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Counting Down to Summer: Watch Our 2026 Pre-Summer Parents' Meeting
- Buckswood Overseas Summer School
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
The countdown to summer has officially begun! This week we were delighted to welcome so many of you to our online pre-summer meeting, where we walked through everything you and your child need to know before arrival day. Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked questions and shared in the excitement of the summer ahead.
A small apology: unfortunately our meeting this week wasn't recorded, so we aren't able to share that exact session with you. The good news is that we covered the very same information back in the spring, ahead of our March course — and that meeting was recorded. We're sharing it below so that nobody misses out, along with a full written summary of the key points so you have everything in one place.
Watch the Recording
(From our March 2026 pre-course meeting. The content is the same, so it's a great overview. Best watched together with your child so you can plan their packing and travel as a team. Please note the written summary below is fully up to date for summer 2026.)
What's New For Summer 2026
A couple of things have changed since the spring, so even if you watch the recording, please make sure you also note these:
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): visa-free visitors (for example, from the EU) now need to apply for an ETA before travelling. It costs £16, lasts two years and takes around two days to process. We'll email you the official application link — please apply early.
Always treat the written points below as the current version for this summer, in case any times or details have been refined since the March recording.
If You Only Do Four Things Before Arrival
We covered a lot, but these are the jobs to tick off early:
Apply for your child's UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they are travelling visa-free (for example, from the EU). It costs £16, lasts two years and takes around two days to process — so please don't leave it to the last minute. We'll email you the official application link.
Complete the online English test we email to you before arrival. This is the first of two short assessments and helps us place your child in the right class.
Save our 24-hour emergency number: +44 7749 096168.
Let us know in advance if you plan to visit your child during their stay (more on this below).
Getting Here
Arrival is on Sundays. Our team will be ready and waiting to greet your child with a smile the moment they arrive.
If your child is flying alone, please reassure them that airports are safe, well-staffed places. When they land in the UK, our team will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a clear "BOSS" sign, and your child can contact us at any point if they need help.
On arrival at school, we'll collect your child's passport and store it securely in a locked safe in the office for the whole of their stay, returning it on departure day.
We'll also carry out a short speaking and listening assessment to go alongside the online test — together these tell us the right class for your child's age and English level.
What to Pack
England can give you sunshine, wind and rain all in one day, so the golden rule is pack for all weather. We'd suggest:
Everyday clothes and comfortable shoes
Sports kit for our wide range of activities
Swimwear — we have a pool and a beach nearby
A waterproof coat
A nice outfit for our Friday evening parties (optional, but always popular!)
Toiletries and a towel — we provide all bedding (sheets, duvets and pillows) but not towels
A phone charger and a UK plug adapter
Most essentials can also be bought in town if anything is forgotten, so there's no need to worry.
Health and Medication
Your child's wellbeing is our absolute priority, which is why our staff need a complete picture of any medication a student is taking.
Prescribed medication for a specific condition is welcome and encouraged — please send it clearly labelled, and tell us about it.
Please do not send any non-prescribed medication such as paracetamol, aspirin or anti-allergy tablets. Our trained staff will manage these needs on site.
We have a doctor and a hospital just 15 minutes away, and qualified first-aiders on our team throughout the summer.
A Typical Day at BOSS
Days are full, fun and carefully structured. Mornings begin with a 7:45 a.m. wake-up, room inspections and breakfast, with lessons starting at 9:30 a.m. Afternoons and evenings are packed with activities and excursions, winding down to a calm bedtime routine each night. You'll find the full daily timetable in your child's Student Guide.
Phones and Screen Time
To help students get the most from their summer — making friends face to face and throwing themselves into lessons and activities — we manage mobile phones carefully:
Mondays: phones away, to kick the week off with plenty of face-to-face fun
Tuesdays and Wednesdays: phones allowed for excursions and photos
Thursdays and Fridays: limited use, mainly for academic research and project work
Weekends: allowed for trips
After 10:00 p.m.: Wi-Fi is switched off so everyone gets a good night's sleep (quiet reading before bed is always welcome)
Wi-Fi is available across campus, though our beautiful countryside setting means coverage can vary. If you'd like your child to have a UK SIM card, we recommend EE for the best local signal.
Staying in Touch
We know you'll want to hear how your child is getting on. So that calls don't interrupt lessons and activities, the best times to reach your child are during breaks and mealtimes:
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Visiting Your Child
You're welcome to visit during the stay — we just ask that you arrange it with us in advance and bring photo ID, as the safety of every student on campus comes first.
The best times to visit are:
Thursdays or Fridays, 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday evenings during our disco and campfire, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday afternoons in Hastings, if you'd prefer to meet your child off-site (again, please contact us first)
Getting to us by public transport: take a train to Three Oaks (a 15-minute walk from school) or the number 100 bus, which stops nearby.
Key Contacts
24-hour emergency line: +44 7749 096168
General enquiries (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.): +447596609400
See You Soon!
We can't wait to welcome your child for a summer of friendship, learning and adventure. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to get in touch — and don't forget to watch the recording above with your child as you get ready.
Here's to a fantastic summer 2026!
The BOSS Team Buckswood Overseas Summer School
Buckswood Overseas Summer School (BOSS) is based on the beautiful Buckswood campus in Guestling, near Hastings, East Sussex, England. Since 2011, we have welcomed students aged 8 to 17 from around the world to learn English, build confidence, and experience life in the UK countryside. Our accredited courses combine English language learning, leadership training, and cultural experiences, creating a safe and friendly environment where every student can learn, grow, and belong. Our motto, One School, One Family, captures the heart of who we are.
For any questions or to find out more, contact us or visit our website.
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