Weekly prices for residential English courses for children in England vary widely. One school may quote a single figure that covers lessons, a bed, meals and trips, while another lists tuition and accommodation separately and adds fees at the end of the booking.
This guide sets out typical weekly costs at the time of writing, what those prices usually cover and the extra costs to plan for. Each section ends with points to check, so you can compare quotes from different schools on equal terms.
The Typical Weekly Cost of a Residential English Summer School
Weekly prices vary widely, and trade news gives a sense of the upper end. The PIE News has reported that some high-end programmes start at £3,000 a week, while most residential courses for children cost less and differ mainly in what the weekly figure includes.
Prices for a summer boarding school UK families shortlist can look hard to compare, because “per week” does not mean the same thing at every school. Ask each school for the total price for the exact number of weeks you need, with every fee included. If schools quote in different currencies, convert them all to pounds before you compare.
What One All-Inclusive Weekly Price Looks Like
A published price list shows how an all-inclusive model works. At SKOLA Uppingham, the residential course for ages 10 to 14 costs £1,490 a week at the time of writing, for a seven-day stay from Sunday to Sunday. That weekly price includes:
- 15 hours of English tuition and learning materials
- a single or twin room in a boarding house
- all meals, cooked in the boarding house
- sports coaching and afternoon activities
- evening house activities and a full-day Saturday trip
- weekly laundry.
SKOLA lists its registration fee and visa support letter fee separately from the weekly price, which is common across the sector. When you look at any school’s price, ask for the same kind of written list, so you can see which items you are paying for and which ones may appear later.
What the Weekly Price Usually Includes and Excludes
Most residential junior courses include tuition, accommodation, full board, an activity programme and supervision in the weekly price. Excursions, entry tickets, course materials, laundry and insurance differ more from school to school. Before you compare prices, ask each school these questions:
- Are entry fees for excursions and attractions included?
- Is there a summer supplement for July and August?
- Are all meals provided every day, including at weekends?
- Is medical or travel insurance included, or do you need to arrange it?
Ask for the answers in writing and keep them with each quote. A lower weekly price that excludes trips, meals at weekends or insurance can end up close to an all-inclusive price once you add those items back in.
Extra Costs on Top of the Weekly Price
Most schools charge a one-off registration or booking fee on top of the weekly price, and families who need a visa may also pay for a support letter. Airport transfers vary more: some schools run free shuttles at set times, while others charge for each journey or only offer private cars. Ask each school to list these fees in writing so you can add them to the weekly total.
Pocket money is the last cost to plan for. An English summer camp in England with an all-inclusive price may need only a small weekly amount for souvenirs and snacks, while a course that excludes trips or meals will need more. Ask each school how much pocket money it recommends, and check its refund terms if a visa is refused or your plans change.
How Location Affects the Weekly Cost
Countryside campuses usually include accommodation, meals and trips in one weekly figure. Much of the activity programme uses the school’s own pools, sports halls and playing fields, so there are fewer travel costs during the week.
London courses often price tuition and accommodation separately, and families may also pay for travel cards and entry fees. Residences in London often set a minimum age, so a younger child may attend as a day student while the family pays for its own accommodation nearby, usually booked through Airbnb or Booking.com. Add up every element for the same number of weeks before comparing a London course with a countryside one.
What the Price Should Buy in Quality
A higher weekly price should reflect standards you can check, not only the name or history of a campus. Confirm that any summer boarding school you consider holds British Council accreditation, which includes inspection of teaching, welfare and accommodation, and ask whether it is a member of English UK. Then ask about:
- the adult-to-student ratio during activities and at night
- the maximum number of students in each class
- the qualifications of the teachers
- who stays in the boarding house overnight.
Read the school’s latest British Council inspection report, which is published on the British Council website. It gives an independent view of how the course runs and helps you judge whether the price matches what is delivered.
Comparing Weekly Quotes From Each School
The weekly cost of a residential English course depends on what the price includes, where the course takes place and which fees are added on top. Use this checklist when you compare quotes:
- the total price for the exact number of weeks you need
- a written list of what the weekly price includes
- registration, visa letter and transfer fees
- recommended pocket money
- refund terms if a visa is refused or plans change.
With these details in front of you, you can compare schools on the same basis and decide which course suits your child and your budget.
