The Thornton College campus, home to Cavendish School’s summer programmes, is a beautiful, safe, and self-contained environment set on a 25-acre estate in the Oxford area. Surrounded by forests and meadows, with a river running through the property, the campus has the enchanting appearance of a traditional English boarding school, reminiscent of a fairy-tale or a Harry Potter-style school. At the same time, it is equipped with modern facilities and high-tech teaching rooms, ensuring students enjoy a perfect balance of tradition and contemporary learning. Classrooms, accommodation, and the dining hall are all conveniently located close to each other, making campus life seamless and welcoming.

The academic programme at Thornton College is designed for an international student community, providing 23 lessons per week of English language study. Classes focus on practical communication, grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills, all delivered in small groups to ensure personalized attention. The international environment encourages students to interact with peers from a variety of countries, fostering cultural exchange and developing confidence in using English in real-life situations. Cavendish students also enjoy the unique Cavendish family atmosphere, where staff and teachers create a supportive, friendly environment that helps students feel at home.

Accommodation options include both shared and single rooms, giving students the choice of more social or private living arrangements. All students receive daily hot meals, with multiple options including vegetarian, and packed lunches are provided for full-day excursions. As part of the Cavendish programme, students have exclusive access to all facilities of the boarding school, ensuring they can fully enjoy the sports hall, theatre, library, computer room, and common rooms at any time. WiFi is available throughout the campus.

Thornton College offers an exceptional range of sports and recreational facilities. Students can enjoy the outdoor heated swimming pool, perfect for summer barbecues, as well as grass and Astroturf football fields, tennis courts, an athletics track, a cricket pitch, and other sports fields. These facilities allow students to stay active and participate in team sports, fitness activities, and recreational games, supporting both physical and social development.
The programme includes a great excursion package, taking advantage of Thornton’s location near Oxford, famed for its universities and ‘dreaming spires.’ Students take regular visits to this historic city, as well as trips to Stratford-upon-Avon, London, Cambridge, and Royal Windsor, combining sightseeing, cultural enrichment, and language practice. These excursions are fully supervised and structured to maximize both learning and enjoyment.