Guidelines for 16 - 17 At the Burlington School we take special care of students who are under the age of 18. Safety and welfare of students is our first priority. As well our Junior Programme which runs throughout the summer (July and August), we also welcome students who are aged 16-17 to join our adult courses throughout the year as long as written consent from the parent(s)/guardian(s) has been provided. Students under the age of 18 can choose between the following courses: A) Junior programme which includes, course, lunch and social activities (July and August Only) B) Junior course (July and August only) C) Adult course (16-17 only throughout the year) Below we have set out the Burlington School’s guidelines for students aged 16 - 17: Before arrival: Parent(s)/Guardians(s) Consent Form In order to enrol with the Burlington School and take part in our courses, the parent(s)/guardian of under 18 year old students must sign our Parent(s)/Guardian(s) consent form. The consent form covers all aspects of the junior’s stay and most importantly, will assert who the junior’s guardian in London is. If the student is coming as an individual copies of the guardian(s) and/or parent(s) passport must be sent prior to arrival. Group bookings Agents must complete a group disclaimer form and an agent declaration form which confirms that all the group leaders and adults accompanying students under 18 have certificates of good conduct and/or relevant checks and are not barred from regulated work with children. Group leaders accompanying students must provide us with an equivalent of a DBS check from their home country and/or group leader selfdeclaration form and a copy of their passport. Accommodation All students under the age of 18 must have accommodation booked in advance. All individual students must be accommodated with a homestay family if they are not staying with their guardian in London. Our homestay families are DBS checked and have been provided with the Burlington School homestay policy for under 18s. Selected residences or hotels can be arranged for groups staying with a group leader. If alternative accommodation arrangements have been made for either a group or individual students addresses will be provided to the school in advance, so the relevant checks can be made. Handbooks After a booking has been made the school’s student or junior and accommodation handbooks are sent with confirmation of the student’s address in the UK and airport transfer details. The handbooks provide valuable information about the school, accommodation and London. They also include the School’s emergency number. Airport Transfer Unless a parent, guardian or group leader is accompanying the student, the student must have airport transfer booked with the Burlington School. The school has its own DBS checked private driver for individuals and also uses a professional transfer company for groups. Travelling to/from the school Written consent for students aged 16 – 17 must be provided by the parent/guardian for the student to travel alone. A risk assessment is provided in such instances. If accommodation has not been booked through the Burlington School, the school would be pleased to advise the student on the safest possible route to and from the school. First day procedures: Documentation All students’ documents must be fully completed and submitted on their first day. This includes contact details form, terms and conditions of the school, following which a placement test takes place. Students are provided with a welcome pack which includes a timetable, social activities calendar, complaints procedure, handbook, course booklet (if applicable) and a lanyard with the students name and the schools emergency number printed on it. Induction An induction takes place on their first day and provides them with all the relevant information about the school, its facilities, health and safety and rules of the school. A school tour is also provided after the induction to familiarise the students with the school setting with special regards to the fire exits. Group leaders or the student’s parent/guardian are also invited to attend the induction and tour. Induction for group leaders A separate induction takes place for the group leaders and focuses on student’s safety and welfare. It gives the group leaders an opportunity for a question and answer session and to meet the schools staff. During the course Supervision During class hours and social activities, students will be supervised by a DBS checked member of staff. Lanyards Students will be provided with a school lanyard which has the student name, schools address and emergency telephone number printed on it. Students must wear these at all times. Leisure activities The school ensures there is a sufficient adult supervision for all social programmes, both on-site and off-site. The acceptable student ratio at the Burlington School are: 1. Under 16s 1:8 2. Under 18s 1:10 Written consent must be acquired from the parent/guardian of all students under 18 years old participating in any leisure programmes or outings, onsite and offsite. The necessary risk assessments are carried out in advance for each social activity. The risk assessment is not only a way to mitigate or remove any potential risks but may also be a prompt to consider alternative working practices. Group leaders are also given a brief before departure so they are fully aware of the risks involved and their responsibilities. If groups have arranged their own separate activities the Burlington School are happy to provide them with their own risk assessments. The social activity coordinator checks before the trip to ensure that all students are present. If a student fails to arrive at the appointed time for the programme the school is to contact the student immediately. If a student fails to meet at a meeting point during an excursion the activity leader should contact and student and inform the school immediately if the student cannot be reached. All students should not separate from the activity leader. Class outings From time to time class outings take place and for such the above risk assessments are carried out. Class attendance Students who are 16 and 17 are highlighted in the adult registers. Students must arrive on time to lessons. If students are later than 15 minutes, the teacher will report the lateness to the office and the student is contacted, if the student cannot be reached the guardian/group leader are contacted immediately. Sickness/Absence If the student is sick, the student must inform the school immediately. It is essential that the school is notified about any absence from class and/or social activities. If an illness occurs during classes a member of staff will look after the student. Curfew Students aged 16 and 17 are allowed to go out unsupervised, but must return home by 10pm. If the student exceeds the expected time by 15 minutes the homestay family is to contact the student immediately. If the student cannot be reached the homestay family is to contact the schools emergency number. Welfare We understand that students may feel homesick at times and if they have any concerns or worries or simply wish to talk to someone, the Welfare Officer will be pleased to speak to the student to address any issues that may arise. The welfare officer is introduced to the student on their first day and regularly checks that the students are happy and that there are no problems with attending classes and checks overall wellbeing. In case of any concerns of the well-being of students we act quickly and professionally. School Rules Students are accepted on the understanding that they understand and agree to comply with these rules. Always Wear your Burlington School lanyard at all times. Be on time for classes, meals and activities. Take an active part in lessons and all activities. Treat other students and staff members politely and with respect. Be careful not to endanger others or yourself. Tell a member of staff if you feel ill or if you feel unhappy for any reason. Try to speak English. Do not Smoke, drink, use drugs, steal or shoplift. Use bad language or fight with anyone. Use your mobile phone during lessons or activities. Break laws. Talk to strangers Discipline procedure Step 1. Warning. Teacher/Social co-ordinator will talk to the student about their behaviour and remind them of the expectations of the school. Step 2. If behaviour continues or escalates the student’s parent or guardian will be informed. Step 3. If behaviour escalates further or becomes dangerous then the course will be terminated and the parent will be contacted and they will need to make an arrangements to transport the student home. In situations of sufficient gravity (e.g. breaking a law or behaviour which puts students at risk) steps 1-2 will be skipped. These rules must be followed at all times. Burlington School reserves the right to cancel a student’s course and accommodation in the event of misconduct or unsatisfactory behaviour. Any student whose behaviour puts themselves or others at risk (e.g. by leaving the school without authorisation, smoking etc.) will be asked to leave the programme. Parents/Guardians will be responsible for the additional cost of transporting the student home.