Arsenal Soccer Schools Summer 2020: Bookings Now Open

When Mikel Arteta walked back through the doors at London Colney in December, he brought something that had been missing for a while: clarity. Clear ideas about how Arsenal should play. Clear expectations of what the players should demand from themselves. Clear principles that run from the academy right through to the first team. The early results on the pitch have backed it up, and the shift in atmosphere around the club is unmistakable.

For the Arsenal Soccer Schools programme, that shift matters. Our coaching is built on the same development principles the club uses, so when the first team's approach evolves, ours does too. Summer 2020 bookings are now open, and this is shaping up to be one of our strongest years yet.

A new direction at Arsenal - and what it means for our camps

Arteta's appointment has given the whole club a lift. He came through the Arsenal academy himself, spent time learning from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and returned to north London with a clear vision of how he wants Arsenal to play. Possession with purpose. High pressing. Young players given responsibility rather than being sheltered from it.

That philosophy filters directly into the coaching our students receive. The Arsenal Soccer Schools programme is built on the same development principles used across the club, from the Hale End Academy all the way up to the first team. When Arsenal evolve their approach, so do we. This summer, the coaching sessions will reflect that modern, progressive style that Arteta is building at the Emirates.

It is an exciting time to be a young footballer who loves Arsenal.

Four venues across England

This summer we are running the programme at four outstanding boarding school campuses across the south of England:

Clayesmore in Dorset offers a beautiful rural setting with excellent sports facilities, including full-size grass pitches surrounded by rolling countryside. Worth School in West Sussex combines a stunning campus with top-quality playing surfaces and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Oundle School near Peterborough is one of the finest schools in the country, with pitches and indoor facilities that match its reputation. And Seaford College, also in West Sussex, sits in 400 acres of parkland with outstanding outdoor space.

Each venue provides everything a young footballer needs: quality pitches, comfortable boarding house accommodation, excellent catering, and the kind of environment where children feel safe, happy, and ready to learn.

Full details on dates and availability are on our dates and venues page.

What the programme includes

The Arsenal Soccer Schools residential camp is a fully immersive football and English language experience for boys and girls aged 9 to 17. Students come from over 60 countries, creating an international community that makes the whole experience richer.

Every weekday, your child receives three hours of professional football coaching delivered by qualified Arsenal Soccer Schools coaches. Sessions cover technical skills, tactical awareness, small-sided games, and full match play. The coaching is structured but never rigid, with plenty of room for creativity and individual expression on the ball.

For international students, the English and Football programme pairs the coaching with 15 hours of English language tuition per week. Classes are British Council accredited, taught in small groups, and designed to build genuine confidence in spoken and written English. By the end of two weeks, the improvement is noticeable.

Outside of coaching and classes, the programme includes evening activities, weekend excursions, and plenty of time to make friends from all over the world. Everything is included in the fee, from meals to accommodation to airport transfers. There are no hidden extras.

Why families come back year after year

We see the same names on our booking lists every summer, and that tells us more than any marketing statistic. Families return because their children have a brilliant time, come home more confident, and spend the following months asking when they can go back.

Part of it is the football. Training with Arsenal coaches in official kit, following the same methodology used at Hale End, gives young players something they simply cannot get at their local club. But it is bigger than that. The residential experience, the friendships across cultures, the independence that comes from spending a week or two away from home in a supportive environment, all of that matters just as much.

Parents tell us their children come back standing a little taller. More willing to try new things. More comfortable around people from different backgrounds. That is the part of the programme we are most proud of.

How to book

Places are already filling, and the most popular weeks tend to go first. If you have a preferred venue or date in mind, we would encourage you to book sooner rather than later.

You can book directly through our website, or get in touch if you have questions about which venue or programme would suit your child best. We are always happy to talk things through.

It is shaping up to be a special summer. Arteta is building something exciting at Arsenal, the coaching programme is stronger than ever, and our four venues are ready to welcome students from around the world. We cannot wait to get started.