A Week at an Oxford Scholastica Summer School: Part 2
Welcome to the second part of a week at an Oxford Scholastica summer school, where one of our Activities Coordinators (ACs), Toby, will take you through the second week of Oxford Scholastica’s flagship residential programme.
What Is an Oxford Scholastica Summer School?
Oxford is the perfect place to embark on a journey of learning and discovery! An Oxford Scholastica summer school is a two- or four- week programme where high school students get to experience the history, culture and architecture of the city while studying on one of our future-focused courses.
We fill our summer schedule with the perfect mix of academic rigour and social activities, so there’s never a dull moment!
What Happens in Week One?
The first week kicks us off with an icebreaker barbecue, a tour of the historic city of Oxford, and an introduction to the best lunch spots in town. Pizza, punting and Shakespeare await in the middle of the week – as well as trips to two different castles!
Classes take place most weekdays for two hours, and are paired with two hours of independent study time. Masterclasses are held on Wednesday and Saturday, and our much-loved Challenge Afternoons fill up our Fridays!
We finish off the week with brunch at Corpus Christi College’s dining hall, and dance the night away at our International Boat Ball – and that’s only week one!
The Activities in Week Two
Just like the first week, each day starts with a self-serve continental breakfast of toast, cereal, fruit, scotch pancakes, juice and hot drinks, from 7:30am until 8:30am.
Monday
On the second Monday, after classes and lunch, students are treated to a Debate Masterclass at Oxford Union’s world-famous and historic Grade II listed debating chamber.
You’ll then get the chance to practise your public-speaking and debating skills, and consider the big questions of the day, such as: “should the Education system be reformed?” and “do advances in AI pose the largest threat to humanity?”.
Tuesday
The next day will see you attend an Active Thinking Masterclass, before you get the choice of participating in either our Treasure Hunt, which takes place all across the city-centre, or our Sports night, where you’ll get a chance to run rings around me and the other ACs!
Wednesday
“Windsor Thursday” becomes “Blenheim Wednesday” in week two. You’ll attend your classes as usual, and then after a slightly shorter lunch we hop on the coach and head to Blenheim.
Blenheim Palace was the home of the Churchill family, and is sometimes called the “real Downton Abbey”. It could also be called the “real Hogwarts” as it was one of Oxford’s Harry Potter filming locations!
After guided tours of the interior, you’ll be free to wander through the immaculate Walled Garden, and admire the serene Great Lake.
Thursday
In line with our commitment to preparing you for your academic and professional future, you’ll have the amazing opportunity in the Heroes session to speak to inspiring professionals and leaders in your chosen subject.
This is also a great opportunity for us ACs to broaden our horizons, so expect us to chip in with a few questions for pioneering surgeons, lawyers, writers and many others.
Then, in the evening, you’ll have the chance to show off your talents and skills in a real student favourite – the Oxford’s Got Talent show. We’re always blown away by the range of talents on display; some of my personal favourites include Diwali dances, duets, magic tricks, someone solving a rubik’s cube while rope skipping, and much, much more!
Friday
On your last full day with us, we’ll celebrate your achievements, along with your family and friends, at the Oxford Scholastica Graduation.
This will be followed by a delicious dinner at the Saïd Business School and a Ceilidh – a traditional Scottish dance.
A few tears will almost certainly be shed at the end of the evening as goodbyes are said, but as we sing in the traditional Scottish song Auld Lang Syne:
“We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne (for the sake of old friendships)!”
We’ll see each other again soon!
Saturday
Everyone will be leaving at different times on the last day, so if you’ve got a later departure you’re welcome to head into town for one last coffee at Art Cafe. And then, just like that, it’s the end of the programme!
Once again, if you come with an open mind to study something you’re passionate about, ready to make friends with people from all over the world, we ACs promise to make that a reality for you!
By Toby Gay
Toby is an Activities Coordinator at Oxford Scholastica. He studied Linguistics and Spanish at the University of Edinburgh, and will be starting an MSc in Environment, Politics and Development at King’s College London. He has just finished working for a year in Berlin at different NGOs, including a bike repair workshop for refugees, and an organisation working towards making Berlin carbon neutral. Toby loves learning about languages, and is also keen on music, sports, reading and films – “Aftersun” has recently become his new favourite film.
Looking to take part in an Oxford summer course?
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