Frequently Asked Questions

Students will stay on-site at the College in the brand-new Staunton Williams designed boarding houses. Completed in September 2026, each house offers modern en-suite bedrooms as well as common rooms, study spaces, and gardens for relaxation. 

You can find more detailed information on the boarding house and where students will be staying on our Boarding Life page.

While the majority of the bedroom accommodation in our houses is single, there are some shared rooms available.

If you have a particular preference for room type, you can request this in the Student Welfare Form after making your booking. If you would like your child to share a room with a particular person, this person must be the same gender and the students must be no more than 2 years apart in age.

While we make every effort to accommodate individual requests for sharing, availability of shared rooms is limited. 

Yes. This is a free service organised by our staff. Laundry is done once a week. We advise you to bring a laundry bag and ensure all clothes and belongings have sewn-in name labels to avoid losing anything.

We can cater for all dietary requirements when notified in advance. Please notify us of any dietary requirements in the Student Welfare Form or by email to info@winchestercollegesummerprogramme.com at least 4 weeks before the start of the course.

It is extremely important to us to provide a healthy and balanced range of food that is both nutritious and enjoyable for our students. We provide a variety of meal options to choose from, including vegetarian options.

We ask students to give their phones and valuables into the “bank” for safe-keeping to ensure they aren’t distracted from their study and socialising on camp. Each day students get their phones back to call home and catch up on messages on two separate occasions during the afternoons.

We always wake students up in the mornings but some like to have a watch or alarm clock with them overnight while they don’t have their phone. This system makes sure everyone gets a good night’s sleep and makes for a great social atmosphere, encouraging interaction and new friendships. Our experience is that this limited access to mobile phones is a form of ‘digital detox’ which greatly benefits our students.

Before the course begins, parents will receive a Parent Information Pack, which includes the direct course email address and contact number. While it is possible to contact students via their mobile phones, please note that access may be limited in line with the Mobile Phone Policy.

We understand that staying away from home in a new environment can be a big step. Our team is highly experienced in helping students settle in quickly, and we usually find that any homesickness eases as students engage in their studies, activities, and the wider school community. To encourage independence and help students immerse themselves in the summer school experience, we recommend limited contact with home during the first couple of days.

Our staff are also trained to recognise any emotional concerns or changes in behaviour and provide prompt, supportive guidance. With this care in place, students are able to make the most of their time at Winchester, building confidence, resilience, and lasting memories.

Yes! The Winchester College Summer Programme is a fully immersive experience, with English spoken at all times. Students join us from around the world, including native English speakers, making English the shared language of the course. Consistent use of English is the most effective way to build fluency and confidence.

We place great emphasis on integration and international collaboration. Every element of the programme is designed to encourage students to engage with peers from different nationalities. While it is natural to be drawn to others who speak the same native language, our clear policies and supportive environment promote a truly international experience, where students connect, share ideas, and learn from one another.

We have a dedicated welfare team on site around the clock to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and happiness of every student - both physically and emotionally. They support students with day-to-day needs, from helping them get to the right place at the right time, to making sure they eat well, get sufficient rest, and enjoy every aspect of their summer school experience.

Our welfare staff are carefully selected and trained for this important role. Every member holds an enhanced DBS check and receives training in child safeguarding and first aid from external bodies, alongside our comprehensive in-house programme. Our teachers and senior staff bring extensive experience working with children living on-site year-round, ensuring that summer school students benefit from the same high standards of care and support as our regular boarders.