The #1 Rated Summer School in Europe
4.9
Average Rating
850+
Verified Reviews
7,000+
Alumni Globally
The Oxford Scholastica Academy Story
Since 2013, our award winning programmes have empowered young people to seize the future. We have welcomed bright students from around the globe for more than a decade, giving them the edge to help them succeed, find their purpose and make a difference in the world.
We’re proud to be accredited by the British Accreditation Council for our high education and pastoral standards, to have received the first King’s Award from King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and to be rated the number one academic summer school in Europe.
Prepare to Meet the World
Living and learning alongside students from every continent, you will quickly gain appreciation and empathy for other cultures and feel part of the global community. Suddenly, you’ll see the world through a wider lens. Meet some of our past students:
Adela Jung Foncillas
AGE: 17
SCHOOL: FES Lörrach
COURSE: Experience Psychology & Neuroscience Academy
Oxford Scholastica has given me the confidence to determine my own future. I learned to step out of my comfort zone and try incredible new things, even when they seemed scary at first. I've also had the amazing opportunity to build a network of kind and open-minded people, all from different countries.
Alfonso Feris
AGE: 16
SCHOOL: Colegio Los Pininos
COURSE: Experience Engineering Academy
One thing I have learned at Oxford Scholastica is how to become better at making new friends. I am usually regarded as an introverted person, but here, in less than two weeks, I have made friends as close as brothers. I am sure our friendship will last a lifetime!
Juanita Sele-Matthew
AGE: 15
SCHOOL: Meadowhall School
COURSE: Experience Business & Enterprise Academy
Oxford Scholastica has taught me to always reach for the stars. The programme has really opened my eyes to what I want my life to look like. I've learned academic skills but also social and emotional skills, like how to network, how to live away from home and how to make new friends.
Pippa Manning
AGE: 17
SCHOOL: Nottingham Girls High School
COURSE: Experience Medicine Academy
I have found the classes so insightful and interesting and have learnt more about Medicine than I ever have in school, as well as new topics I had never considered. I'm sure this knowledge will be invaluable in my application to medical school and it has made me feel much more confident in my own abilities.
Shanaya Ailsinghani
AGE: 15
SCHOOL: GEMS Dubai American Academy
COURSE: Experience Medicine Academy
I have benefitted a lot from Oxford Scholastica. I have developed my social skills, especially learning how to interact with others outside of a formal setting like school, and gained a lot of confidence. The programme has also given me much more clarity about my potential future career options.
Our Teaching Philosophy
We've welcomed thousands of students to our academic programmes. Over the years, we've honed our unique teaching philosophy:
LEARN: Deepen Your Subject Knowledge
SEE: Be Inspired by Industry Experts
DO: Tackle Real-World Challenges
Our Leadership Team
The leadership team, headed up by husband and wife Jamie and Sophie Dear, have many years’ experience of running education programmes and are passionate about the care Oxford Scholastica gives to every student.
Jamie Dear
Co-Director
Jamie, our Co-Director, has founded and led education ventures for the past 20 years, with fifteen years’ experience running summer schools. After studying at Oxford University, he founded OxFizz, a social enterprise helping students with university preparation, with profits going to charities (over £1m raised). He’s the former chair of Jacari, an Oxford University charity that provides free tutoring to children who don’t speak English as their first language.
Sophie Dear
Co-Director
Sophie is a consultant doctor who completed her medical training at Oxford University. She’s the founder of Psyched Up for Medical School, a programme that inspires and supports students interested in psychiatry with structured work experience opportunities. Sophie is part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Leadership and Management Fellowship scheme and has run Oxford Scholastica with her husband Jamie for the past twelve years.
Lavinia Abell
Co-Director
Lavinia is our Co-Director, and she oversees the smooth running of the Oxford Scholastica residential and online programmes. Lavinia studied Classics at Jesus College, Cambridge University, and has been on the Oxford Scholastica team since 2016. She’s a former Trustee of the charity Oxfordshire Youth and currently sits on the board of governors of a family of independent schools located in her home city of Cambridge.
Joanna Cruse
Strategy Consultant
Jo is our Strategy Consultant and a former teacher at one of the UK’s leading schools, where she was also a university admissions advisor. With senior leadership experience in a variety of education organisations, Jo is passionate about enabling young people to thrive. She’s a member of the Founders4Schools Educational Impact Council and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She has been part of Oxford Scholastica since 2015.
Stephanie Lester
Head of Admissions
Stephanie is our Head of Admissions and is responsible for looking after our students and parents before, during and after their programmes with us, making sure they have the most memorable and impactful educational experience of their lives. She studied Communications in South Africa and has experience in higher education institutions. She is passionate about going above and beyond to ensure every student is well taken care of.
Michael Irvine
Head of Marketing
Michael is our Head of Marketing, based in Toronto, Canada. He studied Economics and Management at St Peter’s College, Oxford University, graduating in 2010. Throughout his 10+ year career in marketing, Michael has helped mission-oriented organisations to grow through smart branding, messaging, advertising and automation. He hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders by helping people learn to think critically.
Connie Begg
Operations & Project Management
Connie oversees the operations and project management of Oxford Scholastica. Connie finished her law degree at the University of Cambridge in 2022 and has been on the Oxford Scholastica Academy team ever since. Connie is an avid eventer and was the captain of the Cambridge University Equestrian Team.
Charlotte Rice
Student Experience & Marketing
Charlotte studied Media, Journalism and Publishing at Oxford Brookes University and has been on the Oxford Scholastica Academy team since 2023, making sure all our students and parents are well looked after. She loves writing, travelling and going for long walks while listening to podcasts.
