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It is a legal requirement that all Non-European pupils, under the age of 18, studying in the United Kingdom must have a Guardian who is over the age of 21 and who is resident in the UK. The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA), which issues our license as an educational sponsor, will regularly monitor all boarding schools and colleges to ensure that these procedures are being carried out. We intend to carry out our duties diligently in order to protect our Highly Trusted Status.
Of equal importance is the safety and well-being, of our pupils when they are on school holidays and for this reason we have drawn up a Guardianship Charter detailing the level of care we expect all host families to provide to our pupils. Once again we will monitor the level of care provided to all our pupils.
From September 2011, all new Non-European pupils studying at Rossall School must choose a Guardianship organisation from one of the four approved agents, whose details have been placed on our website. There are a range of services and prices on offer from each of these companies and all have signed up to our new Guardianship Charter and are required to carry out rigorous checks on the host families they select.
The only exception to this rule is when parents nominate a close family member, who is resident in the UK and over the age of 21 who can serve as the host family. In this case the School will serve as the 5th Guardianship organisation and the family member will be required to report to Rossall School within two weeks of the commencement of the pupil’s course. They will need to bring with them their passport and proof of address in the United Kingdom. Please note that we will not accept University students living in University halls of residence as a legitimate guardian. The new process has to be monitored carefully in order to comply with UKBA requirements. Checks will be carried out for every pupil during the holiday period to ensure that the student has arrived safely with their host family and that all is well.
Under no circumstances will pupils be allowed to travel without the supervision of their Guardian/Host family, nor will they be permitted to stay in hotel or bed & breakfast accommodation or rented accommodation, without supervision of their Guardian/Host family.
Term dates
Our term dates are published (please click here) and are issued to parents and agents many months in advance. The UKBA is also well aware of our term dates and in our capacity as licensed sponsors, we are required to notify the UKBA of any non-EU pupils who fail to arrive at the school on time WITHOUT PERMISSION for the start or re-commencement of their studies. We are also required to inform them of any pupils leaving early without permission. The UKBA check our registers and will expect to have been informed of any unauthorised absenteeism.
You must adhere to the specified travel dates and only in exceptional circumstances, will permission be granted from the school to leave early or arrive back late from their holidays. All requests must be submitted to the Deputy Headmaster in writing by your parent/agent or registered Guardian.
If you have any queries regarding the new policy for Guardianship, please contact Mrs Metcalfe in the Registry or Mrs McGachie and they will be happy to assist with the arrangements.
Mrs McGachie – International Student Liaison Officer g.mcgachie@rossall.org.uk
Phone number : 00 44 1253 774204
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