Sir George Cambridge

The course follows an intensive, communicative approach with international classes averaging just 10 students (maximum 16), running from elementary to advanced levels. Students take a placement test before starting, and the 20 general English lessons focus on balanced development of speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary. The additional 8 life skills lessons per week help teenagers develop practical English for real-world situations, alongside 5 guided study sessions that reinforce classroom learning with teacher support. Teachers provide regular feedback and an academic report with a certificate at the end of the stay.

The base price includes 20 general English lessons per week, 8 life skills lessons, homestay accommodation with all meals (weekday hot lunches at school), 5 guided study or cultural activity sessions, return Sunday transfers from London Heathrow or Stansted, registration, welfare supervision, 24-hour emergency support, and an end-of-course report with certificate. Excursions organised by Studio are available at extra cost (approximately £60 per person), and bus tickets or bicycle hire for independent travel to and from school are not included in the fees.

Students stay in homestay accommodation with local Cambridge hosts, who are personally known to Studio and inspected regularly. Bedrooms are typically shared by two students of the same gender who speak different languages (some singles available on request), with shared bathrooms. Hosts provide a friendly environment, clean and comfortable rooms, and a quiet place to study. Homestays are normally located within 40 minutes of the school on foot, by bike, or by bus. Students are expected to travel independently to and from school and must return to their accommodation by 22:00 at the latest. Laundry is done by the host once per week, and bed linen with towels are changed weekly.

Full board is included: breakfast and dinner are provided by the host family, while hot lunches are served at school from Monday to Friday. At weekends, packed lunches are provided. A vegetarian and non-pork option is always available, and special dietary requirements can be accommodated if requested in advance.

The programme includes 5 guided study or cultural activity sessions per week after class. Guided study helps reinforce classroom learning with staff support, while cultural visits to places of interest in Cambridge are organised each Friday afternoon. Midweek social or sporting activities give students the chance to practise English outside the classroom and get to know each other. Examples include arts and crafts, quizzes, board games, basketball, and a traditional English tea party. Studio-organised weekend excursions (London, Oxford, Brighton, Warwick Castle, Windsor Castle) are available at extra cost.

The course centre is located on Station Road in central Cambridge, in lovely Victorian buildings with 13 classrooms, a Studio Café for meals and socialising, Wi-Fi, and a garden. Within a 10-minute walk, students have access to a sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, and city parks. The wider city of Cambridge offers punting on the River Cam, historic colleges, museums, botanic gardens, and a vibrant student atmosphere.

Running since 2008, Sir George offers a trusted, academically rigorous programme for older teenagers who want intensive English study in a homestay environment. Teachers are experienced, class sizes are very small (average 10 students), and the combination of general English with dedicated life skills and guided study ensures rapid progress. The atmosphere is more independent than summer camps: students travel to and from school on their own, enjoy some unsupervised free time, and live with local hosts, gaining confidence and real-life English practice. With a high staff-to-student ratio, strict curfew rules, 24-hour emergency support, and regular welfare oversight, Studio provides a safe yet mature stepping stone towards independent study abroad.