Student Gateway English Courses
& Cultural Centre

FAQ

 

Why do some groups need me to escort the students and others do not?

We receive different types of placements, depending on their age, school's or agent's regulations we are instructed as to whether students are allowed to walk on their own or need to be escorted to pick up and drop off points.  This decision is not up to us or our host families to make and comes directly from the agent or the school booking their students with us. St. George's and our host families are obliged to adhere to the instructions received as breaching them could lead to serious legal implications.

 

Do I need to give students dinner on arrival if  they are arriving in the evening?

Yes, always. Plan and prepare something hot, quick and easy to either cook or warm up (like pasta), avoid using meat on the first day as well as it does happen that students simply forget to state that they are vegetarian and we only find out when they tell the families.  

 

What if I need to drop the students early due to work?

Dropping students earlier is usually not a problem, providing you do not intend to drop them off an hour earlier or more earlier, as this would be unfair to students.  Please let us know if you need to drop them off earlier, the school is open from 08:00 so there is always someone there, however our policy at the station is to be present at the meeting points at least 20 minutes before the meeting time, which means we have to organise additional person to be available.  Please do not leave your students unattended at the meeting points.  Always talk to us first. 

 

Why are the students not allowed out in the evenings if they are over 16?

Their permission to go out in the evenings is not dependant on their age but rather on the regulations of the school or the agent.  We have to respect the instructions we receive.  Unless you are informed by us that your students are allowed to go out always assume that the students are not. 

 

What if someone else is collecting the students on my behalf?

Always advise the school (or meeter and greeter allocated to your group) if you are sending someone else to collect your students.  We cannot hand the students over to an authorised person, therefore inform us of the persons full name and advise the person to bring his ID to the station to present to our meeter & greeter. 

 

Can I use a taxi on arrival?
Always let us know if you are intending to use a taxi for a pick up or drop off.  Unfortunately in some cases students are strictly forbidden to be transported by a taxi, although in most cases it is ok to use a taxi as long as you are prepared to pay for it your end.  

 

Can I leave my students by themselves?
Always discuss your intention with us beforehand.  It is not allowed to leave your students unattended at any time for health and safety and insurance purposes.  Iin some cases if you are hosting students who are here for a longer period and are older, or students who are adults and have been booked with you as individual students it might be permissible to leave them unattended. 

 

Can I specify gender preference for students?
Of course you can let us know if you have gender preferences for students, however we might be unable to book students of that gender all the time.  We receive groups who are just boys or just girls and a lack of flexibility means that we have to leave you out of selection of host families for that particular group. We do try hard to provide bookings of that particular gender whenever we can though.  

 

Can I give medicine to my students?
It is our school health and safety policy not to provide any medication to students here at school or at host families.  In cases of medical emergencies always contact the leader of the student first.  If no leader is available contact the emergency phone of the school on 07930 274158.

In some cases students who have a medical condition requiring regular medication are required to provide St. George's with a written medical form. All students who require regular medication administered to them or who self-administer need to complete this in advance of their arrival.  We inform our host families of this in advance. Any unexpected medical emergency needs to be discussed with the leaders or the school (if no leaders are available for that particular student).  

In medical emergencies the usual NHS line of advice applies (i.e. chemist or NHS direct liine first, followed by A&E etc.)

What if my students forget their packed lunches?
It is a responsibility of host families to provide packed lunches to their students daily.  If your student forgets their packed lunch please always attempt to deliver it to them.  It is a legal obligation of the school to ensure they have sufficient food and if they have no packed lunch we have to provide it.  In cases like that we then deduct the payment for the packed lunches from host families.  

 

What if my students leave some items behind? (lost property)
We offer assistance in cases when students forget items behing.  We encourage host families to bring the items to us where they are kept safe whilst we negotiate with the student or the agent.  

What if my student cancels on the day of arrival?
We appreciate that host families plan their shopping and menu for the students before they arrive and although St. Georges' not always receives a payment for a cancelled student we try to pay our host famiilies a compensation, which is usually 50% of the booking's value. 

 

What if I have to cancel on day of arrival?
We appreciate that sometimes emergency situations happen and host families have to cancel last minute.  Of course we will accept your reasons and do our best to replace you on the day (as well as provide our support), however please do not cancel bookings in preference of bookings of other organisers or because 'we are nicer to cancel with and do not give you hard time like the other organisers do'.  Just because we are more compassionate and professional it does not mean that your cancellation does not cause us sometimes very big problems as well as unnecessary and unwelcome stress.  We work hard to organise everything for your benefit as well as for our agents and other associates.  Unnecessary cancellations have negative consequences for us, our work colleagues, teachers and students who are travelling, as well as yourself of course.  All cancellations are recorded on our system and are part of our monitoring system, where host families are regularly reviewed and organised in priority order.  

 

 

 

YOUR FEEDBACK and SUGGESTIONS

 

We truly appreciate all the hard work our host families do and we aim to make it as positive and enjoyable as we can.  Please tell us if you feel that we need to improve something.  Your feedback is important!

 

Please complete the form below with your suggestions and comments.LE