The programme
The schools and surroundings
For 2010 we have Courses at Schools near Newbury - The Mary
Hare School and Cheam School. Newbury is a small country town
in a pleasant part of southern England in the Berkshire Downs.
It is 70km west of London and 45km south of Oxford. The Schools
we use are among the best in the area.
The teaching
We use Task-Based Learning. The emphasis in lessons is to
help develop the students’ speaking, listening, reading and
writing skills through a topic and task-based approach. This
involves working with students on a variety of activities
centred on a particular topic and helping them with the language
needed to complete the activities. In 2010 part of the teaching
programme will be to create a film script; use the script as a
basis for language-study; film the script; edit the film;
download the film onto Shutterfly accessible from 'Latest News'
on our web site. The students will use English as a working
language. We try to give students materials and activities that
are different from those in their own countries. Oral and written
English are taught and there is an emphasis on conversation
practice. A prize is awarded on each Course for academic
excellence.
A staff of professional teachers with experience
of the teaching of English, give 4 lessons, each of 45 minutes,
every day except Sunday and excursion days = 15 hours per
week. In addition, there is a 30 minute ‘homework’
period each afternoon. Classes are graded according to age
and ability in English. Students are placed first in an ‘assessment
group’ and complete a range of oral and written tasks,
including a formal placement test. The combined results of
these tasks together with the teacher’s opinion eventually
determine placement in a class. Class placements are constantly
reviewed and students may be moved to more or less advanced
classes, according to their performance. The teacher:student
ratio is approximately 1:12. Maximum class size is 16. We
provide all books and teaching materials. Course books used
include ‘Cutting Edge', 'Over to You’, ‘Reward’,
‘Matters', ‘Energy 2', 'Smart' and 'Total English'.
A Certificate of Attendance is sent at the end of the Course.
This Certificate is accepted in some countries as justification
for a state bursary. For example, the Italian Ministry of
Education has decreed that a Certificate issued by a British
Council Accredited School counts towards the Italian School
Leaving Certificate. In Monaco, a bursary can be applied for.
A typical day
08.15 Breakfast
09.00 First class
09.45 Break
09.55 Second class
10.40 Break
11.10 Third class
11.55 Break
12.05 Fourth class
12.50 Break
13.00 Lunch
13.45 'Homework'
14.15 Break
14.45 Organised sports and games
18.00 Evening meal
19.00 Games, films, etc.
21.00 Hot chocolate and biscuits
21.30 ‘Club’
22.30 Bedtime (or 22.45)
Pocket money and stamps are obtainable from
the Office every day from 13.20 - 13.45 and 14.15 - 14.45.
Sports
Sport is an important part of the Course. Our Sports/Social
Organiser arranges a regular programme including football,
basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, table-tennis,
swimming, etc. 'House'-based competitions run throughout the
Course. There is also ‘Sports Day’ when the Schools meet for
friendly competitions in the major sports.
We take all practicable safety precautions
- for example, students using the swimming pool are always
supervised by a teacher.
Social activities
We try to create a relaxed and friendly ‘family’
atmosphere in which young people will feel ‘at home’
quickly and make good social contacts. There is a variety
of non-sporting activities on the programme – games,
talent contests, folies bergères, discotheques, barbecues,
concerts, optional theatre visits, etc. The programme is a
full one. There is always something to do and students are
encouraged to participate.
Excursions
There are three full days out. One is a visit to London for
sightseeing; another is a visit to a designer outlet or town
for shopping; the destination for the third excursion is to
‘Sports Day’. Travel and staff supervision on
these excursions are included in the Course Fee. Entrance
fees are not. Other excursions
can be arranged on request.
Shopping afternoons (optional extra)
In addition to the organised excursions above (which are included
in the Course Fee), there are one or two optional shopping
afternoons which are not included in the Course Fee. These
are in Newbury or another town near the School. We think it
safe for young people to shop in these towns unaccompanied
by staff, if parents have indicated their agreement to this
on the Application Form. This helps them achieve a measure
of independence. Younger students can be accompanied by staff
if parents or we so wish. There will be several staff in the
town while our students are shopping. Travel is by private
coach from the School with accompanying staff. The cost of
transport (payable by students if they wish to go) is about
£8.
Theatre visits (optional extra)
Tickets for smash-hit West End musicals that are booked out
months in advance have been requested and we will be allocated
a limited number. Students who apply early enough will be
able to see one of these shows. The cost of each (show + travel
to the theatre) will be in the range £30-£50.
The cost should be added to pocket money. If it is not possible
to provide a ticket, the money will be returned with the student
at the end of the Course.
Tennis lessons (optional extra)
Tennis may be played at any time. Lessons are not needed.
We can arrange professional lessons, if required, (1) for beginners
or near-beginners and (2) for players who wish to develop
their skills. Six one-hour lessons are given in groups
of no more than four students. These must be requested in advance
on the Application Form. If tennis lessons are taken, a tennis
racquet must be brought.
As these lessons are prearranged, it is not
possible to refund the cost of lessons booked, but not taken.
Parents are asked to make sure that lessons are really wanted
before booking them. If tennis lessons are requested, the
cost (£40.00) should be added to pocket money.
Food safety
Vacational Studies policy is not to serve any food about which
there is any concern for any reason. We serve only what we
believe parents would feel safe to serve their own children
in their own homes.
Meals
Food is an important part of the Course. Meals are prepared
by professional caterers to a high standard. Our specification
for lunch and dinner is a choice of hot dishes (including
one vegetarian) or a cold dish, a salad bar comprising about
ten different items, a choice of desserts and fresh fruit.
Students can have the first choice they want and can return
for another choice as ‘seconds’. If they cannot
find anything they like, they can ask us to ask the caterer
to prepare something special.
There is always a vegetarian option. Other
special diets can be catered for. Cold orange juice or other
drinks are available at no charge. There is a small ‘tuck
shop’.
At times throughout the Course, the menu
will be varied to include, for example, barbecues (spare rib,
hamburger, jacket potatoes, coleslaw dip, crisps, ice-cream,
etc.) There will be a traditional British ‘Christmas
Dinner’ (roast turkey with stuffing, roast potatoes,
Brussels sprouts, cranberry jelly) and an 'English High Tea'
(sandwiches, scones, jam and cream.) There may also be ‘national
meals’. If they wish, students from various countries
can advise the kitchen staff on how to prepare and serve a
meal consisting of dishes from their own country.
Any student can join the Food Committee which
meets the Caterer regularly to discuss all aspects of the
catering.
Here is a typical menu for guidance:-
Breakfast
Choice of cereal.
Choice of various breads, meats, cheese
fruit Jam, marmalade, other spreads.
Tea, coffee, milk, fresh orange juice .
Lunch
Choice of one cold or three hot dishes.
Buffet-style salad bar.
Choice of desserts.
Fresh fruit.
Dinner
Choice of one cold or three hot dishes.
Buffet-style salad bar.
Choice of desserts.
Fresh fruit.
Before bedtime
Hot chocolate and biscuits.
How we encourage the use of English
On each Course there are students from many different countries.
We try to ensure a mixture of nationalities in classes and
dormitories. We aim to stimulate the speaking of English socially
in various ways. Members of staff and the British student(s)
constantly encourage English-speaking around the School.
We institute a 'House' system at the start
of the Course. In each House will be students mixed by nationality,
gender and age. Team games are played as House Competitions
for House Points. Additionally, House Points are awarded for
individual excellence - such as using English socially. House
Points can also be deducted. The House with the most Points
is awarded a Treat. A Treat can be given at any stage in the
Course and another Treat will be given at the end. We intend
that the House Points and the Treats that are awarded from
these will be positive inducements for participating and an
encouragement to use English.
Health
Minor illnesses are treated by our own staff. There is a Matron
in each School. We also use the services of doctors in the
locality. The St John’s Ambulance Service provides training
for all our staff at the start of each Course in the latest
methods of basic first aid and resuscitation. We ask parents
to give us full health information on the Application Form.
We request that those with food allergies come with a 1ml.
Adrenalin (Epinephrine) 1:1000 injection pen – an ‘EpiPen’.
Children of EU/EEA nationality should bring an EHIC (European
Insurance Health Card), available from their health service,
entitling them as temporary residents to the same free treatment
under the British National Health Service as British citizens
for all, including pre-existing, conditions.
Religion
The Courses are interdenominational. If parents so wish, we
shall arrange for Catholic or other students to attend an
appropriate service. Please indicate this on the Application
Form. Transportation to and from the church is payable by
students.
Residential accommodation
At all Schools, students sleep in dormitories. Girls are in
one part of the house, boys are in another.
Insurance
Every student is covered by a special Insurance Policy while
they are with us. For full details see Insurance & Fees.
Briefly, the Insurance includes refund of full Course Fees
if certified serious illness or accident to the student or
parent during the month before the Course prevents attendance
on the Course; private emergency medical treatment to the
value of £1,000,000; personal possessions and luggage
cover to the value of £500; personal money cover to
the value of £200; return air fare or repatriation to
the value of £1,000,000 if an APEX reservation is lost
because of delayed or advanced departure through illness or
accident while the student is with us. Personal accident insurance
is included.
There is no extra charge for this Insurance. Every student
is automatically covered (subject to the stated conditions)
when the application is accepted.
How we look after students
We understand the concern felt by parents when their sons
and daughters are away from home. They are under constant
supervision, as far as is practicable, both in the School
and on excursions. Our total staff:student ratio of about
1:7 ensures that our students are well looked-after.In addition to the staff, on each Course there may be one or two older
ex-students, ‘Staff Helpers’, to assist with the
sports and entertainments programme. We aim to have at least
one native English-speaking student - a 'UK rep'.
During the Course, progress reports are sent
to all parents describing performance in class and also social
behaviour. At the end of the Course, all parents are sent
a final report and leaving certificate together with a report
from the Director on the student’s general progress
and behaviour.
If there is a problem
We shall contact you. Parents must ensure that we have a
telephone number through which they can always be reached. If it
is an emergency and we cannot reach you, we shall contact the
person named in section 8 (our ‘emergency contact’) on the
Application Form. If we cannot contact either of you, we shall
assume your authority to act ‘in loco parentis’ and in a medical
emergency, for example, give consent to appropriate medical
treatment. We send students a list of rules and standards of
behaviour expected before the Course begins. These are
straightforward. Basically, we expect students to obey the law,
respect the buildings, equipment and the feelings of other
people and to show good manners. Students must read and know the
rules before they come.
If a student is correctly motivated (see section on
‘Students who will benefit’), there should be no discipline
problems. If any should arise, we reserve the right to contact
parents and, if we consider it necessary, require that he/she be
taken home at the parents’ expense without refund of Fees.
Details of reasons for expulsion are in the 'Notes for Parents'
and 'Notes for Students'. Parents sign their agreement to all
our conditions on the 'Agreement and Travel Details' form. We
also reserve the right to send the writer of the original
'letter of recommendation' a photocopy of any correspondence we
enter into.
Course Director
Ian Mucklejohn - who, as the Director, co-ordinates the Schools
- was born in London. He is a graduate of the University of
London with an Honours Degree in English Language and Literature,
is an Associate of the College of Preceptors and a Fellow
of the Royal Society of Arts. He has had many years experience
in teaching. He is a published writer. His book 'And Then
There Were Three' (Expanded Edition ISBN 1903933730) is also on the internet at
andthentherewerethree.co.uk. He is the founder of Vacational
Studies and has three nine year-old sons of his
own.
Finally....
We have tried to describe the Courses fully and frankly.
Please also see the section ‘Unrealisable Expectations’
in the '2009 Revisited' section. This
contains more detailed information on various aspects of the
Course. It is essential reading for the parents of Course
participants and is not only a résumé of the
previous summer. We hope our web site contains all the information
you need to make your choice. Any further details you may
require can be obtained from the parents of our past students
and past students themselves and the Director. We suggest
you contact our ‘parental
references’ as they may offer useful advice.
Our Courses are designed with the benefit of years of experience
and we are confident that we can combine the learning of good
written and spoken English with an unforgettable and enjoyable
holiday.
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for 2011 now!
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