Student welfare and safety
Our foremost priority
Your child's wellbeing comes first
When a student feels safe, known and at ease, everything else follows. Our welfare approach is thoughtful and personal. We blend clear routines with kind, attentive people so that students settle quickly, build confidence and enjoy every part of their Oxford experience.
We choose our Residential Deans with the same care we apply to our tutors. They are selected for good judgement and genuine kindness, and they receive robust safeguarding training before students arrive. They live on site, they are visible throughout the day and evening, and they get to know each student properly. New arrivals are welcomed, homesickness is handled gently and discreetly, and small wins are celebrated. If a young person ever needs extra support, there is always someone calm and capable to turn to.
Safeguarding sits at the centre of this structure. We take our responsibilities seriously and follow clear, professional procedures across all levels of the programme. All staff working with young people are fully vetted and enhanced DBS-checked or hold international police clearance where applicable. Our safeguarding training gives staff the tools to identify concerns early, offer appropriate support and communicate promptly with senior colleagues. Students are introduced to the welfare team during induction so they know exactly who to approach at any point, whether they need reassurance, advice or a quiet conversation.
Keeping in touch with home is also important. While mobile phones are kept away during lessons, students are encouraged to stay in regular contact with their families during free time. Residential Deans gently check in to make sure students are keeping you updated, particularly in the early days when a reassuring message from home can make a significant difference. Families receive a daytime campus number for general queries and a 24-hour emergency number should anything urgent arise.
Parents receive a campus contact for everyday questions and a 24 hour emergency number for urgent matters. Students carry programme identification with essential numbers so help is always close by. If you ever want to talk something through, our team is easy to reach and ready to help. You can also contact either +44 1865 679 010 or +44 7437 354 546 for any matter.
Moving around Oxford
Predictable days help students relax into the rhythm of study and exploration. Mornings begin with a friendly check in, a clear sense of the plan ahead and a chance for staff to make sure everyone is well rested and ready for the day. Evenings include light-touch registers, moments to unwind with friends and quiet hours for under 18s so that all students sleep properly and feel refreshed. When moving between buildings, students sign in and out so staff always have an accurate sense of where everyone is. Pastoral staff maintain a calm and encouraging presence around campus, offering guidance when needed and creating an environment that feels structured but never restrictive. This simple framework gives students the confidence to make the most of their time with us.
We also provide clear guidelines for leaving campus. Under-16s may only leave the campus grounds when accompanied by a Residential Dean or designated member of staff. Students aged 16 to 18 may go off campus during approved free time, but only in groups of three to five, and always after signing out with staff. They must return for the next register and are not permitted to leave after curfew. These measures allow students to explore Oxford safely while ensuring that staff always have oversight of where each group is and how long they intend to be away. All students carry emergency contact details for the programme, and must provide a working phone number when signing out.
Safe, central accommodation
Predictable days help students relax into the rhythm of study and exploration. Mornings begin with a friendly check in, a clear sense of the plan ahead and a chance for staff to make sure everyone is well rested and ready for the day. Evenings include light-touch registers, moments to unwind with friends and quiet hours for under 18s so that all students sleep properly and feel refreshed. When moving between buildings, students sign in and out so staff always have an accurate sense of where everyone is. Pastoral staff maintain a calm and encouraging presence around campus, offering guidance when needed and creating an environment that feels structured but never restrictive. This simple framework gives students the confidence to make the most of their time with us.
We also provide clear guidelines for leaving campus. Under-16s may only leave the campus grounds when accompanied by a Residential Dean or designated member of staff. Students aged 16 to 18 may go off campus during approved free time, but only in groups of three to five, and always after signing out with staff. They must return for the next register and are not permitted to leave after curfew. These measures allow students to explore Oxford safely while ensuring that staff always have oversight of where each group is and how long they intend to be away. All students carry emergency contact details for the programme, and must provide a working phone number when signing out.
Health, safety and medical support
Before arrival we ask families to share any medical needs, allergies or routines so we can prepare well. On site, trained first aiders are available, first aid supplies are easy to access and local NHS services are nearby should we need them. Catering teams are briefed carefully on dietary needs and allergens, and alternative options are always available. Jet lag, nerves and busy schedules can be tiring, so we nudge students toward good habits such as sleep, hydration and balanced meals. If something requires attention, we update parents promptly and clearly.
We also take venue safety seriously. We work only with colleges and venues that meet or exceed UK health and safety standards. Before each programme we complete site audits with college estates teams, confirm fire safety procedures and assembly points, and review risk assessments for accommodation, teaching rooms and dining spaces. During programme weeks we run clear safety inductions, keep daily checks of key areas and maintain close contact with lodge and security teams so standards remain consistently high.
Religious and dietary accommodations
We welcome students from many countries and traditions, and we want everyone to feel at home. We do our best to honour cultural and religious needs so students can take part fully while observing their beliefs. Our catering teams accommodate a wide range of requirements, including Kosher and Halal, as well as vegetarian, vegan and allergen-specific diets. We also arrange access to multifaith prayer rooms and quiet spaces so students can reflect or pray as they wish. If a student has a specific request, we encourage families to share it in advance and we will plan accordingly.
Travel and arrivals
Clear pre-arrival information takes the stress out of travel. Our team meets students at designated points on campus and airport transfers can be arranged with trusted providers. Seatbelts are required for all journeys and, where a student travels as an Unaccompanied Minor, we coordinate carefully with airline procedures. For departures, we use the same calm, organised approach so the end of the programme feels as smooth as the start.
Our Residential Deans will be waiting at the airport arrival terminals with a helpdesk to pick up the students. They will then be taken directly to their rooms in Oxford. Once the programme has concluded, our Residential Deans will take them to the departure terminal at the airport, helping them check-in and seeing them off to airport security.
Creating an inclusive environment
A kind and purposeful community does not happen by itself. It grows from shared expectations, thoughtful guidance and an environment where every student feels welcome and respected. One of the most rewarding parts of our programme is the chance for bright, curious young people from many cultures to learn alongside one another, exchange ideas and form friendships that last long after the summer ends. These moments, whether in tutorials, discussions over dinner or quiet conversations in the gardens, are a central part of the Oxford experience we aim to create.
To support this atmosphere, we set clear standards that keep everyone safe and comfortable, and we explain them carefully during induction. Bullying and harassment have no place in our community, and our team acts quickly and sensitively if concerns arise. Under 18s may not consume alcohol or vape, and we ask all students to show respect for others’ learning, rest and personal space. These guidelines help ensure that every student, regardless of background, can flourish academically and personally.
Our Residential Deans are present throughout the day and evening, ready to reassure, advise or simply listen. They bring experience from schools, colleges and international educational settings, and they work closely with our Programme Directors, who oversee the wellbeing of the entire cohort. If an issue emerges, it is handled promptly, fairly and with the student’s best interests at the centre of every decision. Our aim is to maintain a supportive, inclusive and enjoyable environment where students feel confident, cared for and able to make the most of their time in Oxford.