Eastbourne6-11 years
The Little Explorers programme, with 17.5 hours of lessons per week, takes place at Bede's Preparatory School and is especially designed for our younger students. The school, founded in 1895, is located on the coast in the beautiful seaside town of Eastbourne just a few minutes away from the beach. The campus gives students the feeling of a family home, offering them a safe and happy environment in which to study and play.
The Programme
Description
English Skills focus on developing students' general knowledge in English and ability to communicate effectively and accurately in everyday situations and different contexts. Students will be tested, challenged, supported and stimulated.
Aims
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Improve students' receptive (reading and listening) and productive (speaking and writing) English skills.
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Extend students' knowledge and range of vocabulary.
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Deepen students' understanding of grammatical concepts in English.
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Build students' confidence to use the English they know in speaking situations.
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Improve students' pronunciation.
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Train students to be effective learners.
Description
StoryTime gives students the opportunity to share personal and fictional stories in a creative and stimulating way, enhancing their spoken fluency in English. Students become storytellers and story listeners in English, with the StoryTime teacher as their role model.
Aims
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Tell and listen to stories about students' own experiences as well as fictional stories.
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Build self-confidence and fluency.
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Learn to communicate more creatively in English.
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Stimulate students' curiosity and imagination.
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Develop genuine peer listening.
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Enhance the sense of "community of learners" between the students.
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Enrich the learning experience and make learning fun.
Description
These CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning)-based lessons allow students to improve their English whilst at the same time explore a range of stimulating subjects such as Ecology, Space, Science and Technology.
Aims
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Improve students' general knowledge of the topics studied.
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Familiarise students with relevant subject-specific terminology in English.
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Enhance students' general English skills within a more academic context.
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Enrich the learning experience by studying interesting and relevant topics, appropriate to the students' age.
Description
After lessons, students participate in a range of sports and recreational activities. This provides the opportunity to carry on learning outside the classroom in small, supervised groups at the same time as having some fun. Students will be able to choose their preferred sport or activity.
Aims
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Enhance students' fluency in English.
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Awaken students' curiosity by explore new sports, activities and games.
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Enhance students' skills and technique in sports.
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Encourage participation and self-confidence.
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Teach students new vocabulary related to sports, games and popular leisure activities.
Examples
Cooking, Gymnastics, Kick-It Cricket, Sand Painting, Drama, Football, Jewellery-Making, Sports Hall Athletics, Dance, Handball, Puppetry, Swimming, Martial Arts, Painting, Short Tennis, Touch Rugby.
Description
A full programme of organised and supervised social events is offered every evening to encourage students to make new friends and develop their social skills. By actively encouraging the mixing of nationalities, we are helping to create a harmonious international community in which students can live, study in a safe and comfortable environment and enjoy themselves.
Aims
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Promote students' relaxation and enjoyment.
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Explore some typically English social events, games and activities.
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Nurture social skills in an environment of different cultural traditions.
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Use English in natural real-life speaking situations.
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Forge new friendships.
Examples
Disco, Fashion Show, Karaoke, Messy Games, Mini Olympics, Music Quiz, Pantomime, Talent Show, Treasure Hunt.
Description
Excursions are a mandatory part of the programme. We offer students the opportunity to visit places of cultural and historical interest, as well as the chance for sightseeing, shopping and amusement.
Aims
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Deepen students' cultural experiences.
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Create opportunities for interaction with the real world in fun, relaxed and genuinely interesting ways.
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Enhance their knowledge of England and the UK.
Wednesdays
Wednesday trips are a half-day afternoon/evening visit and may involve visiting a local place of interest in a nearby town or an off-site activity, such as: Country Park, Farm, Forest, Forts, Museum, Pier, Pottery Painting, Trampolining.
Saturdays
Saturday excursions are a full day trip and include a cultural, touristic or recreational visit to London or another place of interest such as British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Kidzania, London Dungeon, London Eye, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey.
Sundays
Sunday excursions are often more relaxing trips to a local seaside town, such as Eastbourne, Brighton and Hastings, where students can stroll along the beach, have lunch in the park or do some shopping. Sometimes students will partake in off-site activities.
Description
Our Academies Programme offers expert instruction to students looking to develop their skills, technique and confidence in certain sports and leisure activities.
Aims
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Increase students' competencies and technique in the sport/activity.
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Offer inspiring coaching and instruction to motivate students to practise sport.
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Learn specific vocabulary relating to the sport/activity.
Academies Available
Zookeeper Experience
Film and Animation
Horse Riding
Swimming
Further Information
The Academies Programme is suitable for all abilities from beginner to advanced level.
Instruction is given by qualified Bede's or external sports' coaches.
Students can choose 1 Academy option per week.
Academies take place instead of the regular afternoon Sports & Activities.
Dates & Fees
The centre is open for 7 weeks in total, from 29 June to 16 August 2025. Students can arrive on any Sunday and depart on any Saturday.
The recommended minimum stay is 2 weeks. To maximize the benefit of your experience, you should consider a 3 or 4 week course.
The fully-inclusive course fee is £1,575 per week for a residential student and £895 for a day student (Monday to Friday). This includes a return transfer from selected airports (see Terms & Conditions, residential students only) and travel insurance. There is no supplement for collecting a UM.
The Course
Age range 6 to 11 yrs. Maximum 60 (residential) students per week from different countries. Limits for each nationality to ensure a good mix.
There is a full programme of lessons, sports, activities, social events and excursions all of which are mandatory and included in the fee. A Day Course and Parent Programme are available.
The day programme runs from 08.30 to 17.00 Monday to Friday (18.00 on Wednesday) and includes a half-day excursion on Wednesdays. Students may add evening activities (evening meal included) and the Saturday and Sunday excursions if they wish. These are subject to payable supplements.
There are 17.5 hours of lessons per week including English Skills, StoryTime and Explorations. Maximum 12 students per class. Weekly progress tests to monitor performance.
8 levels are available, from A0 (Complete Beginner) to C2 (Proficiency). Entry test on Monday with a speaking, grammar and writing component.
Baking & Decorating, Film and Animation, Horse Riding, Indoor Climbing, LEGO & Coding, Street Dance, Tennis and Zookeeper Experience. Supplements are payable. Academies are subject to availability and a minimum number of enrolments.
The centre
Sports hall, swimming pool, astro-turf, dance studio, art studio, drama theatre, cookery room, IT Suite.
The accommodation at our Eastbourne centre is situated opposite the main school. We have separate houses for boys and girls. Bedrooms have 4 to 8 beds with storage space available. Bathrooms are shared. Students share their bedroom with children of a similar age and from different countries as this gives a greater opportunity for pupils to practise their English and make new friends from all over the world.
Bede’s staff provide excellent care for students 24 hours a day and live in the same sleeping areas as the students. Dedicated House Parents look after the students in each boarding house, and with an excellent staff:student ratios (typically 1:3) the students receive the individual attention which the young students may require. There is a surgery led by a qualified nurse a couple of times a week and students have access to a doctor if required.
The award winning Holroyd Howe provide healthy meals with a mix of English and international dishes served in the dining room which overlooks the beautiful English Channel. Vegetarian options are always available and any special dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Internet is available for students during their free time. Limited wi-fi is available in the main building. Students can make and receive telephone calls. Skype is available. Laundry is done for students at least twice a week. 24 hour emergency contact service for Parents.
Transfers from/to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and St Pancras International Train Station are included in the fees between 09.00 and 18.00 (10.00-17.00 for St Pancras). Students are met by Bede's Staff and Bede's Airport Coordinators provide extra care.
Course Aims
- Improve all language skills in English
- Build confidence to speak English more fluently
- Have a better understanding of the British way of life
- Earn respect for other people and different cultures
- Develop personal and social skills
- Motivate students to continue learning English after they leave Bede's
