Information for students aged 16 and 17 on adult courses
U18s
Although most of our students are aged 19 – 24, our minimum age is 16 and (especially in the summer) we also have students aged 16 and 17.
Under British law, anyone below the age of 18 (U18) is considered to be a child and all schools have a legal duty to have special measures in place to protect children. It is important that students and their parents know that, while we have these special measures in place and take special care of our Under 18s, they will study and mix with all other students in the school. As noted above, most of our students are usually aged 19 – 24, although some are older (in fact, our oldest-ever student was 80!).
Supervision of U18s in school and on school activities
Our U18s are supervised during lessons by our teachers, and to some degree by other staff when on the school premises. Our U18s will not always be supervised during school activities and weekend excursions organised by the school or by a tour operator. They will be given free time during excursions and in the evenings after dinner but will be given guidelines and advice to follow for their safety.
All school staff are DBS-checked.
U18's free time
In their free time, and when not engaged in any school activity, U18s are unsupervised.
Daily sign-in
All U18s are required to sign an attendance record every morning when they arrive in school, to enable school staff to monitor attendance.
U18s Welfare Officer
We have a specific member of staff responsible for the welfare of U18s, who maintains dialogue with them and continually checks for any problems or anxieties.
Homestay
All our homestay providers are DBS-checked. All U18s are required to be home by 22:30.
Parental consent form
Before their son or daughter begins their course, we require parents of U18s to sign our Parental Consent Form, stipulating what level of individual liberty they consider permissible for their child.
The Parental Consent Form can be downloaded here.