Your questions answered 

On the first day of lessons, each student takes a Level Assessment to determine their level of English.
From there, they are divided into classes based on Ardmore’s six levels of ability (covering A0 to C2 levels), and filtering to maximise nationality mix, and match speaking ability, and age. Lessons are taught accordingly, using the specifically designed Ardmore Student Book.

Yes, we can accept all levels of English including students with very little English.

Each student will receive 15 hours of English tuition per week divided over 5 mornings or afternoons.
Each daily session consists of 3 lesson periods of 60 minutes, plus a 30-minute allowance for one or two breaks.

Course duration is usually two weeks; however this is regularly extended to 3- and 4-week courses.
One-week stays are also available.

Ardmore’s English language courses are designed to help students not only increase their knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary, but also their confidence in using English.
We always teach ‘spoken English’ that is up-to-date and relevant. Our courses are designed to really help students improve communication skills.

Lessons include many opportunities for students to use the language. in classroom activities include role-plays, pair-work, group-work, group creative tasks, surveys, questionnaires and other fun activities. Emphasis is on communication, which helps students to use English for a variety of purposes and in a variety of situations.
Our aim is simply to build students’ knowledge and their confidence to use English.

Students will be taught in a maximum of 18 class size.
Ardmore reserve the right to increase this number in the event of operational changes at short notice.

No, Ardmore will provide all the necessary course materials. The Student Books are organised into six levels to suit every student’s level of English.
Students are advised to bring pen, pencils, and a notebook.

Students will be encouraged to speak and practise English at all times throughout the course: mealtimes, sporting and leisure activities, whilst on excursions and in their accommodation.

At the end of each week, students will have a Progress Review. This will review and revise things covered on the courses that week to help students remember, at the same time as checking their progress. This is a proven way to increase learning.

At the end of the course, all students are issued with an Ardmore Diploma Certificate, which will also have teacher’s comments on their listening, speaking and writing skills, contribution to group work, everyday English, and their overall progress. Teachers will also indicate where the students might continue to make improvements and how.

Students will need to have at least a basic level of English to understand lessons, instructions, and activities in order to enjoy the stay.

Ardmore currently teaches students from over 50 different countries, spread across all our centres. Students are grouped according to their English ability and not only on their age or nationality. This creates a need to communicate in English as a common language and allows students to develop new international friendships.

We also operate closed groups for non-summer courses.

• Full board Residential accommodation
• 15 hours of English per week taught by carefully selected EFL Teachers
• Level Assessment and Progress Reviews, with Ardmore Student Books to use and take home, plus an end of course Ardmore Diploma certificate
• Excursions
• Multi-activity programmes with Ardmore Activity Leaders
• Evening entertainment

Courses run from Sunday to Sunday. (Some centres start on a different day – please see details in the centre information.)
Please speak to your Ardmore contact, or our general information line, to discuss arrival dates.

Yes, we run many different Sports Academies and Special programmes. Please speak to a member of Ardmore staff for further details or alternately visit the Ardmore Sports Academies section on our website. The following options are currently available:

• • Ardmore Football Academy
  • Ardmore Rugby Academy (on request)
  • Ardmore Tennis Academy
  • Ardmore Basketball Academy

On Multi-Activity Programmes: Football, Arts & Crafts, Aerobic, Badminton, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Hockey, Dance, Swimming and more…

Evening activities will vary depending on the centre: Talent Show, Culture Show, Disco, Games Evening, Sports Tournaments, Casino, Film Evenings and many more…

On excursions, students will visit local places of interest and attractions, which depend on the location of their centre. Please see each centre’s web page for further details. On our Standard Programme, students will have a minimum of one half day and one full day excursion per week.

Ardmore also offers Discovery Programmes and Academies at selected centres, where students will enjoy more excursions per week.
Students will always be accompanied by Ardmore staff, at a ratio of 1:10, as well as the Group Leaders that accompany the groups from their country.

Yes, all excursions and activities shown in the sample programme are included in the package.
The excursions and activities can however be moved around for operational reasons.

We offer residential stays only.

Ardmore prides itself on its high-quality centres, based in traditional British Boarding Schools and University and College Campuses, as well as our own Language School in Berkshire College, near Windsor.

Ardmore is accredited by the British Council in the UK, which ensures the quality and standards of all our courses and centres.
Please see our Course Listings page for full details of what’s on offer.

We advise that students bring a lockable suitcase. In addition, all centres have a safe. We recommend that students to do not bring highly valuable items with them.

Our course prices already include accommodation, meals, all course materials, and excursion entrances, so we do not recommend that students bring too much pocket money. Parents may like to provide them with enough for souvenirs and snacks.

The student will need to take responsibility for his or her spending money. Each centre will have a safe, but we also advise students to bring a lockable suitcase for extra security.

Most of our centres do not have facilities on site, but it is possible for students to use ATM’s whilst out on excursions. It is not advisable to rely on this as the only form of access to spending money, as it is not always convenient to use an ATM whilst on excursions. Also, please contact your bank to notify them of the trip abroad.

Yes, each centre has a safe on site. Only the centre director and senior members of staff will have access to this.

Yes, it is possible for the parents to send money. Please contact an Ardmore member of staff at head office or the agency the course was booked through. This should only be used in emergencies.

Students can be placed with their friends or other students from their group. Alternatively, some students may like to mix internationally. We will always try and accommodate any requests.

We always divide male and female students in the accommodation, including the bathroom facilities.

The average ratio is 1:7, however each centre will vary.

Yes, all bed linen is provided; this is washed at least once a week.

Students will need to bring their own towels; our residential centres do not provide them.
Students are advised to bring a face towel and bath/swimming towel.

Bed linen is washed by the centre every week. We encourage personal laundry to be done by all students. Depending on the centre, some students will be given a laundry bag where the washing will be done by the centre, and others will have access to laundry facilities.

University locations will have a machine that requires either coins or an app to use. Students and group leaders will be supported by the Ardmore team with how to use these facilities, more information can be found on the fact sheet.

An Ardmore member of staff is always on hand to assist students if necessary.

In residential centres, all students must be back in their rooms at 22:00, with lights out at 22:30.

No, students of any age must always be accompanied by a member of Ardmore staff or their Group Leader if travelling as part of a group.

• A breakfast which may include: cereal, toast, fruit, yoghurt and fruit juice
• A packed lunch
• A plated evening meal with the family

• A breakfast which may include: cereal, toast, fruit, yoghurt and fruit juice
• A plated lunch when on the campus, or a packed lunch on excursion days
• A plated evening meal at the college

Each centre will vary slightly, however we always ensure that there are a variety of choices, with healthy and nutritious food.

Breakfast at residential centres: selection of different options

Lunch and Dinner includes at residential:

• Meat options and Vegetarian options, Carbohydrates, Vegetables, Deserts, Drink

We provide 21 meals per week (weekends may differ according to centre, as some centres allow for students to have “brunch” on Sundays). On arrival and departure days, packed meals may be provided depending on arrival/departure times. Additional meals, outside of the 21 per week, are available for purchase. Please contact your representative for more details.

We understand that some students are homesick when they first arrive in England. Ardmore recommends that parents discourage their student from calling home too often and try to persuade them to speak to someone at the centre if they need something.

Individual students will be looked after by the Accommodation Manager or Activity & Welfare Leaders, who will assist the student in settling in, introducing them to other students and answering any questions they may have. If the student cannot overcome their homesickness and wants to return home, we will assist them in any way we can to make their return home as stress-free as possible.

The Ardmore Group carefully selects centre staff, many of which have worked with us year on year. To ensure the safety and supervision there will always be:

• At least 1 Ardmore Activity Leader per 20 students on excursions/activities
• 1 teacher in class at all times
• 1 adult per 20 students in residences

In each Ardmore Summer School centre there is a core team of:

• Centre Manager
• Director of Studies
• Activities Manager
• Accommodation Manager
• Team Leader
• Activities & Welfare Leaders
• EFL Teachers

Bigger centres may have the following in addition:

• Centre Administrator
• Individual Coordinator
• Welfare Manager
• Welfare Leaders

Most of our centres have internet access; however, this will vary from centre to centre. We advise students not to bring laptops, and we encourage students to limit their use of internet, to maximise their experience at an Ardmore Centre.

Yes, students can bring a mobile phone, however they should be aware of the high overseas calling cost. Students are asked to not use their phone during lessons and activities to maximise their experience at the centre and socialise with the different students from all different nationalities.

Yes, additional excursions are available. Please speak with your representative about Bespoke Programmes.

Yes, they can take students off site without a member of staff. They will be required to sign a Group Leader Release form which includes a risk assessment that they agree to. The leadership team needs to be aware who is off site for safety reasons and will also ask when they will arrive back on centre.

No, students of any age must always be accompanied by a member of Ardmore staff or their Group Leader if travelling as part of a group.

No, students of any age must always be accompanied by a member of Ardmore staff or their Group Leader if travelling as part of a group.

Ardmore partners with Educational Tour Operators (ETOs) around the world to provide professional support from the initial enquiry all the way through to post‑course follow‑up. Please contact us to find the closest educational tour operator in your area.

If you are an agent (ETO) wanting to make a booking, please contact the Ardmore Head Office who will provide you, the group or individual student booking forms to complete and return. If you require information prior to booking, please feel free to contact us, and an Ardmore member of staff will be able to help you.

We must also receive a deposit in order for the booking to be considered provisional – please see our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Please contact an Ardmore member of staff for pricing questions.
Alternatively for bookings made through an agency, please go directly to your contact there.

We will confirm that we have received and processed your booking and will give you a unique reference number which we ask that you quote in all correspondence.

We must also receive a deposit in order for the booking to be considered provisional.

The booking will remain provisional until the full balance is received – please see our Terms and Conditions for more information about our payment terms. We will send you further information relating to your course when available.

We understand how important it is to keep you informed about your booking and our friendly Head Office staff are available by email (info@theardmoregroup.com) or by telephone (+44 (0) 1628 826699) Monday to Friday (9:00 – 17:30 GMT) to answer any questions you may have. Alternatively for bookings made through an agency, please go directly to your contact there.

A 30% deposit is required to secure the booking. Balance payment must be received by Ardmore four weeks prior to the arrival.

Payments are accepted via bank transfer or Flywire (bank transfer or credit card). All bank charges must be covered. Payment details and booking reference to be quoted are included in the invoices provided.

Return transfers are not included in the Ardmore package but can be booked prior to the arrival. Ardmore will then arrange return or one-way airport transfers with Meet & Greet Service on arrival.
Each of our transport suppliers are reputable companies, all of which we have been audited to check their safety records, as well as being DBS checked.
Groups of students will travel by coaches with their groups. Individual students will be met and have a private transfer to the centre. Please contact your agent to book this service.

It is essential that everyone on our courses is fully insured. It can either be booked privately or through Ardmore, who can arrange a basic travel insurance. Please ask your agent for the policy details, so that you can ensure the cover details are what you need.

If you wish to use your own policy for the student(s), that is perfectly acceptable; however, please ensure that they carry a copy with contact details in case of need.

From 25 February 2026, everyone travelling to the UK now needs permission to travel, unless they are a British or Irish citizen or are otherwise exempt. Wherever possible, this permission is digitally linked to the passport being used for the journey. Visitors from countries that do not require a visa for short stays of up to six months must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). An ETA is valid for up to two years and allows travel to the UK for tourism, family visits or other approved reasons for up to six months.

Travellers from countries that require a visa will receive an Ardmore invitation letter. Students will need to apply for their visa through their local British Embassy providing all the documentation required.

Travellers from countries that require a visa receive an eVisa, which is a digital record of permission to enter the UK. Applicants may not receive a visa sticker if they made a successful application for a visit visa or some other visa types on or after 25 February 2026, as the system has moved to digital-only status.

• Many countries have joined the American visa waiver programme, but not all. You will need to check and apply on the ESTA web page. Students travelling from the European Union to the USA, will need to apply on the ESTA web page on the following link. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
• Countries part of the American visa waiver programme can be checked at : https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
• Any countries that are not part of the visa waiver programme with the USA will have to apply for a tourist visa. Ardmore will provide you with a signed and stamped visa application letter to give to your local embassy.

Ardmore must be notified in writing, via the ETO, no later than three weeks prior to arrival of any medical conditions, dietary requirements, or allergies. This is very important so that we can pass on vital information to our centre in good time.

Medicines can be stored at the centre and refrigerated if necessary. Please inform Ardmore before travel and the student with details of the dosage and administration requirements. Please note students are responsible for their own medication.