Thirty teenagers from across Europe have visited Shropshire for up to a month to experience life at a school and sports academy – and one of the pupils has already requested to return next year.

Two separate groups went to Ellesmere College after agents and parents asked for an opportunity to experience the school and its boarding, teaching, gym and tennis facilities.

Ten students visited from their homes in France, Germany and Belgium on a four week International Boarding Immersion Programme, after a similar taster weekend in October proved to be a huge success.

The second group involved 20 pupils from Park Tennis Club in Genoa, Italy, after an agent, who had previously sent budding players to Ellesmere College Tennis Academy, requested a bespoke week of academic and tennis immersion for coaches and players from both countries.

Stephen Mullock, Deputy Head External Relations at Ellesmere College, said the families of all visitors were delighted their children could experience a true British education with complete academic and social integration with current pupils.

He said: “Both visiting groups said they had a wonderful time being part of life at Ellesmere College and we were so pleased to be able to host them.

“The International Boarding Immersion pupils all commented on how they liked boarding and really enjoyed the atmosphere of the school and the friendliness of the staff and wider pupil body.

“They took part in many extra-curricular activities with tennis, football and the social element of golf all proving particularly popular.

“Over the last few years, parents are seeing the in-term time immersion programme as a better, more effective academic programme than a summer camp, which many may have traditionally gone on, so we are sure this will return next year – we were particularly pleased to hear one student already asking to sign up for a one-year programme from September 2027.

“For the visiting tennis players, the group are already making plans to return next year too and the Lead Coach sees this as an excellent player development model for all his budding players going forward. We already had a great relationship with him, having previously been impressed with the quality of facilities here and the success we have on a national level and several pupils being world ranked, so to develop that into a complete programme and see players and coaches mixing together and building relationships has been a wonderful step.”

During the month-long stay, an agent visited the pupils and reported they were very happy with both the lessons and the environment and all were enjoying it.

Each visitor was allocated a support buddy for their time at Ellesmere and as part of the experience, pupils also enjoyed cultural trips to local areas and a visit to Alton Towers.

For more information about Ellesmere College visit www.ellesmere.com and for more information about Park Tennis Club in Genoa visit www.parktennisclub.com