Once the summer school is booked, the practical preparation begins. Most of it is straightforward, but a few items, especially the visa and the consent documents, have fixed timings and cannot be left to the last week.
Use this checklist as a starting point, and follow the summer school's own joining instructions alongside it, since every centre has its own forms and rules.
Three months before: the visa
Turkish nationals need a visa for any visit to the UK, and a child on a short English course usually applies for a Standard Visitor visa. As of October 2026, GOV.UK says:
- the earliest you can apply is three months before travel
- you usually get a decision within three weeks, once you have applied, attended your visa application centre appointment and provided your documents
- the fee for a Standard Visitor visa of up to six months is £135
For a course starting in July, that means planning the application for April or May. Check the current fee and rules on GOV.UK before you apply, as they can change. Our guide to UK student visas covers the different routes. YES can help you plan the timing, but we do not give legal advice.
Documents for a child travelling without parents
GOV.UK explains that a child travelling without a parent needs written consent from a parent or guardian, the parent's full contact details, and proof of suitable accommodation, including the host's name and date of birth, the address, their relationship to the child and their written agreement. For a summer school, the centre's acceptance and accommodation letter usually covers the last point, so ask the centre what it provides.
If your child needs a visa and will travel with an adult, such as a group leader, that adult must be named in the visa application; up to two adults can be named. Prepare a folder with:
- a passport valid for the whole stay
- the visa and the school's acceptance letter
- the signed parental consent letter with your contact details
- the school's address and 24-hour emergency number
- travel insurance documents
- copies of everything, kept separately, plus photos on your phone
Documents that are not in English need certified translations for the visa application. Airlines also have their own rules and fees for children flying alone, so check with your airline before you book flights.
Six weeks before: health and insurance
Visitors to England can use A&E free of charge, but hospital treatment is generally chargeable for people who are not ordinarily resident in the UK, and the NHS advises short-term visitors to have personal medical insurance. Check whether the school's package includes insurance and what it covers; if not, arrange travel insurance with medical cover.
- Complete the school's medical and consent forms fully, including allergies and dietary needs.
- Pack regular medicines in hand luggage, with enough for the whole stay.
- Some medicines, including certain ADHD medicines, contain controlled drugs. GOV.UK says to carry these in hand luggage with a letter signed by the prescriber, showing your child's name, the travel dates and the medicines with their amounts, doses and strength.
- Prepare a short summary of any medical condition in English.
Money and phone
Ask the school how much pocket money it recommends and how money is kept safe; some centres look after money for younger students. For teenagers, a prepaid card plus a small amount of cash in pounds sterling is usually easier than carrying a lot of cash. Check your mobile plan for roaming charges, and agree in advance when you will call. The UK uses three-pin plugs, so pack an adapter.
One week before: packing
British summers are changeable, so pack layers rather than a suitcase of summer clothes. A typical list:
- a waterproof jacket and a warm jumper
- comfortable walking shoes and trainers for sport
- clothes for about a week, as many centres offer laundry (check the joining instructions)
- swimwear, sports kit and a towel if the school asks for one
- a refillable water bottle, sun cream and a small day backpack
- a small gift from Türkiye for the host family, if your child is staying in a homestay
- name labels on everything
Leave expensive jewellery, valuable electronics and anything irreplaceable at home. Before departure, go through the centre's rules with your child, including the phone policy and the evening curfew. For a picture of the routine your child is packing for, see our article on a day at a UK summer school.
How YES can help
We know the weeks before departure can feel busy, especially before a first trip. Families who plan their summer school with YES can ask us practical questions in Turkish or English along the way. Find out more about our English summer school service or contact us.
Questions families ask
When should we apply for the visa for a July course?
The earliest you can apply is three months before travel, and GOV.UK says a decision usually takes up to three weeks. For a July course, plan to apply in April or May.
Does the consent letter need to be notarised?
GOV.UK asks for written consent from a parent or guardian and their full contact details, but it does not set a template. Ask the summer school and your airline whether they have their own requirements, and have any document that is not in English translated.
How much pocket money should my child take?
Ask the school for its recommendation, as it depends on age, length of stay and what the package already includes. A prepaid card with a little cash is usually easier to manage than a large amount of cash.
Sources and further reading
This article is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change; always check the official sources before you apply.
