A Day in the Life
Ignite: Switzerland
Ignite: Switzerland is a programme for the curious, passionate, and brave! It is a unique educational opportunity exclusive to Year 8 and 9 students from Education in Motion (EiM)'s family of schools, inspired by the group's vision to provide pioneering education for a sustainable future and underpinned by its global network of resources and industry knowledge.
This exciting opportunity gives Year 8 and 9 students an exceptional experience of indoor and outdoor learning. Through the new challenges they encounter, they will discover their best selves. They will be leading their own expedition into the world of learning, finding new ways to reflect on the world and themselves in an awe-inspiring natural environment. Ignite: Switzerland is a transformative experience that will be the highlight of a student’s time at Dulwich College International.
Watch the video below to see more.
Who will thrive at Ignite: Switzerland?
- Passionate actionists with a pioneering spirit, ready to take on new challenges
- Resilient adventurers who are confident, flexible and adaptable
- Independent thinkers who want to take control of their own learning
- Innovative designers who wish to create a sustainable future for people and the planet
The Location
Nestled in the Lower Engadin valley near Ftan, three hours from Zurich and two hours from Milan, Hochalpines Institut Ftan (HIF), home to the Ignite: Switzerland programme, is located in the South-eastern region of Switzerland. The HIF campus, at 1,700 metres above sea level, has a magnificent panoramic view of the southern alpine peaks. Its close proximity to the Swiss National Park allows students to become stewards of the natural environment, and inspire them to explore its wildlife, mountains, forest, pastures, and rivers.
The Programme & Term Dates
Ignite: Switzerland offers a bespoke programme which is 5 weeks for Year 8 students and 12 weeks for Year 9 students.
| Term Start | Term End | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1: ROCK |
September 14, 2025 |
December 6, 2025 |
| Term 2: SNOW |
January 4, 2026 |
March 28, 2026 |
| Term 3: WATER |
April 6, 2026 |
June 27, 2026 |
| Term Start | Term End | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1: ROCK I | September 6, 2026 |
October 10, 2026 |
| Term 2: ROCK II |
October 25, 2026 |
November 28, 2026 |
| Term 3: SNOW I |
January 6, 2027 |
February 10, 2027 |
| Term 4: SNOW II |
February 24, 2027 |
March 31, 2027 |
| Term 5: WATER I |
April 7, 2027 |
May 12, 2027 |
| Term 5: WATER II |
May 26, 207 |
June 30, 2027 |
| Term Start | Term End | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1: ROCK |
September 13, 2026 |
December 5, 2026 |
| Term 2: SNOW |
January 6, 2027 |
March 31, 2027 |
| Term 3: WATER |
April 7, 2027 |
June 30, 2027 |
Ignite Handbook
Please click below to access the Ignite Handbook. Content within this Handbook includes information regarding the Academic Programme, the Outdoor Learning Programme, Information Technology, Boarding, Meals, Safeguarding, Local Medical & Other Services, and other important information. We will be updating the information within the Handbook periodically, so please refer to the date on the inside cover to ensure you have read the most recent version.
Please click here to access the Ignite: Switzerland Handbook.
Core Academic Programme
Students engage with a rigorous academic programme 5 days a week with both a core and elective options being provided.
The core academic programme will ensure that all students study the English, Maths, Science, and a language.
The Electives
Taking inspiration from the Swiss natural environment, the Ignite: Switzerland curriculum provides the perfect platform to embark on an exciting educational journey. This is a golden opportunity for students to develop their passions, or try something new, as they select a personalised pathway through the electives. Students select 2 electives to study in depth. Their learning will culminate in a Passion Project, which will involve them reflecting on their learning.
The Passion Project enables students to showcase their learning in the Electives in a creative and dynamic way. The Project represents the culmination of their learning at Ignite: Switzerland and gives students the opportunity to share their experience with friends and family. The Passion Project encourages students to practise and strengthen their approaches to learning (ATL) skills, to consolidate prior and subject-specific learning, and to develop an area of personal interest.
The students will be able to choose from the Elective options below.
Outdoor Learning Programme
The Outdoor Learning Programme will be the highlight of the Ignite: Switzerland experience.
Ignite: Switzerland offers a breadth of opportunities to the students to help provide a powerful learning experience. The unique experiences will undoubtedly stand out in the memories of the students. The alpine environment offers a variety of exciting, challenging and easily accessible sports and activities for all.
With the Swiss National Park and the southern alpine peaks on our doorstep, the students can walk from the school out into the most beautiful of surroundings. The students will develop confidence and resilience in the outdoors that will enable them to take leadership roles in other aspects of their lives in the future.
Seasonal Sport Programme
The sport programme has been developed around the seasons as the weather will dictate what we can do safely.
Rock and Water Terms: Students engage in a varitey of indoor and outdoor sports on our campus
Snow Terms: This is very much the ‘snow’ term. Students engage in indoor sports as a part of their evening programme as well as optional strength and conditioning for alpine sports.
Seasonal Activity Programme
There will be a wide variety of activities on offer throughout the year allowing students the opportunity to discover many different activities and to acquire a growing range of skills and experiences. Fun packed weekends are in store!
There will be a wide variety of activities on offer throughout the year allowing students the opportunity to discover many different activities and to acquire a growing range of skills and experiences. Fun packed weekends are in store!
Weekend Expeditions: Expeditions are an integral part of every student's life at Ignite: Switzerland, and a key element in what makes it unique. Our aim through the expedition programme is to use the outdoors as a vehicle to both develop and educate students: genuine outdoor education through authentic adventure.
Each programme will culminate in a weekend expedition or challenge for the students.
Wellbeing Programme
At Ignite: Switzerland the natural environment will impact positively on student health and wellbeing.
At Ignite: Switzerland the natural environment will impact positively on student health and wellbeing.
Wellbeing integrates five elements: Emotional, Academic, Social, Physical Health, and Mental Health. The Wellbeing Curriculum is based around these five pillars and aims to support and enhance the wellbeing of the whole community. The programme includes a taught Health and Wellbeing course for all students, which is supplemented by additional student events and experiences.
Boarding offers so many opportunities to gain independence, confidence, and make lifelong friendships.
Ignite Costing and Fees
The Ignite: Switzerland fee ensures that students will safely develop self-confidence and independence through world-class outdoor learning experiences and a challenging curriculum that meets our high educational standards. Tuition, boarding, meals, activities and excursions are included in the fee.
Year 8
| Programme Fees Per Term | CHF 4,000* |
*This fee is in addition to your current Dulwich College International tuition and may differ depending on the Rock, Snow or Water term selected. Please see the FAQs page for more information regarding fees.
Year 9
| Programme Fees Per Term | CHF 25,000** |
**This fee is inclusive of, not in addition to, your current Dulwich College International tuition. Please see the FAQs page for more information regarding fees.
Application Process
Current Year 7 and 8 students will have received the application link in their school email inboxes. The application is a series of open-ended personal essay questions for them to complete. Once the application is submitted, we will submit a reference. The essay question answers, and reference will be sent to the Ignite: Switzerland Selection Committee for consideration.
Application Dates
For any enquiries related to application please contact us at [email protected].
Pádraig Hogan
Head of Ignite: Switzerland and Head of Boarding
Pádraig comes from a background of Outdoor Education and Pastoral care. Having worked in the outdoor industry Pádraig then did a degree in Geography before undertaking his PGCSE at Cambridge University. Pádraig then went on to complete a Master's in Education at Cambridge with a focus on learning outside the classroom. Having worked in leadership positions in international schools in Kenya, Jordan, Panama, South Korea and Japan, Pádraig leads the Ignite programme with a wealth of experience. His aim is to always put students first with a focus on making the Ignite experience a once in a lifetime opportunity for them. Academic Interests include positive psychology and coaching and incorporating these into student leadership, accomplishment, and wellbeing. Pádraig enjoys trail running, biking, snowboarding and being outdoors in his time off.
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