Your Summer Programme
Welcome to Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC). During your stay in Wales you will improve your English, experience a range of sessions delivered by our specialist lecturers, explore Welsh culture and history, and visit some of the UK's most famous destinations.
Chongming Summer School 2026
Programme Information
Programme Dates
Sunday 2nd August – Sunday 16th August 2026
Students: 23
Accompanying Teachers: 3
Total Participants: 26
Accommodation
Cardiff: Bridgestreet Exchange
London: Holiday Inn London Regent's Park
Sunday 2nd August – Arrival in the UK ✈️
7:00AM
Arrive at London Gatwick Airport
After collecting your luggage and passing through immigration, Younas will meet you in the Arrivals Hall.
🚌 Private Coach Transfer to Cardiff
Travel by private coach to Cardiff.
🏨 Check in at Bridgestreet Exchange
Collect your room keys, settle into your accommodation and prepare for your first day in Cardiff.
14:00PM
Sunday afternoon, Nia will meet you at your accommodation reception area and you will walk around Cardiff City Centre and Bute Park. An introduction to the City.
Dinner - 17.45PM at Tonkotsu Cardiff
Monday 3rd August – Welcome to Cardiff and Vale College
Schedule
9:00am: Meet Trish at Reception at Bridgestreet Accommodation
9:30am 🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
10:00am–12:00pm
Welcome to Cardiff and Vale College
📍 Boardroom
4th Floor
City Centre Campus
Meet the International Team and officially begin your Summer School.
During the session you will:
Welcome from Ben, Trish & Rich
Introduction to Cardiff and Vale College
Programme overview
Health and Safety
Student welfare information
Expectations throughout your stay
Question and answer session
12:00pm
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
1:00pm 🚶 Walk to Castle
Meet Alex and Chloe at the City Centre Campus reception.
2:00pm
🏰 Cardiff Castle
Enjoy a guided tour of one of Wales' most famous castles.
The group will be divided into two smaller groups.
4:45pm
Walk to Pho Cardiff.
5:00pm
🍜 Dinner
Tuesday 4th August – English & St Fagans
Schedule
8:30am🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
8:55am
🚶 Walk to Rooms 310 & 312.
9:00am–12:00pm
📚 English Language
📍 Room 5
Develop your English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through interactive lessons.
12:00pm
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
12:50pm
Meet Alex at the City Centre Campus reception for the coach.
1:00pm
🚌 Coach departs for St Fagans National Museum of History.
1:30pm–4:15pm
🏡 Visit St Fagans National Museum of History
Explore one of Europe's leading open-air museums.
Discover Welsh history through historic buildings, traditional crafts and beautiful countryside.
4:30pm
🚌 Coach returns to Bridgestreet Exchange.
5:30pm
Walk to Pizza Express.
5:45pm
🍕 Dinner
Pizza Express (High Street)
High Street, Cardiff
Your group meal has been pre-ordered.
Wednesday 5th August – English & Cardiff Bay
Schedule
8:30am🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
8:55am
🚶 Walk to Room 5
9:00am–12:00pm
📚 English Language
📍 Room 5
Teacher: Nicky
Continue developing your communication skills through practical classroom activities.
12:00pm
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
1:00pm
Walk to Cardiff Bay with Alex and Nia
1:30pm
Arrive at the Senedd.
2:00pm
🏛️ Visit the Senedd
Discover the home of the Welsh Parliament and learn about Welsh democracy and government.
3:00pm
Free time around Cardiff Bay before the boat tour.
4:00pm
🚤 Princess Katherine Boat Tour
Enjoy a relaxing cruise around Cardiff Bay before returning near Bute Park.
5:30pm
Walk to Tonkotsu
5:45pm
Dinner
Tonkotsu
Thursday 6th August – Science & Barry Island
Schedule
8:30am🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
8:55am
🚶 Walk to the Science Laboratories. (247 and 252)
9:00am–12:00pm
🧪 Science Workshops
Students will rotate between two practical workshops during the morning.
Chemistry
👩🏫 Lecturer: Edel Hanlon
📍 Room 252
Physics
👨🏫 Lecturer: David Morris
📍 Room 221
12:00pm
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
12:45pm
Meet Alex and Younas at the City Centre Campus reception.
1:00pm
🚌 Coach departs for Barry Island
Afternoon
🏖️ Visit to Barry Island
Enjoy an afternoon exploring one of South Wales' most popular seaside destinations.
Students will have time to:
Walk along the promenade.
Visit the beach.
Explore local shops.
Enjoy traditional British seaside culture.
Have Fish and Chips for Dinner
Please remember to bring:
A refillable water bottle
Suitable clothing for the weather
Weather alternative
If the weather is unsuitable, the afternoon visit will instead take place at National Museum Cardiff.
5:30pm
🚌 Coach departs Barry Island.
Return to Bridgestreet Exchange.
Friday 7th August – Science & Principality Stadium
Schedule
8:30am🍳 Breakfast Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
8:55am
🚶 Walk to the Science Laboratories.
9:00am–12:00pm
🧪 Science Workshops
Continue rotating between the Chemistry and Physics workshops.
Chemistry
👩🏫 Edel Hanlon
📍 Room 252
Physics
👨🏫 David Morris
📍 Room 221
12:00pm
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
1:15pm
Walk to Principality Stadium with Alex and Younas.
1:45pm
Arrive at the stadium.
2:00pm
🏉 Principality Stadium Tour
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the home of Welsh rugby and International music and sporting events.
The guided tour lasts approximately one hour.
4 pm Tonkotsu.
Saturday 8th August
Schedule
Packed Breakfast
🍳 Breakfast
Collect your packed breakfast from your kitchen at Bridgestreet Exchange before departure.
7:50am
Meet Chloe and Nia at Bridgestreet Exchange reception.
8:00am
🚌 Coach departs for Oxford
Drop-off point:
Ashmolean Museum
12:00pm
🚶 Guided Walking Tour of Oxford
Meet tour guide at 16 Broad Street, Oxford at 12pm.
Tour Guide: Yolanda
Two hour tour including entrance to the New College.
🏛️ New College - Explore one of Oxford University's oldest colleges, famous for its beautiful architecture and as a filming location for the Harry Potter films.
Lunch
🥪 Costa Lunch Voucher
Students may purchase lunch using their Costa voucher.
Free Time
Enjoy time exploring Oxford city centre with Cardiff and Vale College staff.
5:00pm
🚌 Coach departs Oxford and drops off at Holiday Inn.
Approximately 8:00pm
Arrive back in Cardiff.
8:30pm
🍽️ Dinner
Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre
Sunday 9th August – Bath
Schedule
Packed Breakfast
🍳 Breakfast
Collect your packed breakfast from your kitchen at Bridgestreet Exchange before departure.
8:50am
Meet Younas and Maysoon at Bridgestreet Exchange reception.
9:00am
🚌 Coach departs for Bath
Approximately 11:00am
Arrive in Bath.
Morning & Afternoon
🏛️ Explore the City of Bath
Enjoy a visit around one of Britain's most beautiful historic cities.
Highlights include:
Bath Abbey
Pulteney Bridge
The Royal Crescent
The Circus
Historic city centre
Lunch
🥪 Costa Lunch Voucher
Students may purchase lunch using their Costa voucher.
Free Time
Enjoy time exploring Bath with Cardiff and Vale College.
4:00pm
🚌 Coach departs Bath.
Arrive at Holiday Inn for dinner.
5:45pm
🍽️ Dinner
Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre
Monday 10th August – Engineering & Traditional Welsh Afternoon Tea
Schedule
8:00am🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
Please note that breakfast is earlier than usual today due to the visit to the International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT).
8:25am
Meet at the City Centre Campus reception area.
8:30am
🚌 Coach departs for the International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT)
9:00am–12:00pm
✈️ Introduction to Engineering
📍 International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT)
Lecturers:
Barry Alford
Engineering Lecturer
Discover how engineering skills are used within the aerospace industry through practical demonstrations and specialist facilities.
12:00pm
🚌 Coach departs ICAT for Cardiff Bay.
1:00pm–2:30pm
🫖 Traditional Welsh Afternoon Tea
📍 The Coal Exchange Hotel, Cardiff Bay, where you will meet Younas and Chloe
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea while learning about Welsh food, culture and hospitality.
3:00pm - 4.30pm
Ten Pin Bowling at Red Dragon Centre
Enjoy ten pin bowling at Hollywood Bowl in Cardiff Bay
4:40pm
Walk to Chan's Noodle Bar.
5:00pm
🍜 Dinner
Tuesday 11th August – Mathematics & BBC Cymru Wales
Schedule
8:30am🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
9:00am–12:00pm
➗ Mathematics Workshop
📍 Rooms 207 & 210
Lecturers
Jonathan
Awais
Students will develop mathematical problem-solving skills through interactive activities.
12:00pm
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
14:15 pm
Meet Alex and Chloe at City Centre reception and head to BBC
2:45pm
🎥 BBC Cymru Wales Studio Tour
The group will be divided into two smaller groups.
Group 1
Arrive: 2:45pm
Tour: 3:00pm–3:45pm
Group 2
Arrive: 3:30pm
Tour: 3:45pm–4:30pm
Go behind the scenes and discover how television and radio programmes are produced.
Approximately 4:45pm
Return to Bridgestreet Exchange.
5:30pm
Walk to Pizza Express.
5:45pm
🍕 Dinner
Pizza Express
High Street, Cardiff
Your starter and main course have been pre-ordered.
Wednesday 12th August – Artificial Intelligence & Big Pit
Schedule
8:30am
🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
9:00am–11:30am
🤖 Artificial Intelligence & Digital Technology
📍 Room 440
11:30am
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
12:00pm
Meet Alex and Chloe at the City Centre Campus reception.
12:15pm
🚌 Coach departs for Big Pit National Coal Museum
1:30pm
Arrive at Big Pit.
2:00pm
⛏️ Big Pit National Coal Museum
Experience one of Wales' most famous heritage attractions and discover the history of the South Wales coal industry.
The visit includes an underground mining experience led by former miners.
5:00pm
🚌 Coach departs Big Pit.
The return coach will drop the group at The Classroom Restaurant, Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus.
6:30pm
🍽️ Dinner
The Classroom Restaurant
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
Thursday 13th August – English & Creative Arts
Schedule
8:30am
🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
8:55am
🚶 Walk to the English classrooms.
9:00am–12:00pm
📚 English Language
📍 Rooms 310 & 312
Teachers
Nia
Chloe
Build your confidence in spoken English through collaborative activities, discussions and presentations.
12:00pm
🍽️ Lunch
Cardiff and Vale College Canteen
12:50pm
🚶 Walk to the Creative Arts Department.
1:00pm–4:00pm
🎨 Creative Arts Workshop
📍 Rooms 118 & 119
Lecturers
Aaron
Rebecca
Work together on creative projects while exploring different artistic techniques and developing teamwork skills.
4:00pm
Return to Bridgestreet Exchange.
5:30pm
🚶 Walk to Tonkotsu
5:45pm
Dinner: Tonkotsu
Friday 14th August – Graduation Day 🎓
Schedule
8:30am
🍳 Breakfast
Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus
8:55am
🚶 Walk to the presentation rooms.
9:00am–12:00pm
🎤 Presentation Preparation
📍 Cardiff and Vale College
Teachers
Nia
Younas
Students will prepare and rehearse their group presentations ready for the graduation ceremony.
12:30pm
🎓 Graduation Ceremony & Celebration Lunch
Celebrate the successful completion of the Chongming Summer School Programme.
The ceremony will include:
Welcome speeches
Student presentations
Certificate presentation
Group photographs
Celebration lunch
Students will receive their Cardiff and Vale College Summer School Certificate.
Collect packed breakfast for Saturday after graduation today.
Afternoon
Return to Bridgestreet Exchange.
Pack your luggage ready for the following day's departure to London.
Evening
🥡 Dinner
5pm: Dinner at Chan’s Noodle Bar - Cardiff Bay
Saturday 15th August – London Excursion
Schedule
6:30AM
Check out of Bridgestreet Exchange and travel to London with Alex and Nia.
Please ensure:
Your room is tidy.
All belongings have been packed.
Your room key has been returned.
Lunch
🥪 Costa Lunch Voucher
Use your voucher to purchase lunch
🏨 Check in
Holiday Inn London Regent's Park
🚌 London
During the trip you will see many famous landmarks.
15:30PM - British Museum (Group Entrance on Montague Place, not the main entrance on Great Russell Street)
Evening
🍜 Dinner at 19:30pm
Enjoy your final group dinner together in London.
Sunday 16th August – Departure ✈️
Morning
Check out of the hotel at 05:30AM
Bus leaves at 6am
Please ensure all luggage is ready before departure.
🚌 Private coach departs Holiday Inn Regent's Park for Gatwick Airport
Operated by United Coaches
Emergency Contacts
Your safety and wellbeing are our priority. If you need help during your stay, please follow the guidance below.
In an Emergency
If there is an immediate danger to life, a serious injury, a fire, or a crime in progress, call 999 immediately.
Ask for the emergency service you require:
Ambulance
Police
Fire and Rescue
Be prepared to give your location and stay on the line until the operator tells you it is safe to end the call.
Non-Emergency Medical Advice
If you need urgent medical advice or treatment that is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.
Telephone: 111
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day and can help if you:
Feel unwell and are unsure what to do.
Need urgent medical advice.
Need to find an out-of-hours doctor or healthcare service.
Non-Emergency Police
For non-urgent police matters, call 101.
Examples include:
Reporting lost or stolen property.
Reporting a crime that has already happened.
Seeking police advice.
Reporting non-emergency incidents.
Cardiff and Vale College Contact Information
If you need support during the Summer School, please contact Ben Garner or Trish Harris first. They will be able to help with most questions relating to your programme, accommodation, welfare or travel.
International Team
Trish Harris
📞 +44 (0)7817 316 747
Ben Garner
📞 +44 (0)7876 824258
Email
✉️ international@cavc.ac.uk
Out of Hours Emergency Contact
If you are unable to contact Ben or Trish, or you need urgent support outside normal College hours, please contact the Cardiff and Vale College Emergency Line.
Cardiff and Vale College Emergency Line (24 hours)
📞 +44 (0)29 2025 0251
If you are ever unsure who to contact, speak to a member of the International Team. We are here to support you and will ensure you receive the appropriate help as quickly as possible.