Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions. Please feel free to contact us if you need further assistance.
Residential Course FAQ
Yes, all courses are open to boys and girls
We have limits on each nationality and language group at all of our centres to ensure that the common language is English. This ensures a high-quality experience for all students. If we have a lot of bookings from one nationality during certain dates of a course, we will stop accepting bookings for this nationality during those dates.
We test students' levels on arrival. Students are placed into their classes based on age and English level.
Benenden: 12 international students
Shrewsbury: 12 international students
Winchester English Plus+: 12 international students
Winchester Global Young Leaders: 16 international students
Winchester Pre-University: 16 international students
Please take our quick online level check here.
If you're still not sure after taking the level check, please email us and we can arrange a free online diagnostic: info@discoverysummer.com
This may be possible - please contact us direct to enquire info@discoverysummer.com
Students stay in the traditional boarding houses at the schools in comfortable rooms.
Benenden: 2-6 bedded rooms, shared bathrooms
Shrewsbury: 1-4 bedded rooms, shared bathrooms
Winchester: 1-6 bedded rooms, shared bathrooms
Yes. We will try our best to meet all rooming requests where possible.
The Discovery Summer experience is about maximising opportunities for making new friends, speaking English and trying new activities. As a result we limit the time students can spend on their phones.
Students cannot use their phones during:
- mealtimes
- lessons
- activities
- meetings.
If they are caught using their phones at inappropriate times, the phone will be temporarily confiscated.
The policy at night varies centre by centre:
- Benenden students cannot keep their phone at night
- Shrewsbury 11-14 year olds cannot keep their phone; 15-16 year olds can
- Winchester : all students can keep their phone at night.
We reserve to take a student's phone at night if we believe it's disrupting their sleep or having a negative effect on them or others.
We provide 3 meals a day and snacks. We have a range of healthy food options available at our centres to suit international students.
Yes. Please let us know at the time of booking, and complete our Medical & Consent Form once your booking has been confirmed. If necessary, we wil arrange a meeting to discuss this with you.
We will do our best to find something on the menu which your child can eat. Please contact us direct if you'd like to discuss this. info@discoverysummer.com
Please check this webpage for all travel information.
Please contact us direct so that we can assist you. info@discoverysummer.com
Yes - for residential courses Medical and Travel insurance is included in the fees. Please see our Residential Terms & Conditions for more information.
The price depends on the centre and duration of the course. Please find all fees here.
We are pleased to offer a 5% discount on course fees when two or more members of the same family book courses together.
Unfortunately we are unable to reduce the fees for early departures/late arrivals to the course.
Residential courses: A non-refundable deposit of 500 GBP per student is due at the time of booking. For all courses, the remaining balance is due at least 6 weeks before the course start date.
Included in the fees (residential courses):
• All tuition and teaching materials
• Full board residential accommodation
• Transport and entry fees on all excursions
• Varied daily programme to cater for a range of interests and abilities
• Close supervision by our resident staff
• Participation of resident English Student Hosts
• Student folder, academic report, DS certificate and course photo
• Personal laundry for machine washable clothes
• Medical and Travel Insurance (see Terms & Conditions)
• Airport transfers on published arrival/departure days for flights scheduled to arrive/depart between 09.00-16.00 from/to:
- Heathrow (all residential centres)
- Gatwick (Benenden, Winchester)
- Birmingham and Manchester (Shrewsbury only)
For transfers on specific dates/times from/to Eurostar St. Pancras, please contact us.
NOT included in the fees:
• Special Options
• Exam fees (Trinity, IELTS)
• Transfers for those arriving/departing outside our free scheduled times on arrival/departure dates at the airports specified above
Please check the UK Government website to check if you need a visa: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Yes - on receipt of your booking and 500 GBP deposit, we can issue a Certificate of Enrolment for visa application purposes.
This is decided on a case by case basis and depends on the reason for rejection.
Day Course FAQ
We cannot arrange accommodation for you, but please see this link on our website for some accommodation ideas in London: https://www.discoverysummer.com/accommodation/
We're unable to provide airport transfers for non-residential courses.
We have limits on each nationality and language group at all of our centres to ensure that the common language is English. This ensures a high-quality experience for all students. If we have a lot of bookings from one nationality during certain dates of a course, we will stop accepting bookings for this nationality during those dates.
Please check our Collingham availability grids for the latest information. If your nationality does not appear on the grids, we still have availability on all dates.
Afternoons may become available, subject to demand. Please contact us directly for the latest information. info@discoverysummer.com
Students on the Collingham Adults course are normally parents/guardians of students studying on the Collingham Juniors/Teens courses. The average age is between 30-50 years though we welcome older and younger adults, too.
This isn't possible - if afternoons do become available, they are a repeat of the morning classes.
For students aged 8-17, please consider our Collingham Juniors (8-12) or Teens (13-17 years) Full Day courses.
We have strict age limits in place and are regrettably unable to make any exceptions to this, unless the student will have their birthday during the course.
No. Parents can choose to study with us or enjoy free time in London.
Students are placed into their classes based on age and English level. We will send you an online placement test shortly before the course start date, and then on arrival there is a brief oral test.
Collingham Juniors: Beginner to Advanced. We offer beginner classes up to age 9 only.
Collingham Adults: Elementary to Advanced.
You can use our quick online level check here.
If you're still unsure, please contact us directly and we can arrange a free online diagnostic: info@discoverysummer.com
Yes - each week, our teachers create lessons linked to a different project. Students explore new topics, language and skills.
Lunch is not provided. Students on full-day courses need to bring a packed lunch with them each day.
Insurance is not included in the non-residential course fees. We strongly recommend that you take out your own travel insurance.
Collingham Juniors Half Day: 460 GBP per student/week
Collingham Juniors Full Day: 880 GBP per student/week
Collingham Teens Full Day: 880 GBP per student/week
Collingham Adults Half Day: 495 GBP per student/week
We are pleased to offer a 5% discount on course fees when two or more members of the same family book courses together.
Collingham is open between 23 June - 8 August 2025. You can study from 1-7 weeks.
Unfortunately we are unable to reduce the fees for early departures/late arrivals to the course.
A non-refundable deposit of 100 GBP per student is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due at least 6 weeks before the course start date.
Included in the fees:
• All tuition and teaching materials
• Student folder, academic report, DS certificate and course photo
• Entry fees on all excursions and study visits
NOT included in the fees:
• Accommodation or airport transfers
• Medical and Travel Insurance
• Optional family social events
• Collingham Full Day Juniors & Teens: lunch and London
travel card
Please check the UK Government website to check if you need a visa: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Yes - on receipt of your booking and 100 GBP deposit, we can issue a Certificate of Enrolment for visa application purposes.
This is a case by case basis and depends on the reason for rejection.