Discover what makes Academic Summer stand out among UK summer camps. Francisco Bustos reflects on the values, culture and educational approach that set this family-run summer school apart from large-scale operators.
In a competitive landscape filled with marketing slogans and big-name operators, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters in a summer camp. After nearly a decade working with Academic Summer and many more in the industry, I’ve come to appreciate just how rare it is to find a programme that combines academic rigour, cultural immersion and genuine care for every student. That’s what makes Academic Summer different.
The company is not driven by scale or investment returns. Academic Summer is a family-run organisation, led by educators, not executives. The CEO, Helen Lami knows every corner of the operation from the airport arrivals lounge to the classrooms in Westminster, London City and Sidcot School. When students arrive jet-lagged or nervous, they’re met by people who actually know their names. That kind of presence isn’t something you can automate or outsource.
Over the years, I’ve watched the UK summer school market change. Some programmes that once stood for personal, bespoke learning have been absorbed into larger corporate education groups. The focus shifts quickly from the individual experience to wider strategies – optimising student numbers, scaling operations and securing returns. There’s often a disconnect between the marketing promise and the on-the-ground reality.
Academic Summer, has always chosen a different path. They don’t make exaggerated claims or try to sell an academic fantasy. Instead, they deliver a grounded, enriching experience that prepares students for the future, whether that’s A Levels, the IB or university life. Using the CLIL methodology (Content and Language Integrated Learning) means students improve their English while studying real academic subjects like Science, Business and Creative Writing.
Academic Summer also understands the balance between education and tourism. Students love the idea of summer in London, but the depth of experience goes far beyond selfies at Big Ben. Whether it’s exploring leadership at David Game College or enjoying the peaceful countryside at Sidcot, every location is chosen with purpose. Some families send their children to these campuses specifically because they’re considering UK boarding schools. They want their children to experience the environment first-hand, and they often return in September as full-time students.
Of course, Academic Summer also includes iconic destinations like Oxford and Cambridge in student excursions. No summer school can promise that visiting these universities will guarantee admission. Certainly Academic Summer doesn’t. What they do offer is authentic academic growth, confidence building and a global network of friendships.
I’ve stood at countless airport terminals with the Academic Summer team, lugging trolleys, comforting anxious teens, talking to parents in different time zones. These moments are reminders of what really counts. A summer camp shouldn’t just be a brand. It should be a community. That’s what Helen Lami has built at Academic Summer, and it’s why students keep coming back year after year.
If you want your child to be known, challenged and inspired, then Academic Summer is the right place. It’s a camp where education and adventure meet, genuinely, not just as a tagline.
Francisco Bustos is a seasoned education professional with over 20 years of experience in the international education and the summer school sector. He has worked with leading organisations across the UK and Europe, specialising in student recruitment and developing new markets. Up until 31 January 2025, he served as a senior team member at Academic Summer, contributing to the company’s growth and reputation for excellence. Francisco was also the Director of Studies for Academic Summer’s Westminster Camp at DLD College, London.
