Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Learn English in Bournemouth with Southbourne School
Southbourne School of English has been a family-run institution since its founding in 1966, dedicated to providing high-quality English language education to students from around the world. Located in the seaside town of Bournemouth, our school combines academic excellence with a welcoming environment, offering tailored courses for adults and juniors aged 9+. With over five decades of experience, we pride ourselves on our modern facilities, including interactive smartboards and air-conditioned classrooms, as well as our diverse student community representing over 40 nationalities. Our commitment to excellence is evidenced by our accreditations from the British Council, English UK, Quality English, and IALC. We offer comprehensive support including homestay accommodation, airport transfers, and a vibrant social programme featuring excursions to iconic UK destinations.Our team of experienced educators and staff ensure students receive personalized attention while fostering a multicultural atmosphere that promotes both language acquisition and cultural exchange. The school's proximity to award-winning beaches and local amenities enhances the learning experience, making Bournemouth an ideal location for studying English. Through our structured courses and extracurricular activities, we help students achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals while creating lasting memories and international connections.
Services
Adult English Courses
Junior English Courses
Cambridge Exam Preparation
One-to-One Tuition
Summer Language Programmes
Homestay Accommodation
Airport Transfers
Cultural Activities
Exam Preparation
Language Immersion
Details
- Year established: 1966
Highlights and features
- Family-run school with 58 years of experience in English language education
- Located just 10 minutes from award-winning Southbourne Beach
- Accredited by British Council, English UK, and International Association of Language Centres
- Offers homestay accommodation with local families within 30-minute walk of school
- Provides varied activity programme including excursions to London and Oxford
Associations and certifications
- British Council
- English UK
- Quality English
- IALC
- LanguageCert
What people say
AMAZING trip
Best school
Friendly staff
Beautiful beach nearby
Excellent learning opportunities
Services
Adult English Courses
Our Adult English Courses cater to students aged 15+ with General English (15 hours/week) and Intensive English (21 hours/week) options. Courses focus on developing all language skills through interactive lessons using smartboard technology. Students benefit from small class sizes (max 14 students), experienced teachers, and a structured curriculum aligned with CEFR standards. The programme includes preparation for real-world communication scenarios and cultural immersion activities.
Junior English Courses
Designed for students aged 9-15, our Junior English Courses combine morning language lessons with afternoon activities. The curriculum emphasizes communicative skills through project-based learning while ensuring age-appropriate content. Courses include full board homestay accommodation and supervised excursions. Safety is prioritized with 24/7 staff support and regular progress monitoring to ensure effective language development in a fun, engaging environment.
Cambridge Exam Preparation
Specialized Cambridge Exam Preparation courses prepare students for B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) exams through intensive 4-week programmes. The curriculum focuses on exam techniques, practice tests, and targeted skill development. With experienced examiners as instructors and a proven track record of high pass rates, students receive comprehensive preparation including mock exams, personalized feedback, and strategy sessions to build confidence and achieve desired scores.
Homestay Accommodation
Our carefully selected homestay accommodation provides students with immersive cultural experiences. All host families are within 30 minutes of the school and undergo rigorous vetting. Accommodation includes breakfast and dinner Monday-Friday, full board weekends. Hosts receive regular training to ensure quality standards. This option promotes language practice outside the classroom while offering comfortable, family-oriented living environments that enhance the overall study experience.
Cultural Activities
The comprehensive social programme includes weekly excursions to iconic UK destinations like London, Oxford, and Bath, plus local attractions such as Christchurch and Hengistbury Head. Daily activities and evening events foster international friendships while reinforcing language learning through practical experiences. The programme is designed to complement classroom instruction, providing real-world context for language practice in authentic cultural settings.
People
Paul Gallina
Owner / Managing Director
Paul Gallina, third-generation director of Southbourne School of English, oversees operations with 25 years of experience in language education. He maintains the family tradition of excellence established by his grandfather in 1966, focusing on quality teaching and student welfare. Paul ensures the school maintains its high standards while adapting to modern educational needs.
Kathryn
Principal
Kathryn, the school's principal, brings extensive experience in English language teaching and curriculum development. With over 20 years in international education, she leads the academic team in delivering high-quality instruction aligned with current pedagogical standards. Her leadership ensures consistent quality across all courses while maintaining the school's welcoming, student-centred approach.
Questions
What English courses do you offer?
We offer General English (15 hours/week), Intensive English (21 hours/week), Cambridge Exam Preparation (FCE/CAE), One-to-One Tuition, and Summer Courses for adults (16+) and juniors (9-15).
Are you accredited by official bodies?
Yes, we're accredited by British Council, English UK, IALC, Quality English, and LanguageCert - ensuring the highest standards in English language teaching.
What's included in homestay accommodation?
Our homestays include breakfast and dinner Monday-Friday, full board weekends, and are with vetted local families within 30 minutes of the school.
Do you provide airport transfers?
Yes, we arrange supervised Heathrow airport transfers for summer courses and private taxi transfers from all UK airports at additional cost.
What activities are available?
We offer weekly excursions to London/Oxford, local trips to Christchurch/Hengistbury Head, plus daily social activities and sports within our comprehensive cultural programme.
How long has the school been operating?
Southbourne School of English has been family-run since 1966, providing English courses for over 58 years with generations of experience in language education.
Reviews (4)
Feruza Talipova
Oct 15, 2021
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Me and my brother studied there in 2017, it is an amazing school, we both had great hosts and unforgettable experience. I'm glad the school still exists, great job Southbourne!!
Sarah P.
Jul 21, 2019
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Avoid at all costs, school does not deal with incidents and would rather move student. Also when notifying school student had damaged my door (costing me 300) she just laughed! Would give no stars if I had the option
Rin Kuro
Jan 09, 2019
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What a long time when i have been in southbourn school of english it was good memories and good times maybe it's the best 11 weeks in my life when i was there and i got to meet good friends when i saw all the pictures i just want to cry but i can't. i'm always dreaming coming back to southbourne maybe this year i will back maybe not
Milkey ZFreshMilk Yyy
Aug 08, 2018
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Cheers from Italy. Miss this place so much. Wish I could get yelled at by the staff for smoking a cig again. Jokes aside, very good language school. Also learned the meaning of "quaint"
