Guardianship for Overseas Students Policy

Rationale:

All students boarding at Bedford School who normally live overseas must have a guardian with whom they can stay during Exeat weekends and half-term holidays. The duration of half-term holidays throughout the academic year is currently two weeks in the autumn term, and one week in each of the spring and summer terms. Exeat weekends occur once in each half of both the autumn and spring terms. There is one extended Exeat weekend in the first half of the summer term. Full details of all Exeat weekends, half-term and other school holidays, are published in the Ousel Calendar and are also available via the school website.

The School’s Expectations:

 Any parents who have no permanent home in the United Kingdom or who anticipate being posted overseas must appoint a guardian for their son(s) who is acceptable to the Head Master on both grounds of age (ideally>25yrs) and proximity to the school (ideally< 2hours traveling time).  Family relatives and close personal friends who meet these requirements can often prove effective guardians. In cases where such provision is not possible the School is able to provide information to enable parents to contact a number of accredited guardianship agencies.  The School does not recommend any particular guardianship agency or provide its own guardianship service.  Parents of overseas students must notify the Head Master of the guardian’s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.  The pupil would normally be expected to reside with their guardian over Exeat weekends, half- term and, if appropriate, any other school holiday.  The Head Master must be immediately informed of any changes of guardianship arrangements.  The School may treat any guardian as the pupil’s parents in all respects, even though a court has not appointed the guardian and the guardian must be given the power to make decisions and arrangements on behalf of the pupil, including both normal routines and emergencies. The School shall not be obliged to notify or consult with the parents when a guardian has been appointed.  The requirement to appoint a guardian maybe waived by the Head Master in certain circumstances* but is otherwise regarded as being a contractual obligation for the parents of all overseas students.

* In view of the existence of regular, reliable and economic, air-transport links between nearby airports and a number of northern European cities, the Head Master is prepared to allow overseas boys able to take advantage of these services to return home for Exeat weekends and half term holidays. In such cases there is no need for parents to appoint a UK based guardian.

James Hodgson Head Master

February 2015 Reviewed February 2015

Next review February 2018