Choosing a summer school for your teenager is an exciting decision, but there is plenty to consider. Alongside subjects and locations, parents want to know that their teenager will feel welcome, receive good care and enjoy an experience that makes spending time away from home worthwhile.

The right residential summer school should bring together engaging learning, opportunities to make friends and a supportive environment. It should also suit your teenager as an individual: their interests, confidence, ambitions and readiness for greater independence.

Here are some of the most useful things to look for when comparing summer schools in the UK.

What does your teenager want from the experience?

Start by involving your teenager in the decision. Would they like to improve their English, explore an academic interest, develop a sporting or creative skill, or meet people from different countries?

They do not need a future career mapped out. A summer school can be an opportunity to try something unfamiliar, discover an interest and build confidence beyond their usual school environment.

Discuss what would make the experience enjoyable for them, as well as what you hope they will gain. A programme that appeals to both parent and teenager provides a positive starting point.

Does the programme balance learning with an enjoyable summer?

Look beyond the subject list and explore how students spend a whole day.

Academic lessons are an important part of the experience, but so are afternoon activities, shared meals, evening entertainment and excursions. These provide opportunities to practise communication, work with others and build friendships.

Ask to see a typical timetable. Is there variety? Are activities organised throughout the programme? Will your teenager have opportunities to pursue familiar interests and try something new?

A balanced programme should offer purposeful learning alongside time to be active, creative and sociable. For teenagers giving up part of their school holiday, enjoyment matters.

How are students supervised and supported?

Parents should feel comfortable asking detailed questions about supervision and pastoral care.

Find out who looks after students outside lessons, whether staff live on site and who a teenager can approach if they feel homesick or need help. Ask how supervision works during excursions and any permitted free time, as arrangements may differ according to age and location.

It is also helpful to understand how the school supports students when they first arrive. Travelling independently and meeting unfamiliar people can feel daunting, even for confident teenagers.

Clear routines, approachable staff and organised opportunities to get to know others can help students settle into residential life. Parents should also know how to contact the school and how any concerns will be communicated.

What is the accommodation like?

Accommodation is a significant part of a residential summer school experience. It is where students rest, recharge and become accustomed to living away from home.

Check whether bedrooms are single or shared, whether bathrooms are private or communal, and how accommodation is organised for different ages and genders. Ask about staff presence, building access and the distance between bedrooms, classrooms and dining facilities.

Photographs can help, but clear information about daily arrangements is equally valuable. Knowing what to expect can make preparing for a first residential experience much easier.

Will there be meaningful opportunities to improve English?

For families considering an international summer school, English development may be a central goal.

If your teenager needs language tuition, check that the school offers a suitable course and ask how students are placed at an appropriate level. It is also worth exploring how English is used outside lessons.

Meals, team activities, collaborative projects and everyday conversations can give students opportunities to use English for a practical purpose: getting to know someone, explaining an idea or solving a problem together.

The international mix matters here. Ask whether the school limits the proportion of students from any one nationality and whether it accepts large school groups. These arrangements can influence opportunities to meet new people and communicate beyond a familiar friendship group.

What is included in the summer school fee?

When comparing fees, consider the complete experience.

Two programmes with similar headline prices may include different levels of teaching, accommodation, coaching, activities and support. Equally, a lower initial fee may come with additional charges for parts of the programme your teenager would like to join.

Check whether the fee includes:

• Academic tuition and elective instruction.

• Accommodation and meals.

• Evening entertainment and weekend excursions.

• Specialist activities, equipment and transport.

• Airport transfers, including approved airports and collection times.

• Insurance, subject to the policy terms.

Ask the school to explain any optional extras or exclusions before booking. A clear understanding of the full cost helps you compare programmes fairly and plan with confidence.

Which location and programme length will suit your teenager?

Location shapes the experience, but a familiar university name should be only one part of your decision.

Consider the setting your teenager would enjoy, the subjects available and how the programme uses its surroundings. A historic city and a coastal university town can offer different experiences, each with its own appeal.

Programme length deserves similar thought. Consider your teenager’s previous experience away from home, your family’s summer plans and how long they would feel comfortable attending.

A two-week residential programme may appeal to families seeking a focused experience that leaves room for other summer commitments. Whatever the duration, ask how the timetable helps students settle in, develop their interests and make the most of their stay.

What should you look for in reviews and photographs?

Reviews and galleries can help you picture the experience behind the programme description.

Look for comments about teaching, staff support, friendships, accommodation and how students felt during their stay. These details may be more useful than a general rating alone.

When browsing photographs or videos, look for a range of everyday experiences: lessons, activities, shared spaces and excursions. Together, these should help you understand what participation feels like for students.

If something important remains unclear, contact the school. A helpful conversation can tell you a great deal about its approach to families.

Questions to ask before booking a summer school

Before making your decision, check that you can answer these questions:

• Does my teenager feel interested in the programme?

• Are the subjects suitable for their interests and level?

• What does a typical day include?

• Who supervises and supports students outside lessons?

• What are the bedroom and bathroom arrangements?

• How does the school encourage students to mix internationally?

• What is included in the fee, and what costs extra?

• How do airport transfers work?

• Who can we contact before and during the programme?

Choosing a summer experience with ISSFT

International Summer School for Teens (ISSFT®) offers an award-winning residential summer school for teenagers aged 13–18 in Oxford and St Andrews. Academic learning in the mornings is paired with sporting, creative or leadership electives in the afternoons, followed by evening entertainment and cultural excursions.

With English immersion, a maximum 10% per nationality, guaranteed single en-suite bedrooms and a fully supervised residential experience, ISSFT brings learning, comfort and international friendship together. Families can choose a programme that reflects their teenager’s interests while giving them opportunities to develop confidence and independence.

Explore the programmes at issft.com or contact our team to discuss which location and subject combination would suit your teenager.