centre.

There is limited access to mobile phones in the school. There is Wi-Fi.

Sports

Badminton, basketball, board games, cricket, football, fitnessgym, netball, softball, tennis, volleyball, yoga.

Extra Activities

Afternoon activities include art and design, sports, music, speech and drama.

Evening activities include team competitions, talent shows, traditional British games, chill out evenings in the houses, discos, treasure hunts, barbecues, Olympics, Sherlock Holmes games, board games, quizzes, zorbing.

Special events include formal dinners, traditional dancing, archery.

Excursions

The programme includes 2 excursions per week, for example:

• Bath (visit to the Fashion Museum and the Roman baths),
• London (West End musical and river cruise),
• Oxford (college visit, professionally guided walking tour, boat ride),
• Corfe Castle
• seaside trip.

Timetable

8:15 - Breakfast and morning school assembly
9:15 - Lessons
12:30 - Lunch
14:00 - Lessons
15:30 - Afternoon activities
18:00 - Dinner
19:30 - Evening activities
21:30 - Return to residence

Price, 2026

2 недели - £4,100
3 недели - £6,150
4 недели - £8,200

Included in the price

• Tuition
• Accommodation and meals
• All sports, leisure activities and excursions
• Transfers to and from Heathrow and Gatwick airports

Additionally paid

• Flight
• Visa
• Insurance
• Educational company services

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMPANIES

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

How to choose summer courses