Book Now 
2020 is about the way we process the world around us. Each week looks at this from a different angle: politics, science, reasoning.
We concentrate on key academic skills across all three weeks including writing, analysis, comprehension and public speaking.
The skills we develop are perfect for students preparing for UK school entrance tests.
| Dates | Age | Academic Programme |
|---|
Week 1 | 12 July - 18 July | 7-14 (age streamed) | WHO RULES THE WORLD? |
Week 2 | 19 July - 25 July | 7-14 (age streamed) | EXPLORING PLANET EARTH |
Week 3 | 26 July - 1 August | 7-14 (age streamed) | LOGIC & LATERAL THINKING |
All of our academic programmes are streamed by age and ability, with each programme tailored to the levels of the students. Class sizes are small with around 12 per class.
Week 1: Who Rules The World?
This summer join us in exploring the way the world works: who governs international relations, the global impact of rising world powers and who the world leaders really are.
Our older students will study the politics of our time and look at how this has changed in recent generations with the shift in power between China, Russia, the USA and Europe. They will study presidents and prime ministers and take part in a model UN debate, building their leadership and public speaking skills to represent their ideas as young diplomats.
Our younger classes will look at different countries and how they are run, from kings and queens to parliaments and presidents.They will learn how global issues are debated, fought over or resolved by world powers coming together.They’ll look at great political leaders and big ideas and take part in balloon debates, developing their public speaking skills as they deliver arguments to win over their classmates.
Week 2: Exploring Planet Earth
How connected are we to the world in which we live? Examining how closely intertwined the human world and the natural world really are, we learn about the delicate balance of nature and our responsibilities as citizens of the world.
Our older students study evolution, the environment and how the world came to be. We will look at world-renowned scientists such as Darwin and Hawking and their ground-breaking work. Touching on philosophy and religion, we also look at how the natural world has been defined and redefined in literature, poetry and art.
Our younger learners are taken on a journey through the ecosystems of the world, learning about animals, their habitats and the effect that our current ways of living are having on the natural world.They think about solutions to the environmental crisis, look at movements like Extinction Rebellion and think about ways that they can change the world themselves.
Week 3: Logic and Lateral Thinking
How we think about and process the world around us is our focus for Week 3 at The Summer Academy. Using logic, reasoning skills and lateral thinking as our starting point, we learn the importance of thinking creatively, not making assumptions and approaching the world with a fresh perspective.
Our learners look at famous scholars who have pioneered creative thought and lateral thinking, from Leonardo da Vinci to Edward de Bono. In their age-streamed classes they tackle reasoning problems in all their forms (verbal, non-verbal and spatial), applying logic to learn how to solve puzzles and develop their aptitude and speed in doing so.
They then move on to more complex situational puzzles, requiring a higher level of thought. Using teamwork and discussion we look at world issues and current affairs. Students apply their newfound skills to approaching these big issues from an unexpected and new viewpoint.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Exploring different British national curriculum subjects: English, science, geography, history, current affairs, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
- Spoken English - presentation, discussion, debate, interview technique, rhetorical skills
- Writing skills - persuasive writing, structuring, creativity, vocabulary
- Comprehension and analysis
- Independent study skills - researching, planning, creative thinking
- Strategy - critical thinking, reasoning
- Leadership and teamwork
- Common Entrance preparation
There was nothing in lessons I didn’t like and my greatest accomplishment was the public speaking.