Oxford is well connected by both rail and road to several of the UK’s biggest cities. From central London you can reach us by car in just over 90 minutes, and by train this journey takes just over one hour. If you are planning to travel by train the nearest station to the school is Oxford Central, which is a short taxi-ride away from the school.
Rail tickets can be purchased in advance via the National Rail website:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
To find us, please use the address and post-code below:
SBC Oxford Summer School
Bardwell Road
Oxford
OX2 6SS
If you have any problems at all with locating the school, our team in head office are always happy to assist with navigation.
For students travelling without an adult, we provide an airport transfer service between Heathrow Airport and the SBC Oxford Summer School. Any student using this service will be greeted in the arrivals hall by a member of our summer team before being accompanied to the school along with other students arriving on that day. More information about Travel and Transfers can be found here.
Your Student Support Manager is happy to provide more information and advice about our transfer options.
What does my child need to bring to SBC Oxford Summer School?
We suggest that all SBC Oxford students pack clothing suitable for both warm and cool weather as, even in summer, the weather in England can soon change from sunshine to rain! We send out a full list of recommended items to bring to all students before the summer, but here’s a list of essential items to remember:
Everyday clothes – a selection of casual trousers, shorts or skirts, jumpers, sportswear and t-shirts are required, for activities and social events.
Footwear – trainers (outdoor and indoor) and everyday shoes
Toiletries – students are expected to bring their own (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothbrush and toothpaste), as well as their own towels.
Rucksack or small travel bag – for afternoon trips and excursions.
Weather protection – English summer demands both an umbrella, and sun protection, so make sure to pack sun cream, sun hat and sunglasses.
Travel essentials – students should remember to bring a travel adaptor for a UK 3 pin plug socket, as well as pocket money and any travel documents.
All SBC Oxford students will also benefit from the weekly laundry service offered at the school. We recommend naming all clothing items, so they can easily be identified.
We recommend that children bring as few valuable items as possible. The bedrooms do not have locks on the doors and we can only store passports/documents/money in the school safe.
What does a typical day at SBC Oxford Summer School look like?
At SBC Oxford, every day is an opportunity to learn, make new friends, build confidence and be inspired to try new things. Across the week each day is different, and there are lots of lessons, activities and fun things going on!
To help you understand what your child is doing while staying with us, we have created a sample timetable of a typical Summer School week. You can view this here.
How will my child’s progress be measured?
All SBC Oxford students are placed into classes suitable for their level of English, so they can learn at the right pace alongside students of a similar language proficiency.
We monitor progress in an encouraging and comfortable environment, and our communicative approach to lessons means students should return home with not only a better understanding of the English language, but also with greater confidence and improved 21st century skills in communication, collaboration and creativity.
Although students will not be working towards a final test, each child’s progress is monitored closely during their stay with us. On their final day, all students will receive a SBC Oxford Summer School Certificate of Achievement and School Report, which outlines their current performance level and the progress made during the course.
Will my child be sharing a room with speakers of the same native language?
We mix the nationalities and native language in the dormitories at SBC Oxford wherever possible, as well as in classes and activities.
In our experience, this creates a more immersive English language learning environment and also encourages students to socialise more; allowing them to make friends with people from across the world, learn about different cultures and improve their confidence and ability to communicate in English outside the classroom.
Does my child need a visa to attend SBC Oxford Summer School?
If your child is a citizen of any country currently within the EU or the European Economic Area they do not require a visa to enter the UK. However, we always advise confirming this with your embassy if you are uncertain. You can also check online to determine whether your child requires a visa to enter the UK on the UK government website here.
Once a student’s place with us is secured, we will provide a supporting document to assist with your visa application. Further details and guidance on applying for the appropriate visa are available in your Welcome Pack, which is received upon booking.
A deposit of £700 is required within 7 days to secure your booking.
When do I need to pay the full balance of course fees?
The balance payment must be paid by Monday 13th May 2019. Any bookings made after this date must be paid in full at the time of booking (upon receipt of the invoice).
Does my child need Travel Insurance?
Summer Boarding Courses Ltd, in association with Gibbs Denley Insurance Services, provides all students with comprehensive travel insurance.
For more information about our student insurance cover, please click here.
How do I keep in contact with my child during their stay?
On arrival at the school, each student is offered a free UK pay-as-you-go sim card and the opportunity to purchase calling credit. This should make calling or texting your child during the summer much more straightforward.
A typical day at summer school is packed with lessons, activities and opportunities for students to socialise with their new friends. However, we do understand that students want to hear from their families, which is why we schedule time each day for them to call home. Phone time is normally between 17.15 and 18.00 BST; at the end of afternoon activities and before dinner.
WiFi is available at the school during phone time however, connection is slower when all students are trying to use Skype, WhatsApp, etc. therefore, we do recommend using the UK sim number provided as the most effective route for staying in touch.
Parents will also be given access to our official SBC Oxford Summer School Blog, where they can be kept updated with photos and news of the day’s events. The blog is only available during the summer months and your Student Support Manager will provide you with the secure login details once the course has started.
Who should my child speak to about any problems during their stay?
We have a dedicated staff team at the school who are in place to provide 24hour support to students during their stay. House Parents oversee the immediate welfare and basic medical needs of each child in their care, and are supported by the staff team within their accommodation and the school’s Welfare Coordinator.
On their first day students will be introduced to their House Parent and the staff team within their boarding house. They will be advised of who to speak with in the team should they have any need something, feel unwell or unsettled, or simply want to chat, and are encouraged to do so without embarrassment or fear.
Parent cooperation is essential for us providing the best support we can for their children during their time with us. Therefore, our Student Support Managers work closely with parents and guardians, from the point of booking and throughout the summer, to ensure that our students receive the optimum level of care.
What happens in the case of a medical emergency?
The welfare and safety of our students is paramount and at the forefront of our planning for summer courses. We pride ourselves on our ability to create a secure residential environment, with a vigilant and attentive staff team in place to supervise the children in their care. In the unlikely event that your child becomes ill or is injured during their stay with us, it’s important that you are aware of the measures we have in place to help them.
A comprehensive medical information and disclosure form is included in our Parent Welcome Pack. This document asks for relevant information about the health and well-being of each student and we require this to be completed, signed and returned to us before your child’s course begins. The details of who to contact in case of emergency is also requested in the medical form and will be recorded for use in such instances.
Your Student Support Manager will be available and happy to talk through anything which we collectively feel needs additional medical, emotional or behavioural support, with a view to ensuring that we are able provide adequate attention to your child’s needs during their stay.
All SBC summer staff are residential, which means there is always someone available throughout the day and night to attend to an issue. For immediate medical concerns, we ensure that First-Aid trained staff are always onsite to deal with these in the first instance. We are also registered with a local GP and have access to a school nurse for anything either ongoing or that requires a prescription. In case of emergency an ambulance will be called.
Please note that in all cases of illness or injury, the child’s next of kin will be contacted directly by either the Student Support Manager or the Welfare Coordinator.
