A summer of English in Ireland.
Our Junior Summer School welcomes students aged 13–17 from across Europe for English classes, real friendships and an unforgettable Irish summer — all in a safe, fully supervised environment.
Our Junior Summer School welcomes students aged 13–17 from across Europe for English classes, real friendships and an unforgettable Irish summer — all in a safe, fully supervised environment.
Each morning students attend English lessons in small classes — a maximum of 15 students per group — taught by our experienced teachers. Lessons run from 9:30am to 1:00pm, with 15 lessons every week.
Classes are built around the themes of Global Citizenship and Wellbeing, and welcome students from beginner (A2) right through to advanced (C1) level. After class, the real learning continues through afternoon and evening activities, excursions and daily life with a local host family.
The programme runs across two complementary strands — an English Language Module and a Social Activities Module — built around the same weekly themes, so language learning and social life reinforce each other. Lessons are 60 minutes long and run each morning between 9:30am and 1:00pm, giving students maximum opportunity to speak, build confidence and make friends from day one.
Students can join for two or three weeks, as individuals or as part of a group.
Students who have recently turned 18 may still join the junior programme via a sending organisation — contact info@foyle.eu for details.
2026 summer sessions
Foyle International is closed Monday 13 July 2026 for the 12th July holiday.
What's included
Every week includes five afternoon activities, two evening activities and a full-day weekend excursion — so students practise their English while discovering the very best of the north west of Ireland.
The Causeway Coast, Co. Antrim
A full day in the capital
Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland
Summer school lessons take place at the North West Regional College (NWRC), in the Tower Building on Strand Road, right in the heart of Derry city centre.
NWRC is one of Northern Ireland's largest further and higher education colleges, with modern, well-equipped classrooms and facilities. Its central location means students are only a short walk from the city centre, the River Foyle and Derry's historic walls — and easy to reach from homestay accommodation by foot or a short bus journey.
The wellbeing of every young student is our first priority. Our Junior Summer School is fully supervised, and parents and group leaders can rely on clear routines and the warm care of our staff and host families.
Students are supervised during lunch and throughout all afternoon and evening activities. Our staff make sure every student takes the correct bus home after activities.
Students aged 13–15 have a curfew of 9:30pm. Students aged 16, 17 and 18 have a curfew of 10:30pm. Any 18-year-old joining the Summer School follows junior rules throughout.
Students stay in vetted homestays within Derry. Most are within walking distance of the school, or a short 25–35 minute bus journey. Students aged 13+ travel independently by foot or bus, and these journeys are not supervised.
Weekly bus passes can be bought at Ulsterbus Foyle Street Bus Station, or arranged directly with Foyle International. Students must stay in contact with their host at all times so their host knows where they are.
Free time is limited and mainly falls in the evenings and on Sundays, controlled by the curfews above. All host families are vetted and approved by Foyle International, and our team provides support throughout each student's stay. You can read more about our accommodation on the accommodation page, and our full policies on the Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Accessibility pages.
Students under the age of 18 are considered minors, but we acknowledge differences between older and younger teenagers. We class 16 years and above as young adults, but still minors — they must still abide by school rules and curfew times, and we expect all parents to cooperate with these rules, regulations and curfew times.
During the Junior Summer School programme, we do occasionally accept students who have recently turned 18. In this case, those students follow the same rules as juniors.
In Northern Ireland, all staff who work with children and vulnerable adults are subject to a Criminal Disclosure check. All staff, teachers, mentors and homestays at Foyle have completed this check.
We have policies and procedures in place including:
Copies of these policies can be requested from info@foyle.eu. All staff working with children at Foyle communicate any welfare issues to the Safeguarding team, who ensure the matter is dealt with and recorded.
To ensure your child's safety and wellbeing during their studies and homestay experience at Foyle International, parents or legal guardians are required to disclose all relevant medical, psychological, dietary and mobility-related information before arrival — including any current medications, allergies, chronic conditions or support needs that staff or homestay hosts should be aware of.
Students are responsible for managing and securely storing their own medication. Homestays may include young children, so safe handling is essential.
All information is treated as confidential and shared only with relevant staff or hosts where necessary. Parents must also ensure their child has adequate medical and travel insurance to cover any required treatment. In case of a medical emergency, the school is authorised to seek appropriate care, and parents accept financial responsibility for any costs incurred.
The cost of the programme covers everything listed below. For bookings or any other queries, contact us directly at info@foyle.eu.
Price includes
Additional costs: special diets, local transport, airport transfer.
Tell us about your student or group and we'll get back to you with availability and next steps.
Make an enquiry →Prefer to ask directly? Email info@foyle.eu.
Places fill quickly each summer. Tell us about your student or your group, and we'll help you plan the perfect stay in Derry.