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Junior Summer Courses for Ages 9–12
About Our Junior Summer School (Ages 9–12)
At Oxford Summer Courses, our Junior programmes for ages 9–12 are designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, and independent thinking. Students will explore new ideas, develop key skills, and build connections in an encouraging and structured environment. Courses are hosted at Harrow School — one of the UK’s most prestigious boarding schools. Each course is led by experienced tutors who tailor learning to each student’s interests, ensuring that lessons remain engaging, interactive, and enjoyable. Alongside our Junior programme, we also offer a Scholars pathway for students aged 12–14 who are ready for a slightly greater academic challenge while still benefiting from the supportive junior learning environment. Alongside academic learning, students take part in a rich social programme, helping them build confidence and meaningful connections with other students. Limited places available – apply now.
Learning Outcomes
Our Junior courses are designed to give students more than just academic knowledge — they focus on building confidence, independence, and a genuine passion for learning. Through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, students develop essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication, while learning how to collaborate with others, express ideas clearly, and think critically.
Students on the Scholars pathway (ages 12–14) are encouraged to engage more deeply with subject material through discussion, structured analysis, and extended projects, while still benefiting from a supportive and age-appropriate environment. Across all courses, the combination of structured lessons, creative projects, and regular tutor feedback helps students strengthen key academic skills such as research, analysis, and presentation, leaving with greater confidence both academically and socially.
Teacher Expertise
At Oxford Summer Courses, we carefully select tutors who not only have deep subject knowledge but also experience working with younger learners in an interactive learning environment. Many of our tutors have backgrounds from institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge, bringing a wealth of academic expertise and teaching experience.
Tutors are skilled at adapting lessons to suit different learning stages, ensuring that both Junior students (ages 9–12) and Scholars (ages 12–14) feel supported and challenged at the right level. They deliver hands-on, activity-based lessons while encouraging older students to engage in deeper discussion, independent tasks, and structured thinking.
Junior Teaching Methodology
Our Junior Summer Courses are centred around interactive learning, where students engage with academic content through hands-on activities and group-based projects. This approach encourages students to learn actively rather than passively, helping them to explore new ideas and develop critical thinking skills in a fun and engaging environment.
For Scholars aged 12–14, lessons may include more extended projects, presentations, and guided discussion, helping students build confidence in articulating ideas and working independently while still benefiting from collaborative learning. Personalised feedback from tutors supports each student’s development and encourages curiosity and confidence.
Timetable for Ages 9–12 (and Scholars 12–14)
Our timetable offers a balanced mix of learning, creativity, and fun to keep students engaged throughout the day. Each day begins with breakfast and morning sign-in, followed by engaging lessons led by expert tutors. Sessions are designed to develop new skills and encourage creative thinking through hands-on activities and problem-solving.
Afternoons focus on supervised homework, house activities, and creative workshops designed to build confidence and teamwork. Evenings include social activities such as movie nights, house games, talent shows, and team challenges. On Wednesdays, students take part in an excursion to explore local attractions. Fridays conclude with a graduation ceremony, and Saturdays are for departures.
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Small class sizes, capped at 15 students, allow tutors to provide personalised attention and feedback. Lessons are adapted to suit each student’s age, ability, and interests, ensuring that both Junior students and Scholars are appropriately supported and challenged.
Beyond the classroom, students benefit from a balanced programme of academic learning and social activities designed to develop independence, teamwork, and global awareness in a safe and encouraging environment.
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What to Expect
Students attend four days of lessons per week, with each session lasting three hours. Lessons are interactive and discussion-led, encouraging students to ask questions, explore ideas, and develop confidence in their abilities.
Outside the classroom, students take part in a lively social programme including creative projects, team games, and day trips. Each course concludes with a graduation ceremony celebrating students’ achievements.
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Life Beyond the Classroom
Our social programme is designed to give students the opportunity to build confidence and develop meaningful connections through shared experiences. Team sports such as football and basketball provide a fun and active way for students to bond and work together. Creative activities, including art, music, and drama workshops, allow students to express themselves and explore their talents in a supportive environment. These sessions are designed to foster creativity, teamwork, and personal growth.
Students will also take part in day trips to historic landmarks and cultural sites, offering a chance to learn more about the local area and its rich history. Evening socials, such as movie nights, quizzes, and team challenges, give students time to relax and build friendships outside of the classroom. The week concludes with a formal graduation ceremony — a celebration of each student’s achievements and the new connections they've made during their time with us.
Junior Travel and Support
We provide complimentary transfers for students arriving at London Heathrow Airport on the course start date (Sunday) between 8:00 am and 3:45 pm. Our team will meet students in the arrivals hall and assist with transfers to the course location. On departure day, we provide a complimentary transfer back to Heathrow for flights departing between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
For students travelling as unaccompanied minors, we offer a paid service (£145) where students will be escorted to the airport and checked in by a member of our team. Full travel details will be provided in the Travel Form before the course begins.
Visa Information
If you are travelling to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you may require a visa to attend our courses. Most students aged 9–14 can apply for a Child Visitor Visa or a Standard Visitor Visa depending on their age and country of residence. You will need to provide proof of funds to support yourself during your stay, evidence of a return or onward journey, and written consent from a parent or guardian.
Oxford Summer Courses will provide you with a Visa Support Letter confirming your enrolment and accommodation details once your course fees have been paid in full. Students from certain countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, may be eligible for an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW), which is faster and easier to apply for than a Standard Visitor Visa. If you have any questions about the visa process, please contact our team for guidance.
FAQs about Junior Summer Courses
All Junior and Scholar students stay at Harrow School, one of the UK’s most prestigious boarding schools. Students are accommodated in separate, age-appropriate boarding houses, with experienced residential staff providing 24/7 supervision and support to ensure a safe, comfortable, and well-structured environment throughout the course.
Our courses use an interactive learning approach, combining hands-on activities, group projects, and creative challenges. Tutors tailor lessons to each student’s interests and encourage active participation to develop skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.
Days include structured lessons in the morning, followed by supervised homework, creative workshops, and social activities in the afternoon. Evenings feature fun events such as movie nights, talent shows, and team games. Weekly excursions to local attractions also provide cultural experiences.
No, Oxford Summer Courses is not affiliated with Harrow School. While we host our Junior courses at this prestigious venue, we operate independently. This allows us to tailor the academic experience to each student’s interests and learning goals. Our expert tutors, who are not connected to the school, lead all sessions and create a supportive, engaging environment focused on personalised learning.
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Choose from over 40 subjects taught through flexible, age-appropriate programmes. Our tutors adapt their teaching methodologies to different age groups and shape course content around students’ interests, rather than following a fixed curriculum.
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