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Summer 2027 · Winchester · Ages 10–17

Winchester College Summer Programme

Two weeks at one of England’s oldest and most famous schools, founded in 1382. Choose the CATALYST academic programme, taught by Winchester College teachers, or English Language Coaching.

Book a place
Aerial view of Winchester College’s historic courtyards

1 · Dates and fees

Summer 2027 dates and fees

Dates
5 July – 1 August 2027
Length of stay
2 weeks (13 nights)
Ages
10–17
Tuition
40 hours per course
Class size
Small classes

CATALYST Foundations

Ages 10–13

An academic adventure across technology, science, society, culture and creativity, taught by Winchester College teachers.

LengthResidential
2 weeks (13 nights)£5,800

CATALYST Horizons

Ages 14–17

University-style thinking on science, AI, philosophy and economics, through debate, research projects and challenges.

LengthResidential
2 weeks (13 nights)£5,800

English Language Coaching

Ages 10–17

Small-group coaching in practical, academic and presentation English, ending in the English in Action exhibition.

LengthResidential
2 weeks (13 nights)£4,800

Course dates

2 weeks · Monday to Sunday
5 July – 18 July 2027
19 July – 1 August 2027

All three programmes run on both dates. Courses run from Monday afternoon to Sunday morning.

Airport transfers

Heathrow or Gatwick · £150 each way
On the first and last day of the programme. Heathrow is about 1 hour away; Gatwick about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Fees are per student. Optional extras are charged separately. Airport transfers are available at £150 each way.

2 · The school

Over 640 years of original thinkers

Founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England, Winchester College is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the UK. Its medieval buildings, ancient libraries and beautiful gardens make an inspiring place to learn.

The College sits in the heart of Winchester, one of England’s most beautiful cathedral cities, between the rolling hills of the South Downs. The city centre, Winchester Cathedral and the Great Hall are a short walk away.

The 250-acre estate includes 52 acres of playing fields, over 100 acres of water meadows and 11 acres of formal gardens, where summer students sometimes have lessons in the open air. Facilities include a modern sports centre, an observatory above Science School and the New Hall performance space.

1382
the year Winchester College was founded
250 acres
including water meadows and formal gardens
40 hours
of tuition in your chosen programme
New
en-suite boarding houses opening September 2026
Winchester College’s historic gate towerA historic stone courtyard at Winchester CollegeStudents playing on the College grounds

3 · The summer programme

For curious, ambitious minds

CATALYST is taught by Winchester College teachers and explores questions without easy answers: how technology is changing our lives, what makes an argument convincing, how science shapes our view of the world. The aim is not just to gain knowledge, but to become more confident thinking with it.

Both CATALYST programmes end with a Capstone Project: students tackle a real-world issue that matters to them and present their response. Every student receives a personalised Learner Journey Report.

Choose your programme
CATALYST Foundations · ages 10–13: question, explore, experiment, create
CATALYST Horizons · ages 14–17: analyse, challenge, evaluate, defend
English Language Coaching · ages 10–17: confident, practical English

CATALYST: the two weeks

Week 1 is Ideas and Enquiry; Week 2 is Application and Impact. Foundations explores each theme through hands-on activities; Horizons takes it further with deeper analysis and argument.

Technology and Ethics
How new technologies, from AI to biotechnology, change our lives. Horizons students negotiate an Ethical Charter for AI Governance.
Language and AI
Can a computer think like a person? Including the Beat the Machine challenge and, for Horizons, a live Turing Test.
Heritage and Culture
What should we keep for the future, and who decides what heritage is worth preserving?
Creative Problem-Solving
Teams tackle real-world challenges and present and defend their solutions.
Science and Patterns
Illusions, evidence and the scientific method: can we always trust what we see?
Economics and Prosperity
Money, wellbeing and fairness: what makes a community thrive, and what GDP really tells us.
Philosophy of Self
What makes you, you? Identity and consciousness from philosophy, psychology and culture.
Critical Challenges
Debates and puzzles: build convincing arguments, test assumptions and change minds.

Past Capstone Projects include an adventure game that makes maths engaging, a campaign on social media and mental health, and AI and blockchain ideas for global supply chains.

A teacher leading a discussion in the libraryA student laughing during a discussionStudents working together on a projectA student presenting to the class

English Language Coaching

Small-group coaching that blends language development with creative thinking and real-world problem solving. Four one-hour sessions a day work through four modules: Communication and Fluency; Understanding and Ideas; Writing and Creative Expression; and Accuracy and Real-World English.

In the English in Action Project, multicultural groups explore what it means to be a global citizen and build towards a final exhibition on a global issue. Students also practise their English on excursions and activities with the wider Winchester community.

A student reading in the libraryA smiling student

Timetable: a typical week

Based on the College’s daily routine. Students arrive on Monday afternoon of week 1 and depart on Sunday morning of week 2. Three full-day trips run during the course; days may vary.

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
07:30–09:15Wake-up · 8:15 breakfast · 8:45 morning meeting
09:15–10:15Lesson 1Full-day excursion
London, Oxford or Thorpe Park		Excursion or campus day
Sports, drama, music, art and debating
10:30–11:30Lesson 2
11:45–12:45Lesson 3
12:45–14:00Lunch and break
14:00–15:00Project lesson · Capstone Project or English in Action Project
15:30–16:00Study session
16:00–17:30Afternoon activity · sports, drama, music, art or debating
18:30–19:30Dinner in the historic College dining halls
19:30–21:15Evening activity · team competitions and social events
21:15–22:30Social time in the boarding houses · 22:00 bedtime · 22:30 lights out

Activities and evenings

On campus, students enjoy sports, drama, music, art and debating, with the College’s sports facilities, gardens and meadows to explore. From day one they join teams that span the boarding houses and compete for points all fortnight.

SportsDramaMusicArtDebatingTeam competitionsBoard gamesSocial eventsWinchester Cathedral visitMuseums and galleries

Excursions

Three full-day trips are included in every course.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
London · full day
The London Eye, Big Ben, Parliament, Horse Guards Parade, St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace, plus a major museum.
The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford
Oxford · full day
A guided walk through the colleges and cobbled lanes, a selfie challenge, then shopping or punting.
Riders on a roller coaster at Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park · full day
Thrilling rides including Stealth, the UK’s fastest roller coaster.

Accommodation and care

Boarding
Brand-new boarding houses designed by Stanton Williams, opening September 2026, with single or twin en-suite rooms, common rooms, study spaces and gardens.
Welfare and safety
24/7 welfare and medical support, dedicated house staff, and Designated Safeguarding Leads on site.
Meals
Three meals a day and an evening snack, served in the historic College dining halls.
Code of conduct
Treat everyone with respect, empower others, act responsibly, make the most of everything and speak up.
Students relaxing in a new en-suite boarding roomStudents sitting outside a new boarding house

Included in every course

40 hours of your chosen programme
Small classes
Personalised Learner Journey Report
Single or twin en-suite room
3 meals a day and an evening snack
Daily afternoon activities and evening programme
Trips to London, Oxford and Thorpe Park
24/7 welfare and medical support
4 · Booking

Book your place for summer 2027

Places are limited, and the earlier you book, the more choice you have. A £1,000 deposit secures a place. Complete the booking form, or send us an enquiry and we’ll help you choose the right programme and dates. You can also email info@summerschool-uk.com.

New to booking? Read the course booking procedure.