Three Brilliant Weeks of Tennis with British Summer School
The first three weeks of our summer camps with British Summer School have given us plenty to celebrate.
Across Worth, Uppingham and Oundle schools, we have had the pleasure of working with enthusiastic students from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. They have trained hard, supported one another and approached every session with energy, even during an extreme heatwave.
It has been a fantastic start to this new collaboration between Active Away and British Summer School. We are proud of what the students, coaches and centre teams have achieved so far, and we are really looking forward to delivering the rest of the camps.
A fantastic start at three impressive schools
Worth, Uppingham and Oundle have each provided a brilliant setting for the opening weeks of our programme.
Every centre has had its own character, but the goal has remained the same: to give students enjoyable, purposeful tennis sessions where they can improve their skills, grow in confidence and connect with other young people.
From the first day, the students have embraced that opportunity. They have arrived on court ready to listen, learn and take part. Whether they were experienced players or still developing the fundamentals of their game, they brought a positive attitude to each session.
That willingness to get involved has allowed our coaching teams to create sessions that are active, inclusive and rewarding. The focus has not simply been on hitting more tennis balls. It has been on helping every student make progress while enjoying the experience of training as part of a group.
Seeing that progress across all three schools has been one of the biggest highlights of the summer so far.
Working hard through the heatwave
There is no getting away from it: the weather has been extremely hot.
The heatwave has made conditions challenging, particularly during active sessions on court. Despite that, the students have continued to work incredibly hard.
Their effort and resilience have been impressive. They have listened carefully to their coaches, stayed engaged and kept trying, even when the temperature made every drill and movement more demanding.
Of course, working safely in the heat has been a priority throughout. Sessions have been managed carefully, with regular opportunities for students to rest, drink and recover. The aim has always been to create a positive learning environment without losing sight of everyone’s wellbeing.
Within those carefully managed sessions, the students have shown real determination. They have kept moving, competing and encouraging their teammates. They have also learned an important lesson that applies far beyond tennis: you do not need perfect conditions to make progress.
Sometimes, improvement comes from staying patient, adapting to the situation and continuing to do the simple things well.
The attitude shown by the students during the heatwave deserves real recognition. It would have been easy for energy levels to drop, but they continued to show up and give their best. That commitment has made the first three weeks particularly memorable for our coaches.
Students from around the world, working together
One of the most rewarding parts of these camps has been the variety of students taking part.
We have welcomed Brazilian, French, Italian and Czech students, alongside young people from other backgrounds. Each student has brought something different to the programme, from their personality and experiences to the way they communicate and approach a challenge.
Tennis has given everyone a shared focus.
On court, students need to cooperate, communicate and support each other. They practise together, compete together and learn together. Language and cultural differences quickly become less important when everyone is working towards the same goal.
That has created a lively and welcoming atmosphere at Worth, Uppingham and Oundle. Students who may not have known one another at the start of camp have trained side by side, celebrated good shots and helped each other through difficult drills.
These connections are a valuable part of the experience. Improving a serve or becoming more confident at the net matters, but so does learning how to work with new people. The camps give students the chance to develop both their tennis and the personal skills that come from being part of an international group.
Respect, teamwork and encouragement have been visible throughout the opening weeks. It has been brilliant to see students from different countries sharing the court and enjoying the game together.
Progress comes from the small things
The first three weeks have also reminded us that improvement is usually built through many small actions.
It might be listening closely to one piece of coaching advice. It might be recovering quickly after a missed shot, choosing a safer target or encouraging a partner after a difficult point. It might simply be arriving at the next session ready to try again.
These moments add up.
Our coaches have seen students become more comfortable on court, more willing to take part and more confident in their decision making. Some improvements have been technical, while others have come through better movement, communication or concentration.
Not every shot needs to be perfect. What matters is staying involved, responding positively and being prepared to learn. That has been especially important during the hot weather, when patience and focus have often made the biggest difference.
We want every student to leave the programme feeling that they have achieved something. For one player, that might mean developing a more reliable serve. For another, it might mean understanding court positioning or feeling confident enough to join a competitive activity.
Progress looks different for everyone. Our job is to help each student take their next step and enjoy doing it.
A huge thank you to the centre managers
Delivering camps across three schools requires a great deal of work away from the tennis court.
We would like to say a sincere thank you to all the centre managers at Worth, Uppingham and Oundle for their hard work on site.
Their organisation, communication and day to day support have played an important role in the success of the first three weeks. During an unusually demanding period of hot weather, that support has been particularly valuable.
Centre managers help keep each camp moving. They respond to questions, coordinate people and activities, and solve the practical challenges that naturally arise during busy summer programmes. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt by every coach and student.
We have really appreciated the positive working relationships that have developed across the three centres. The willingness of everyone to communicate and work together has helped us focus on delivering the best possible tennis experience for the students.
Thank you to every centre manager for the time, care and energy you have given so far. Your contribution has made a genuine difference.
Thank you to our coaching teams
We would also like to recognise the Active Away coaches who have delivered the sessions across Worth, Uppingham and Oundle.
Coaching in extreme heat requires careful planning, flexibility and constant awareness. Our teams have adapted their sessions to the conditions while keeping students active, involved and motivated.
They have worked hard to understand the needs of different groups and ability levels. They have also created an environment where students can ask questions, make mistakes and continue learning without feeling under pressure to be perfect.
Good coaching is about more than demonstrating a technique. It is about helping people understand what to do next and giving them the confidence to try it. Our coaches have brought that approach to every camp, combining clear instruction with plenty of encouragement.
Their enthusiasm has helped students stay engaged throughout the programme, and we are grateful for the professionalism and care they have shown.
Building a strong relationship with British Summer School
These camps represent an exciting collaboration between Active Away and British Summer School.
The opening three weeks have shown what can be achieved when two teams share a clear goal and work closely together. British Summer School has brought together a diverse international community of students, while Active Away has provided structured tennis sessions designed to help those students participate, improve and enjoy their time on court.
We are delighted with how the partnership has started.
Strong working relationships are built through communication, trust and consistent delivery. The first three weeks have given both teams an excellent foundation, and we hope this will become a long lasting relationship between Active Away and British Summer School.
There is still plenty more to come this summer, but it has been encouraging to see the programme begin so positively. We are excited about the opportunity to keep building on what we have learned and continue delivering rewarding tennis experiences for the students.
Looking forward to the rest of the camps
Although it is important to celebrate the first three weeks, our attention is already turning to the camps ahead.
We are really looking forward to returning to court, meeting more students and continuing our work alongside the British Summer School team. Every new group brings different abilities, personalities and experiences, and that is part of what makes these programmes so enjoyable to deliver.
Our focus for the rest of the camps will remain clear. We want students to feel welcome, work hard and leave the court with greater confidence in their game. We also want them to enjoy training with people from different countries and experience the teamwork, resilience and friendships that tennis can encourage.
If the opening weeks are anything to go by, there will be plenty more energy, progress and memorable moments to come.
A summer to be proud of
The first three weeks at Worth, Uppingham and Oundle have been an excellent start.
The students have worked remarkably hard through an extreme heatwave. Brazilian, French, Italian, Czech and other nationalities have trained together, supported each other and shown how sport can bring people together. Our coaches have delivered engaging sessions in challenging conditions, and the centre managers have worked tirelessly to support each programme on site.
To every student, coach, centre manager and member of the British Summer School team involved so far: thank you.
We are proud of what has already been achieved, excited to deliver the remaining camps and hopeful that this is only the beginning of a long and successful relationship between Active Away and British Summer School.