FAQ

We will always make sure that arrival arrangements are in place and your child is met by either one of our representatives, drivers, or a school staff member. You will know exactly who is meeting your child, and where they will be waiting for them. Your guardian will make sure that your child is safely taken to the school, and any help that is required on the first day is provided.

We know that the first day at school is often very emotional and significant for both children and parents. The support given on that first day can have a substantial impact on a child’s well-being. We always make sure children are met at the airport, safely taken to the school, shown around, and provided with help in settling into their school routine and being introduced to their new friends. School house staff will be on hand to provide help and support, but since they have hundreds of other new children to deal with, we make sure that any questions are answered in advance. Over the course of the first week, we stay in contact with the school daily to ensure that everything is going well and that the child is settling in without difficulty.

With many years of experience working with UK schools and universities, English Guardian is perfectly placed to ensure your child’s needs are fully supported and their progress closely monitored. Your child’s guardian will be in touch with the school regularly to make sure that any questions your child may have are answered and that the school is happy with the progress he or she is making. Your guardian will provide academic and pastoral support, answer school questions, fill in school forms, organize travel arrangements, and attend to anything else that may be required.

Your guardian will be in touch regularly to discuss holiday and weekend arrangements, report on academic progress, and get your permission for activities organised by the school. Your guardian will also be in touch in case of emergencies, so it is essential that they have your correct email address and a mobile phone number, including temporary contacts, in case you are away. It is your responsibility to provide us with correct contact details at all times.

The academic aspect of guardianship offers regular contact between the guardian, student, parents, and school tutor, providing academic updates and relaying any concerns that your child’s teachers might have back to you. Your guardian will also ensure that the student is putting enough effort into classwork and delivering homework on time and according to requirements. They will also ensure that the student is provided with additional subject help, support with homework, revision, and exam preparation. Depending on the package you choose, we can also attend parent evenings, prepare detailed reports for you, and provide regular (normally every half-term) school reports. Additional services include organising additional tuition with highly experienced tutors, either by Skype or face-to-face, and advice on further school/university choices, as well as support in preparing university applications.

All of your child’s transport (airport transfers, transport to the host family, school pick-ups, etc.) will be organized in advance. We always aim to provide the most cost-effective travel solution using all the options available, including school transport (if available) and our own network of drivers. Our drivers are experienced, reliable, and DBS-checked to ensure your child’s safety. Different categories of vehicles are available on request, including VIP transport. The guardian will be available for parents and the student while the student is with the driver.

We can organize airport transfers for unaccompanied minors in accordance with airline requirements. The driver’s details (including ID number) will be provided in advance for pick-ups. The driver will help the child with check-in and will stay at the airport until the flight departs.

With many years of experience arranging travel for our students, we are familiar with flight delays, cancellations, and missed flights. We will ensure that the situation is resolved in the most efficient way. Homestay accommodation for the child, as well as flight transfers, will be provided if necessary.

We are happy to help with your travel arrangements when you come to the UK to visit your child. This includes providing drivers, translators, and accommodation as well as arranging your visit to the school at the most suitable time and informing the school of these arrangements.

Sometimes boarding students need to stay overnight outside school. Common reasons for this are:

• The school boarding houses are closed for the weekend (some schools close their boarding houses up to six weekends a year)
• School holidays are either too short for the student to go home, or their parents are not available to look after them
• The student needs to stay in the UK to study for exams
• The student is unwell and it is not safe for them to stay in school
• The student is suspended or expelled due to breaking school rules

In some cases, it may also be beneficial for the student to stay outside school for a short period for psychological reasons and when a home environment is necessary

We thoroughly check all the references and documents provided by prospective host families, and all adult family members undergo a DBS check. We make sure that all host family members are aware of our Child Protection Policy and offer ongoing support 24/7 in case of any concerns. English Guardian is fully accredited by AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students), which means that our services have been inspected by the regulator and we can guarantee high standards of care. Your child is safe with us!

Over the years, we have built a network of reliable host families who work with us regularly. We select a family for your child based on a wide range of factors and requirements, and aim to place your child no further than an hour’s drive away from where they need to be (school, airport, etc.), unless you have a specific request, such as to host your child with a family that speaks your native language.

We have a wide network of host families, and many of them speak languages other than English. All of them, however, do speak English, and most use English as their first language at home.

We carefully select a family for your child based on your requirements, family location, your child’s profile, and the hosts’ personalities. In most cases, our students are very happy with the families they live with, provide positive feedback, and return to the families on an ongoing basis. However, your guardian is available at all times during your child’s stay should you be unhappy with anything and wish to discuss arrangements or request another family.

All of our host families provide a comfortable and welcoming home for international students. We regularly visit and re-check families to make sure that the conditions at home are safe and comfortable. However, if there are any concerns, your guardian will be available for you at any time while your child is staying with the host family.

Our standard host family arrangements include three nutritious meals a day. When preparing food, our hosts consider your child’s preferences, likes, dislikes, allergies, and religious obligations. Some children like snacking between meals, and if this is something you approve of, the host family will accompany the student to buy snacks from local shops.

As a standard arrangement, our host families provide a place to stay and meals, not entertainment. However, it is very common that families are happy for their guests to join them in going into town, to the park, walking dogs, shopping, etc. They see students as part of their family and so guests are welcome to play games, watch TV, cook together, and receive help with their homework. If you require additional entertainment for your child, such as trips to London, Oxford, Cambridge, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Windsor, and other places of interest, please inform your guardian in advance and they will organise it as an additional service.

The guardian will be available for parents and the student while the student is with the host family for any questions related to the stay.

Emergency host accommodation will be arranged if your child needs to leave the school for a short or longer period. We will work closely with the school, the student, and yourself to help solve the conflict.

As soon as you register your child with English Guardian, you will be given emergency mobile numbers that you are able to use both inside and outside of working hours.

We understand that medical emergencies can be very stressful for both your child and you. Likewise, we know how cultural differences can affect the way your child is used to receiving medical treatment. We work closely with the school boarding house and medical center staff to ensure that your child receives the best care, and we require the medical staff to provide you with reports detailing what treatment your child has received. Your child will be registered with the National Health Service (NHS) and will be able to access all medical services available for UK residents. However, private medical support can also be arranged on request.

The UK Department of Education and Social Services advises private schools to recommend AEGIS-accredited organizations to overseas families to ensure the security and safety of their children. English Guardian is proud to be fully accredited by AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students), which means that our services have been inspected by the regulator and we can guarantee high standards of care. We have a rigorous Child Protection policy in place and offer training and support to our staff members and host families. Please contact our DSL if you have any concerns.

We are proud to have hundreds of families using our guardianship services and others who, after their children have left school, remain our close friends, inviting us to their weddings and other significant family events. However, if at some point you feel that your guardian does not meet your requirements, you can contact the company manager to discuss the situation and appoint another guardian if required.