Student Handbook Welcome to IQ Consultancy! We are very happy that you are joining the family of IQ Consultancy students. Going to study in another country is always very exciting but it also can be overwhelming and even a bit scary. As your guardians we are here to help you make the most of your time in the UK, adapt easily to your new school life and make your school experience enjoyable, successful and rewarding. This Handbook tells you all that you need to know before arriving in the UK, so please read it carefully. We are always happy to answer any other questions you may have. Content Key information and contacts IQ Consultancy’s role as your Guardian and the role of the host family The responsibilities of a student Arrival in the UK Living in the UK Personal safety and the care of valuables Living with a host family Homesickness. Symptoms and how to cope with it Health. What to do in a medical emergency Child Safeguarding Parental authority Links to useful websites 1 Key information and contacts Kasha Handcock Director and Guardian Phone/Whatsapp: +44(0)782 444 9540 Email: [email protected] Olga Koshkina Guardian Phone/Whatsapp: +44(0)752 284 8026 Email: [email protected] IQ Consultancy LTD Telephone/Whatsapp: +44(0) 782444 9540 Emergency Telephone/Whatsapp: +44 (0) 752 284 8026 (24 hours/7 days a week) Email: [email protected] Emergency Numbers in the UK 999 (or 112) — Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance (Emergency. Free) 101 — Police (Non-Emergency. Free) 111 — National Health Service (Non-Emergency. Free) 2 IQ Consultancy’s role as your Guardian and the role of the host family To have a guardian living in the UK is a school and visa requirement for all students whose families live overseas. You are at school, the school takes full responsibility for your welfare and academic progress. However there are times when the school must be able to hand over these responsibilities to a properly appointed guardian. For example, exeat weekends, half terms, medical emergencies, suspensions and expulsions. Either the Director of IQ Consultancy LTD Kasha Handcock or Guardian Olga Koshkina act as the guardian to all students registered with our company. Your guardian will: ● act on behalf of your parents (in loco parentis) in situations where they are unable to do so due to distance or timing; ● look after your welfare in the UK when the school is closed; ● be available for you anytime, particularly if you are worried or homesick, have personal problems, need some advice or support; ● provide a host family for you to stay with during half term and exeat weekends when the school is closed or if you are suspended/asked to leave school; ● make travel arrangement such as airport transfers or taxi to and from the host family; ● help in medical emergency; ● help you in an emergency such as if you have a problem or get into trouble at school or have problems with immigration or documents (for example, lost or stolen passports or BRP cards). Depending on the terms of your Guardianship package your guardian may: ● attend school parents’ meetings; 3 ● visit you at school; ● provide your parents with academic and pastoral updates regarding your progress and welfare at school; ● help you with things you may need — school uniform, sports equipment, pocket money, mobile phone, UK mobile SIM card, etc. When schools are closed for half-terms and exeat weekends you will stay with a host family. IQ Consultancy LTD has a number of host families, all of them meet the requirements set out by British Council/English UK, and inspected at least once a year to ensure high standards are maintained. We will match you as closely as possible to the family in terms of their experience, interests, and location. All our host families are given guidelines and training how to host international students, but if you have any concerns whilst you are staying with a host family, please let us know immediately. While staying with a host family, you will gain insight into the British way of life as hosts are encouraged to include you in family life and to arrange different activities, in return you are expected to respect your host family and their way of life. During your stay with a host family, IQ Consultancy LTD remains your guardian so you should contact Kasha or Olga if you need to make any changes to the original arrangement or if you have any concerns. You must provide your current mobile number and email to IQ Consultancy LTD and let us know of any change to your contact details as soon as they are in place. 4 The responsibilities of a student IQ Consultancy LTD expects all of their students to be polite and courteous when staying with a host family or at school. Students are also expected to respect and follow rules which will be introduced by their school and host family. School rules, in general, include the following: ● English only. ● Being punctual. ● Eating and drinking is not allowed in class. ● Mobile phones should be turned off in class. ● Good attendance: having poor attendance may result in expulsion or jeopardise your next visa application. Every host family has their own house rules which can include the following: ● When you should take a shower. ● If you can use the kitchen. ● If you can eat in your room. ● If you can use the internet. ● You are not allowed to have friends in. You need to go through rules carefully when given. You should also follow the rules set out in our Student Behaviour Code of Conduct. You will receive a copy of the Student Behaviour Code of Conduct within your Welcome Pack. 5 Arrival in the UK Student Visas You will need a visa to study in the UK. The most common visa is the Child Student Visa. When you arrive in the UK for the first time you will have your passport with a visa vignette that will expire usually within 30 days, and your visa decision letter. BRP Cards If you are going to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months, you will need a biometric residence permit (BRP). Your visa decision letter will tell you if you need to collect a BRP card and where you can collect it from. You must collect it before your vignette expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later. Your school should be able to help you with this. Registering with the Police Some international students will need to register their stay with the police. You must do this in the first week of your arrival in the UK. The stamp in your passport will tell you if you need to register or not. If you are not sure, please ask the school. Arriving at the Airport If IQ Consultancy LTD arranges an airport transfer for you, our designated driver will meet you at the arrivals hall and will be holding a sign so you can find them easily. You will be given their name and phone number in advance so that you can call them. You must have a mobile phone, fully charged and suitable for use in the UK (enabling international roaming), have sufficient credit to make an emergency call. Do not leave the airport alone, until you have found the driver. If you have trouble finding them, please call your guardian. 6 Living in the UK The United Kingdom is made up of four countries, which are united under one monarch and government. These countries are England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each country has a distinct culture and feel of its own. While England, Wales, and Scotland are joined on the same island, Northern Ireland is separate; it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland. Manners and Customs 1. British people are very polite and say “please” and “thank you” rather frequently so make sure you do the same. 2. British people are often heard to say “Sorry!”. This word is used if people accidentally bump into each other or make a mistake. Often people say it even if they were not to blame (for example, a person bumped into them whilst walking in the street). 3. When you meet someone for the first time, they will usually shake your hand. Due to the coronavirus, greetings have changed, and handshakes are not currently being used. 4. British people are generally punctual so make sure you always arrive on time. 5. British people love queues! When waiting their turn, for example in a shop, bank or for public transport, people form a line one behind the other so that they are served in turn. It is considered rude to push in. 6. It is considered polite to wait for all people at the table to have their meals in front of them before you start to eat. 7. Knives and forks are used to eat the vast majority of main courses, although some British families may use other cutlery to suit the cuisine. 8. Knives and forks are placed together to indicate that the diner has finished. 7 9. Diners usually wait until everyone is finished before leaving the table. Culture shock Culture shock is common among international students arriving in the UK for the first time. You will notice differences between the way things are done and what you are used to at home. These include almost all aspects of life. For more information about British culture, please visit this page.