Welcome to Ivy
The Ivy Summer School offers a fully residential academic experience in Oxford for intellectually curious students aged 13–18. Based in Oxford University accommodation, the programme is designed for families seeking academic depth, balance, and a calm, well-structured environment.
Ivy brings together a close academic community in which students are known, supported, and encouraged to engage seriously with ideas and independent thought.
An Exceptional Summer School
How Ivy Works
The Ivy Summer School is designed as a fully residential academic programme with a clear daily rhythm, consistent expectations, and careful supervision throughout. Students follow a balanced structure that supports academic focus, personal development, and wellbeing.
Course Selection – One academic course and one practical course, carefully matched to each student.
Daily Structure – Academics in the morning, practical study in the afternoon, supervised enrichment in the evening.
Teaching & Support – Small teaching groups with continuous academic and pastoral guidance.
Residential Life – Fully supervised living in Oxford University accommodation.
Enrolment Process – Consultation-led admissions, followed by clear preparation before arrival.
Transparent Pricing and No Hidden Costs.
The Ivy Summer School operates on a fully inclusive fee structure. This approach allows families to plan with clarity and confidence, without supplementary charges or optional extras introduced later.
The programme fee covers all academic tuition, accommodation, meals, excursions, residential supervision, and insurance for the duration of the course.
| Dates | Deposit | Payment | Total |
| 5th July to 26th July 2026 | £500 | £7,395 | £7,895 |
Academic Courses
Ivy’s academic courses are designed for students who enjoy intellectual challenge and thoughtful engagement. Teaching is structured, discussion-led, and focused on developing clarity of thought, disciplined reasoning, and subject confidence.
Subjects such as Medicine, Law, and Psychology are taught by experienced educators with backgrounds in UK independent schools and selective academic environments. Lessons emphasise understanding, analysis, and application rather than rote learning, within a calm and supportive classroom setting.
The aim is not acceleration for its own sake, but depth: helping students engage seriously with their chosen subject while developing the academic habits required for future study in selective educational contexts.
Practical Courses
Ivy’s practical courses provide a structured counterpoint to academic study, offering students the opportunity to develop creative, physical, and expressive skills within a guided and purposeful framework.
Courses such as Photography, Theatre, Tennis, and Creative Writing are led by experienced instructors and emphasise practice, reflection, and personal progress. Sessions are hands-on and focused, encouraging students to build confidence, discipline, and self-awareness alongside their academic work.
Rather than functioning as recreational activities, practical courses are an integral part of the programme’s balanced design—supporting wellbeing, creativity, and sustained engagement throughout the summer.
Cultural Trips
Day trips at Ivy are designed to extend learning beyond the classroom through considered cultural and historical experiences. Visits to destinations such as Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace, and London are carefully selected to complement the academic programme and provide broader context for study.
All excursions are fully supervised and planned in detail, with safety, structure, and purpose as priorities. Students are encouraged to engage thoughtfully with each setting—observing, discussing, and reflecting—while also enjoying time with peers in a calm and supportive environment.
These experiences form part of the wider educational rhythm of the programme, offering perspective, connection, and a deeper understanding of place, culture, and history.
The Oxford Experience
Students are accommodated in Oxford University halls, providing a secure and well-managed residential setting within the city. Accommodation is primarily dormitory-style, organised by gender, with shared communal spaces that support a cohesive and respectful student community. Living on campus offers students an authentic experience of Oxford life, supported throughout by 24/7 pastoral staff who ensure wellbeing, supervision, and continuity of care.
Go Beyond the Classroom
Ivy’s enrichment workshops are designed to extend academic learning into applied, real-world contexts. Students engage in subject-specific projects that emphasise analysis, communication, and practical understanding.
Business students develop and present a startup concept, Debate students take part in structured speaking sessions at the Oxford Union, Medical students engage in supervised clinical simulations, and Psychology students design, conduct, and evaluate research exercises. Across disciplines, additional workshops focus on academic planning, university preparation, and informed decision-making. These experiences are intended to deepen understanding, build confidence, and support thoughtful progression beyond the summer.
If you’d like personalised guidance or have questions about courses, accommodation, or student care, we’d be delighted to talk. Book a call with our team at a time that suits you.
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