Student Handbook - Winter by the Thames

Student Handbook Winter by the Thames

Welcome to your BSC Young Learners Programme!

This guide gives you important information that helps you quickly settle into your programme - an example timetable, meeting points and general rules and regulations.

Our aim is to make this the greatest experience for you and remember, all of the BSC YL Team are here to help you so please ask us if you have any questions or concerns.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

MEET YOUR BSC TEAM

The BSC YL team are here to ensure you have the best stay with us possible, but please come and talk to us and let us know if you have any concerns. We are here to help!

TEAM MEMBERS

Centre Manager

Overall responsibility for the whole programme and the Welfare of our students

Activity Coordinator

Overall responsibility for the out-of-class parts of the programme

Activity Leaders

Looking after you on all activities and excursions

Teachers

Our teachers aim is to improve students’ confidence as quickly as possible whilst encouraging the accurate production of language through grammar.

Thank you!

PRE-ARRIVAL

BSC YL recommends that every student/parent:

Does some light reading of London (perfect time to practise some English reading!)

Purchases appropriate travel insurance

Completes their online placement test

Submitted a completed parental consent form (This is a personalised form sent to you at the time of confirmation)

Follow your country COVID19 travel guidance (BSC Young Learners follows all UK Goverment guidance)

Make sure your mobile phone works in the UK (Call your provider to check international roaming or purchase a sim card or electronic sim card)

Has access to pocket money (BSC YL recommends £100 per week)

Please make sure you confirm your flight details. If you haven’t done so, please email info@bscyounglearners.com

YOU’VE

PASSPORT

BAGGAGE RECLAIM

4.

5.

MEET OUR STAFF

Once you walk through, look out for our staff member holding this sign after the barriers.

TRANSFER WAITING AREA

Students will then be carefully led onto the Transfer waiting area. BSC YL will take special measures to ensure that every unaccompanied minor is greeted at the airport.

TRANSFER

A BSC YL team member will then take you to your transfer (a coach or taxi) to the residence. (For more information about unaccompanied minors, please click here.)

YOUR FIRST

DAY AT THE RESIDENCE

This will depend on what time you arrive the centre. Below is an example

Students will be greeted by BSC YL team members at the residence to help everyone settle in quickly and smoothly. Upon arrival at the centre, students will experience:

• a thorough programme induction

• meet BSC YL team members

• an understanding of programme rules

• health & safety information

• a local orientation

• the chance to enjoy dinner with some of your fellow colleagues (If you are arriving after dinner time, please be mindful that alternative meal arrangements might be offered)

Students will later have the opportunity to make friends during a fun icebreaking and team building activity in the evening.

YOUR FIRST DAY

AT THE SCHOOL

Note that the below timetable is an example and is subject to change

6:45am Wake Up

7:00 - 7:30 am Breakfast at the residence

Journey to School

7:45 to 8:15 am

Travel like a Londoner from the iconic St Pancras Station to Blackfriars Station by the bank of river Thames. Note students must be accompanied by a BSC YL team member on public transport at all times.

8:30 to 9:00 am Registration

Welcome Talks

9:00 to 10:00 am

These will inform you about your school and your social programme. After the Welcome Talks you will be asked to fill in a Student Arrivals Form. It is important that we have your mobile phone number!

10:30 am to 12:00 pm English Lesson

12:00 to 1:00 pm Lunch at school

1:00 to 2:00 pm Free Time

Activities in London

2:00 to 5:00 pm

This will help you get to know all about your school and the area around.

5:00 to 6:00 pm Free Time

6:00 to 7:00 pm Dinner at the residence

7:00 to 9:00 pm Evening activities

10:30 pm Bedtime

For information on your weekly schedule, please check our sample timetables here

Please note: The Welfare Team are there to support you during the evening and overnight – please attend all house meetings for more information!

All lessons and activities are compulsory. Please be on time and make sure your name is ticked off on registers!

Things do change so please check the main noticeboard for the most up to date information. Note that some groups will have their activities in the morning and lessons in the afternoon.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

• It is very important to be careful every time you cross the road while you are staying with us.

• When you cross the road, make sure to look both ways and remember that cars might drive on the opposite side of the road than they do in your home country.

• Only cross the road at a proper pedestrian crossing and when there is a “green man”. Please wait for you Activity Leader or another member of BSC YL team member to say that it is ok to cross the road.

Please note:

If you repeatedly ignore traffic rules you will be issued a warning.

RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION IMPORTANT GUIDELINES

Remember that: Curfew is at *10:30pm (Lights out at 11:00pm) *10pm if you are 12 or 13 years old Please: • Keep your room tidy!

• Be quiet and respectful of neighbours & other residents when travelling to and from accommodation, especially at night or early morning.

• Take very good care of your key or key card and never lend it to anyone. If you lose it the cost will be £20 payable to the Residential team • Save the Centre Managements’ contact details

• Remember that girls are not allowed in boys’ rooms and vice versa • Fire alarms and extinguishers are for emergency only - you will be fined if you misuse them (£220+VAT)

• You will be charged if you break anything in the residence (windows etc...)

• No smoking or vaping anywhere on site. If found, you will be fined £50 and will have to face the BSC YL Disciplinary procedure.

• You will have internet access on campus. Check the noticeboards or ask a member of the BSC YL Team for the Wi-Fi code

• There are laundry facilities at the residence. You can buy tokens at reception and the costs are: £4.00 wash | £3.00 dry | £1.00 powder

FIRE INSTRUCTIONS

In the event of a fire, activate the fire alarm located closest to you in the building. Or if you hear the fire alarm and/or see the emergency lights flashing:

• Get out of bed quickly.

• Put on something warm and your shoes.

• Check that roommates are awake and alert other students who are near to you.

• Listen to the BSC YL Fire Marshall. During class – your Teacher; In the residence – Centre Manager; During activities – your Activity Leader).

• Leave the building by the nearest emergency exit.

• Do not stop to collect any of your personal items.

• Go straight to the assembly point.

• Do not attempt to re-enter the building until the BSC YL Team Member has told you it is safe to do so.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

General Rules

• No smoking or vaping (at any time)

• No alcohol, drugs or stealing. Immediate expulsion with no refund is the likely outcome

• Don’t use bad language – it’s not big or clever

• Put your rubbish in a bin. No littering anywhere please!

• Be polite at all times (use please, thank you)

• You must attend all activities and meals

• Bullying is not tolerated and will be dealt with strictly. If you feel that you are being bullied tell a member of the BSC YL team as soon as possible and we will help you.

• When travelling on public transport please be polite and considerate of the other passengers and find a place to sit or stand on the lower deck where you will be safer.

• Make sure your mobile phone is always on during activities and that the school has your correct number.

Important Things To Remember

• Do not carry your passport with you. Leave it locked in your room

• Please be careful with your money. Keep it safe at all times.

• You must not carry dangerous items such as knives. This is illegal, and the Police will be informed if you are found in possession of such items.

• BSC YL cannot be responsible for missing items. Keep everything safe.

Classroom Rules

• Only speak in English

• Respect your teachers

• Always attend all classes

• Be on time

• No food or drink (except water) in class

• Please switch off your mobile phone during lessons.

OUR 3-STRIKE POLICY

We are completely focused on making this the greatest experience for you, but please follow our rules to make the best out of your stay! If you choose not to, then this could result in the use of our 3-strike policy:

STRIKE ONE: One of the team will give you a verbal warning

STRIKE TWO: One of the management team will give you a written warning. You may be stopped from going on an excursion or taking part in an activity

STRIKE THREE: You will be spoken to by the Centre Manager. A decision will be made on whether or not you can stay on the programme.

NOTE: If you commit a very serious offence you may be sent home with no warning. Repatriation costs will be incurred by the student/parents.

STUDENT WELFARE

We place the highest priority on providing an exceptional standard of care and supervision to ensure the welfare and safety of our Young Learners. Our team are always present to ensure our students have a safe, happy and enjoyable time and each centre has a qualified first-aider on-site.

Close Supervision

In accordance with British Council guidelines and our own welfare policies, all residential students are supervised at all times and students are not permitted to leave the centre without a member of our staff or group leader, or without prior permission. Those in homestay accommodation will travel to and from the centre by public transport, they will be provided with assistance on the best routes to take.

Buddy system

At our residential centres, each team member is directly responsible for the welfare and happiness of their buddy group. They check that group-led students and especially individual students are eating properly, looking after personal hygiene, keeping their rooms tidy, and also account for them at roll call and during fire alarms.

Monitoring Excursions

BSC Young Learners provides an enriching excursion programme, where students will be given the opportunity to enjoy supervised time within some of the most culturally vibrant locations in the UK and Malta.

Prior to each excursion, students will receive clear instructions:

• to stay with their ‘buddy’ during free time

• which areas are out-of-bounds

• on local etiquette

• where the emergency meeting point is (which is staffed at all times as well as other duty team members, who’ll continuously monitor the allocated free time area)

• meeting times

And as always, our emergency phone systems will be in place. Students will have the number on their BSC lanyard and wristband (which they must wear at all times).

Students’ safety and comfort are our priority