"Great experience in Winchester for our 12 yr old"

Our 12 year old son attended one week of the course in Winchester and was very happy with the whole experience. He was very excited about the whole week and very much wants to return next year for more than the one week he's spent there this year. He only had great things to say about his experience for the week and about both the staff and his colleagues for the course. He suggested that maybe the academic part could be more challenging but he has learned a lot as it is and was also excited about what new things he has learned and practiced. Overall we are very happy with the course and great thanks go to Tom and Philip who have excellently managed the week in Winchester for the group!

"Awesome summer program"

The team leaders, Tom and Philip, and all the staff are very friendly and caring. They created a happy and warming environment for kids. The courses are very interesting and give kids a very good opportunity to communicate and work together on projects. Team leaders kept all parents informed on everyday activities and shared all the photos. Kids all looked so happy and had a great time. They make a lot of friends and still keep on touch after the program. The only down side is that kids were having so much fun and forgot to call their parents. We will definitely consider to join again.

"Stellar academics; great experience but definitely room for improvement"

Stellar academics, great fun with people from all over the world but there is room for improvement. Having pizza for dinner several nights in a row doesn’t constitute appropriate meals…she ended up having to go out for virtually every meal as a vegetarian there were not any options. For the cost of this course, healthy and well balanced food was expected. Was also very disappointed with the outings…going to an outlet mall versus a tour of Oxford was a shock! Some of the “cultural activities” were forced on the students even when they were not well “you are not allowed to stay, everyone has to go.” Rules were enforced sporadically about coming and going and it was hard to understand how it all hung together.

"Disappointing Disapointing Summer Course Experience at Winchester Collage"

As a parent keen on fostering my son's passion for Physics, I enrolled my son in a summer course with Oxford summer courses which placed him at Winchester Collage. I was hoping to provide him with an enriching and intellectually stimulating experience. However, I must express my disappointment with the overall program.

My son, an enthusiastic 12-year-old, who starts Grade 8 in Sep, with a keen interest in Astrophysics, previously attended Eton's summer school, where he was wonderfully challenged, despite being the youngest in the group. Naturally, I had high hopes that the Science course at Winchester Collage, endorsed by Oxford, would similarly captivate his curious mind.

Regrettably, the program seemed more tailored to younger children, lacking the academic rigor I had anticipated. With just 12 hours of actual learning, Dante found himself revisiting subjects he had already mastered a year or two ago. Thankfully, the teacher recognized his advanced knowledge and offered him standalone assignments, but it was disheartening to see a lack of differentiation for students of varying levels.

Additionally, the course's recreational activities, such as the visit to Legoland, appeared more suitable for younger children. I had hoped for a more educational outing, like a visit to a museum or exhibition, to complement the academic focus of the program.

Furthermore, the meal options were not as health-conscious as those provided during his previous summer course at Eton. Given the importance of proper nutrition for young minds, this was another aspect that fell short of expectations.

As a parent, I believe that age should not be the sole criterion for placing students in courses, especially when their grade and knowledge level offer a more accurate reflection of their capabilities. A simple assessment test could have ensured that a child was appropriately challenged and engaged throughout the program.

In conclusion, I appreciate the efforts of the accommodating teacher who recognized my son's abilities and tailored assignments accordingly. However, I urge Winchester Collage, along with other educational institutions under the Oxford Summer program, to consider a more relevant onboarding approach, ensuring that courses cater to students' individual academic needs.

I hope this feedback will contribute to the continuous improvement of summer courses, allowing young minds to thrive in their academic pursuits and passion for learning.

"...."

The teachers were extremely nice and the other students were too.This company did everything great however the unexpected weather did cause many problems.

"An Unforgettable Experience in Winchester"

Our newly minted 10 yr old attended the Winchester Science camp for a week. This week has left a lasting impression on him - a perfect blend of scientific exploration and outdoor adventure.
He enjoyed the course content which covered a wide range of topics across all sciences and every day, he discovered and learnt something new.
From the get go, the students developed great camaraderie with fellow students as well as instructors/house parents. Tom and Philip were excellent in providing updates to the parents. Their detailed mails at the end of the day coupled with a few photos during the day allayed any anxiety we may have had at drop off. Our child came back inspired and happy and is already saving up for the next one!

"The best experience of a lifetime"

At first, it seemed like I wouldn’t enjoy myself or make friends but actually it was very different ! After 4 days of getting used to it, time flew by and before you know it we were all crying about how much we didn’t want to leave,
one of the saddest moment of my life honestly - I’ll miss everyone 🫶

"16-17 experience"

I went to this program for the academic purposes and for travel purposes. I learned so much about businesses and about other people. Everyone is from all over the world and it was incredible to meet so many people from so many backgrounds. When you are not studying/free-time, you are going out with your group and site seeing and learning about the culture and history of where you are staying. The breakfast and dinners were good and the restaurants for lunch nearby were as-well. one word of advice is to bring around $15-20 per day.

"very professional"

very professional, supportive and kind team! our kids experienced a very happy time during the last 2-week summer courses.

"Oxford Summer Courses - Winchester Juniors"

I had what was probably the best week of my life at the Winchester Juniors Oxford Summer Course, all the students were kind and welcoming and I easily made friends who I am still in contact with. The tutors were really knowledgeable and passionate about their subject, and made the lessons engaging and challenging while interesting and fun at the same time. The house parents and staff were all really caring and friendly from the moment I met them. Tom and Phillip were some of the best course directors I’ve met and they were really helpful and made all the activities fun and enjoyable but still ensuring our behavior was safe, while taking an enormous amount of photos of us and replying to anxious parents’ messages. The campus was absolutely beautiful and we had many chances to explore the area. The environment was relaxed and friendly though rules were set in place, and I look forward to returning again. I definitely recommend this camp to anyone who wishes to have a wider global mindset, meet a supportive community of fellow students and staff, and to have enriching academic and social experiences.