Book Now

Dicker11-17 years

English Plus is a semi-intensive course with 22.5 hours of study per week. Students can create a more intensive study programme by choosing 1 or 2 optional academic academies per week. This course takes place at Dicker centre (Bede's Senior School) which is located in the village of Upper Dicker in the heart of the Sussex countryside, just north of the seaside town of Eastbourne which attracts both domestic and international tourists. The school is based on a former country estate and has a unique, homely feel, ideal for young teenagers.

The Programme

English Skills

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

  1. Improve students' receptive (reading and listening) and productive (speaking and writing) English skills.
  2. Extend students' knowledge and range of vocabulary.
  3. Deepen students' understanding of grammatical concepts in English.
  4. Build students' confidence to use the English they know in speaking situations.
  5. Improve students' pronunciation.
  6. Train students to be effective learners.
Enrichment

Description

Enrichment Lessons expose students to authentic learning materials and language and challenge them to interact naturally in English while enhancing their language skills.

Aims

  1. Familiarise students with authentic learning materials (leaflets, magazines, adverts, films, TV).
  2. Improve students' awareness of English as a "real" means of interaction and sharing information among people.
  3. Enhance students' knowledge of both national and international current affairs.
  4. Increase the sense of learning for communication.
  5. Develop students' self-learning skills.
  6. Develop students productive (speaking, writing) and receptive (listening, reading) skills in English.
Research Project

Description

Research Projects get students involved in their own learning, allowing them to choose a project that interests them which they will research, plan, implement and evaluate, working as part of a team.

Aims

  1. Enhance students' negotiating and decision-making skills.
  2. Develop students' research, planning and organisation skills.
  3. Encourage active student participation within the context of a group, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
  4. Enhance students' ability to process information in English from a range of different sources.
  5. Develop students spoken fluency in English.
Afternoons

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. Sometimes, students will be able to choose their preferred sport or activity.

Aims

  1. Enhance students' fluency in English.
  2. Awaken students' curiosity by explore new sports, activities and games.
  3. Enhance students' skills and technique in sports.
  4. Encourage participation and self-confidence.
  5. Teach students new vocabulary related to sports, games and popular leisure activities.

Examples

Aerobics, Badminton, Basketball, Bootcamp, Card Games, Chess, Circuit Training, Cricket, Dance, Dodgeball, Drama, Fashion Design, Football, Model-Making, Netball, Painting, Rounders, Rugby, Set Design, Singing, Squash, Stoolball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Yoga, Zumba.

Evenings

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

  1. Promote students' relaxation and enjoyment.
  2. Explore some typically English social events, games and activities.
  3. Nurture social skills in an environment of different cultural traditions.
  4. Use English in natural real-life speaking situations.
  5. Forge new friendships.

Examples
Bede’s Got Talent, Disco, House Competitions, Fashion Show, Formal Dinner & Dance, Karaoke, Messy Games, Music Quiz, Musical Workshop, Pool Party, Soft Ball Sports, Tennis, Tournaments.

Excursions

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

  1. Deepen students' cultural experiences.
  2. Create opportunities for interaction with the real world in fun, relaxed and genuinely interesting ways.
  3. 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 Adventure Golf, Beach Volleyball, Castle, Country Park, Indoor Rock Climbing, Museum, Pier, Skating, Street Markets.

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, London Dungeon, London Eye, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Thorpe Park, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey.

An alternative sightseeing tour of London will be available every Saturday.

Sundays

Sunday excursions are often more relaxing trips to a local seaside town, such as Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne, Hastings or Worthing, where students can stroll along the beach, have lunch in the park or do some shopping. Sometimes students will partake in off-site activities.

Academies

Description

Our Academies Programme offers expert instruction to students looking to develop their skills, technique and confidence in certain sports and leisure activities.

Aims

  1. Increase students' competencies and technique in the sport/activity.
  2. Offer inspiring coaching and instruction to motivate students to practise sport.
  3. Learn specific vocabulary relating to the sport/activity.

Academies Available

Public Speaking

Script Writing

Commercial Pop Dance

E-Sports

Photography

Zookeeper Experience

Adventure Sports

Clay Pigeon Shooting

Golf

Hockey Skills

Horse Riding

Tennis

Watersports

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 6 weeks in total, from 02 July to 12 August 2023. Students can arrive on any Sunday and depart on any Saturday.

The recommended minimum stay is two weeks. To maximize the benefit of your experience, you should consider a 3 or 4 week course.

The fully-inclusive course fee is £1,395 per week for a residential student. This includes a return transfer from selected airports (any time of the day) and travel insurance. There is no supplement for collecting a UM.

The Course

Students

Age range 11 to 17 yrs. Maximum 270 students per week from different countries. Limits for each nationality to ensure a good mix.

Programme

There is a full programme of lessons, sports, activities, social events and excursions, all of which are mandatory and included in the fee.

Lessons

There are 22½ hours of lessons per week including English Skills, Enrichment and Research Project. Maximum 14 students per class. Weekly progress checks to monitor students' performance.

Levels

8 levels are available from A0 (Complete Beginner) to C2 (Proficiency). Entry test on Monday with a speaking, grammar and writing component.

 

Exams

The Cambridge B1 Preliminary and B2 First exams are available. Dedicated exam preparation in place of English Skills and Enrichment. Both 2 & 3 week courses are offered. B1 Preliminary Exam on 21 July 2023. B2 First Exam on 27 July 2023.  Exam takes place at Dicker centre. Confirmation of a place on an Exam Course is subject to availability and to a satisfactory online placement test.

The Trinity GESE is also available. Dedicated Exam preparation in place of Enrichment. Minimum 2 week course. Trinity GESE Exam will take place on 21 July or 4 August 2023. Exam takes place at Windlesham or Dicker centre.

Academies

Public Speaking, Script Writing,  E-Sports, Zookeeper Experience, Hockey Skills, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Watersports, Adventure Sports, Commercial Pop Dance, Golf, Horse Riding, , Photography, and Tennis. Supplements are payable. Academies are subject to availability and a minimum number of enrolments.

The centre

Facilities
Facilities

Tennis courts, sports hall, swimming pool, gym, squash courts, astro-turf, playing fields, drama theatre, dance studios, IT suites, art studios.

Accommodation
Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION FLYER

Separate accommodation on campus for boys and girls. Most bedrooms have 2 to 4 beds (some single and larger bedrooms are available). Storage space is available. Bathrooms are shared. Students share their bedroom with children of a similar age and from different countries. Every boarding house has its own communal space for students to relax.

Care
Care

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. Excellent staff:student ratios (typically 1:5). Individual attention provided. There is a surgery led by a qualified nurse a couple of times a week and students have access to a doctor if required.

Meals
Meals

MEALS FLYER

Healthy meals with a mix of English and international dishes served in the Dining Room. Vegetarian options are always available. Special dietary requirements are accommodated.

Services
Services

Internet is available and an extensive Wi-Fi network across the campus. Skype is available. Students can make and receive telephone calls. Bede's Shop and a Village Shop for refreshments and snacks. Laundry is done for students at least twice a week. 24 hour emergency contact service for Parents.

Transfer Service
Transfer Service

Transfers from/to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and Ashford International and Ebbsfleet Train Stations are included in the fees and provided at any time of the day (but preferably between 10:00 and 17:00). Students are met on arrival by Bede's Staff and Bede's Airport Coordinators are also available to provide extra care.

Location
Location

London: 68 miles/109 km

LGW: 44 miles/70 km

LHR: 82 miles/133 km

Book Now
Book Now

Course Aims

  1. Improve all language skills in English
  2. Build confidence to speak English more fluently
  3. Have a better understanding of the British way of life
  4. Earn respect for other people and different cultures
  5. Develop personal and social skills
  6. Motivate students to continue learning English after they leave Bede's

Course Outcomes

Attendance Certificate
Academic Report
Activities Diary
Any special digital Awards or Prizes
X
X
X
Nationality Mix at Bede's Dicker 2019
X
What Students Thought in 2019
X
video map title here
X
fly by video here
X
Location map for Dicker
Map didn't load
X
video title here