Student Gateway English Courses
& Cultural Centre

We appreciate hosting students requires dedication and extra organisation for you and your family.  This is why we will keep you as informed as possible throughout the whole booking process.  We are always here to talk to you about any of your concerns and answer your questions.  You can also find many answers in these pages and quick answers to the most common questions in our FAQ so checkthem out.  

Our aim is to make your hosting experience as enjoyable as possible so any suggestions you might have for improving this portal or our service are much appreciated and you can let us know via our feedback page here.   

 

St. George's currently offers these different types of student hosting:-

 

MINISTAYS - 'PICK UP & DROP OFF'
Students stay for 2 to 5 nights, do not stay during the weekend, always placed in twins / triples, students are usually aged between 10 – 18, might have lessons as an option, students need to be dropped off and picked up at the meeting point every day, times to suit your family life (usual drop off in the morning between 7.30 – 8.30, usual pick up between 18.00 – 20.00).
Key facts:
Daily pick up and drop off
Always placed in twins, triples

Daily meeting point is either Worthing station / Goring seafront 

 

REGULAR STAYS - 'WALKERS'

Students stay for 4 to 14 nights, usually from weekend to weekend, always placed in twins / triples, unlimited age, lessons in the morning, some have social programme and excursions, walk to school, within walking distance to the town centre

Key facts:

Pick up with luggage on arrival

Drop off with luggage on departure

It is always a responsibility of host families to organise the arrival and departure transfer, using taxis has to be approved by the school in advance and is at the cost of the family (as not all agents are allowed to use taxis due to their regulations)

Arrival meeting point is usually Worthing station

Departure meeting point can be the school (if they have lessons before departing) or the station

 

SUMMER  STAYS - 'MOSTLY WALKERS'

Students stay for 7 to 28 nights, from weekend to weekend, always placed in twins / triples or individuals paired up with a student of another nationality, unlimited age, lessons in the morning, social programme in the free time

Key facts:

Pick up with luggage on arrival

Drop off with luggage on departure

It is always a responsibility of host families to organise the arrival and departure transfer, using taxis has to be approved by the school in advance and is at the cost of the family (as not all agents are allowed to use taxis due to their regulations and law)

Arrival meeting point is usually Worthing station

Departure meeting point can be the school (if they have lessons before departing) or the station

It is required of the family to show the student the way to school on their first morning, they walk on their own after that

 

INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS - 'WALKERS'

Students stay for 7 to 28 nights, from weekend to weekend, in twins / triples or individuals paired up with a student of another nationality, unlimited age, lessons in the morning, some have social programme in the free time.

Key facts:

Usually makes their way to the family directly

It is required of the family to show the student the way to school on their first morning, they walk on their own after that

 

 

BOOKING A STUDENT / STUDENTS WITH A HOST FAMILY

 

St. George's team works very hard to place students well in advance of the students' arrival.  We will always speak to you about your bookings, you will never just receive an information from us without consulting you first as we appreciate your input.  After all it is important to us that you are happy with your bookings.

 

We will then email you the details including any preliminary booking information we might have.  Many of our agents are not able to confirm the names, allergies and any specifics of the student's programme until nearer the time, however the preliminary information rarely changes.

 

Important!

1. We will only book students with you for the groups which are confirmed.  We do not book students for groups which have not been secured. Once you receive the dates you agreed to from us you have committed to those dates and can safely mark them in your calendar.  

2. We appreciate that some host families work with more than one organisation, however we would greatly appreciate it if once the bookings with us are confirmed by yourself you do honour those bookings and do not cancel nearer the time of arrival.  Host families who do so are put in a lower priority list and do not receive as many bookings as they potentially could. 

3. Unless it is a real emergency, any cancellations are to be made at least 14 days prior to students arrival, especially as a lot of time and hard work goes into tackling several groups at the same time and making sure we accommodate your needs as well as the clients' needs.  

 

 

CANCELLATIONS

 

Any cancellations must be made in writing at least 14 days prior to your students' arrival.  

 

 

EMERGENCIES

 

In case of a real emergency please use our emergency number 07930 274158.  You can call our office line 01903 203389 during office hours (Mon - Fri, 08.00 - 16.00).  
Please note that the emergency number is only used for emergencies, no booking details or information that is not urgent or relevant will be sent by text.  During the time when you are hosting students (or due to host) we use the emergency line to text you any relevant updates and ad hoc information we feel you need to know, i.e. the coach with your students on it is late.  

Please appreciate that all staff takes turn in handling the emergency phone during out of office hours (evenings and weekends) and as we take our job extremely seriously every time it rings or beeps our hearts skip a beat and we are thinking of the worst case scenario, so please be considerate and only use the emergency line if there is a real need for it.  Thank you very much for your understanding. 

 

In medical emergencies please contact the leader of the student first.  In all cases avoid providing any medication to the student unless discussed with the leader or there is a specific medical kit available with the student for this particular case, of which you would be informed in advance. If no leader is available please contact the school emergency lline.  For all medical emergencies the NHS line of advice is to be followed, just like you would do for your own family (chemist or NHS direct line frist, then A&E etc.)