Bury Language School
Junior Course Handbook for parents and course organisers 2008
The purpose of this handbook is to provide information and advice about our courses for parents and student representatives enrolling students.
CONTENTS
Contact addresses and telephone numbers
Course centre
Course programmes
Lessons
Accommodation and welfare
General information
Sample timetable
Role of the accompanying Group Leader
First Day
Code of behaviour
Checklist
Consent form for parents
CONTACT ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Registrations Office: for enrolments and enquiries
The Bury Language School 5 Angel Hill Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP331UZ
Telephone/Fax +44 (0) 1284 765511 E-mail:
Emergency number +44 7766562435 - Principal
COURSE PROGRAMMES
What students should bring Warm clothes, rainwear, sportswear, swimsuit, towels and suitable footwear.
Parents are asked to mark items of clothing clearly. Students should carry a list of their belongings in their suitcase to make sure they do not forget anything when packing for their departure. Bury Language School cannot accept responsibility for loss of belongings, so it is not a good idea for students to carry very valuable items with them.
Supervision by staff Students are expected to attend all lessons and activities according to a timetable given to the students on the first day of their course. BLS leaders accompany the students at all times on excursions and activities.
Our junior courses provide a high ratio of supervisors to students. On excursions, the ratio is one member of staff to each twelve. On the first day of the junior courses our staff explain all matters affecting their personal safety. Please note that Bury Language School will send home, at the expense of the parents, students who refuse to abide by the regulations or whose behaviour is found to be seriously disruptive. All fees for the remainder of the course not taken will be forfeited.
Student briefing Shortly after arrival students are given a briefing on:- road safety /laws on drugs and alcohol/ shoplifting/offensive weapons/ areas of potential danger /care of valuables and passport/ emergency service phone numbers/ school emergency numbers/school regulations etc. This is done by our activities organiser, and teachers where appropriate.
Identity cards Students should bring two passport photographs with them; one for our records and one for their school identity card. This card should be carried at all times. It will show the student's photo, name, date of birth and the school and emergency contact telephone numbers.
Smoking, alcohol and drugs No smoking is allowed on school premises. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to smoke. The minimum age for drinking alcohol in Britain is 18. Students who fail to observe this will be sent home at the parents' expense. Any student found in possession of drugs will be reported to the police and may be deported.
Shoplifting If students are caught shoplifting the shop will call the police. This will result in the student being sent home and may involve the payment of heavy fines. Students will be warned to remember to pay for anything picked up in a shop.
Curfew The time for all students to be back at their homestay is 21.00 for under 16s and 22.00 for 16-18s. If parents wish to impose an earlier time then they should send instructions at the time of booking.
Attendance Students must attend language classes every weekday morning. They are expected to attend all the events on the activity programme and excursions programme.
Students are not allowed to make trips out of the area without the permission of the school. We assume that students have their parents' permission to play games, swim etc unless informed otherwise.
Pocket money Parents should provide adequate funds before departure by giving cash or sending money to the schools.
We recommend ?6.00 - ?15.00 per day to cover incidental expenses such as drinks, snacks, postcards, film, souvenirs etc. We discourage students from carrying large amounts of money on them. Students can ask their course leader to look after pocket money, passport and flight tickets, but a receipt should be signed by both the student and the course leader to avoid any embarrassment.
Loss or theft The school takes theft, loss or damage involving a student's personal possessions very seriously but does not take any financial responsibility. Loss or theft should be reported to the school staff as soon as possible so we can take the appropriate action. If an insurance claim is involved the student will be helped to make a police report and a crime reference number obtained. Loss of money is a difficult and embarrassing matter to deal with. We can all help by advising students not to leave money lying around. Bags should not be left unattended in the course centre, cafes or other public places.
Damage to course centre property Students may reasonably be expected to pay for damage they cause to school property. Parents will be informed of the extent of the damage and the repayment involved. This must be settled before the student returns home.
Health In the event of serious illness or accident the child will be taken to a doctor or local hospital by a school staff member. In the case of minor health problems the advice of the local pharmacist or the National Health Service help line will be followed. Any information about allergies, chronic health conditions or medicine regularly used by the student should be passed on to the school.
It is a requirement of enrolment that students should have adequate travel insurance to cover the cost of emergency medical treatment and repatriation. A photocopy of insurance details should be given to the school together with any excess the student may have to pay. Some medical treatment is free for students from EU countries or those countries with a reciprocal medical agreement with Britain. In order to benefit from this arrangement an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) document should be obtained from the local authority in your country. Dental treatment is not free in the UK. The Course Director can arrange for a dental appointment.
Student homestay Students are expected to keep their rooms tidy and respect the rules of the home. Washing will be done by the host and should be placed in the agreed wash basket regularly.
Meals Full board is provided for all students on summer vacation courses. Packed lunches are provided for the school week. Any foods that are not liked should be stated as soon as possible after arrival at the homestay.
Activity programmes At least one full-day excursion and three activities are arranged weekly.
Laundry Bed linen is provided and changed. Parents should ensure that garments the students bring with them are practical and easy to launder. The school is not expected to pay for articles accidentally damaged in the wash.
Showers and baths All students should have access to baths or showers. Hosts will give students convenient times to use the bathroom if shared.
Religious observance. If a student wishes to attend a religious service the school will provide information and help.
Emergency numbers For routine enquiries or information please call during office hours Monday to Friday 08.30-16.30.
Please use the out-of-hours numbers for emergencies only.
COURSE INFORMATION Placement test Before your first lesson you will be given a placement test and oral interview to establish your level of English so that you may be placed in the appropriate group for your level.
THE FIRST MORNING 09.30 Welcome
Students meet the Course Director, who is responsible for the academic programme and the Activities Manager, responsible for the social programme. They are also introduced to all the teachers and leaders
09.45 - 11.00 Placement test, and course orientation.
The placement test lasts approximately one hour. This will include a written test and a short oral interview with a teacher. After this students receive a folder with general information, timetable, school rules and information about accommodation and welfare. The teacher will go through this with the students who will also be able to ask the teacher any questions about their course.
Information will include the following:-
School rules
Lesson times
How to find your way around the school
Who's who in the school
Fire safety and security information
Where money, passport etc. can be left for safekeeping.
If not done already, students will be asked to fill out a student information form with their home address, home phone number and mobile phone number (if they have one) and the telephone number(s) of someone we can contact in an emergency while they are in England.
We will also need two photographs - one for the student's identity card and one for our records. The teachers will collect these. The students will be able to collect their student cards from the activities office on the second day of their course.
11.00 - 11.20 Break - A chance to meet the other students - English Only!
11.20 - 12.30 Orientation
Students will be divided into groups for a walking tour around the premises to show the meeting points for excursions and activities and to give more information about general safety and behaviour.
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR Attendance at lessons is compulsory.
Participation in all excursions and in all activities is compulsory.
Fire escapes and fire equipment are for emergency use only. They must not be used at any other time.
Mobile phones must be switched off during class time. (Mobile phone numbers must be given to the administrative staff on the first morning at school.)
? Alcohol or other prohibited substances are not permitted.
? Smoking is not permitted in any of the buildings.
Swimming pool rules must be strictly observed.
Bury Language School does not accept any responsibility for personal items or money not handed in to staff for safekeeping.
Students must respect others at all times. Bullying (i.e. aggressive or threatening behaviour towards other students) will not be tolerated.
Food and drink may not be consumed during lessons.
Students must be careful not to endanger themselves or others on the school premises. Students must not push each other on the stairs or slide down banisters.
Students must sleep at their homestay every night.
CONSENT FORM FOR PARENTS During your child's stay with us at Bury Language School we will do everything to ensure his/her happiness and security at all times. Our staff are provided with guidelines clearly setting out their responsibilities and obligations. They are
required to report any refusal to comply with school regulations or timekeeping which may compromise a student guest's safety. Please read our Code of Behaviour above, which sets out in detail the rules we expect students to observe.
On arrival at the centres, all students will be given a Students' Handbook, which will list all centre rules. On the first morning at the centre, these will be explained fully to all students. These rules are designed for the safety of all students and staff.
Students who break any of these rules may be sent home, without refund, at the discretion of Bury Language School. The cost of this early return will be the responsibility of the parents.
Please complete, sign and send to the school or give to the student to bring to school on the first day.
CHECKLIST: Please check that your child has the following before departing for Newcastle:
The emergency contact number for BLS.
Emergency contact details for their parents.
Their passport and travel documents.
Their acceptance letter from BLS.
Suitable clothing- warm clothes, rainwear, sportswear, a swimming costume, a towel for swimming
Sun cream
Two passport photographs
Pocket money
Any necessary medication, clearly labelled
Information about any medical conditions or allergies
Travel insurance and a photocopy of this for the school.
Signed parental consent form
Student Information and Parental Consent Form
Course Centre: Bury Language School
STUDENT DETAILS: Full Name of child: ..........................................................
Date of birth: ....................................
Course dates: ..................................................................
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS Name and address, email and emergency contact number while child is in England:
Parent or Guardian's Name: ............................................
Address:.............................................................................
............................................................................................
Email: ................................................................................
Emergency telephone:.....................................................
MEDICAL INFORMATION Bury Language School, Newcastle does not take any responsibility for administering medication, including painkillers.
Has your child ever:
suffered from any serious ailments or conditions? Yes/No
had any mental, physical or behavioural problems we should know about? Yes/No
had an allergic reaction to medication or anaesthetic? Yes/No
If so please supply details including medication your child is currently using.
Date of your child's last tetanus vaccination? ..........................................
TRAVEL INSURANCE All course participants are required to have adequate personal travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation, loss or theft of property and cancellation or curtailment of course for whatever reason.
Name and policy details of insurance:
Insurance Emergency Numbers:
PHOTOGRAPHY Any photographs taken by Bury Language School during the course may be used in future publicity material.
We have read and understood the points stated in the Junior Course Handbook and agree to abide by the regulations.
