After a busy week term at school, the weekend gave students the chance to enjoy a more relaxed pace. A slower morning is always appreciated at the end of a school term, especially for boarding school students who rarely get the opportunity for extra rest during term time.

Later in the day, students travelled into the centre of Oxford to spend the afternoon exploring the city. From browsing the shops to taking in the atmosphere of the historic streets, it was a lovely chance to unwind and enjoy time together beyond campus.

The evening’s social activity was an ice breaker to help students get to know each other. Students rotated groups taking turns to roll the dice and pick a question to answer about themselves. For example:

“if you could travel anywhere where would you go?”

“Describe yourself in three words”

“If you could only eat one food for life what would it be?”

“If you could have a superpower what would you choose and why”

This allowed students to start conversations and find similarities with their new friends.

Monday was a fantastic start to the week, with each of our three programmes (GCSE preparation, Study and Holiday) in full swing from the very beginning of the day.

GCSE Preparation Programme

Students had revision classes focusing on Inheritance, Hormones and Transport in Plants for Biology and Quadratic equations for Maths. They then had 1:1 sessions with our Maths, English and Science tutors or revised independently.

Study Programme

Many worked independently on assignments and revision tasks set by their schools, making excellent use of the calm and structured environment. Others chose to book 1:1 sessions with our camp tutors, benefiting from personalised support in areas where they wanted extra guidance or clarification.

Holiday Programme

Meanwhile, our Holiday Programme students had a busy day, starting with Art and Tennis, followed by a game of capture the flag In the afternoon they chose between a game of crazy golf in Oxford or badminton on Campus.

In the evening students could remain in their bedrooms to study or join in a game of dodgeball, which was incredibly popular!

Tuesday was another productive and enjoyable day across all three programmes (GCSE Preparation, Study and Holiday), with students making the most of the wide range of opportunities available throughout the day.

GCSE Preparation Programme

Students continued their revision with focused lessons in Biology and Maths, building both confidence and exam technique ahead of their upcoming assessments. They also benefited from 1:1 sessions with our Maths, English and Science tutors, while others chose to revise independently in the study spaces provided.

Study Programme

Students on the Study Programme remained highly focused, spending time completing school assignments, revising key topics and preparing for future lessons. Many also took advantage of personalised tutor support, using 1:1 sessions to strengthen their understanding and ask questions in a supportive environment.

Holiday Programme

Meanwhile, students on the Holiday Programme enjoyed a fun-filled day of creativity and sport. The day began with a cookery session where students made their own cheesecakes, experimenting with flavours, toppings and decorations while developing their kitchen skills.

The afternoon featured a variety of sporting activities, including badminton, rounders and cricket, with students showing excellent teamwork and enthusiasm throughout.

In the evening, students could choose to relax and study in their rooms or head outside to take part in a football session, which was once again a very popular activity!

Wednesday was another busy and rewarding day across all three programmes (GCSE Preparation, Study and Holiday), with students fully engaged in both their academic work and activities throughout the day.

GCSE Preparation Programme

Students attended a Physics Revision Class focusing on Forces and Magnetism and Electromagnetism, developing their understanding of key concepts and practising important exam-style questions. Following their lessons, students either revised independently or took part in 1:1 sessions with our Maths, English and Science tutors for additional personalised support.

Study Programme

Students on the Study Programme continued to work hard on assignments, revision and independent study tasks in a calm and focused environment. Many also made use of the opportunity to meet with tutors individually, receiving extra guidance and support in areas they wished to strengthen.

Holiday Programme

Meanwhile, our Holiday Programme students enjoyed another exciting and varied day of activities. The day included pottery painting, tennis and tag rugby, giving students the opportunity to be both creative and active. Later on, students took part in biscuit decorating before enjoying more sports activities including badminton, football and basketball.

In the evening, students could choose to relax and study in their rooms or join another game of dodgeball, which returned by popular request and was once again a huge success!

GCSE preparation programme

On Thursday, students on the GCSE Programme took part in a Maths class focused on GCSE sketching techniques, helping them develop confidence in interpreting and drawing graphs. They also attended an open GCSE Science session, where students were encouraged to bring any questions they had and discuss them with the group, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

Study programme

Students on the Study Programme spent the day progressing with coursework, exam preparation, and personal study goals. The structured study sessions allowed students to concentrate on areas of importance to them, while one-to-one tutor support provided valuable feedback, clarification, and advice to help them continue making progress.

Holiday programme

Students on the Holiday Programme enjoyed a range of activities throughout the day, including sushi making, tennis, dodgeball, badminton, and a trip into the local town, giving them plenty of opportunities to try new experiences, stay active, and explore the local area.

In the evening, all students came together for a quiz night. Working in teams, students tested their knowledge across a variety of topics, with plenty of friendly competition and enthusiasm throughout the event. It was an enjoyable way for everyone to socialise and finish the day together.

GCSE Preparation Programme

On Friday, students on the GCSE Programme continued to strengthen their mathematical skills through focused lessons and revision activities. The sessions covered a range of GCSE Maths topics, giving students the opportunity to practise key techniques, work through exam-style questions, and build confidence ahead of future assessments. Tutors were on hand throughout the day to provide support and answer any questions, helping students tackle areas they found challenging.

Study programme

Students on the Study Programme dedicated their time to Maths revision, independent practice, and targeted study tasks. With guidance from tutors, students were able to focus on individual areas for improvement, refine their problem-solving skills, and work towards their personal academic goals in a productive and supportive environment.

Holiday programme

Students on the Holiday Programme enjoyed another exciting day packed with activities. Options included rounders, basketball, football, tennis, tag rugby, art, or a trip to Bicester Shopping Village. Whether taking part in sports, expressing their creativity, or exploring the local area, students had plenty of opportunities to have fun, develop new skills, and spend time with friends.

In the evening we had a BBQ in the sunshine for supper and students relaxed with friends in the boarding house or out on the lawn taking part in a variety of lawn games.

Our final full day at our May half term camp. In order to ensure students returned to school well rested for the new term ahead, students could relax or sleep in during the morning, with breakfast served in the boarding house so they could eat at their own leisure.

In the afternoon students could choose to go to the study centre to use the final day of their holidays preparing for exams, or join the excursion to Oxford City Centre. Many students enjoyed their first time on a double decker bus and after a spot of shopping, went for sushi or bubble tea with their friends before heading back to campus to pack.

Some of the students enjoyed watching the Champions League Football final in the boarding house or spent their last night socialising with their new friends from camp.