Under 18’s

Care and support of under-18s

Birmingham School of English mainly provides English classes for adults who are 18 or older. We do not accept any students under the age of 16 on any of our courses and do not provide 24-hour supervision. However, we do welcome students who are age 16+ to study in language classes with adults. Birmingham School of English is committed to providing a supportive and caring environment for all of its students, both adults and Children. In the UK, by law, any person who is not 18 is a child, irrespective of age of maturity in their home country.

The school recognises that under-18s need special care to ensure their safety at all times during their stay. It also acknowledges that 16 and 17-year-olds, who have greater independence, should be given more freedom. Additionally, the school understands that some adult students may require extra support and guidance. Students will be in an adult environment when they are in class and when they are out of class. At Birmingham School of English, all our staff undergo suitability checks and are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students under 18. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

From the moment your son or daughter arrives at the school, their welfare is the top priority for us.

Parental Consent

Before your child arrives at the school we will ask you to complete a comprehensive Parental Consent form to ensure we understand their needs and what you permit them to do.

The Parental Consent includes sections on Parent/Guardian Contact Details, Emergency Contact, Medical Information, Emergency Treatment, Travel, Insurance, Accommodation, Attendance, Code of Conduct and Values, Unsupervised time, Students aged 16 and 17, Photographs and Video.

Accommodation

We take great care to select homestay accommodation that is suitable for your child. We want their experience to be a “home away from home”.

To select hosts we have a thorough process that includes:

• visiting the house
• getting references to support the host’s application
• conducting background checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children
• providing hosts with all the information and advice that they need to ensure your child is safe.

There is a maximum of four students in each homestay.

Boys and girls are not placed in the same homestay unless we get a specific request for this, e.g. for a brother and sister or cousin staying together. Again your written consent will be needed.

If a student requests to spend a night away from homestay accommodation, e.g. visiting relatives or for a sleepover with a friend, then you must give your permission for this and provide the name, address and contact number of the person they are staying with.

Students will be made aware of the homestay’s rules and must not engage in any activity while unaccompanied that might put them or the household at risk (e.g. cooking).

A curfew is in place and all Under 18’s students are expected to return to their accommodation by this time. If they do not do this, and are not contactable to find out why, then the host will call the school’s emergency number.

Travel

When your child arrives, the host shows them the route to school. The journey to school is generally less than 30 minutes either walking or by bus. After being shown the route, students will travel unaccompanied.

Please note that if you ask us to arrange an airport transfer for your child, they will not be accompanied unless you specifically request a chaperone service.

Supervision at school

The school’s welfare team is available to help and answer questions. An emergency number is provided for students on the student ID and Handbooks to call if they need help when the school is closed.

In order to provide the best care for your child, the school:

• checks the suitability of staff to make sure they are suitable to work with children;
• ensures that staff and students understand what is acceptable behaviour and what is not allowed;
• trains staff to identify when a student might need support or guidance;
• gives students the information they need to stay safe;
• makes sure that students know who to speak to if there is a problem.

Under 18 students will not be supervised while travelling from their accommodation to the school and back every day. They will need to check in at the school every morning and with their homestay host every evening.  

16 and 17 year olds enrolled on adult courses.

Students aged 16 and 17 can enrol on adult courses. They will come into regular contact with other students over the age of 18, in class and potentially in their free time. 

Adult students at the school are made aware that there are younger students in the school and they sign a Code of Conduct which gives them guidance on how to behave with under-18s.