Winter Course (1 week, intake 1)
3-10 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
In-person Program
Winter Course
An English language camp combining lessons, sports, creative activities and guided excursions with boarding school life and integration sessions with local pupils.
Last verified: 8 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Winter Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Beginner English accepted
Age range / Year group
Ages 10-17
Location / Region
Downside School, near Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Cost
£1,360; £2,720; £4,080; £5,440
Duration
4 weeks
Format
In-person
Accommodation: Multibedded boarding rooms
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Certificate / Outcome: End-of-course certificate
Campus experience: Weekly integration with Downside pupils
English lessons: 10-15 hours per week
Supervision: 24 hours; approximately 1:7 ratio
Bathrooms: Communal; approximately 6 students per bathroom
Accreditation: British Council-accredited UK centers
Winter Course summary
Kings combines English lessons with supervised boarding school life, creative activities, sports and guided excursions.
Weekly integration sessions with Downside pupils add contact with local students to the international camp experience.
This suits learners who want a social language-learning vacation and a structured routine beyond the classroom.
What is Winter Course?
The Winter Course is Kings Young Learners' residential English language vacation at Downside School near Bath. It combines morning lessons with sports, creative activities and guided trips, giving students a shared routine in a traditional boarding school setting.
Students take part in integration sessions with Downside pupils and spend time with international classmates. Afternoons and evenings include organized activities, while excursions and scheduled London overnight stays extend the experience beyond campus.
Why Succeed highlights Winter Course
Weekly integration with Downside pupils gives the course a distinctive connection to local school life.
English lessons sit alongside sports, arts and excursions, making the experience broader than classroom tuition.
Full board and continuous supervision give families a clearly structured residential arrangement.
The campus combines historic buildings with an indoor heated pool, sports hall, art room and theater.
Who is Winter Course for?
Best for
Learners who want English tuition, organized social activities and a supported introduction to boarding school life.
Not ideal if
You want most of the day devoted to intensive academic study, or strongly prefer a private bedroom and bathroom.
Is Winter Course worth it?
The strongest reason to choose this course is the combination of English tuition and a structured social experience. Integration with local pupils, staff-led trips and shared activities can give students varied opportunities to use English beyond lessons.
Its value depends on whether your child enjoys group routines and residential life. Teaching occupies part of the week, so families seeking an intensive language-only course should compare lesson hours carefully; shared rooms and communal bathrooms also deserve discussion before booking.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£1,360; £2,720; £4,080; £5,440; includes 10-15 hours of English lessons per week, Full-board residential accommodation, Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Daytime sports and activities, Full evening activity program, At least one full-day and one half-day excursion weekly, London overnight stays as scheduled, One Downside pupil integration session weekly, Placement test, Wi-Fi in most parts of campus, End-of-course certificate, 24-hour supervision, Weekly laundry service, School bank service.
Accommodation
Multibedded boarding rooms
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Supervision or safety information
The course includes 24-hour supervision with an approximate staff-to-student ratio of 1:7. Kings residential staff supervise boarding areas, and Kings staff lead excursions.
Provider details
Review the Kings Young Learners provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 weeks; Downside School, near Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Winter Course need?
Effort level
Moderate, with a full residential activity routine.
Best started
Six to eight weeks before your chosen January intake, allowing time for booking, travel and payment.
Main challenge
Adjusting to shared accommodation and using English socially.
Typical preparation
Choose a stay length that fits the school calendar and discuss shared-room expectations.
Complete the booking form and coordinate travel and payment with Kings.
Request dietary arrangements and pack a towel for the boarding stay.
Useful if
Your child wants a supported language-learning vacation.
Watch-out
Full payment is required four weeks before arrival; bank transfers can take two to four weeks.
What do students do on Winter Course?
You follow a residential routine of English lessons, sports, creative activities and evening entertainment. Excursions vary by week, and integration sessions bring you together with Downside pupils.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Arrive for your chosen intake and settle into the scheduled orientation and residential routine.
- 2
Take the included placement test and attend morning English lessons.
- 3
Join afternoon sports, Dance and Drama, or Arts and Crafts activities.
- 4
Take part in one integration session with Downside pupils each week.
- 5
Explore excursion destinations with Kings staff and join scheduled London overnight stays.
- 6
Participate in evening activities such as quizzes, karaoke, discos and sports tournaments.
Winter Course dates and deadlines
Upcoming
Winter Course (2 weeks, intake 1)
3-17 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (3 weeks, intake 1)
3-24 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (4 weeks, intake 1)
3-31 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (1 week, intake 2)
10-17 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (2 weeks, intake 2)
10-24 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (3 weeks, intake 2)
10-31 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (1 week, intake 3)
17-24 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (2 weeks, intake 3)
17-31 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
Winter Course (1 week, intake 4)
24-31 January 2027
Sunday arrival and departure.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Winter Course (1 week, intake 1) | 3-10 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (2 weeks, intake 1) | 3-17 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (3 weeks, intake 1) | 3-24 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (4 weeks, intake 1) | 3-31 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (1 week, intake 2) | 10-17 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (2 weeks, intake 2) | 10-24 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (3 weeks, intake 2) | 10-31 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (1 week, intake 3) | 17-24 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (2 weeks, intake 3) | 17-31 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winter Course (1 week, intake 4) | 24-31 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Students aged 10-17.
Beginner English entry level accepted.
How much does Winter Course cost?
Enrollment fee
£85 — Additional to the package fee.
Funding or discounts
- One-week package: £1,360 — Residential course with full board.
- Two-week package: £2,720 — Residential course with full board.
- Three-week package: £4,080 — Residential course with full board.
- Four-week package: £5,440 — Residential course with full board.
- Damage deposit: £50 — Refundable deposit payable on arrival.
What's included
10-15 hours of English lessons per week, Full-board residential accommodation, Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Daytime sports and activities, Full evening activity program, At least one full-day and one half-day excursion weekly, London overnight stays as scheduled, One Downside pupil integration session weekly, Placement test, Wi-Fi in most parts of campus, End-of-course certificate, 24-hour supervision, Weekly laundry service, School bank service
How to apply to Winter Course
- 1
Download and complete the official 2027 student booking form.
- 2
Email the form to younglearners@kingseducation.com, or book through a local educational partner agent.
- 3
Kings responds within 48 hours and requests the booking deposit.
- 4
Pay the requested deposit to receive booking confirmation.
- 5
Arrange full payment four weeks before arrival; bookings within four weeks require full fees.
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What does Winter Course cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
English lessons
Morning English tuition provides 10-15 hours of classroom learning per week.
Pupil integration
Students join one integration session with Downside pupils each week.
Creative activities
Daytime activities include Dance and Drama alongside Arts and Crafts.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Winter Course?
A typical day during the program.
English tuition
10-15 hours weekly; sample week 1 has Tuesday orientation and Wednesday-Friday lessons, while weeks 2-4 have Monday-Friday lessons.
Activities and trips
Sports and creative activities alternate with excursions, including Wednesday half-day trips in the sample schedule.
Social program
Organized activities include discos, talent shows, quizzes, karaoke and sports tournaments.
Excursion days
The four sample weeks include Saturday trips to Longleat, Bournemouth, Oxford and London respectively.
Who teaches on Winter Course?
Kings requires teaching staff to hold an undergraduate degree and a completed teaching qualification, such as CELTA, TEFL or TESOL. Kings residential staff supervise the boarding areas, and Kings staff lead excursions.
The Winter Course has an approximate supervision ratio of one staff member to seven students.
Where do students stay on Winter Course?
Residential plan
- Boarding rooms: Multibedded rooms share bathrooms at approximately six students per bathroom.
- Full-board meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided daily, with packed excursion lunches and dietary arrangements on request.
- Residential care: Boys and girls stay in separate supervised areas, with 24-hour supervision and weekly laundry service.
- Campus facilities: Facilities include sports fields and courts, a large sports hall, a 25-meter heated pool, an art room and a 600-seat theater.
Rooms may contain bunk beds, bathrooms are communal, and towels are not included.
What happens after Winter Course?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Receive an end-of-course certificate.
Experience traditional boarding school life.
Participate in weekly integration with local school pupils.
Where does Winter Course take place?
Downside School occupies a 500-acre estate at the foot of the Mendip Hills, approximately 30 minutes south of Bath and two and a half hours from London. Bristol Airport is listed as 18 miles away, while scheduled London overnight stays may affect departure planning.
For departures following a London overnight stay, Kings recommends London Heathrow.
Winter Course FAQs
Yes. The minimum English entry level is Beginner, and a placement test is included.
The course includes 10-15 hours of English lessons per week, depending on the week. Lessons take place in the morning in the sample timetable.
Students stay in multibedded rooms, some with bunk beds, and use communal bathrooms at an approximate ratio of six students per bathroom. Boys and girls stay in separate accommodation areas.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided daily, with packed lunches on excursion days. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for on request.
The course includes 24-hour supervision with an approximate staff-to-student ratio of 1:7. Kings residential staff supervise boarding areas, and Kings staff lead excursions.
Yes. One integration session with Downside pupils is included each week.
At least one full-day and one half-day excursion are included each week. London overnight stays follow the timetable, and destinations vary by week.
Yes. An end-of-course certificate is included.
Alternatives to Winter Course
Compare these English-learning options if you prefer summer travel or a different balance of activities.
Alternatives to Winter Course
Young Explorers
Upcoming
English immersion through lessons, workshops and activities
Art
13 Jul 2026
From £4095
8-12
Oxford
In-person
Best for
Younger students seeking a varied English-learning experience.
Residential English lessons with New York excursions
Deadline: Not announced
From £3830
12-18
New York
In-person
Best for
Students seeking English tuition and city excursions.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Kings Young Learners Prospectus 2027 - Flipbook by trudy.boulert | FlipHTML5
- Study Tours Brochure 2026 - 2027 (Page 13) - Flipbook by trudy.boulert | FlipHTML5
- Winter Course Factsheet 2027 - Flipbook by trudy.boulert | FlipHTML5
- Kings Young Learners: 2027 Prices and dates - Flipbook by trudy.boulert | FlipHTML5
- Berkshire (Downe House) | Learn English with Kings Young Learners
- London (University of London) | Kings Young Learners
- FAQs about working for us in the US | Kings Young Learners
- FAQs about working for us in the UK | Kings Young Learners
- Apply for jobs with Kings Young Learners
- How to Book | Kings Young Learners
- Prices & Dates | Kings Young Learners
- Winter Course | Kings Young Learners
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 8 Oct 2026)
Official course page checked
Session dates reviewed
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Package fees calculated
Residential arrangements checked
Booking process reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Winter Course
by Kings Young Learners
Upcoming
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