Southbourne School of English

Study, socialise, and experience unforgettable English programmes on the south coast at Southbourne School of English

Running for 60 years in 2026, our English school is one of the oldest in Bournemouth, with a proud family tradition of excellence in English teaching and programmes over three generations. We have welcomed tens of thousands of students since 1966, providing English courses for both adults and juniors year-round.

Ideally located by an award-winning beach which is just a 10-minute walk from our school, our local area is vibrant but the residential area that our English school is in is quiet and safe. The nearby high street is full of life, with many independent cafes, bars and restaurants. The Southbourne community, referred to as SOBO, is small but has a big heart and is very welcoming to international students.

We have 20 classrooms all fitted with interactive smartboards and air conditioning units, a spacious student lounge with table football, table tennis and comfortable seating. Free Wi-Fi throughout the school and garden. A large student café serving fresh hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks. A listening centre equipped with a wide selection of graded reading material to suit all English levels, a multi-faith prayer room, and a pleasant front garden with sunshades and benches.

  • School size: Medium
  • Class size for Junior programs: 16
  • Age Group: Adults (15+), Juniors (9+)
  • Class size for Juniors: 16
  • Levels: All levels welcome, including those with no prior knowledge
  • Accommodations: Homestay

Highlights

  • High-quality English programmes for adults and juniors offered year round
  • Ideally located in a quiet, safe residential area, a 5-minute walk to the local high street and a 10-minute walk to the award-winning Southbourne beach
  • We have a wide nationality mix with students from all over the world
  • All homestays are within walking distance or a short bus journey from the school

Programmes Offered

We offer a wide range of English courses in Bournemouth for different age groups and English levels.

  • Adult English Courses for students aged 15+
  • Junior English Courses for students aged 9+ (students who require homestay must be 10+)

Our English courses include:

General English (15 hours per week)

Our General English course includes 3 hours of morning lessons in a classroom setting of up to 16 students (average of 12), from Monday to Friday. In these lessons, the teacher helps students build on the four language skills - writing, reading, speaking and listening - as we all as a focus on grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

Intensive English (21 hours per week)

Our Intensive English course also includes 3 hours of morning lessons from Monday to Friday, with an additional 1.5 hours in the afternoon from Monday to Thursday, totalling 21 hours per week. The lessons focussing on the same as our General English course, with an additional 6 hours of negotiated syllabus.

Cambridge English Exam Courses

Cambridge English Exam Courses such as B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE), 21 hours of English per week, available on fixed dates for 4 weeks

One-to-one English (1+ hours)

Our one-to-one English lessons provide a private learning environment for you to improve your English, specifically to your needs. You can book these lessons with our experienced teachers and give them information about what topics or subjects you would like to focus on, so that they can prepare for your lessons together. This allows you to get the most out of your English lessons and achieve what you’re aiming for!

Summer General English for adults with activity programme (Age 16+)

Our Summer General English with the activity programme combines our quality General English course with a fun, varied activity programme suited to students over the age of 16. This course includes 15 hours of tuition per week, with local trips, half day trips, full day excursions, evening activities, and other optional extras!

Summer English for juniors with activity programme (Age 9-15)

Our Summer English with the activity programme combines our quality English course with a fun, varied activity programme suited to students between the ages of 9 and 15. This course includes 15 hours of tuition per week, with local trips, half day trips, full day excursions, evening activities, and other optional extras!

Low Season Group English courses (Age 10+)

Our low season group English courses are available outside of summer. These are highly tailored, highly flexible English programmes, suited to any group requirements. Groups can request as much or as little in their programme, to suit a wide range of budgets, whilst still receiving the same high-quality tuition in our school.

Summer Group English courses (Age 10+)

During the summer, we have our very popular summer group programme which includes a package of English tuition, activities, excursions, return airport transfers, homestay accommodation, all available from 7 nights, 14 nights, 21 nights or 27 nights!

Contact

Contact School

Our homestay accommodation is carefully selected by our in-house Accommodation Officer. All our host families are within walking distance or a short bus journey from the school and any host families hosting under 18’s must pass a police/DBS check. Over 18’s are guaranteed a single room year-round, and 16/17-year-olds often receive a single room during low season. During summer, under 18-year-olds will likely share with students of a similar age, same gender and different nationality.

  • Homestay

The school is in a quiet residential suburb of Bournemouth, called Southbourne, which offers so much to do and see. Take a five-minute walk from the school to Southbourne high street, where you can explore a unique selection of independent cafés and boutique-style shops.

From the high street, you can take a walk through the wooded Fisherman’s Walk nature trail that leads all the way to the clifftops of Southbourne beach. A short stroll down the zig zag path and you will arrive at this award-winning Blue Flag status beach.

There are 7 miles of sandy beaches to explore along this coastline. Walking 1.5 miles east, you will arrive at Hengistbury Head – a scenic headland home to over 500 plant species and 300 types of birds. 3 miles west of Southbourne beach is Bournemouth Beach – voted the 20th Best Beach in the World by TripAdvisor in 2025.
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Exams

We offer a variety of Cambridge English Examination preparation courses for students at different levels. Preparation time for the examinations take 4 weeks. These lengths differ depending on the exam you choose.
As well as learning in class, we give students regular homework, examination counselling and a mock examination during your course. We also like to make sure you sit the right exam for your ability.

B2 First (Formerly FCE)
The B2 First course is the most widely taken examination, used to demonstrate the effective use of English.

  • Recognised worldwide and suitable for professional purposes.
  • Course duration is 4 weeks.
  • Course includes 21 hours of tuition per week.
  • Suitable for upper-intermediate level students. (B2)

B2 First (Formerly FCE) during high season
The B2 First summer course is only available in August.

  • 21 hours per week.
  • Exam preparation.
  • Vocabulary input and speaking practice through local trips.
    Please note suitable for upper-intermediate (CEF B2 level) students only.

C1 Advanced (Formerly CAE)
The C1 Advanced exam is becoming one of the most important Cambridge exams, especially for career purposes and UK university entry.

  • Course duration is 4 weeks.
  • Course includes 21 hours of tuition per week.
  • Suitable for advanced level students. (C1)

More Features

Testimonials

My stay at this school has been much more than just learning English. It has been an unforgettable experience.

I’ve made a lot of progress, but I’ve also grown as a person. The school allowed me to discover new cultures and understand different mindsets. It enriched me far beyond just the language.

I’ve made friends from three continents who have become true friends, and I’ll visit them in their countries.

I was also fortunate to be with an exceptional host family, who has become like a second family to me, and it will be very difficult to leave them here.

The teachers, the management, the academic, accommodation, welfare and office team, the cooks, and the activity leader are not only highly skilled, but also incredibly kind, caring, and always ready to help us based on our needs. They truly want us to succeed and are always there for the students, which has greatly helped me progress. I appreciate them both as professionals and as human beings. They create a wonderful atmosphere.

I’ve really made a lot of progress in English! Before, my English wasn’t very good, but now I can have a conversation with anyone. Now, I want to speak English all the time and I’m loving the language more and more.

I’ve become so attached to so many people here, and saying goodbye is not easy. I’m going to miss you all so much! Thank you for everything!

Charlotte Switzerland

I highly recommend to study in Southbourne School of English.

I stayed here for about 8 months, and I had a really good time.

The teachers are perfect, the school staff are very kind. Not only the knowledge of English, but I also learnt a lot of things that I can’t experience in my country. I really appreciate all people who involved with this school. Also, my host family was absolutely amazing. I’ve got a lot of unforgettable memories with them.

 

Kino Japan

I want to thank the school for all the dedication and for making me feel at home. I appreciate everything my teachers and the school have taught me for helping me improve my level in English every day, I have been able to meet incredible people throughout this time and I am very sure that everything will continue to be wonderful.

Nicolas Colombia

It was a very exciting time for me, but also a big challenge. I felt completely at home in the class and I had a teacher Michael, who showed me that you can learn a lot with humour. And with Nigel we had a lot of good topics.

The school was like a big family for me. Every student was addressed by name, it was very personal and I felt very comfortable.

I would do these three weeks again at any time and I am grateful for the lovely friendships that have developed with people from all over the world.

I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart and please send warm greetings to everyone.

Simona Switzerland

How can I describe such a wonderful experience as the one I was able to live at this school! I am happy with all the people I was able to meet and they made my stay wonderful and unforgettable. I can only thank everyone who makes up the school, they are all excellent people. And to my host family who made me feel at home, thank you, thank you and thank you. I will always carry you all in my heart!

Mateo Argentina

Southbourne English School is very good. The teachers are very experienced and friendly. The food in the canteen is great. It’s an advantage that the school is close to the center. Another advantage is that there are not too many students in the class. Thank you to the entire school team.

Canev Turkey

A place that is worth a piece of your heart. I believe that what makes an experience unforgettable is that special moment when you realise that a new place feels like home, no matter how far you really are from it. This is simply what I have felt right here; like I’m in a large family, with a multicultural atmosphere.

Riccardo Italy
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