Independent Schools Cultural Alliance - ISCA – Summer Programs in the UK

ISCA 2023

9 – 30 July 2023

Explore our 2023 Brochure

Join us in 2023 as we celebrate 41 years of ISCA. Our educational summer camp has been designed specifically for 12 to 15-year-old students, incorporating the best of British history, culture and sport.




Why is ISCA unique?

ISCA gives its students a transformational, educational experience. Students will learn about British history and culture, whilst at the same time building relationships with their contemporaries from across the globe.

ISCA welcomes English-speaking school groups from all over the world, creating an immersive global experience that allows students to share their own cultures and form new global friendships.

At ISCA we believe in experiential learning. Not only do we explore lots of different sites, but we also provide each ISCA student with an activity booklet to complete during the summer camp. Learning is stimulated through collaborative working in interactive workshops and our ISCA Explorer course book, which contains a detailed history of every place we visit.

ISCA is All Inclusive

At ISCA we understand that whilst a school trip is rewarding and a crucial part of a student’s education, organising a trip is time consuming for teachers. That is why our programme is designed to give teachers support at all times – so you can have a great time too!

ISCA organise every part of the trip including flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, coach trips, site visits, entertainment and on-campus activities. Your booking process, promotional process and travel will be supported by ISCA. Once in the UK the ISCA Staff will fully manage the programme, you just have to accompany your students on the trips. Many of our overseas faculty return again and again because they recognise what a great programme an ISCA Summer really is.

ISCA carries Public Liability and Employer’s Liability insurance. We are also a member of Protected Trust Services. PTS holds parent funds in a trust account to ensure their money is secure and completely protected against the failure of the company and/or any of its suppliers.

Parents are strongly advised to take out additional travel insurance to include trip cancellation, trip interruption, loss of baggage and emergency medical cover. This should be arranged independently.

Two or Three-Week Summer Camp

For 2023 we are introducing flexibility to our programme. School groups can decide to join our two-week or three-week summer camp. Both courses begin on Monday 10 July, with most flights leaving your home airport on Sunday 9 July. Check out the full itinerary here.

I learnt so much about British culture and history, whilst having so much fun! I now even have friends in Brazil, Peru, and other parts of the States!

A Three-Day Cycle

Our summer camp follows the same structure throughout the programme. Two days off campus, followed by one day on campus.

ISCA Off Campus

During ISCA we always travel on private coaches from our campus to the best landmark sites, including:

  • Historic: Stonehenge, Roman Baths, Arundel Castle, Tower of London, HMS Victory, Houses of Parliament
  • Cultural: Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, River Thames, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
  • Modern: London Eye, Science Museum, see a West End Show

Check out The ISCA Explorer for a detailed look at the history of the sites we visit. Check out our full itinerary here.

ISCA On Campus

These very popular days give students a break from touring and allow them to participate in sports and activities, some they are familiar with and some they won’t have even heard of! Sports and activities include cricket, rugby, football, hockey, swimming, golf, art, squash, fives, tennis, drama, rounders, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, yoga & the ISCA Olympics.

Our Campus

As the popularity of the programme has increased, we now operate two campuses simultaneously during the three weeks.

School groups will be assigned to either our Charterhouse or Cranleigh campus. Both schools are among the most prestigious independent boarding schools in the UK and are renowned for their historic buildings, but equally for their fantastic modern facilities, making it an ideal place for students to have a brilliant summer camp experience.

Their countryside location, both around 35 miles south-west of London, gives us quick and easy access to many of the UK’s best historic and cultural sights.

The students learn independence and responsibility…they grow so much that they really do come back different kids

The ISCA Team

Our ISCA Faculty are chosen based on their experience working with this specific age group and on residential programmes. We have 1 teacher for every 5 students throughout the programme. Naturally, all of our staff are background checked and are given Safeguarding Training before the beginning of the summer camp.

41 Years’ Experience

Since 1982, ISCA has run residential camps for students aged 12 to 15-years-old. ISCA works with 32 schools from around the world who join us every July for our summer camps and also for a ten-day trip to Scotland over Hogmanay.

COVID-19

To provide you with peace of mind, we have put together a package of measures to give families security when booking with ISCA. This series of measures will ensure that the course can take place under existing regulations in the UK. Should the situation change by next summer we will update our measures, and inform you and your family of any changes.

Click here to read our full COVID-19 Policy.

Everything is taken care of, the travel, the accommodation, the friendships and the fun

Booking

ISCA organise every part of the trip, including return flights from your home airport. Each school will have a designated group leader. The school is responsible for handling all communication between ISCA and the parents/students. To become part of ISCA you would typically follow this process:

  1. Arrange a Zoom or in-person presentation for interested students and families at your school.
  2. Confirm your attendance. Each school will submit their final group number by 14 October 2022.
  3. Pay 30% deposit. Once ISCA has accepted your group, you will be sent a payment letter by your group leader. This will allow you to visit a secure link on the ISCA website and pay directly using a credit or debit card. A 30% deposit must be received by 31 October 2022.
  4. Before 31 March 2023. Parents will be sent a link to pay the remaining 70% balance.
  5. Tourist Visa. Students and group leaders who require a tourist visa should apply no later than April 2023.
  6. Sunday 9 July depart home country to travel to England for your ISCA experience!
New Schools

If you would like more information about an ISCA programme or are interested in raising a school group to attend ISCA Global, please contact the ISCA team via our contact form.

More than a summer camp

ISCA run optional online courses throughout the year. These are included for students signed up to the summer camp.

Online Student Courses
  • An Introduction to British History and Culture – February 2023 to April 2023 
  • A Global Christmas: Exploring Christmas Traditions in the UK and around the globe – December 2022
  • What to expect on an ISCA Programme – April/May 2023
  • The Great ISCA Bake Off – November 2022 to June 2023
Online Parent / Adult Courses

Not only do we provide complimentary online courses to our students, but also to our parents and families. At ISCA we believe that every member of the family should have access to high-quality culture courses. Throughout the year, we will offer parent courses on the following topics:

  • Introduction to England – from 1066 to 2023*
  • Introduction to Scotland*
  • The Monarchy
  • The British Parliament

*This course will also be available in Spanish

The ISCA Academy

Every year it is our privilege to welcome back former ISCA students to be part of the ISCA Faculty for the programme. Working under the close supervision of experienced ISCA Faculty, this opportunity allows students to gain valuable leadership and teaching experience. For more information click here.

Read the 2022 Blog Explore Our Campus The Itinerary