Application Form 2025

  • The 2025 Course is from 13 July to 9 August 2025
  • Most parents choose the full Course. It's the best value. If 2 or 3 weeks are chosen (arrival Sunday; departure Saturday), those parts of the Course not happening between those dates will be missed. 2 and 3 weeks are not an accelerated 4 weeks. VacStuds takes time. See this parent's observations here.
  • Please check 'Places Available' before applying for 2025
  • If the school term finishes later than the start of the Course, you may wish to apply for leave-of-absence.  A letter can be written to your child's school along the lines of this template - here
  • The teaching programme is structured over the four weeks of the Course
  • Trips take place during these weeks
  • Free collection from Heathrow Airport (for flights arriving between 12.00 and 16.00 on 13 July 2025)
  • Free return to Heathrow Airport (for flights leaving between 11.00 and 14.00 on 9 August 2025)
  • Positions of responsibility are available. (Prefectship will result in teaching hours lost, but other advantages gained)
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
1. I am applying to register my child for the Vacational Studies Course at The Mary Hare School for:
If you did not select the Full Course option above, please state the preferred dates (starting on a Sunday and finishing on a Saturday) within the period 13 July to 9 August 2025:
My child would like to be considered for the following role/s (Full Course only): House Mentor (all ages)
Councillor (all ages)
House Captain (16+ year-olds)
Prefect/Senior Prefect (17+ year-olds - teaching hours will be reduced)
Child's full name (as it should appear on our lists):
Given name we should call him/her:
Child's mobile phone number:
My child has attended Vacational Studies previously and all details are as per my previous application (Please check at least one) Yes (Go to section 14 ('Optional Visits') and complete new choices.)
No
3. Gender:
4. Date of birth:
5. Nationality:
6. Name and postal address of Parent or Guardian:
Phone:
Mobile:
Email:
Fax:

E-mail us if you are at a different address during the Course.

7. Names and addresses of TWO English-speaking relatives or friends (outside immediate family) who may act on my behalf if I cannot be contacted: (You must answer this section)
Phones:
Mobiles:
Emails:
8. Assessment of his/her knowledge of English: Good
Fair
Poor
None
9. Number of years studying English: (by July 2025)

NEW STUDENTS ONLY: Please send a letter of recommendation from the school simply stating 'X is well-behaved and has a positive attitude towards studying'. This can be sent later and can be e-mailed.

10. If you wish to pay pocket money and trips in advance and need an invoice, state the amount here and specify £ or €. Money remaining will be returned with your child in £ cash:
11. Our acceptance is on the understanding that your child is in good physical and mental health and is able to function independently in a multinational community and that your country's vaccinations programme has been followed. Please disclose here any past/present health problems, allergies or behavioural factors of which we should be aware before acceptance and if regular medication is taken:

In the case of food allergies, the student must come with a 1ml. Adrenalin (Epinephine) 1:1000 injection pen ­ an ‘EpiPen’. Students from EU and EEA countries should bring a EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) to ensure free NHS medical treatment for all conditions.

12. Brief description of his/her character and interests, if not already known by us:
13. Previous longest time away from home (in days):

Please e-mail vacstuds@vacstuds.com if you wish us to arrange for your child to attend a religious service while with us.

14. OPTIONAL VISITS - Tickets allocated to those who apply for the option first. Cost payable from pocket money.  ALL TRIPS ARE OPTIONAL EXTRAS AND MAY REDUCE TEACHING HOURS. (These options are provisional and may be changed. If they are, parents will be e-mailed.)

I would like to apply my son/daughter for the following optional extras: TRIP: Windsor: Sunday 20.07.25. (Seeing the town and its castle and/or off to shop with our staff): £50.00
TRIP: NEWBURY: Sunday 03.08.25. (Shopping/exploring in our local town. The bus leaves at 10.00 and is back for lunch at 13.00): £20.00
TRIP: 'DOWNTON ABBEY': Monday 21.07.25. (Where the TV series was filmed): £55.00
TRIP: OPTIONAL: Wednesday 23.07.25. (To be announced March 2025)
TRIP: PARLIAMENT: Friday 25.07.25. (Inside the Houses of Parliament): £60.00
TRIP: LONDON: Thursday 31.07.25. (In groups with our staff for exploration/shopping): £55.00
TRIP: 'HARRY POTTER WORLD': Friday 01.08.25. (Where the films were made) 31 tickets only and cannot be chosen with Stonehenge: £75.00
OR TRIP: STONEHENGE: Friday 01.08.25. (5000 year-old stone circle) Cannot be chosen with 'Harry Potter': £60.00
ONE-TO-ONE LANGUAGE TEACHING: - During the Course - (Individual lessons with our teachers): £30 per one-hour session
ONE-TO-ONE LANGUAGE TEACHING: - As preparation for the Course (via Skype with Paddy Douglas (CELTA-qualified)): £30 per one-hour session
THEATRE 1: Friday 18.07.25: (To be announced March 2025)
THEATRE 2: Wednesday 23.07.25: (To be announced March 2025)
EXAMINATION: TRINITY EXAMINATION IN SPOKEN ENGLISH: Wednesday 06.08.25: £95-£115.00 (depending on level). We decide on the level and make the appropriate deduction
15. He/she will USE FREE HEATHROW COLLECTION SERVICE *
USE FREE HEATHROW RETURN SERVICE *
BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
BE COLLECTED FROM SCHOOL BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
NEED SPECIAL AIRPORT COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS *
NEED SPECIAL AIRPORT RETURN ARRANGEMENTS *

* Our free service applies to flights arriving at Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 from 12.00-16.00 on 13 July and flights leaving Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 from 11.00-14.00 on 9 August. UM/Special Assistance tickets after 12.00 are excluded and will be by taxi. We shall request flight details after we have received Course Fees.

PAYMENT OF COURSE FEES

16. If this application is accepted, when I receive your Invoice, I shall: Send FULL PAYMENT in £ Sterling within 30 days from the invoice date
SEND 50% PAYMENT in £ Sterling within 30 days from the invoice date and the 50% BALANCE in £ Sterling by 15 May 2025 (Option unavailable after 01.04.25)
Send FULL PAYMENT in € euro at today's £:€ rate within 30 days from the invoice date
SEND 50% PAYMENT in € euro at today's £:€ rate within 30 days from the invoice date and the 50% BALANCE in € euro by 15 May 2025 at the £:€ rate on 1 May 2025 (Option unavailable after 01.04.25)
Send FULL PAYMENT in $ USD at today's £:$ rate within 30 days from the invoice date
SEND 50% PAYMENT in $ USD at today's £:$ rate within 30 days from the invoice date and the 50% BALANCE in $ USD by 15 May 2025 at the £:$ rate on 1 May 2025 (Option unavailable after 01.04.25)
17. T-shirt size (must be completed): S
M
L
XL
I have read, understand and agree with the following (Course = Full Course): I agree with the rules of the Course as set out in the 'Notes for Parents' and 'Notes for Students'.
I trust Vacational Studies to decide on the level of supervision required on trips and to permit visits and outings (if any) at its discretion.
If neither the undersigned nor the person in section 7 can be reached in an emergency, I consent to medical treatment being authorised by Vacational Studies' directors.
I understand that smoking or possessing any smoking material or narcotic is forbidden and will result in immediate expulsion and removal from the Course by me within 72 hours.
I understand that if for any reason not covered by our Insurance policy a student is withdrawn from the Course less than sixty days before it begins, or fails to attend the Course, or leaves before it ends, no refund of Fees will be given.
I understand that any subsequent change in length of stay means cancellation of the original stay and re-acceptance (if possible) for the revised duration will be at the Fee applicable at the time of re-acceptance.
I understand that if any Fees remain unpaid thirty days after the date of the Invoice (unless otherwise stated on the Invoice), and if any Fees remain unpaid sixty days before the Course begins, acceptance of the student will be withdrawn.
I understand that Insurance is only as described on the Insurance information sheet.
I accept the terms and agree to be bound by the conditions of the Insurance cover and declare that my child is in good mental and physical health, can join in all activities, have free time on trips and use the swimming pool.
I and my child agree to my and my child's details being stored on Vacational Studies computer system in compliance with GDPR accessible on this site (they will not be passed on to a third-party).
I accept that images of my child will appear on this site, the brochure and social media.
I agree that my details may be disclosed to other parents for coinciding travel. I agree that my child's details may be disclosed to other students for contact purposes. (If you wish to delete either or both sentences, contact us first).
I agree to return the completed and signed 'Agreement and Travel Details' form by 6 June 2025 and comply with the dates and times therein.
I understand that Vacational Studies contractual arrangement ends at 15.00 BST on 9 August 2025. Any flight departures later than this time must be arranged for 8 August.
I understand that English Law applies to all aspects of Vacational Studies.

Office address: Vacational Studies, Pepys’ Oak, Tydehams, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 6JT, England. Telephone: 07717 007 007; (01635) 523 333  International: +44 7717 007 007; +44 1635 523 333 Fax: (01635) 523 999 International Fax: +44 1635 523 999

Bank address: National Westminster Bank, 30 Market Place, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5AJ, England.

A letter of recommendation may not be required if such a request might conflict with the policy of the school or government. Please state possible conflict.
Do you need a support letter for a visa? Yes
No
Accredited by the British Council
Offers Trinity
Accredited by English UK