Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Discovery Summer FAQ page. Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding our 2026 summer school courses, including residential and London day programs.
Please feel free to contact us if you need further assistance.
Residential Course FAQ
Jump to section:
Nationalities & Classes | Life at Camp | Travel & Insurance | Booking & Visas )
Academic & Nationality Mix
We set strict limits on each nationality and language group at all our centres to ensure English remains the common language. Learn more about our nationality mix here.
Students take a placement test on arrival and are grouped by age and their results from the written and oral test. Check your estimated level now with our online level check.
We maintain small classes: 12 students at Marymount, Benenden, Shrewsbury, and Winchester English Plus+; and 16 for Global Young Leaders or Pre-University.
Life at Camp (Accommodation & Welfare)
Students stay in traditional boarding houses at the schools in comfortable rooms.
Marymount: 2-4 bedded rooms, shared bathrooms
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.
- Marymount students cannot keep their phone at night
- Benenden students cannot keep their phone at night
- Shrewsbury students cannot keep their phone at night
- 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.
Yes, 3 meals a day plus 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 will arrange a meeting to discuss this with you.
Safety & Welfare (Residential)
We maintain a high staff-to-student ratio (minimum 1:4) to ensure 24/7 care. Our resident staff live in the same boarding houses as the students, and our House Parents are always on hand to provide support.
Each residential centre has a dedicated First Aid team and clear medical procedures. If necessary, we will take students to the local medical practice or Accident & Emergency department. Comprehensive Medical and Travel insurance is included in our fees for all residential students.
Our staff includes speakers of a number of different languages so, whilst we encourage English use, we will speak to students in their own language if necessary. Our staff are trained to use simple language and e.g. pictures, Google Translate if students can't easily communicate their needs in English.
Discovery Summer is built on a foundation of kindness and mutual respect. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying. Our staff are trained to spot issues early and intervene to ensure the Discovery Summer community remains a happy, safe space for everyone.
All student need to follow the Discovery Summer rules.
Travel, Insurance & Fees
We provide transfers from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester depending on the centre. View the full travel and transfer schedule here.
For Benenden, Marymount and Winchester we also offer meet certain Eurostar trains for free.
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. See our full Dates & Fees table.
We are pleased to offer a 5% discount on course fees when two or more members of the same family book courses together.
Booking & Visas
Please check the UK Government website to check if you need a visa.
Yes - on receipt of your booking and 500 GBP deposit, we can issue a Certificate of Enrolment for visa application purposes.
If a visa application is rejected and we receive written evidence at least 30 days prior to arrival, we will refund the fees received in full, less the deposit (500 GBP).
Most visitors from visa-exempt countries (including the EU, USA, Australia, and Canada) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK for short stays. The cost is £16 and it is linked digitally to your passport, allowing for multiple journeys.
Check if you need an ETA or visa to come to the UK.
Read our news post about ETAs for UK summer schools.
Day Course FAQ
Jump to section:
Eligibility & Classes | Daily Life in London | Booking, Payments & Visa
Classes & Eligibility
We have strict age limits for Collingham and Marymount. Students must be within the range or have their birthday during the course.
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.
At Collingam we accept all levels from Beginner (up to age 9) to Advanced. Use our online level check to find your level.
Collingham Juniors: Beginner to Advanced. We offer beginner classes up to age 9 only.
Collingham Adults: Elementary to Advanced.
Marymount Day: Elementary to Advanced
If you're still unsure, please contact us directly and we can arrange a free online diagnostic: [email protected]
No, parents can choose to take the Collingham Adults course or enjoy free time in London.
Daily Life in London
We do not provide accommodation for day courses, but you can view our London accommodation suggestions here.
We're unable to provide airport transfers for non-residential courses.
At Collingham, lunch is not provided. Students on Collingham Teens Full Day courses need to bring a packed lunch with them each day.
At Marymount a full cooked lunch is provided.
Yes, our curriculum is modular, so students can study from 1–7 weeks at Collingham or 1-5 weeks at Marymount without repeating material.
Safety & Welfare (Day Courses)
Safety is our top priority during off-site trips. Our staff accompany all junior and teen students at all times. Students are given clear safety briefings and wear Discovery Summer identification so they are easily recognisable by our team.
Our staff register students when they arrive and leave. At the end of the day students aged 5-17 must be collected by their parents. If someone else is collecting your child or your child is aged 13 or over and is allowed to go home alone, you must complete an authorisation form in advance.
If your child is aged 13 or over and is allowed to go home alone, you must complete an authorisation form in advance.
Our staff are trained in emergency procedures and first aid. We maintain up-to-date emergency contact details for every family. If an issue arises, we will contact you immediately via the phone number provided on your Medical & Consent form.
Booking, Payment & Visas
Pricing depends on whether you choose Half Day or Full Day options. View Day Course fees here.
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.
This isn't possible as afternoon classes are a repeat of the morning classes.
For students aged 8-17, please consider our Full Day courses Marymount Day (8-13) or Collingham Teens (13-17 years).
Insurance is not included in the non-residential course fees. We strongly recommend that you take out your own travel insurance.
We are pleased to offer a 5% discount on course fees when two or more members of the same family book courses together.
Please check the UK Government website to check if you need a visa.
Yes - on receipt of your booking and 100 GBP deposit, we can issue a Certificate of Enrolment for visa application purposes.
If a visa application is rejected and we receive written evidence at least 30 days prior to arrival, we will refund the fees received in full, less the deposit (100 GBP).
Most visitors from visa-exempt countries (including the EU, USA, Australia, and Canada) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK for short stays. The cost is £16 and it is linked digitally to your passport, allowing for multiple journeys.