A large proportion of those attending the course come through word-of-mouth recommendation. We have an archive of appreciative letters from parents and students: a selection is printed below. And we value the support of many eminent academics all of whom have first-hand knowledge of the Course.

Students

"The balance between art history, film, lectures on English poets in Italy, photography, music was perfect." N.M.

"The whole thing has been a brilliant experience. The variety of subjects also means that it is constantly refreshing." C.R.

"Everyone I have ever known who has done the John Hall Course has absolutely adored it." R.P.

"I know that many people from the Course agree that they got an enormous amount out of it socially and emotionally as well as intellectually. One of the first things said to me when I got home was " you've grown up." I know that I shall treasure every memory of the course. I haven't been so happy and so consistently happy for a long time. To organize something running for nine weeks, in which every minute is enjoyed, is no mean achievement." A.M.

"I would like to thank you for the most interesting and enjoyable months of my life. I don't think I have ever learnt so much in such a short time about subjects which I thought I could or would never take an interest in. I feel privileged." A.H.V

"An amazing experience in Art, Film, Opera and great meeting such fun people." H.F.

Parents

"He came home from Italy utterly enthralled by the entire experience and inspired by the quality of the lectures. My husband and I are so grateful for the immense care, attention to detail, imagination and kindness that you put into the excellent organization of the course." I.W.

"I am writing to tell you how very delighted we were with the Venice Course. It was everything we had hoped, and more. Our daughter got an enormous amount out of the whole experience and we feel it was money well spent and excellent use of her time. I am impressed with the efficient way the whole thing was organized and with the depth and breadth covered. The Course is imaginative and inspirational and they are a privileged group of young people." M.B.

"She had a wonderful time on the course and learnt a great deal and loved the opportunity of actually living in Venice and really appreciated the excellent quality of the lectures and the very informative tours with such enthusiastic experts. She rang to say she wanted to go to La Bohème - I have been trying to persuade her to see an opera for years! The Course provided a very good balance of structure and free time which encouraged students to learn formally and on their own." E.C.

"When we lived in Venice we always looked forward to the presence in the city of the Venice Course students. It was good to see such an intelligent, lively and courteous group of young people responding to the beauty and history of their surroundings and to the high standards set by the course of lectures. They were the first sign of Spring." Former British Consul in Venice.

List of Academic Referees

Respected contemporaries who vouch for the quality of the John Hall Pre-University Course in Venice:

Stephen Bann, PhD
Professor of History of Art, Bristol University

Judy Collins, PhD
Curator, the Modern Collection, Tate Britain

Michael Davies
Partner, Richard Rogers, Architects

David Ekserdjian, PhD
Professor of History of Art and Film, University of Leicester

Brigid Gardner MA OBE
Former Principal of St.George's International School, Rome

Emma McKendrick, BA
Headmistress, Downe House

Rodney Milnes, MA
Former Chief Opera Critic The Times, Broadcaster, Editor Opera
Magazine (1985-1999)

Nicholas Penny, PhD
Director of The National Gallery, London and former Senior Curator,
European Sculpture, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Stephen Spurr PhD
Appointed Head Master of Westminster School, September 2005

Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, DPhil
Director of The British School at Rome

Andrew Wilton, MA
F.R.S.A. & F.S.A., Keeper and Senior Research Fellow, Tate Britain