Care of Under 18's on IPC Summer School

At IPC Summer School, student safety and wellbeing are our priority. Students are fully supervised during all lessons and organised activities. At the same time, we include some limited, structured unsupervised time to help students build confidence and independence.

Clear rules, curfews, and strong pastoral support are in place at all times.

Key Facts

Full supervision during lessons, breaks, lunch, and activities

Independent travel to and from school by bus (a normal and supported part of the programme)

Students are supervised from arrival at school until the end of the day

Unsupervised time includes:

  • Travel between host and school
  • Some time during excursions
  • Evenings and parts of the weekend

Evenings:

  • Students are encouraged to spend time with host families
  • Younger students are discouraged from going out
  • Older students may go out in groups, with early curfews

Safety measures:

  • Students must stay in groups during free time
  • Buddy support for less confident students
  • Clear rules and boundaries
  • 24/7 emergency contact

Full Details of Supervision and Free Time

Daily Structure

Students have breakfast with their host families and travel to school independently using a bus pass. This is a normal part of the programme and helps build confidence. Students often travel along similar routes with others.

On arrival, students enter the school using a secure coded entry system. From this point, they are fully supervised by IPC staff until the end of the school day.

All lessons, breaks, lunch, and afternoon activities are supervised.

Unsupervised Time

Some parts of the programme are not directly supervised, but these are clearly defined and carefully managed.

Students are always instructed to stay in groups and not spend free time alone. Staff support this by helping students make friends and pairing students where needed, especially those who are less confident.

Unsupervised time includes:

Daily travel between host accommodation and school

Limited free time during excursions (with clear meeting points and timings)

Evenings

After dinner, students are encouraged to spend time with their host families. This may include conversation, watching television, or taking part in normal family life. This is an important part of practising English and experiencing local culture.

Younger students are discouraged from going out in the evenings.

Older students may wish to go out. In these cases:

Students must go out in groups

Curfews are early and conservative

The focus is on safety and returning home early

Students always have access to an emergency contact number

End of Week and Weekend

Friday: Students take part in a “free time for shopping” activity. Students move around in groups, and a member of staff is based at a central meeting point for support.

Saturday: There is a full-day excursion with staff supervision throughout. Students travel independently to and from the departure point.

Sunday: Sunday is a rest day. Students usually spend time with their hosts or meet friends locally. This time is unsupervised, but students are expected to stay in groups and follow all safety guidance. Emergency contact support is always available.

Safeguarding and Support

Students receive clear guidance about safety, behaviour, and expectations. They are encouraged to make sensible decisions, stay with others, and respect all rules.

IPC staff remain responsible for student welfare at all times, with ongoing pastoral support and 24/7 emergency contact available.