Child Protection and Safeguarding

Students aged under 18

The minimum age for our adult General English courses is 16 although the vast majority of students at the school are 18 years or older. You should be aware that if you are aged 16 or 17 that you will be participating in essentially an adult course and not a junior programme. In the UK people are legally regarded as children until they reach the age of 18. This means that we take particular care to look after all our students aged 16 and 17 and we understand safety is a number one priority, especially for parents when choosing to allow their son or daughter to attend a language programme overseas. All our staff are subject to mandatory checks to ensure that they have no criminal record and that no reason exists to prevent them from being in contact with young people.

Glasgow School of English is owned and operated by Global Connections (Scotland) Limited and all people who may be in contact with children are required to follow the principles and guidance contained in our our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

All staff, homestay providers and group leaders are subject to detailed codes of conduct focussing on the principles of child protection and working with students aged under 18.

Below are the key principles from our child protection and safeguarding policies;

• We understand that some of our 16 & and 17 years old students are living away from their family and friends.

• Our staff are trained to be aware of possible issues that may arise and we have policies and procedures in place to make sure that this happens.

• All teachers, staff and selected hosts are subject to mandatory checks to ensure that they have no criminal record and that no reason exists to prevent them from being in contact with young people.

• All staff, homestay providers and group leaders are subject to detailed codes of conduct focussing on the principles of child protection and working with students aged under 18.

• Under 18s will be taught in English language classes of mixed ages and all teachers are aware who is under 18 in the class.

• We monitor the attendance at school of all students very closely but are particularly careful with students aged 16 and 17 and will act immediately if they do not attend school. Our class teachers will report to our under 18 welfare officer if any under 18 student is absent from their class. The School Manager will then contact the under 18 student at his or her accommodation to check on their wellbeing

• We request parents or guardians to sign and return a consent form as well as any medical information ensuring contact details of parents and guardians are taken in case of an emergency.

• Our school has a dedicated under 18 welfare officer – the School Manager, Ricky Kemp, who is on-site to help with any problems the student may have.

• All students are given an emergency 24-hour, 7 days a week phone number that will be answered by one of our staff.

• Homestay accommodation can only be booked on a half board basis. This includes bed, breakfast and dinner. We do not allow under 18s to book into our student residential accommodation as we feel it is far more appropriate for them to live with a host.

• We organise some social activities however there is no leisure programme included in the price. We have provision for any under 18s who attend social activities to ensure they are looked after. The social programme leader will ensure young students are able to return home safely after the event finishes.

• There is no supervision of under 18s after scheduled lessons have finished. The under 18s will need to be able to travel on their own on public transport from their accommodation to and from Glasgow School of English. We will make every effort to help in any way to support and help with travel arrangements.