At English in York, our courses are designed to foster an independent, mature learning environment primarily for adults. However, we warmly welcome junior students and are deeply committed to their safety, well-being, and success.
Because students under the age of 18 are legally considered children in the UK, we have comprehensive safeguarding policies in place to support them. This page outlines all the ways we ensure that our younger students enjoy a secure, enriching, and fully supported experience with us, while giving parents complete peace of mind.
English in York (EiY) offers courses for adults and does not provide an exclusive environment for under-18s. All students are treated as independent, mature individuals.
However, we acknowledge that students under the age of 18 are legally children, and we have put in place a Safeguarding policy which is known to all staff and Homestay providers. English in York has a DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) whose job is to ensure the welfare of all under 18 students in the school as well as three Deputy Safeguarding Leads. The school will normally speak directly with a student, and not with parents. English in York will correspond with parents only when the student’s welfare and progress is considered at risk and the matter cannot be dealt with between the school and the student.
English in York recognises the need to safeguard younger students so follows the policies and guidelines of the current UK legislation relating to the care of young people. All students in school under the age of 18 years are identifiable by their purple student lanyard.
The parent or guardian of any student who is under the age of 18 must provide 24-hour contact information for the duration of the young person’s course at EiY. The parent or guardian should in turn retain the school’s contact details.
It is expected that students will respect the wishes of their Homestay family regarding such matters as behaviour, care for their home and mealtimes. The student must keep the Homestay informed of their whereabouts and the times at which they will return following school or other activities. English in York assigns the time by which young students are expected to return to their Homestay each day (normally 10.30pm).
Lunch is not provided by the host on weekdays, and students are expected to purchase their own. Parents/guardians should ensure that children have sufficient funds for this.
Students will be expected to travel by bus unaccompanied.
English in York organises various social activities and excursions. These usually take place outside normal school hours, either in the evenings or at weekends. They form an important part of the student’s time at EiY, offering the opportunity to socialise with other students and staff, and the chance to visit places of interest in the area. There will
be a charge to cover such items as admissions and transport.
All students are invited to join in the social programme**, which is supervised by EiY staff to appropriate ratios.
In signing the English in York Consent Form, parents/guardians consent to a student aged under 18 taking part in organised events, except where UK law forbids it.*
*Occasionally, evening events may be appropriate for students age 18+ only (e.g. pub/club nights). Students aged under 18 will not be permitted to attend in these circumstances.
