International Summer Schools 2024: Feedback from our students

St Clare-s Summer School - Schüler auf dem Campus (Contentful)

Published at 2/9/2025 - 8 min. to read - Susanne Ackel

Summer School are language courses for international students based in boarding schools in the UK. Students are usually between 10 and 17 years old. They take part in lessons in the mornings and enjoy sports, activities and excursions in the afternoons.

Students learn the English language, get to know the country, meet international friends and have unforgettable experiences all at the same time.

A big thank you to our students for their feedback

At Stanford & Ackel, we value feedback from our students and their parents very highly. In the summer of 2024, we helped more than 150 families in planning their summer schools and supported them during their stays in England and Scotland.

We are deeply grateful to our families, who have rated our work with an average score of 1.4.

In addition to our personal interactions and close collaborations with schools, the feedback from our summer school students is very valuable. Every response is carefully reviewed and discussed with the respective schools to ensure continuous improvement.

How are the summer school ratings determined?

Naturally, we place great emphasis on protecting the privacy of our students, which is why we do not publish names with their feedback. All reviews featured here have been authorised by the families.

The students rated their summer schools according to the German school grades system (1=A, 6=F). The overall average score comprising the following summer school's aspects:

Teaching
Afternoon activities
Excursions
School campus
Food
Accommodation
Teachers and staff
Organisation and communication by the school
Transfers
Value for money
Overall impression
Diversity of the student body

Here is the feedback from our students on Summer Schools 2024:

Brooke House Summer School

Student
Average rating: 1.9

Student
Average rating: 1.3

My highlights of the summer school:

"Lovely location with plenty of boutiques, shops, and cafes (Market Harborough). Brooke House College has a very family-like atmosphere, and the on-campus team provided perfect support. Everyone was friendly and helpful."

My summary of the international experience:

"I had an amazing time there and would go back anytime!"

brooke-house-summer-school-Team-Battles-Wet-Tray-Challenge

Exsportise - Seaford Summer School

Parent
Average rating: 1.8

My highlights of the summer school:

"We were very satisfied, especially since our son enjoyed it so much. One thing that surprised me: we were not contacted directly by Exsportise at any point, neither beforehand nor during/after the stay. It felt a bit impersonal compared to the experience with our older son, who attended Marlborough a few years ago."

My summary of the international experience:

"Our son loved it and would happily return!"

Student
Average rating: 1.8

My highlights of the summer school:

"I learned a lot in both English classes and sports. The level-based groups ensured targeted learning. Teachers and staff were always approachable and supportive."

My summary of the international experience:

"Two weeks filled with English, sports, fun, and new experiences - it was great despite the English summer weather."

Exsportise Summer School - Hockey Players

Exsportise - Worth Summer School

Student
Average rating: 1.8

My highlights of the summer school:

"Great mix of sports and lessons."

My summary of the international experience:

"It was cool and I really enjoyed it - a fantastic mix of sports and lessons!"

Haileybury International Summer School

Student
Average rating: 1.4

My highlights of the summer school:

"Large campus, enjoyable leisure activities, excellent sports facilities."

My summary of the international experience:

"It will remain unforgettable, and I wish I could have stayed at the school."

Student
Average rating: 1.5

My highlights of the summer school:

"Meeting new friends from different countries, boosting my confidence, exploring another country with peers, and making varied and lovely memories."

My summary of the international experience:

"I made lots of new friends, and we still stay in touch."

Student
Average rating: 1.3

My highlights of the summer school:

"Meeting people of various nationalities. Teachers and staff were very kind and helpful."

My summary of the international experience:

"One of the best experiences of my life."

Hurtwood House Summer School

Student
Average Grade: 1.8

My Summer School Highlights:

"Great activities."

My Summary of the Experience:

"Again unforgettable."

Hurtwood House - wunderschöne englische Summer School

Malvern Summer School

Students
Average Grade: 1.6

My Summer School Highlights:

"Everything!"

My Summary of the Experience:

"A really fun and amazing two weeks!"

Student
Average Grade: 1.8

My Summer School Highlights:

"Fantastic team and wonderful activities. The location and campus offered perfect variety, and the outdoor activities were very enjoyable."

My Summary of the Experience:

"Diverse and full of feel-good moments."

Anonymous
Average Grade: 1.8

My Summer School Highlights:

"I loved how kind the staff were. The trip to London was amazing, and I’ll never forget my time in Malvern!"

My Summary of the Experience:

"It was a truly special time!"

Student
Average Grade: 1.3

My Summer School Highlights:

"We did so many amazing things, the staff were so kind, and the teachers... it was never boring."

My Summary of the Experience:

"I had so much fun."

malvern-summer-school-team-building-übung

Millfield English Language Holiday Courses

Student
Average Grade: 2.0

My Summer School Highlights:

"Large campus, creative events, unique new experiences."

My Summary of the Experience:

"I made lots of new, fun friends, and speaking English was really enjoyable."

Sedbergh International Summer School

Student
Average Grade: 1.8

My Summer School Highlights:

"I really enjoyed the group activities and the trips."

My Summary of the Experience:

"I really enjoyed the group activities and the trips."

Sedbergh International Summer School - Campus

Shiplake College Rowing Camps

Student
Average Grade: 1.8

Student
Average Grade: 1.6

My Summer School Highlights:

"The rowing training was excellent, and I learned more about rowing in two weeks than in months at my club. The rowing coaches were fantastic, super motivating, and provided great, helpful tips. I quickly made friends and had an amazing time."

My Summary of the Experience:

"Learned new skills and had fun."

Shiplake Summer School - Vorbereitung auf das Rudern

St Clare's Summer School

Student
Average Grade: 1.6

My Summer School Highlights:

"I loved meeting people from so many different countries! I also really liked Oxford as a city and felt very comfortable there."

My Summary of the Experience:

"An international experience I’ll never forget."

Student
Average Grade: 1.3

My Summer School Highlights:

"There was always something to do, I never got bored, and everyone made me feel very welcome."

My Summary of the Experience:

"It was so cool."

Student
Average Grade: 2.2

My Summer School Highlights:

"Communication was much easier than usual."

My Summary of the Experience:

"Really nice, but the food wasn't my taste"

Student
Average Grade: 1.8

My Summer School Highlights:

"Great lessons and accommodation, and the mix of nationalities in the houses was better than last year. Sadly, the food wasn’t great, so we often ate out."

My Summary of the Experience:

"For the second time, apart from the food, it was a great experience."

Student
Average Grade: 1.9

My Summer School Highlights:

"Few Germans, and the morning teacher (Intensive English: Mr. Rory) was fantastic! Good food."

My Summary of the Experience:

"A great balance between lessons and free time."

St Clares - Library building (Contentful)

Westonbirt Summer School

Student
Average Grade: 1.7

My Summer School Highlights:

"The building was very beautiful."

My Summary of the Experience:

"I met nice people and improved my language skills at the same time."

Whitgift Summer School

Student
Average Grade: 1.9

My Summer School Highlights:

"The team was great, and the activities were so much fun."

My Summary of the Experience:

"It was very exciting."

Student
Average Grade: 1.7

My Summer School Highlights:

"Lots of activities and very large, excellent sports facilities."

My Summary of the Experience:

"Learned a lot with new friends while having fun."

Whitgift Summer School - Englischunterricht

Why is Summer School Feedback Important?

Feedback from our students plays a valuable role in helping us match each child with a selection of summer schools. By learning from their experiences, we can refine our recommendations and provide truly tailored advice. If you have any questions, the Stanford & Ackel team is here to assist you.