Code of Practice

Brighton and Hove Language Schools and Summer Course Organisations

For the purposes of the following Code of Practice the word ‘School’ is used to mean a School or Summer Course Organisation established for the teaching of English as a Foreign Language.

All Schools which have signed the Annual Declaration and submitted the required information and documentation to the Brighton & Hove English Language Organisations Liaison Group have thereby agreed to the terms of this Code of Practice.

Code of Practice

1. Organisational Standards

1. The School annually provides the Brighton & Hove English Language Organisations Liaison Group with the following:

a) The name of the organisation responsible for the local centre b) The name and address of the ultimate owner whether in the UK or abroad
c) The name of the person in charge of the local centre
d) The addresses of all local premises to be used for teaching
e) Evidence of Employer’s Liability Insurance
f) Evidence of current VAT registration where appropriate
g) Evidence of proper payment of PAYE and National Insurance for all employees
h) Copy of all promotional material
i) Statement of student weeks taught in the most recent full calendar year.

2. The school will make copies of this Code of Practice available on request.

11. Educational Standards

The School provides:

1. A minimum of 10 hours supervised tuition per week.

2. A course programme designed and organised by a suitably qualified and experienced course director, and taught by appropriately qualified teachers who have received relevant training and briefing.

3. Average maximum number of students per class in one centre: 16 students under the control of one teacher.

4. A written Certificate of Attendance and Statement of Level to its students on completion of their course, where appropriate.

111. Premises

1. The School’s premises comply with all the necessary fire, environmental health and planning regulations and consents.

2. The premises are in good repair, of adequate size and equipped with facilities for the number of students using them.

1V. Leisure and Social Activities

Students under the age of 16 are provided with an appropriate programme of leisure and social events such as excursions, study events, sports and social activities. The programme is closely supervised and accounts for the majority of non-tuition time. Students are required to return to their host family accommodation by a specific time each evening.

V. Student Welfare

1. To ensure the welfare of its students during their stay in the town, the School nominates a responsible adult (a staff member of group leader) who can be contacted in an emergency and is available at any time to attend to individual needs and difficulties.

2. The School issues each student with a registration card, identity card or information pack showing;

• The student’s full name
• Date of Birth
• The name of the School
• The telephone number of the school or contact number of local organiser or leader
• The student’s photograph were practicable.

3. The School provides basic information for students on :

• British laws, with particular emphasis on theft, licensing, litter, drugs and road safety
• British customs, including queueing and behaviour on public transport and in pubs.

V1. Standard of Host Family Accomodation

1. The School employs an accommodation officer to inspect and approve host families, to ensure that the quality and suitability of their host family accommodation is to the standard set out in the School’s prospectus. The accommodation officer is also responsible for providing host families with guidance and support.

2. The accommodation officer inspects each host family prior to placing the School’s students there and re-inspects regularly.

3. The School immediately investigates complaints made by students about host families or made by host families about students.

4. The School gives its students full details in advance of accommodation arrangements. It states clearly whether a student is expected to share a room or whether other students are placed with the same family.

5. Where two or more students are accommodated with one family, the School ensures that they are not of the same mother tongue unless the promotional literature clearly states otherwise, or unless requested in writing by the student.

6. The School complies with the Regulations of the Children’s Act 1989 as appropriate

V11. Transport and Local Bus Services

In order to minimize the congestion of the resort’s transport service at busy times of year, the School co-operates with local transport services and encourages its students to use appropriate season or multi-journey bus tickets.

V111. Certification

1. The Brighton & Hove English Language organizations Liaison Group issues an Annual Membership Certificate to Schools which have signed the Annual Declaration relating to this Code of Practice and have submitted the necessary information and documentation.

2. Schools may display the Annual Membership Certificate at their premises.