At Berkshire Global Education, we believe in providing a high level of care and support for our students to ensure your stay is positive and successful. We have a highly qualified and experienced team of staff and teachers to look after you. There is a minimum ratio of one adult Group Leader for every 10 students. Group Leaders at all campuses are accommodated in the same building as the students.

• The Director of Education oversees your learning programme
• Your course teachers monitor your progress in class
• Berkshire Global Student Welfare Officer and Course Coordinators can help with questions about accommodation, travel, transfers and visas
• Resident House Managers provide supervision and care in our accommodation buildings
• The enthusiastic Activity Leaders help you make the most of your free time

Your peace of mind is important to us. We can assure you that our residential school is run in a safe and secure environment. Your child will have a happy and fun-packed educational holiday in complete safety.

We maintain very strict fire and safety procedures and we take great care with our child protection and behaviour management arrangements. BGE does regular risk assessments for all activities and if any major risks are found before or during an activity it is terminated.

Our staff are trained in all the necessary safety procedures including: first aid, contingency planning, emergency communications, with clear off-trip policies and procedures. Our safety procedures are evaluated on an on-going basis.

TRAVEL AND INSURANCE:

a) Travel:
We offer free transfer from the airport to the venue. We advise students to arrive in the afternoon or early evening of Day 1 of the programme. Travel for the return journey should also be booked for the middle of the day or early evening if possible. On arrival at the airport and having passed through immigration and exited into the terminal you should look for an individual holding a BGE sign. This is your transfer manager who should have a list of all the students expected from that flight. We expect you to arrive at the nearest airport to your chosen venue.
 

Please inform us of flight details as soon as you have made your booking. Please note that BGE can only arrange the pick-up and drop off service on receipt of fully completed booking forms at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival.

On arrival at the college you will be taken to your accommodation ‘house’ to check in.

b) Insurance:
BGE provides all students with FREE basic travel insurance. The cover is valid for any student aged 7 years or more but less than 70 years who has been booked on to one of the courses being offered and run by BGE.

 Further details are available on request.

Please note it’s a basic level of insurance so students who want more advanced cover should organise their own insurance from any good company. Please let us know if you are taking your own insurance.

BGE STAFF:

Our staff have great expertise in teaching foreign students at all levels, using a range of modern approaches. They cover a wide range of topics such as: presentation/communication skills; creative writing; global business challenge; leadership skills; history and culture; music; dance; drama; and many, many more. Classes are usually arranged in age groups and we mix up the nationalities of our visitors enabling everyone to broaden their world view by interacting with students and adults from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our coordinator makes sure that your timetable and accommodation is planned and that you receive an orientation and briefing on arrival, including a tour of your venue’s extensive facilities. It’s a big place and it will take you a while to find your way round!

On day trips you will be supported by our student supervisors who will make sure you get the best experience of your chosen country. And of course your Group Leader will be there to support you too!

ROLE OF THE GROUP LEADER:

Every group of 10 students will always have one Group Leader dedicated to their group. The Group Leader is always the first person to go to in case of a problem or to discuss something.

The Group Leader will liaise with the Course Coordinator or the Course Director to get the help you need.

AFTER YOU ARRIVE:

At the airport you will be met by one of our representatives and will travel to your venue in a comfortable coach. On arrival you will check into your accommodation and then meet with the Course Co-ordinator for a briefing and orientation. The briefing will give you all the details you need about the venue, the timetable, meals and activities. You will have a walking tour of the venue to see all the facilities and classrooms and will then have dinner. Our menus are packed with different dishes that are eaten locally.  Vegetarian diets and Halal meat are also offered – if you can’t eat something you just need to let us know! We expect you to try the food – if this is your first time away from home be prepared for different tastes and textures to your home food.

You will be given a BGE bag with your ID card, pen, pad, and Tour guide. Your free Mobile SIM card will fit into your unlocked smart phone and you can buy credit to call home regularly.

ACCOMMODATION AND SECURITY:

Boys and Girls will be housed in separate sections:

We recommend that expensive equipment such as cameras, phones, tablets/iPads etc. are  not brought on the visit. If they are then serial numbers should be noted and kept separately. Students are responsible for their own possessions including cash.

TAKING PART IN ACTIVITIES:

Every student is expected to take part in all activities unless there is a medical or other valid reason for not doing so. A signed letter must be provided by the student’s parents if they are to be excused from any activities. We hope that all students will take full part in all the activities to get the most out of their stay with BGE.

SPECIAL DIETS AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS:

If your child has a special diet we must be informed at the time of booking. Please complete this section on the registration form.

If your child has a medical condition and needs to take regular medication please ensure that a doctor’s letter and the prescription are provided to the Group Leader before your child leaves on the visit.

Group Leaders may administer general over the counter medicines such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen to students.

MEALS:

Three meals a day are provided and served in the Dining Hall unless otherwise advised. Breakfast is continental style or cooked depending on the student’s preference. Lunch and dinner will have a number of hot and cold options including a dessert and fruit. We encourage students to try the food which may be unfamiliar to them. Water, juice and milk are also provided at mealtimes. For Muslim students there is always a Halal option available and these students should ensure that they take their meat selection from the server marked Halal. On excursion days a packed lunch of a sandwich, crisps and a drink will be provided.

THE INTERNET:

There is wi-fi access throughout the venues. Students will be given the details at their orientation.

CONTACTING HOME:

Students will be given a SIM card to put into their mobile phone. If their phone is ‘locked’ (cannot accept a SIM from another provider) this will not work. Please remember the time difference in your chosen country - if you wish to call your child please do so outside of activity hours (9.30 - 5 pm) Please note that mobiles are not allowed to be switched on during lessons.

CLOTHING:

Temperatures in your chosen country may vary so please bring appropriate clothing. It is wise to check the weather forecast immediately before departure. 

TOILETRIES:

All students must bring their own towel, soap/shower gel, toothpaste etc. as this is not provided. Remember the limit of 100ml for toiletries carried in hand luggage!

SPENDING MONEY:

Other than spending money on sweets and drinks the only opportunity to visit the shops will be on excursion days. Each student is responsible for their own cash. There will be opportunities to change currency if needed.

SMOKING/DRINKING POLICY:

All BGE venues are strictly no smoking except in designated zones. Only adults may make use of these areas. All cigarette butts must be put out completely and disposed of in a suitable manner.

No delegates are allowed to consume alcohol during BGE courses.

COURSE RULES:

During your stay there are local staff and other groups living on the site at the same time.

• No music games or parties after 10.00 pm
• No mixing of sexes within the accommodation blocks
• No drugs / alcohol on site
• Students to return to the accommodation by 10.00 pm at the latest and a register to be taken by the responsible group leader to ensure all students are in
• Accommodation blocks to be kept as free as possible of litter. Students must pick up litter and drop it into bins. Housekeepers are there to clean, not to dispose of general litter
• Should a Housekeeper be in the process of cleaning the bathroom areas (particularly in male houses) students/staff should use alternative bathroom areas
• Aerosol hairsprays/deodorants can set off the fire alarms in the accommodation, so please avoid using those in the bedrooms. Hair tongs must be safely turned off
• No candles or lit flames of any kind are allowed on site or in the accommodation
• Bedrooms must be cleared by 09.00 on the final day to allow Housekeepers to manage changeovers

(Note: please refer to ‘Student Code of Conduct’ for full details of the course rules)