Travel
It is quite usual for our students to fly
alone. 90% of our students arrive and depart in this way.
There are many cut-price air ticket offers. The cheapest tickets
are to be found on the airline's web site, NOT by phone and
NOT via a travel agent. We operate a collection and return
transport service between Heathrow Airport and the Schools
on arrival and departure at no charge, subject to the conditions.
There are major changes at Heathrow Airport in 2008. The
new Terminal 5 (opened in March 2008) is for most British
Airways European flights. We shall operate our free collection service
for flights arriving at Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 5 from 12.00 to 16.00 on
10 and 12 July and free return service to check-in students
on outgoing flights departing from Heathrow Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 5 from
09.30 to 13.00 on 7 and 9 August. Students arriving at or leaving from Terminals 3 or 4 can make their own way to and from Terminal 1 if parents (and we) agree. We shall
arrange a taxi/minibus service at cost with known drivers
for collections/returns that are not part of our free service.
If flights arrive earlier than 12.00, students wait for our
staff near the Information Desk. If flights leave after 13.00,
we explain the procedure and take students to wait in the
correct area.
For young children (under 12), airlines operate
an ‘Unaccompanied Young Persons (UYP)’ or ‘Unaccompanied
Minors (UM)’ service on request and look after them.
As airlines insist on a named person meeting and returning
a child and that the person remains until the flight has departed,
parents should note that if they request UYP or UM service,
all UYP or UM arrivals and departures must be by taxi at cost.
The driver is known to us and has been working with us for
many years. He will meet students and check them in personally.
It is normally unnecessary for students to be booked to fly
UYP or UM. Airlines (especially British Airways) are very
helpful with young passengers at any age.
Our free standard service cannot be used
when arrival is later or departure is earlier than our stated
dates or times, or if the flight is via Gatwick, Luton or
Stansted, or if a student is booked UYP or UM, or is outside
our requested times. We can make special taxi or minibus arrangements
on your behalf. We do not charge for making these arrangements,
but the cost of the taxi or minibus is payable by the student.
(As a guide, a one-way taxi for one person to Heathrow is
about £90 and to Gatwick about £110. For two or
more people, the cost is shared). Special requirements should
be indicated on the Application Form and details sent separately.
We ask parents to communicate travel
arrangements on our 'Agreement and Travel Details' form.
At the airport
Before travelling, we send an identity badge and luggage tags
to ensure quick recognition. Our representatives will carry
blue Vacational Studies’ folders and will meet students
at the entrance to the Arrivals Hall after leaving the Customs
Hall.
If you do not take our standard collection/return
service, but we make other arrangements for you, the same
procedure applies.
If you come by car
Road directions are given after the Schools’ addresses.
Parents bringing students are asked to arrive at between 12.30
and 14.30. Parents collecting students on the last day are asked
to arrive before 11.00.
Clothes and possessions
Notes and advice on what to bring and other information will
be sent to parents and students in advance.
On arrival at the school
All money is handed in at the Office for safe keeping. Students
can withdraw money every day. We keep passports and tickets
safely. We cannot accept responsibility for pocket money or
valuables not handed to us.
On the first day
On request, students will be allocated to a returning student
who will act as a guide, explaining the layout of the building,
the way the Course runs and answering any questions.
SCHOOLS’ ADDRESSES AND DIRECTIONS
The Mary Hare School
[click
for map]
From London, follow M4 to Exit 13 (Newbury). Leave M4 and
follow signs to ‘Donnington’. Continue for 2 kms.
The Mary Hare School is signposted on the right.
Address for students’ letters:
The Mary Hare School
Newbury Berkshire RG14 3BQ.
Telephone (to contact Course Manager):
National: (01635) 244221 International: +44 1635 244221
Payphone (for students):
National: (01635) 244261 International: +44 1635 244261
Cheam School
[click
for map]
From Newbury, take the A339 road (signposted ‘Basingstoke’)
for 10km into Headley village. Cheam School (Front Entrance)
is signposted on the right.
Address for students’ letters:
Cheam School
Headley, Newbury, Berkshire RG19 8LD.
Telephone (to contact Course Manager):
National: (01635) 267814 International: +44 1635 267814
Payphone (for students):
National: (01635) 268225 International: +44 1635 268225
The telephone numbers and addresses given above are only for
use during the Courses. During the rest of the year, please
use our Newbury Office address and telephone numbers detailed
in 'Contact Us'.
Directions by rail
By train from London, leave from Paddington Station. Arrive
at Newbury Station. There are normally taxis at Newbury Station.
If not, there are taxi numbers in the phone box near the Station.
Visits to the schools
Visits to the Schools outside the Course dates may be made
only by appointment through our Newbury Office. |
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"Prepare yourself
for the best time in your life!"
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