Welfare & Safeguarding - St Andrew's College Language Schools

Student Safety is our top priority

We have a strict selection procedure for staff recruitment, looking carefully for qualified staff with relevant experience.

We want you to be very safe and enjoy your visit to the UK.

From pre-arrival to departure, your safety and happiness are our priorities.

Pre-Arrival: The Student Handbook

Students are sent an electronic Student Handbook (also available from our website). This tells them about their campus, members of staff, what they should bring and some useful information about British culture.

Arrival: Campus Tour

Students are issued with identity tags, with 24-hour emergency numbers
Students are introduced to the St. Andrew’s College staff (our campus staff also wear uniforms and identity tags)
Students are shown the important places on their campus: accommodation/laundry/canteen/staff office/classrooms/meeting points and notice boards
Staff share the campus rules, fire procedures, emergency numbers and introduce the ‘named’ Welfare Coordinator and First Aid staff
Students are given helpful tips for staying safe in the UK
Students are talked to about our ‘positive/good behaviour’ policy
Students are issued with room keys for accommodation

During: Supervision of Students

All students on our residential programmes are supervised by our own staff
During the day, students take part in supervised classes, activities and excursions
During the evening, students will also have a programme of supervised activities
Students who travel in groups will be supervised by their group leaders and residential staff at night time
Overnight Welfare Staff are available at night to support students and group leaders
All individual students on our residential courses will have an individual staff member (named person) who will ensure that they are making friends and that all their needs are looked after during their stay
On every campus is a Student Welfare Coordinator. This person will be friendly, and trained to help all our students. They will check that they are happy, healthy and safe

All students will have 24-hour, on campus, emergency assistance.

Care

On every campus, there is at least one 24-hour student ‘Welfare Coordinator’. This person will be friendly, and trained to help all our students. They will check that they are happy, healthy and safe.

Safeguarding (Care of under 18s): All our staff are professionally safeguarding trained.

First Aid: A minimum of one ‘named’ First Aider will be on campus 24-hours.

On campus, 24-hour, emergency contact

Safety

Emergency Action Plan (EAP): We have an EAP, taking into account current threats. Our management staff have been informed by the Metropolitan Police or Scottish Anti-Terror Squad and have been professionally advised about dealing with emergencies.

Risk Assessments: All locations, excursions and activities have been risk assessed. All management staff are trained in carrying out risk assessments, if needed.

On campus, 24-hour, emergency contact

Colchester Accommodation

Accommodation

On all our campuses, we provide:

Full board accommodation (we can accommodate any dietary requirements)
Personal room key
Linen
Laundry facilities
Cleaning
A digital copy of the Student Handbook is available on each student’s identity card
Residential, on-call, St Andrew’s College Staff

On campus, 24-hour, emergency contact

TEST

Staff and Group Leaders

Additional Support

We provide assistance with…

Medical matters
Confidential counselling and support
Advice on local religious and cultural organisations
Communication with parents and group leaders
Airport transfers
Assistance with visa applications
Others

On campus, 24-hour, emergency contact

"My classes were very good I enjoyed meeting people from different cultures and speaking in English."

Vittoroe de Luca, Italy

"We had a great time and came back full of wonderful memories. The staff have been professional and at same time friendly. And so the teachers. And perfect was the food and staff at the canteen. Thanks again for making all of this possible."

Anna Mottola (Italy), Merchiston Castle

"The school was very good and the teachers were 10/10. The lessons were fun and the kahoot games at the end were the best. The activities were awesome, to have time to do something with your friends and meet new people. Excursions were good but the best part of it all were the staff."

Ben Lagner & Manon Siguad, Student (Germany, France)

"I really enjoyed it because all the activities are so nice. I really love the staff, my group mates and my classmates, the teachers. I made lots of friends. I'd really like to do this again, especially for things like excursions. The lessons are very good and interactive."

Duardo, Student (Italy)

"I wanted to thank you for the experience in Canterbury. It was my first time working with St Andrew’s, everything went very well! I am very happy with your work and organization, and after 15 years in Ireland, I’m staying with you!"

Eiffel Idiomas (Spain)

"Speaking English with everybody is definitely my favourite part. The staff is lovely and I really enjoy speaking to them. Lessons are great too. Excursions are absolutely fantastic as well."

Ghirlanda Group (Italy)

"I just want to thank you for the hard work you guys have been doing on every campus. You have done a fantastic job and you worked really hard for the students. You guys proved that you are the right people for the job."

Hassan Alshaks, Group Leader (Saudi Arabia)

"I learnt a lot in class and met some patient and knowledgable teachers. Really improved my English and made me do better with my oral English. I was also excited to meet lots of Italian friends. Looking forward to the next encounter!"

Lezhi Zhang, Student (China)

"I was eager to take part in this experience again. It's so nice to have te campus all together because it helps community life to grow - you have large spaces where you can share your experience. I really like the academic part, the school is really well done."

Lucia, Group Leader (Italy)

"All of the staff, really, has been eager to help and support us, clear and efficient in providing us everything we needed. Thank you everyone for helping me to lead and manage a big group of students and make them live wonderful memories linked to the English language."

Massimiliano Mariani, Group Leader (Italy)

"I cannot thank you enough for making our fortnight course of English—here at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus—a wonderful experience. I truly appreciated the time you all took to talk to me."

Rosario Sapienza, Group Leader (Italy)

"The activities were fantastic. The staff know how to treat the students and make them feel good. The classes are great because they gave us the opportunity to express what we think."

Sara, Student (Italy)

"The setting at the school was outstanding. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. It was one of the things that made our entire stay such a pleasure. I never got the impression that they were simply doing their job, and they went beyond the call of duty to help with every aspect of our stay."

Study Tours Group, Group Leaders (Greece)

"This was my first experience abroad and also the best one of my life. The campus is really nice and the staff are lovely and very pleasant! Thank you so much for your perfect management and your friendship, you are the best team ever."

Vincenzo Petera, Student (Italy)

"The experience in St. Andrews was awesome because it's a really nice university and the staff know how to treat the students. The excursions are awesome as well as the places we go to. The best thing about this is being with friends because you get to stay with them."

Valentina, Student (Italy)

"Our experience here at Merchiston Castle was remarkable and unforgettable. Everything was clean and high quality. The activities were well-organised and engaging thanks to friendly and enthusiastic activity leaders. Looking forward to working with you again next year!"

Serena and Andrea, Group Leaders (Italy)

"The teachers are very cooperative and constantly in touch with the group leaders, accommodations are comfortable and clean, food is good and varied, activities are well organised and engaging. Staff are collaborative and do their best to meet the needs of students and group leaders."

Rosy Bonuomo, Group Leader (Italy)

"The English course was really effective, and we enjoyed both the trips and the activties in the college (especially Ceilidh dancing!!). Edinburgh is wonderful and the staff is fantastic and extremely efficient. We’ll meet again!"

Petti Group, Group Leader (Italy)

"Your staff were exceptionally good and please pass on my thanks to all the Teachers and Sports people for being so helpful. Your administration and student management made the work of the group leaders so much easier."

Patrizia Castelli, Group Leader (Italy)