Course Staff

Our World English Schools have a high ratio of staff to students, according to the ethos and high standard of student care that our Courses follow. We employ carefully selected teachers in the classroom and responsible members of activities staff to supervise and offer instruction where necessary in the wide range of options. The Course Director is directly responsible for the welfare of all students and staff. He/she leads a team of activities staff, who accompany the students on their excursions, instruct in sports, art and drama and participate in the students social activities. Certain staff are resident in the boarding houses with students. We employ a team of enthusiastic and capable staff whose brief is to help the students gain the maximum possible benefit from the Course.

Arrival and Departure

The student will be met at the airport or train station by a member of staff at the appropriate exit point, carrying a board with the Our World English Schools logo and the student's name. If several students arrive at the same time of day, some may be asked to wait until we have met another arrival before leaving the airport or station. Staff will also take the student to the airport or station on departure day and will stay until he or she has gone into Departures. Students should arrive at and depart from London Gatwick or London Heathrow airport or a major London train station. It would be appreciated if students could arrive and depart as close to midday as possible. Students must have a valid return ticket made out and completed with a time and date. It is essential that we are kept informed of any changes to the students travel arrangements. Students must not assume that we have received details of changes until they are acknowledged by us in writing.

Travelling to Dulwich by car

Detailed route maps will be sent to parents who wish to escort students directly to the centres. Dulwich is a quiet village in the South East of London and the College is situated on the A205 South Circular road at the intersection with College Road. The nearest railway station is West Dulwich, less than a kilometre from the College. The journey from West Dulwich into Victoria Station in central London takes approximately 11 minutes. The nearest airport is Gatwick, which is about 45 minutes drive from Dulwich. Heathrow is about 60 minutes drive.

Pocket Money and Vauables

There is nothing to pay for on our Courses. All expenses are included in the fee. However, students will want to bring a certain amount of pocket money to cover shopping and telephone calls. It is unnecessary and inadvisable to send the student with a large amount of money; £30 - £60 per week should be adequate. Pocket money, passport and tickets will be collected from students on arrival and a weekly banking service will be available. Students rooms may not have locks, in the interests of personal safety, and valuables may be left with Course staff. Our World English Schools disclaims responsibility for loss or damage to students personal possessions, money and other valuables, except when officially banked with us. (See Insurance).

Residence
Dulwich College offers accommodation in deluxe single and twin study bedrooms with en suite bathrooms as well as rooms for 2, 3, 4 or 6 students with shared bathroom facilities. Girls and boys in homestay and boarding will be accommodated separately and may only mix in the recreational areas of boarding houses. All Houses have payphones which can make international calls. Important messages should be left with the Course office, whose telephone number will be provided. There is the option of homestay accommodation with carefully chosen local families who live close to the School. Any daily travel expenses from host families to the School will be reimbursed at the end of each week. Homestay students can opt for a single or a shared room.

In case of emergency the Principal, Mr A J Binns, can be contacted 24 hours a day on: +44 (0)20 8291 5978 or +44 (0)795 6562501

Meals

Students will have most of their meals in the School dining hall. There is always an unlimited amount of food and both salad and hot food are provided at lunchtime with vegetarian options always available. It should be indicated on the application form if there are any special dietary requirements. Students should expect to try dishes not familiar to them; new experiences are, after all, part of the fun of coming on a Course. Packed lunches or lunch money will be provided when the students are going on excursions. Refreshments will be provided in the lesson breaks.

Clothes and Laundry

Clothes will be laundered once a week by the school. Students may be expected to sort out their own clothes when they are returned clean, so it is a good idea to have name tapes on items which are not readily identifiable, such as white T-shirts. Students must bring their own towels. Bedlinen will be provided and changed once a week.

Student Safety and Welfare

Activities requiring trained guidance will always have an appropriate member of staff in charge. The students will be under the constant supervision of the Course staff when they are off campus, except where small groups are given permission by Course staff to go shopping. Parents must write a letter to the Principal, Mr A J Binns, if they do not wish for such permission to be given. Several of our staff are trained in First Aid. Students will be taken to the local health centre or hospital when necessary. Please include any relevant medical details on the application form, and note that medical insurance is highly recommended. A separate medical declaration form will be sent to parents for signing before the course begins.