St Clare’s Introduces a New Leadership & Sustainability Course for Summer 2026

St Clare’s, Oxford has introduced a new Leadership & Sustainability course as part of its Summer 2026 programme portfolio, delivered at the Merrist Wood campus in Surrey. Developed in partnership with the University of Surrey and CIFAL Surrey, the programme combines university-level teaching with practical sustainability education in a premium residential summer school environment. The programme has also been approved and certified by UNITAR, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, providing participating students with an internationally recognised academic experience and certification.

About the Programme

Designed for students aged 15–17, the programme focuses on sustainability, leadership, and global responsibility. Based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the course combines academic knowledge with practical real-world application, helping students develop skills relevant to both higher education and future career opportunities.

Throughout the programme, students will:

Explore global challenges such as climate change, food systems, and social inequality

Learn how organisations respond through corporate social responsibility and social impact initiatives. Develop leadership skills including teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking

Work on real-world case studies and collaborative projects. Students will also visit the University of Surrey campus to gain insight into university life and the UK university application process.

Programme Benefits

Exploring Global Challenges Through the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Students will examine important global issues including climate change, food systems, social inequality, corporate social responsibility, and social impact through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Developing Leadership Skills for the Future

The programme is designed to strengthen students’ confidence, teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking skills while preparing them for future academic and professional environments.

Learning with Experts from the University of Surrey

Students will participate in interactive workshops and sessions delivered by academics from the University of Surrey Institute for Sustainability. Sessions cover topics including biodiversity, behaviour change, environmental systems, and sustainable development.

Gaining an Internationally Recognised Learning Experience

Co-developed with CIFAL Surrey and approved by UNITAR, the programme offers students internationally recognised sustainability and leadership education.

Applying Knowledge Through Practical Projects

Students will work on practical case studies, collaborative projects, and sustainability-focused challenges, connecting academic theory with real-world solutions.

Experiencing Sustainability Education at Merrist Wood

Located within a 400-acre countryside campus, Merrist Wood offers ancient woodland, a working farm, and natural habitats that create an immersive learning environment for sustainability education.

Discovering University Life and Global Perspectives

Students visiting the University of Surrey campus will gain insight into higher education in the UK while collaborating with students from different cultural and academic backgrounds.

A Supportive and International Learning Environment

Small class sizes, expert teaching staff, and an international student environment support students’ confidence, creativity, and personal development.

Learn from Leading Experts

One of the key highlights of the programme is direct engagement with leading academics from the University of Surrey. Through interactive workshops and sessions, students will explore sustainability from multiple perspectives.

Sessions include:

Leadership for Sustainable Development – Dr Roberta Discetti

Wildlife Wellbeing & Behaviour Change Research – Dr Melissa Marselle and Dr Valentine Seymour

Towards a Nature-Positive School: Student Citizen Science – Dr Matteo Giusti

Environmental Chemistry & Food Systems – Dr Madeleine Bussemaker

A Strong Academic Partnership

The programme is delivered in collaboration with CIFAL Surrey, a UN-accredited training centre operating within the University of Surrey Institute for Sustainability. Together, St Clare’s and the Institute for Sustainability have developed a multidisciplinary course based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This partnership allows students to benefit from world-class teaching and research while understanding how sustainability challenges are addressed at local, national, and global levels.

An Inspiring Learning Experience at Merrist Wood

The programme takes place at the Merrist Wood campus near Guildford, located just one hour from London. Set within 400 acres of countryside, the campus provides an ideal setting for immersive sustainability education with ancient woodland, a working farm, and diverse natural surroundings.

Each week, students can participate in:

Sports activities

Outdoor workshops

Arts and creative activities

Survival skills programmes

Yoga and mini Olympics

Movie nights and social events

Students also take part in up to three excursions per week, including visits to:

London

Windsor Castle

Canterbury and Leeds Castle

Oxford

Portsmouth

and other destinations.

Campus Life

The Merrist Wood campus provides students with a peaceful and spacious environment for both academic study and outdoor leisure activities. Unlike the larger Oxford Teens campus, Merrist Wood offers a smaller and more close-knit residential environment. While Oxford can host up to 320 students, Merrist Wood welcomes approximately 80 students, creating a more supportive and community-focused atmosphere.

Accommodation and Student Support

Students stay in residential accommodation located on campus. All rooms are single rooms and include access to shared bathrooms, communal kitchenettes, and common areas.

Accommodation includes:

Full-board meals

On-site café facilities

Free Wi-Fi

Laundry facilities

24-hour student support

Student welfare remains a key priority throughout the programme, with dedicated residential staff and a Welfare Manager providing continuous supervision and support.

Dates and Fees

Start dates:

12 July

26 July

Duration:

2 weeks (with the option to extend through additional courses)

Course fees include:

Tuition

Full-board accommodation

Sports and activities programme

Three excursions per week

Insurance

Airport transfers from Heathrow and Gatwick airports

Exclusive Agent Discount

Students applying through agent partners before 8 May can benefit from an exclusive 10% discount.

Who Is This Programme Suitable For?

This programme is especially suitable for:

1. Students interested in sustainability, environment, business, politics, and global issues
2. IB and A-Level students seeking academic enrichment
3. High-achieving students preparing for university applications and CV development
4. Families looking for premium and purpose-driven summer programmes

With small class sizes of up to 12 students, university-led teaching, interactive workshops, and a fully residential all-inclusive structure, the programme offers a strong academic advantage within the summer school market.

Study Abroad Support with StudyNet Group

At StudyNet Group, we support students throughout every stage of their international education journey. Through our partnerships with institutions such as St Clare’s, Oxford, we help students explore summer programmes, academic opportunities, university pathways, and application processes abroad. Programmes such as Leadership & Sustainability provide students with valuable academic, personal, and international development opportunities that can support their future educational and career goals.To learn more about studying abroad, summer programmes, and international academic opportunities, you can contact the StudyNet Group for further guidance and support.