Previously, courses were only available to international students. Still, the new programs have been designed to encourage UK secondary and international students to “hone skills, form new friendships, and engage in a wide range of stimulating activities,” according to the provider.
Professional coaching in football, dance, tennis, or filmmaking will be available beginning July 25, as well as programs focused on cultivating leadership, strategic thinking, teamwork, and entrepreneurial skills.
“After a year spent mostly at home, many teenagers are looking forward to getting out this summer and discovering the world around them while also improving emotionally and academically,” the provider said.
“Because so many students have missed out on important educational trips and interactions in the past year, we’ve planned our new courses to complement CVs and university applications.”
St Edward’s Private Boarding School in Oxford will host the courses for children aged 12 to 17.
Lawrence Jackson, sales and marketing director at IH London, said, “If the market reacts as we hoped, we’ll be looking at 75-100 students per week over the summer.”
The provider focuses on the domestic market because international travel is still uncertain, although it has long been a source of interest, he said.
“At this time, we can only depend on foreign students who are already enrolled in boarding school in the United Kingdom and will be staying here for the summer. We will be in a stronger position to confirm the status of existing bookings from our core markets once the light traffic countries are announced,” Jackson added.
“We’ve long been interested in the domestic market because we see real value in providing integration between native and non-native English speakers. The pandemic has accelerated our efforts to step in this direction, and we see potential here that stretches beyond the current crisis.”
The Covid-secure program will be available to both residential and non-residential students, who will participate in activities alongside international students, “allowing them to develop their trust and communication skills, as well as make friends from a variety of different cultures,” according to IH London.