Caring homestays
Students placed in pairs or small groups with inspected local families, close to school.
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British Council accredited · Est. 1966Group English courses for schools — year-round, tailor-made
Bring your class to England. We build complete programmes for school groups: English lessons, cultural excursions, caring homestays and generous group leader terms — every season of the year.
Accredited & trusted
Age 9+School groups
Year-roundAny season
Tailor-madeYour dates, your budget
LeadersFree places available
About this course
What you'll get
- ✓A programme built for your groupTell us your dates, budget and aims — we design lessons, activities and excursions around them.
- ✓Lessons that complement schoolCommunicative English classes that energise students and align with CEFR levels.
- ✓Cultural excursionsLondon, Oxford, Bath, Stonehenge — plus the beaches and nature of the Dorset coast.
- ✓Group leaders looked afterFree leader places, leader programmes and a single point of contact throughout.
All included
Everything taken care of
All meals included
Breakfast and dinner with families, lunch arranged on course days.
Coach & transfers
Airport transfers and excursion transport all arranged by us.
Full supervision
Our activity staff work alongside your leaders at every step.
60 years of groups
Schools across Europe return year after year — ask us for references.
Simple group pricing
One transparent per-student price covering everything agreed.
Low season programme
Group Ministay Programme
A bespoke low-season programme tailored to groups of students aged 10+, available from January to June and August to December.
What's included
- ✓English lessons15 hours per week (unless stated otherwise). 5 nights = 12 hours, 6–8 nights = 15 hours, 9 nights = 18 hours.
- ✓Homestay accommodationPart board with homestay hosts. Full board at weekends.
- ✓Full day excursionLondon, Oxford or Bath — with a walking tour and free time with group leaders.
- ✓Four local trips and activitiesChristchurch, Bournemouth, Hengistbury Head, tennis and more.
- ✓Evening activity at schoolGames evening, bingo, quiz or karaoke.
- ✓Airport transfersReturn transfers via private coach or minibus.
- ✓Five freshly prepared lunchesMade fresh each day in the school cafeteria, Monday to Friday.
- ✓Walking tourGuided tour of Southbourne and local beaches on the first day.
- ✓Free group leader placeOne free group leader with full board accommodation per 15 students.
- ✓Extras includedEnd-of-course certificate, student ID card, free Wi-Fi, and all education materials.
Sample timetable
A typical week
Here's what a seven-night ministay programme looks like. Every programme is tailored to your group.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Group arrival | English lessons 09:00–12:30 |
English lessons 09:00–12:30 |
English lessons 09:00–12:30 |
English lessons 09:00–12:30 |
English lessons 09:00–12:30 |
Full day to London with walking tour and free time | Group departure & transfer to airport |
| Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | |||
| Afternoon | Walking tour of Southbourne & beaches | Local trip: Christchurch | Local trip: Bournemouth | Local trip: Hengistbury Head | Local activity: Tennis | |||
| Evening | Free evening with homestay host | Free evening with homestay host | Games evening at school | Free evening with homestay host | Free evening with homestay host |
Optional extras
Excursions and activities
Full day excursions
London, Bath and Oxford are included. Additional options include the Jurassic Coast (Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Swanage), Winchester, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Half day excursions
Choose from the Jurassic Coast (Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove), Winchester, Portsmouth or Southampton — all by private coach with a walking tour.
Evening activities
Bingo, quiz nights and karaoke are included. Optional extras include ten-pin bowling, mini golf and laser quest.
Supplements available
Weekly bus passes, student insurance, and special diet options (gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan) are all available on request.
Airport transfers
London Heathrow, Gatwick and central London transfers are included as standard. Stansted and Bournemouth airport transfers also available.
Why Southbourne?
Homestay hosts within walking distance, a ten-minute walk to the beach, 19 classrooms with interactive screens and air conditioning, and a school cafeteria serving freshly prepared lunches.
For full pricing details and to tailor a programme for your group, request a free quote or email joshua.garner@southbourneschool.co.uk.
FAQs
Good questions, honest answers
Quick answers — and we're one WhatsApp message away for anything else.
What's included in a group package?
Typically: English lessons, homestay with meals, activity programme, excursions, transfers and free leader places — but every programme is tailor-made, so you choose.
When can groups come?
All year round. Off-peak months (autumn to spring) offer excellent value and quieter excursion venues.
How are students accommodated?
With carefully selected homestay hosts, usually in pairs, all within easy reach of the school. Leaders can stay in homestay or nearby guesthouses.
How do we get a group quote?
Send us your approximate dates, group size and ages via the form below — we'll reply within one working day with a tailored proposal.
Google reviews
Why students choose Southbourne
★★★★★"Best school I've been to, as a guest teacher, in 10 years of different stages around Europe. Perfect organisation, staff educated and accurate."
★★★★★"The teachers are very experienced and friendly. The food in the canteen is great, and there are not too many students in the class. Thank you to the entire school team."
★★★★★"The school was like a big family for me. Every student was addressed by name — it was very personal and I felt very comfortable. I'm grateful for the lovely friendships that have developed with people from all over the world."
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