Home / Academic & Leadership / Tonbridge School

Summer 2027 · Kent · Ages 13–17

IMPACT Summer at Tonbridge School

A new summer programme from one of England’s top boarding schools. Students build their own two-week Sprint of academic study, personal development, practical skills and real-world Hackathons.

Book a place
Tonbridge School’s main building

1 · Dates and fees

Dates and fees

Dates
July – August
Length of stay
2 or 4 weeks
Ages
13–17, boys and girls
English level
B1 / IELTS 4.0+
Class size
12 students max

Residential

1 Sprint = 2 weeks

Full board in a Tonbridge boarding house, with all teaching, excursions and the evening programme.

Pathway1 Sprint
English for Global Leaders£4,950
All other pathways£5,495
Full Programme (2 Sprints)Both fees combined

Day students

1 or 2 Sprints

The full daytime programme, with the same pastoral care as boarders.

Option1 Sprint2 Sprints
Monday–Sunday£3,495£6,990
Monday–Friday£2,495£4,990

Sprint dates

Sprint 1 · ClimateX: People vs Planet
Sustainability, climate crisis and social impact · Monday to Sunday, 2 weeks
Sprint 2 · InnovateX: Future Founders
Entrepreneurship, start-ups and AI innovation · Monday to Sunday, 2 weeks

In 2026 the Sprints ran 6–19 July and 20 July – 2 August. 2027 dates to be confirmed.

Fees shown are 2026 fees; 2027 fees to be confirmed. The Full Programme (both Sprints) also includes a Thorpe Park trip, a private dinner in the Headmaster’s Dining Room, a behind-the-scenes tour of the School and a premium IMPACT notebook and fountain pen. Some IMPACT Skills carry a supplement (Golf or Parkour £280, Equestrian £450, Flying School £850, Canoe qualification £180, Esports £100). Airport transfers are available at £150 each way.

2 · The school

Tonbridge School, founded 1553

IMPACT Summer is a new co-educational residential and day programme for students aged 13–17, developed and delivered by Tonbridge School in Kent. Students use the same academic, boarding and sporting facilities as Tonbridge pupils during term time.

Tonbridge is consistently among the highest-performing independent schools in the country, and was named the top boarding school nationally in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2024.

Facilities include the award-winning Barton Science Centre, a historic library, the EM Forster Theatre, and the Tonbridge School Centre with a swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite and wellbeing spaces. Central London is just 40 minutes away by train.

1553
the year Tonbridge School was founded
No. 1
boarding school nationally (Sunday Times Parent Power 2024)
12
students maximum per class
40 min
to central London by train
Aerial view of Tonbridge School and its playing fieldsStudents walking across the Tonbridge campusA smiling IMPACT student in the school gardens

3 · The summer programme

Build your own programme

IMPACT Summer runs in two-week blocks called Sprints. Students can join one Sprint or both. Each Sprint has its own theme, and students build their programme by choosing one option from each of three elements.

Hackathons, university and business visits, and a cultural programme run alongside. Regular feedback and time for reflection are built in, so students leave with clearer direction and the confidence to take their next steps.

Three elements
1. Applied Learning Pathway · academic depth
2. Growth Workshop · personal development
3. IMPACT Skills · practical activities

Applied Learning Pathways · choose one per Sprint

Taught by subject specialists in classes of up to 12.

English for Global Leaders
Advanced English alongside global issues and leadership. Minimum B1 / IELTS 4.0.
Innovation and Entrepreneurialism
Enterprise from spotting an opportunity to developing a proposal. Minimum B1 / IELTS 4.0.
Global Leadership in Action
Leadership models, decision-making and strategy in international contexts. Minimum B1 / IELTS 4.0.
Leadership in Digital Sports (Esports)
The strategy, organisation and business of competitive digital sport. Minimum B1 / IELTS 4.0.
Engineering, Design and Technology
Design process, technical systems and sustainable innovation through project work. Minimum B2 / IELTS 5.5.
Science and Biomed
Core biomedical science through theory and practical investigation. Minimum B2 / IELTS 5.5.
Computer Science, Robotics and AI
Programming, robotics and artificial intelligence, including ethics. Minimum B2 / IELTS 5.5.
An expert speaking to IMPACT studentsStudents working on an engineering projectStudents in a practical workshopA tutor working with students

Growth Workshops · choose one per Sprint

Career and Professional
Career pathways, goal-setting, interview practice, written applications and presentation skills.
Future Learning and Academic
Preparing for further study, admissions processes and independent learning habits.
Social and Personal
Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, teamwork, decision-making and wellbeing.
Leadership and Communication
What makes an effective leader, and communicating one-to-one, in groups and in public.

IMPACT Skills · choose one or two per Sprint

Seven sessions per Sprint, on and off campus. * Supplement applies.

Physical activity
Golf*, Futsal, Wellbeing and Yoga, Tennis, Basketball, Parkour*, Equestrian School*, Trampolining, Rock Climbing
Creative practice
Film Making, Graffiti and Murals, Painting, Pottery, Drama and Performing Arts, Cooking
Digital work
Esports and Gaming*, Content Creation
Outdoor challenge
Flying School*, British Canoe Discovery Qualification*, Walking / Discover Tonbridge

Hackathons

Each Sprint includes five extended Hackathon sessions. Teams tackle briefs linked to the Sprint theme, introduced by external speakers, and the Sprint ends with a whole-cohort challenge where teams present their proposals formally.

Sprint 1 · ClimateX: People vs Planet
Teams design a solution to a sustainability brief that balances practical constraints with long-term environmental and social considerations.
Sprint 2 · InnovateX: Future Founders
Teams explore entrepreneurship, start-ups and AI innovation, developing and pitching a new venture.

Timetable: a sample Sprint

Dark cells are IMPACT Skills; the red cell is the Hackathon. Room checks at 22:15.

Week 1
TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
09:00–11:00Arrivals
11:00–15:30		Pathway Challenge 1Business excursion
Full day, 8:30–18:30		Pathway Challenge 2Pathway Challenge 2Full-day London excursion
8:30–18:30		Optional half-day activity
9:00–13:00
11:30–12:30Pathway Challenge 1Pathway Challenge 2Pathway Challenge 2
13:30–15:30Pathway Challenge 1Growth WorkshopsGrowth WorkshopsOn-site team-building activities
14:00–18:00
15:30–17:30Welcome presentation
Then Pathway Challenge 1 and meet your tutor		IMPACT SkillsIMPACT SkillsIMPACT Skills
18:30–19:30Dinner
20:00–22:00Team buildingEvening social and leisure time
Week 2
TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
09:00–11:00Pathway Challenge 3Pathway Challenge 3University visits
Full day, 8:30–18:30		Pathway Challenge 4Pathway Challenge 4IMPACT Hackathon
Whole-cohort challenge and formal presentations		Departures
Full Programme students: Thorpe Park, 9:00–18:30
11:30–12:30Pathway Challenge 3Pathway Challenge 3Pathway Challenge 4Pathway Challenge 4
13:30–15:30Growth WorkshopsGrowth WorkshopsGrowth WorkshopsGrowth Workshops
15:30–17:30IMPACT SkillsIMPACT SkillsIMPACT SkillsIMPACT Skills
18:00–19:30DinnerNetworking eventPrivate tour of Tonbridge School
Full Programme
20:00–22:00Team buildingEvening social and leisure timeHackathon awards
Black-tie celebration dinner		Exclusive dinner
Full Programme

Excursions and immersion trips

Every Sprint includes university visits (such as Oxford and Cambridge), business visits, and cultural excursions to London, Oxford and Cambridge. Full Programme students also visit Thorpe Park.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
London
A full-day excursion to the capital.
The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford
Oxford
University visits with college tours and academic sessions.
King’s College Chapel, Cambridge
Cambridge
University visits and a cultural excursion.

Social programme

Evenings and weekends include on-campus events and supervised trips. Each Sprint ends with a formal celebration dinner in the School Hall.

Music eventsOutdoor film screeningHouse quizRecreational sportCinema*Bowling*Climbing centre*Trampoline park*Celebration dinner
Students on a colour runA student on an outdoor rope challenge

Accommodation and care

Boarding
Residential students live in on-site boarding houses, supervised by experienced pastoral staff within established School routines.
Pastoral care
Housemasters, Housemistresses and matrons support every student; day students are fully included in the same pastoral framework.
Safeguarding
Tonbridge School’s own safeguarding policies and procedures apply throughout the Programme.
Medical care
Medical provision is available on site throughout the Programme.

Included in every Sprint

Your chosen Applied Learning Pathway
A Growth Workshop stream
IMPACT Skills sessions
Hackathons with external speakers
University and business visits
Excursions and the social programme
Full board in a boarding house (residential)
Celebration dinner
4 · Booking

Book your place for summer 2027

Places are limited, and popular pathways fill early. A £1,000 deposit secures a place. Complete the booking form, or send us an enquiry and we’ll help you choose the right pathway and Sprint. You can also email info@summerschool-uk.com.

New to booking? Read the course booking procedure.