The Dome International Schools students confidently took their places on the wooden benches of the Oxford Union debating chamber. It was the final day. THE debate the whole programme had been building up to. The persuasive arguments for and against the motion of the day had been rehearsed, evidence and statistics gathered. The excitement in the atmosphere was almost tangible in the world’s most renowned debating chambers.. This was the last day of Panoba’s group summer programme of 2026. The Oxford Debating & Leadership Programme that took place over a week.
Just a small taste of a group summer programme that saw students, aged 13 – 15 from Dome International Schools in Riyadh attend the Oxford Debating & Leadership Programme at St Hilda’s College, Oxford.
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Overview of the UK summer programmes we organise
It’s a real pleasure, here at Panoba, to organise school group summer programme bookings in the UK every year. The Oxford Debating & Leadership Programme was 2026’s summer group programme. Next year though, it could be a language programme in Cambridge, a STEM course at Imperial, or a football camp in Manchester.
It’s the same format each time. We agree a UK summer programme of choice then it’s onto the programme and travel arrangements. The destination programme, the accommodation, the flights, the visas and consent forms, the medical information and more. All whilst keeping parents informed.
The itinerary and daily schedule from our recent trip below provides everything you need to know.
Oxford Union Summer Debating & Leadership Programme for international school groups: Itinerary & daily schedule
Saturday 4 July, arrivals
On Saturday, together with their appointed teachers, the group, flew into Heathrow from Riyadh and were met at the airport by staff from our summer programme partners Bucksmore Education.
They were then taken by coach to St Hilda’s College, the only Oxford college to sit right on the scenic River Cherwell. They had dinner in the college dining hall followed by taking part in ice-breaker games on the lawns; a great way to help everyone settle in!
Sunday 5 July, finding a voice
The academic programme got off to a flying start on Sunday. Morning sessions on “Finding Your Voice,” covering confidence, projection and body language; followed by classes on structuring a speech and speaking games designed to build clarity and improvisation. In the afternoon, there was a walking tour of Oxford taking in the Colleges, the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera and the covered market. And, before the day was out, some ever-popular retail therapy where the students explored the local shops.
Monday 6 July, building the argument
Morning classes on Monday focused on strong arguments, active listening and mini-debate warm-ups. In the afternoon, the students split into teams for one of the week’s most memorable activities: a bridge-building competition using wooden ice lolly sticks. Each team’s structure was then put to the test as cups of water were stacked one by one on top until the bridge gave way. The cheering during the activity and when the runners-up and winners were announced could be heard well beyond the College walls!
Tuesday 7 July, London
On Tuesday there was a full-day excursion to the capital. In the morning, there was a walking tour around Westminster that included Whitehall and Buckingham Palace, then lunch and a wander around Covent Garden. In the afternoon they visited the London Eye for a fantastic 360-degree views of the city.
Wednesday 8 July, the art of delivery
Wednesday morning, the students headed back to the classroom for organisation and prioritisation, expression and delivery, and a topical seminar on a current-affairs issue. In the afternoon there were sports activities and the “Bucky Olympics” between teams. In the evening, a quiz night was arranged with students on other Bucksmore programmes at St Hilda’s. Although Dome International Schools travelled as what Bucksmore call a “closed group” i.e a bespoke academic timetable designed exclusively for their students, they also share evenings, weekends and mealtimes alongside international students on the wider Bucksmore summer school. It’s the best of both worlds. A curriculum tailored to the group’s interests by day – and by evening, an opportunity to make likeminded friends and make their stay at Oxford memorable long after their certificates are put away.
Thursday 9 July, more of London
The group split for the morning on the Thursday: the boys took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Emirates Stadium and the girls went to Madame Tussauds. The group came back together for a trip to the British Museum in the afternoon before heading back to Oxford.
Friday 10 July, the Oxford Union final
Friday, being the day of the all important debate, the students dressed in their best suits and dresses, for both the afternoon’s debate and the graduation ceremony that evening. They practiced their presentation skills and a second round of practice debates with assigned team roles in the morning and took part in the debating final actually in the Oxford Union; the chamber where leaders in every field, prime ministers, novelists and world leaders have argued their case on the most pressing issues of the day for nearly two centuries. Then one last shopping trip to central Oxford and back to St Hilda’s for the graduation ceremony, where certificates of achievement were handed to every student – followed by a final dinner together to close the week.
Saturday 11 July, home
There was an early start on the Sunday with a coach back to Heathrow, and evening flight home to Riyadh. An emotional welcome back from the parents were waiting. For many of them this had been the first time letting their teenagers travel abroad without them.
What UK summer programmes are available for international school groups?
Every UK summer programme for international school groups is bespoke. Dome International Schools chose debating and leadership. The teacher leading the group could just as easily have chosen entrepreneurship, STEM, or a subject drawn straight from their own department at school. The programme is built around the group’s interests, not fitted around a ready-made mould. For example, our next group have chosen a University Preparation course: visits to universities in different UK cities, workshops on applications and student life, and, of course, some shopping along the way.
Additionally, we’ve also put together activity-led programmes designed around soft skills such as teamwork, communication and resilience, and leadership programmes for older students getting ready for prefect or head-of-house roles at school.
For many groups, of course, the reason for coming to the UK is the language itself. Closed-group English language programmes are ever popular. A bespoke syllabus taught by British Council-accredited teachers, with all the excursions and evening activities that turn classroom study into lived experience.
Consider the location of the summer programme
The character of a trip is shaped by where it’s based. For example, central London puts students at the heart of the city, close to theatres, museums and the political landmarks, with underground travel and half-day excursions woven into the timetable. A prestigious English boarding school in the countryside offers a different kind of week: historic grounds, quieter study surroundings, and day trips out to nearby cultural and historic sites. For some groups a full immersion experience works better, with students embedded into a UK school day or hosted with local families for a real taste of British life. Coastal locations are popular for groups who want fresh sea air, a slower pace and some outdoor activity alongside the academic programme.
Additionally, it doesn’t have to be the UK either. We’ve built proposals for groups heading further afield too. One recent example was a STEM programme for a school in Nigeria, based in the Swiss Alps, with a visit to CERN in Geneva at the heart of the week alongside science museums, glacier walks and outdoor sports on Lake Geneva.
UK group programmes also available in winter and spring
Winter and spring mini-stays are increasingly popular for schools that want a shorter, tightly-focused week during term breaks. They can be a great way to introduce younger year groups to the idea of a longer summer programme in later years.
How do I run a summer programme for my school students in the UK?
It‘s as simple as this. If you’re a teacher or head at a school thinking about what a group programme could look like for your students, whether in the UK or further afield, in the summer or during term time, we’d love to hear what you have in mind. We’ll handle the rest. Get in touch today or WhatsApp us.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the summer programmes we organise here. Looking forward to hearing from you.
