The programme

The School and surroundings

Our 2012 Course is at The Mary Hare School near Newbury. 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 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 2012, 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 qualified in the teaching of English as Foreign Language, 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. We have incorporated new teaching resources from the Cambridge and Oxford University Press which complement the class film project. These focus on areas of grammar and vocabulary in a fun way as well as develop learners’ overall communicative competence through task-based learning activities. Special attention will be given to improving students’ pronunciation. Our native-speaking ‘UK reps’ (British students) and Sports and Social crew will be available during lesson time to help our students overcome their pronunciation difficulties on a one-to-one basis so that they may be able to express themselves more clearly and with greater confidence.

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
11.55 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 4 Houses 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 staff.

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

Two full days out are included in the Fee. One is a visit to London for sightseeing; another is a visit to a place that the students can choose to visit. Travel and staff supervision on these excursions are included in the Course Fee. Entrance fees are not.

There is also an ‘Optional Trip’ to a theme park, paintballing or similar which students can opt to take and which is payable from pocket money. Staff supervision on this optional excursion is included in the Course Fee.

Other excursions can be arranged on request.

Shopping afternoons (optional extra)

In addition to the organised excursions above, 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 £10.

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 £40-£70.  Requests for theatre tickets can be made on the ‘Theatre Visits‘ form. The 2012 form will be downloadable from our web site in May 2012.  Requests will be considered in the order in which they are received. Parents will be advised by e-mail when this form is uploaded.

The London Olympics 2012 (optional extra)

We have obtained 27 tickets for the Olympics football match at Wembley Stadium on 1 August 2012.  Requests for these tickets can be made on a form will be downloadable from our web site in May 2012.  Requests will be considered in the order in which they are received. Parents will be advised by e-mail when this form is uploaded.

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. 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 three hot dishes.
Buffet-style salad bar.
Choice of desserts.
Fresh fruit.

Dinner

Choice of 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

The School is divided into 4 ‘Houses’ for competitionpurposes. In each House there are students from many different countries. We try to ensure a mixture of nationalities in classes and dormitories. Members of staff and the UK Reps constantly encourage English-speaking around the School.

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.

The ‘VacStud’ is the currency of the Course. It is abbreviated to ‘Vaccles’. ‘Vaccles’ are awarded by teachers and are earned for good work and English-speaking. ‘Vaccles’ can be used to buy treats such as jumping the queue at mealtimes, having 30 minutes on the internet, etc. ‘Vaccles’ can be taken away by teachers as fines for not using English.

Health

Minor illnesses are treated by our own staff. There is a Matron in the 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 the 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 comewith 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 the School, students sleep in dormitories. Girls are in one part of the house, boys are in another.  Accommodation is generally shared. There are some single rooms.

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. Disruption caused by natural disasters (such as volcanic ash clouds) is now 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 in each House – a ‘UK rep’.  ‘UK Reps’ may return the following summer as ‘Apprentices’ for a period of hands-on training before taking on a staff post the following summer.

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 School – 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 11 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 ’2011 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.

Apply for 2011 now