STUDENT HANDBOOK - Bloomsbury International

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Bloomsbury International UK Ltd6-8 Southampton Place, London WC1A 2DB, United Kingdom

66 77 88

Public Holidays

2014

Public Transport

Opening Hours

Who’s who

Index

1. Essential Information2. Get started3. Study & Assessment4. School Rules

5. Social Programme6. Other Useful Information7. Things to do in London8. Equal Opportunities

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7242 2234Emergency only: +44 (0)77 6242 5376Fax: +44 (0)20 7242 8118General Enquiries: [email protected]

1www.bloomsbury-international.com

• 1stJanuary(NewYear’sDay)

• 18thApril(GoodFriday)

• 21stApril(EasterMonday)

• 5thMay(EarlyMaybankholiday)

• 26thMay(Springbankholiday)

• 25thAugust(Summerbankholiday)

• 25thDecember(ChristmasDay)

• 26thDecember(BoxingDay)(The school will be closed on these days)

Student Resource Centre Monday-Friday(8:30-18:00)

School Monday-Friday(8:30-18:00)

Internet Room Monday-Friday(8:30-18:00)

Nearest tube station

Buses

HolbornZone1(CentralandPiccadillyLines)

1,8,19,25,38,55,59,68,91,98,168,171,188,242,243,521,X68

01 Essential Information

Pleasecheckourstaffboardforthenamesandrolesofourmembersofstaff


■ Welfare

Yourwelfareandsafetyisimportant.Onyourfirstdayattheschool,youwillbegreetedbyourregistrarsandamemberofouracademicteamwhoarealwaysheretohelpyousettleinandfeelathome.Theyarealsoabletoassistyouwithanyaccommodationissuesandprovideyouwithimportantinformationaboutstudent life intheUK,makingyourexperience inLondonandtheschoolasenjoyableandbeneficialaspossible.

OurWelfareOfficer isavailableifyouneedanyadviceorsupportaboutlivinginLondon.WeknowitcanbeadifficulttimeifitisyourfirsttimeinLondon,sopleasedocontactourwelfareofficersforanysupportyouneedorifyoujustneedtoseeafriendlyface.Gotoreceptiontoarrangeanappointmentwiththem.

Wehaveazerotolerancepolicyforabusivebehaviourbystafforstudents(includingharassment,bullying,actualorthreatenedviolence,damagetopersonalproperty,andverbalandotherabusebasedonracial,sexualorreligiousdifferences). Ifyoufeelthatthisishappeningtoyoupleaseasktospeaktoourwelfareofficerwhowillsupportandhelpyoudealwiththematter.Yourcomplaintwillbedealtwithinaprofessionalmannersetoutinourpolicy.

■ School Accommodation

Youmayhavechosentobookyouraccommodationthroughtheschool.Ifthisisthecase,wehopeyouarehappywithyourchoice.Ifyouhaveanyproblemsorqueriesregardingaccommodation,pleasegotoReceptionimmediately.Forthoseofyouwhowouldliketoknowmoreabouttheoptionsweprovide,pleaseaskatReceptionorvisithttp://www.bloomsbury-international.com/en/accommodation.html fordetailsofourwiderangeofcarefullyselectedconveniently located,comfortable,cleanaccommodation.YoucanchoosetobewithinwalkingdistanceorashortjourneyfromtheschoolinaBloomsburyStudentResidence,homestay,residenceorhotel.

■ Rented Accommodation

Finding private accommodation can be time consuming and complicated with many legalrequirementssuchassigningleaseagreements,payingdepositsandsoon,sowedonotrecommendstudentschoosethisoptionduringthefirstperiodoftheirstay.

Ifyoudowishtorentprivately,youshouldfindoutabouttheareafirst,checkhowmuchtherentisandwhetherornotthereareanyextrabillsyouwillneedtopay,suchaselectricity,waterandCouncilTax.Itisalsoadvisableyougowithsomeonewhenviewinganyaccommodation.

■ Council Tax

IntheUKlocaltaxesarecalledCouncilTax.Thispaysforlocalservicessuchasrefusecollection,thepoliceandthefirebrigade.

Ifyou live inprivately rented accommodation, it isvery importanttocheckwhetherornottheCouncilTax is includedinyourrent.YoushouldnotpayCouncilTax ifall theadults living inyouraccommodationarefulltimestudents.Ifyouneedaletterfromustoconfirmthatyouareafulltimestudent,pleasedonothesitatetoaskusatReception.

FormoreinformationaboutCouncilTaxorfindingaccommodationfor internationalstudents,visithttp://www.ukcisa.org.uk

02 Getting Started


■ Bank Account

OpeninganaccountintheUKcanbedifficult,soifyouareenrolledonacourseof24weeksormore,wewillhelpyoutoopenone.ToopenanaccountyouwillneedaschoolletterandproofofI.D.-usuallyyourpassport.Pleaseaskatreceptionifyouneedabankletter.Letterstaketwoworkingdaystobeissued.Ifyouopenabankaccount,keepyouraccountnumbers,PINandcardssafeatalltimes.Donotgivethisinformationtoanyone.

■ Getting around

ThemainwaystogetaroundLondonarethetube(Underground),buses,DocklandsLightRailway(DLR)andBritishRail(BR).Therearealsoriverboatsifyouarefeelingadventurous.Tickettypesvaryandsinglejourneyticketsarequiteexpensive.YoushouldbuyaweeklyormonthlyOysterCardasyouwillbeabletouseundergroundand/orbusesasmanytimesasyouwishandthecostwillbemuchcheaper.Forfurtherinformationseewww.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tickets/oyster/general.asp

Toensureyoursafety,whentakingataxi,makesurethat it is licensed.Thedriversof licensedtaxishavehadtheircriminalrecordcheckedbythepolice(CRBchecks).Their licenseisdisplayedonthewindscreen.Donotusetaxisthatdonotshowavalidtaxilicence.Ifyouarenotsuredon’tgetin.

■ Student discounts on London transport

Studentscanget30%discountfortravelontheundergroundandbuses.Yourcoursemustbeformorethan15hoursperweekforaminimumof14weekstobeabletogetadiscount.Youcanonlyapplyonline.

Toapplyonlineyouwillneed:Adigitalphotoofyourface(passportstyle)Yourdebitorcreditcarddetails

ThenGoto: www.tfl.gov.uk PressTickets(fromthemainmenuonthetop)Press18+ StudentunderStudentsandchildrenClickApply OnlineTypeinBloomsburyintheboxwhereitasksfortheschoolnameandournameandaddresswillcomeup.Clickonourschool

PressAPPLY NOWandfollowtheinstructionsYouwillthenneedtopaybyadebit/creditcardsohaveitready

■ Student Visas

ThesearethetwomainvisarequirementsforstudentswhowishtostudyintheUK.

1. Visitor Visa (2 categories)I. Student Visitor Visa (SVV) - for courses not exceeding 6 monthsII. Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV) - for courses up to 11 months

StudentsfromcertaincountrieswilleithernotrequireavisaorwillbeabletoobtaintheirvisaonarrivalintheUK.AllstudentsshouldcheckwiththeHomeOfficeforinformationabouthowtherulesapplytotheirindividualvisaapplication.


2. Tier 4 General Student Visa under the Points-Based System (PBS) (2 categories) I. Tier 4 General StudentII.Tier 4 Child Student

Tier4visasaremainlyforstudentswishingtocontinuetheirstudies intheUKaftertheirEnglishlanguagecourse(e.g.byenrollingontoadegreecourseatUniversity).StudentsrequiringthesevisaswillneedtoobtainEntryClearancebeforetheytraveltotheUKandmustfollowthestrictimmigrationregulationswhenapplyingfortheirvisa.

Usefullink:www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/student

■ National Insurance Number

YouwillneedaNationalInsurance(NI)number,issuedthroughtheDepartmentofWorkandPensions(DWP)toworkintheUK.TheeasiestwaytogetanNInumberistocall08456000643orviahttps://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-numberorwww.hmrc.gov.uktoarrangeanappointment.Takeyourpassport,aletterconfirmingyouhavebeenofferedworkorareregisteredwithanagencyandaschoolletter.DeliveryofyourNInumberbypostwilltake6-8weeks.

■ Staying in touch with your family

Youcanuseourinternetstudiointhebasementforemailsorifyouwanttouseasocialnetworksite.Wehavewirelessinternetaccesssopleaseaskreceptionforthepassword.

■ Course books

OnyourarrivalonMondaymorningyouwillbeassessedandplacedinaclassatyourlevelandwillbegiventhebooksyouwillrequireforyourlessons.Youwillneedtopaya£30depositforthecoursebookthatyouwilluseinyourclass.

Rent a book

Ifyoudonotwriteinyourbookandreturnitingoodconditionattheendofyourcourse,youwillbegivena£25refundora£20refundifyourcourseismorethanfourweeks.

Buy a book

Ifyouwishtokeepyourcoursebookattheendofyourstudiesandnotreceiveyourrefund,youcandoso.Alternativelyyoucanpurchaseyourbookfor£30.00.

■ Getting a library card

Ifyouarestudyingfor24weeksormore,libraryservicesarefreeintheUK.Tojoin,youshouldgetaletterfromreceptionandtakeanotherformofI.D.

■ English Examinations

AswellasofferingFCE,CAE,CPE, IELTS,TOEFLandTOEICexampreparationcourses,wearealsoanofficialTOEICcentre;administeringReading&Listeningtestseveryweek.WecanalsohelpyouapplyfortheSpeakingandWritingtest.Please ask the registrars for help.We recommend that students take an exam to obtain an

03 Study and development


internationallyrecognisedqualificationthatmatchestheirfutureobjective.Formoreinformationabouttheseexamsortofindouthowtoregister,pleasespeaktotheDirectorofStudiesoryourteacher.

■ Student Resource Centre

Thisislocatedonthegroundfloornexttoroom21.IthasbooksandmaterialstohelpyoudevelopyourEnglishorstudyinaquietandrelaxingenvironment.TherearealsoEnglishnewspapers,magazinesandbooksforyoutoread.

■ Document requests

Attimesyoumayneedaletterordocumenttoopenabankaccountorprovethatyouareastudentinordertogetdiscountatagym.Youcanrequesta letterbycompletingaformoneZone(viaourwebsite).

Weofferthefollowingdocuments:

Bank letter–thisistohelpyouopenabankaccountProgress report–thisisareportmadebyyourteacheronyourprogressAttendance letter–youmayneedthis lettertoshowthatyouhavebeenattendingyour lessonsregularlyCouncil tax letter –thisletterisforstudentswhohavebookedacoursefor14weeksormoreCertificate of Enrolment–youmayneedthisifyouneedaNInumberortoopenalibrarymembership.Onceyouhavemadearequestwewillensurethattheyarereadyforyouwithintwoworkingdays.Theyarekeptinreceptionandthereceptionstaffwillshowyouwheretheyarelocatedandwheretocollectthem.

■ Student feedback

YourviewsandcommentsaboutyourstaywithusatBloomsburyInternationalareveryimportant.Wewelcomeyourfeedbackandopinionssothatwecanimproveinareasthatwedidn’tdosowellandtoknowwhatareaswehavegotright.

At the end of your first week you will be asked to complete a quick and simple First week Questionnairesothatweknoweverythingisgoingwellandifthereareanyproblems,wecanquicklysortthemout.Therearealsocopieskeptinreception,sopleasejustask.PleasecompleteoneandgiveittoeitherreceptionordirectlytotheDirectorofStudies.

AttheendofthecoursewewouldlikeyoutocompleteouronlineEnd of Course Questionnaire.IfyougototheStudenteZoneonourwebsite,scrolldowntothesection'ForCurrentStudents'andclickon'Sendusfeedback',thelinkwilltakeyoudirectlytothesurvey.

Youcanalsogiveusfeedbackaboutyouraccommodation,socialactivities,oranyotheraspectofyourstayinLondonbycompletingthefeedbackformoneZone,byleavinganoteinthe'suggestionsbox'inthecafe,orbytalkingtooneofourmembersofstaff'.

Ifyouwouldliketogiveusfeedbackatanyothertime,pleasetalktoourregistrarsatReceptionorsendanemailtoinfo@bloomsbury-international.com .

■ Complaints procedure

Wehaveacomplaintsprocedurethatyoucandownloadfromourwebsite.Gotoourhomepage.Ontheleftcolumnclickschoolandfromthedropdownboxclick(http://www.bloomsbury-international.com/en/school/policies.html).Ifyouhaveacomplaintaboutanythingnomatterhowsmall,please:


1.Firstgotoreceptionwhereourregistrarsmaybeabletohelpresolvetheproblemquitequicklyorputyouincontactwiththepersonwhoisbesttodealwithyourcomplaint

2.IftheyareunabletohelpyouoryouarenotsatisfiedwiththeirresponsetheywillputyouincontactwiththeWelfareOfficer/DirectorofStudiesortheCentreManager.

3.Sometimesthebestwayforstudentstocomplainiftheyaredissatisfiedinanywayisforthemtoput it in writing.Thereisacomplaintsformatreceptionforstudentstocomplete.Youcanaskforsomeonetohelpyoucompletetheform

4.Ifyouarestilldissatisfiedwiththedecisionoftheschoolandwanttotakeyourcomplaintfurther,Bloomsbury International is a member of English UK, the Association of Accredited EnglishLanguageServicesandyoucantakeyourcomplainttothem.Thisisacompletelyimpartialandunbiasedservicerunindependently.

http://www.englishuk.com/en/students/english-in-the-uk/student-complaints-procedure

■ Changing class

Ifyouthinkyourclassistooeasyortoodifficultorifyouwanttochangeyourclassforanotherreason:

1.SpeaktoyourteacherfirstbecausetheteacherwillunderstandyourlevelofEnglishbetterthananyoneelse.

2.SpeaktotheDirectorofStudies,whowilladviseyouwhichisthebestclassforyou.(RemembersomestudentsneedafewdaystogetusedtostudyinginEnglandsoinyourfirstweekitisbettertowaitafewdaysbeforeaskingtochangeclass.)

■ At the end of your course

Youwillreceiveacertificateandacopyofyour"EndofCourseReport"ontheFridayofthelastweekofyourcourse.Togetacertificateyourattendanceneedstobeabove80%.However,wewilltakeintoaccountexceptionalcircumstances.Pleasespeaktoreceptionifyouhaven’tbeenissuedacertificate.

YouropinionsareimportanttousandwewouldwelcomeyourviewofBloomsburyanditsservices.Wewouldlikeyoutocompleteouronlinesurveyafteryourcourse.Amemberofouracademicteamwilltakeyoutothetheatreroominordertocompleteouronlineendofcoursequestionnaire.

■ Personal interview with your teacher

Ifyouhaveaproblemwithyour learningorwanttodiscussyourprogressandthinkthataprivateconversationwithyourteacherwouldbehelpful,youmayrequestapersonalinterviewwithyourteacher.

■ Study tips

HereareafewstudytipsthatwillmaximiseyourprogressinEnglishlanguage:

1. SpeakEnglishoutsideclassroomasmuchaspossible.Ifyoulivewithfriendswhospeakthesamelanguageasyou,tryandmake‘anarrangement’ tospeakEnglishonly (forexample,everydaybetween5pmand7pm,oreveryTuesdayandThursday).Everylittlebitofpractisingspeakingwillhelp.

2. WatchTV,listentotheradio,readnewspapers…..ifyouseeaninterestingwordorexpression,writeitdownandshowittoyourteacher,who’llbehappytoexplainandyourclassmateswillenjoylearningsomethingnew,too.


3. Writeadiary–ashortparagraph4/5timesperweek.Thiswillhelpyoupractiseallthetenses inwriting–youcandothisslowlyanduseyourgrammarbooksanddictionariestohelp.

4. Usethebooksandstudymaterials intheStudentResourceCentrebefore,afterorbetweenyourlessons.

5. Findonlinematerials–therearehundredsofwebsiteswithonlineEnglishlanguageexercisesandgames.AskyourteacheriftheycanrecommendawebsiteorsearchinGooglefortheskillyouwanttoimprove(forexample,ifyouneedextrahelpwithorwouldliketopractisethepresentperfecttense,searchinGooglefor‘Englishpresentperfectexercises’).

■ Timetable

Your lessons:Morning lessons9:00am–10:30(15minutebreak)10:45–12:15Midday lessons13:00–14:30(15minuteBreak)14:45–16:15ElectivesWehavearangeofelectivestoaddtoyourlessons:Lunch time electivesarefrom13:00–14:30Afternoon electivesarefrom16:30–18:00

Your teachers Foreachofyour90minutelessonsyouwillhaveadifferentteacher.Thisissothatwecanofferyouavariedandexcitinglearningexperience.Wewilltrytominimisethechangesinteachersbutattimesthiswillnotalwaysbepossible.Wewillmakesurewetellyouifyourteachersaregoingtochange.

■ Why?

Ourschool rulesaredesignedtoenableallourstudents toenjoy their studies inasafe,clean,comfortable,andrelaxedenvironment.

■ English Only

WeaskallourstafftotalktoyouinEnglishatalltimes.WedorealisethatforsomestudentsiftheirlevelofEnglishislowwemayneedtospeaktoyouinyournativelanguagebutyouwillbeencouragedtospeakinEnglishasmuchaspossible.

■ Lateness

Toenableallstudentstogetthemaximumbenefitfromtheirstudiesandtoavoiddisruption,wehavealatearrivalpolicy.Ifyouarrivemorethan10 minuteslateforyourclassyourteacherwillnotletyouinandyouwillhavetowaituntilafterthebreaktojoinyourclass.

Ifyouhaveagenuinereasonforbeinglateyourteacherwilltakethisintoaccount.

■ Classrooms, Internet Room, Student Resource Centre and Common areas

AllfacilitiesareforBloomsburyInternationalstudentsonly.Pleasefollowdirectionsandopeningtimes.

04 School Rules

Pleaseaskatreceptionifyouwouldlikemore

informationontheelectivesthatwehave

available.


■ Food and Drink

NofoodordrinkcanbeconsumedintheClassrooms,InternetRoom,Libraryorcommonareasatanytimeexceptbottledwater.PleaseuseourstudentCaféforthispurpose.

■ Using Mobile Phones

Pleasedonotmakeorreceivephonecalls,ortextduringyourlessons.

■ Attendance

Studentsmustattendregularlyandontime.IfyouknowyouhavetomissaclasspleaseinformreceptionortheDirectorofStudiesthedaybefore.

Ifyouare illandcannotcome intoschoolpleaseringuson 02072422234oremail info@bloomsbury-international.comIfyouareillandabsentfor3daysormoreyoushouldbringinamedicalcertificateifpossible.

IfyouarehereonaTier4GeneralStudentVisaanddonotattendfor5consecutivedaysor ifyourattendancedropsbelow80%,wewillneedtoinformtheUKBAwhomightcancelyourvisa.IfyourenewyourStudentVisatheUKBAwillhaveexpectedyoutohaveattendedatleast80%ofyourlessons.

PleasenotethatwecanonlyissueCertificateofStudiestothosestudentswhoseattendanceishigherthan80%.

■ Holidays

Allstudentsmustbooktheirholidaywithreceptionwithatleast2weeksnotice.Yourstudentholidayallowanceisasfollows:

■ Change of address

YoumustinformreceptionifyouchangeyouraddressinLondonorcontactdetails.

■ Safety at school

Pleasereadthefirenoticeinyourclassroomandattendtheinductionandwelcomemeetingat12:20inthetheatreroomonMonday.Thiswill letyouknowwhattodoif there isanemergency. Ifyounoticeafirepleaseactivatethenearestfirealarm.Ifyouhearthefirealarm,youmustleavetheschoolimmediatelybythenearestexittoyouandgotothemeetingpointinBloomsburySquare.Youleavetheentranceturnrightandwalktotheendoftheroad,crossatthetrafficlightsandwaitinthesquare.Yourteacherwilltakeyouthereifyouareinyourlesson.Ifyounoticeahealthandsafetyproblempleasegoimmediatelytoreceptionandinformthemoftheproblem.

■ Events

Webelievethatparticipationinavarietyofrecreationalandculturalactivitiesisnotonlyafun,excitingwaytomakefriendsandenjoyyourtimeinLondonbutalsohelpsgreatlywithlanguagedevelopment.

Ourweeklysocialprogrammeincludesawiderangeofactivitiesandplacestovisit.Theytakeplaceapproximately3 timesperweekperweek.Wealsohaveweekendofferssoplease lookonour

Course Length (in weeks) 8-10 11-14 15-20 21-28 29-32 33-36 37-40 41

Holiday (in weeks) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

05 Social Programme


noticeboardsaroundtheschoolandthewebsiteforall the informationyouwillneed. Ifyouhaveanysuggestionsforthesocialprogramme,wewouldbehappytohearfromyou.Pleasespeaktotheregistrarsatreception.

Oursocialprogrammeisagreatwaytomakenewfriendsandmostimportantly,topractiseyourEnglish.Youcanfindinformationaboutthecurrentsocialactivitiesontheboardinthemaincorridor(oppositereception).Pleasesignupforanyactivitiesyouwanttogotohere.Youcanalsofinda full listofactivitiesonourwebsiteatwww.bloomsbury-international.com/en/services/social-activities.html

■ Social Network Sites

Facebook,Twitter,Google+andtheBloomsburyNewsBlogareotherwaysthatyoucankeepuptodatewithoursocialeventsandwhatisoccurringinourschool.

www.twitter.com/bloomsburyIntlwww.facebook.com/bloomsburyinternational https://plus.google.com/103611162292392072892/postshttps://bloomsburyinternational.wordpress.com

■ Some of our discounted peak season entries to major London attractions

Toreceivetheabovepricesyouwillneedtoshowavalidstudentcard.Pleasebeawarethatpricesmightchange,duetopriceincreasesappliedbytheattractions’providers.

■ Musicals

IfyouwouldliketoseeamusicalortheatreproductionduringyourtimeinLondon,wewouldbehappytohelpyoubooktickets.Pleasenotethatwecanbookticketsforyouifwehaveat least10peoplepayingforit,astheatrecompaniesdonotallowustomakeindividualbookings.

■ Weekend trips

CheckoutourcheapdealsoncitybreaksacrossEuropeandtheUK.Forfurtherinformation,pleasespeaktooneofourregistrars.

■ Arrival

Youmayfeelverytiredordisorientedwhenyoufirstarrive.Thisisnaturalandcouldbebecauseofjetlag,acombinationof longdistancetravelandthetimechange.Youwilladjustafterafewdaysandshouldfeelbetter.Ifyoudonot,pleasespeaktoourWelfareOfficer.

London Zoo £23.00

London Eye £19.00

Madame Tussauds £23.00

London Aquarium (Entrance & Behind the Scenes tour)£24.00

London Dungeons £17.50

Tower of London £20.50

06 Other useful information


■ Culture

Integratingintoanewculturecanbeconfusinganddifficult(cultureshock).YoushouldtrytolearnasmuchabouttheBritishculture,customsandbehaviouraspossible.Youwillfindthatpeoplewillbealotkinderandmorehelpfultoyouifyoubehavepolitelyandshowrespectforothers.FormoreinformationaboutBritishculture,pleasevisitwww.ukstudentlife.com/Personal/Manners.htm.

■ Weather

InBritain, theclimate isverychangeable. It isadvisabletopackclothestosuitdifferentseasonalweatherconditions.Anumbrellaisessentialbutcanbeboughtlocally.FormoreinformationabouttheBritishclimate,visitwww.metoffice.gov.uk/

■ Health

Wehavetrainedfirstaidstaffinschool.IfyouarefeelingillorneedadviceonahealthmatterpleasespeaktoourWelfareOfficer.FirstAidKitsarekeptatreceptionandinthecafeteria.

ItisagoodideaforanystudentarrivingintheUKtoregisterwithaGP(localdoctor).CallNHSDirecton08454647foralistofdoctorsinyourarea.NHStreatmentisfreeifyouareenrolledonacourseof6monthsormore,anEUnationalorifyourcountryhasafullreciprocalhealthagreementwiththeUK.Youwillhoweverneedtopayformedicine.Theaveragecostofaprescriptionis£7.

Ifyouneedtoseeadentistwhileyouare intheUK,youwillneedtopay75%ofthecostof thetreatmentifyouareregisteredwithadentist.Ifnotregisteredwithadentist,youwillhavetopaytheentirecost.Seewww.nhsdirect.nhs.ukorwww.ukcisa.org.uk formoreinformation.

IfyouarenotregisteredwithaGP,therearemanyNHSwalk-incentresinEnglandwhereyoudonotneedanappointment.Theyofferquickaccesstohealthadviceandtreatmentandareusuallyopensevendaysaweekfromearlymorningto lateevening.Theclosestwalk-incentretoBloomsburyInternationalis:Soho NHS Walk-in Centre1 Frith StreetLondonW1D3HZ

■ Emergencies

Theschool24-houremergencynumberis07762 425 376.Youcancallthisnumberatanytimebutinemergenciesonly.

Ifyourequirethefire,policeorambulanceemergencyservices,thefreecallnumberis999.

Fornon-emergencies,dial101orcontactyournearestPoliceStation.TheclosestPoliceStationtoBloomsburyInternationalis:

Holborn Police StationCamden Borough HQ10 Lambs Conduit StreetLondon WC1N3NRTel: 0207 4041212


■ Links to useful websites

General interest

• www.visitbritain.com –OfficialTouristOfficesitewithinformationabouttheUK

• www.ukvisas.gov.uk –informationonvisarequirementsintheUK

• www.ukcisa.org.uk –Adviceforinternationalstudents

• www.weatheronline.co.uk –theweathertoplanyourfreetime

• www.bbc.co.uk/news -tokeepyouupdatedwithnewsintheUKandaroundtheworld

Life in London

• www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk -HealthandMedicalCare

• www.gumtree.co.uk – A useful ads site for flatshares, jobs, buying and selling things, dating and

anythingelseyoumaywanttodoinLondon

• www.ukstudentlife.com –800pagesofinformationforstudentscomingtostudyEnglishinBritain

• www.timeout.com/london -UsefulinformationforwhatishappeninginLondon

• www.tfl.gov.uk –InformationabouttubesandbusesinLondonandgettingastudentOystercard

• www.educationuk.org/global/articles/safety -AusefulsiteforsafetyintheUK

• www.llgs.org.uk –NationalGayandLesbianswitchboard

● Registering with the Police

Someinternationalstudentswillneedtoregistertheirstaywiththepolice.ThisshouldbedonewithinthefirstweekofyourarrivalintheUK.Youwillhaveastampinyourpassportthatwilltellyouwhetherornotyoushouldregisteryourstay.Fordetails,pleaseseearegistrar.

● Security Awareness - Bloomsbury Building

Toimproveourstudents’safetyandsecurity,thebuildinghasCCTVcamerasinkeyareas.However,itisadvisablethatyoudonotleaveyourpossessionsunattendedatanytime.

● Being safe in London

Ingeneral,London isasafeandwelcomingcitybutaswithanybigcity, therearecertainsafetyprecautionsthatstudentsneedtobeawareof.So,hereissomepersonalsafetyadviceforyou:

Mobile Phones

YoushouldregisteryourmobilephonewithImmobilisePhoneCrime.Thisisfreeofchargeandwillhelpyouifyourphoneisstolen.VisitImmobilisePhoneCrimeonwww.immobilise.comorcall08701112123.

Street awareness

Whencrossingtheroad,remembertolookbothways;thetrafficmightbecomingfromanunexpecteddirection!

Appearconfidentandlookas ifyouknowwhereyouaregoing.Walkonwell-lit roadsandignorepeoplewhoarerudeorabusive.Ifyouthinkyouarebeingfollowed,gointoashop/puborwherethereareotherpeopleorphoneafriend,tellingthemwhereyouareandwhyyouareworried.Ifyouneedsomehelp,approachpeopledirectlyorcallouttothem,don’tshout‘help’,saywhatishappeningandwhathelpyouneed.

Safety and Security Advice


Valuables

Youdonothavetocarryyourpassportor IDcardwithyouinBritain.Trynottocarrymoremoneythanyouwillneed,andkeepsomemoneyinadifferentpocket/placetouseinanemergency.Theftofmobilephones(especiallythelatestmodels) isquitecommon;thereforepayattentiontopeoplearoundyouwhenusingyourphoneinapublicplace.ItisnotagoodideatolistentoaniPodorotherpersonalstereowhenwalkingaloneasitcanattracttheattentionofthievesandyouwillbelessawareofpeopleapproachingyou.

Pickpockets and bag snatchers

PopulartouristareassuchasCamdenMarketandLeicesterSquareandcrowdedtubetrainstendtoattractpickpockets.Makesureyourbagisalwaysclosed.Nevercarryyourwalletorpurseinabagonyourback.Donotleaveyourbagonthefloororoverthebackofachairincafes,pubsorrestaurants.Keepitonyourlaportieittothefurniture.Beverycarefulinthecafesneartheschoolassomestudentshavelostbagsthere.

Ifsomeonetriestotakeyourbagbyforce,justgiveitorthrowitdownontheground.Ifpossible,emptythecontentsontothefloorandtellthemtotakewhattheywant.Neverfightoveryourpossessions;theycanbereplaced.

Moststudentswholoseabagsaythattheworstthingislosingtheiraddressbookorthenumbersontheirphone.Thereforeitisagoodideatokeepacopyoftheseandyourbankcardnumbersathome.Ifyourbagisstolen,alwaystellthepolicebecausethereisapossibilitythatyourbagwillbefoundandthepolicecanthenreturnittoyou.

Cashpoints

Whenwithdrawingcashatcashpoints,becarefulnotto letanyoneseeyouenteringyourPIN.Besuspiciousofpeopletryingtohelpyou.Ifsomeoneisstandingtoocloseortriestodistractyou,canceltheprocessorwaituntilyouhavefinishedandyouhavebothyourcashandthecardbeforeyouturnawayfromthemachine.

Taxis

TherearetwotypesoftaxiinLondon:‘blackcabs’(traditionalLondontaxiswithanorangelightontop)and‘minicabs’(privatecarswithasignsaying‘privatehire’).Itissafesttotakeablackcab,asboththecaranddriverarelicensed.Minicabsareonlysafeifyouphonethemandasktobecollectedfromaparticularplace.Makesurethedrivertellsyouyournamebeforeyougetin(soyoucanbesureitisthecaryouordered).Lateatnightmanycarsadvertisethemselvesas‘minicabs’andwilloffertodriveyouhome.Thisisillegalandcanbedangerous.Donotgetintoacarifyouknownothingaboutthedriver.Itmaynotbeaminicabatall.

Tubes and buses

Trytositnearotherpassengers.Onabus,sittingdownstairsnearthedriverissaferthanupstairs.Tellthedriverifyouhaveaproblem.Ifyoufeeluncomfortableaboutsomeoneorpeoplearoundyou,getoffatthenextstopwherethereareotherpeopleandwaitforthenextbus/tube.Donotgetoffwherethepeoplecausingtroublegetoffevenifitmeansmissingyourstop.

Going out / Meeting people

Mostpeopleyoumeetwillbegenuinelyfriendlyandhonestbutbecautiouswhenyoumeetpeopleforthefirsttime.Donotleaveyourdrinkunattendedinabarorpub.Eitheraskafriendtowatchitorfinishitbeforeyougotothetoiletortodanceorbuyanotherwhenyoucomeback.Alwaysmakeplans


forhowyouwillgethome;pre-bookamini-cabortakethenumberofacabcompanywithyou.Tellsomeonewhereyouaregoingandwhattimeyouplantoreturn.

● Taking out Insurance

It is importantthatyoutakeoutinsurancepriortoyourtriptoinsureyourbelongingsagainsttheftordamage.Formoreinformationabout insurance,speaktoourWelfareOfficerorourregistrarsatreception.

● Driving in the UK

WedriveontheleftintheUK.Pleasemakesurethatyoualwayscrossattrafficlightsorapedestriancrossing.Alwayslookrightthenleftthenrightagain.Lookoutforpeopleonmotorbikesandbicycles.IfyouwishtodriveintheUKandwouldliketoknowifyourlicenceisvalid,visitwww.dvla.gov.uk

● Laws in the UK

1. Smoking:SmokingisbannedinallpublicbuildingsinBritainincludingbars,restaurants,shops, stations,cinemasandonallpublictransport.Youcansmokeonthestreet.

2. Drinking:Youmustbe18yearsorovertodrinkalcoholinpubs,bars,restaurantsandnightclubs. Somebarsandnightclubshavea21yearsoldandoverpolicy.

3. Drugs:AsinmostEuropeancountries,Britainhasstrictlawsagainsttheuseofillegaldrugsand punishmentscanbeveryheavy.Youarestronglyadvisednottouseillegaldrugsduringyourstay.

4. Shoplifting:Peoplewhoarecaughtstealingfromshopswillprobablyhavetogotocourt.

5. TVlicences:EveryhouseorflatthathasaTVmusthaveaTVlicence.Ifyourentaroomorareinflat share,findoutwhoisresponsibleforgettingtheTVlicence.

6. Counciltax:Thisisalocaltaxthatischargedoneachproperty.Itvariesindifferentboroughs(districts) inLondonandeachhasitsownrulesfordiscountsforstudents.

7. Weapons:Itisillegaltocarryanyweaponfordefenceincludinggasandsprays.Youwillbearrested ifthepolicestopyouandyouhaveaknife.

8. Cycling:Youcannotrideabikeonapavementandyoumusthavelightsifyoucycleatnight. Ahelmetisnotobligatorybutisstronglyrecommended.

LegalProblemsForfreelegaladviceyoucangotoaCitizens’AdviceBureau.www.citizensadvice.org.uk

● Religion

TherearemanyplacesofworshipinLondon.Formoreinformationaboutplacesofworshipspeaktoourwelfareofficerorvisitwww.4london.info/londoninformationplacesofworship.htmBloomsburyInternationalcanprovidestudentswithaPrayerRoomifrequested.ShouldyouliketomakeuseofthisfacilitypleasespeaktoaWelfareOfficer.


■ Theatres and Musicals

Londonisfamousforitstheatres.YoucanbuyhalfpriceticketsformanyshowsonthesamedayfromaticketofficeinthecentreofLeicesterSquare.Musicalsaremorepopularanditishardertogetticketsforthem.Youcangetthemeitherbyqueuingatthetheatreforreturnedticketsafewhoursbeforetheperformanceorfromaticketagencywhereyouwillhavetopay£15-20abovetheusualpricefortheticket.Don’tgivethemyourmoneyuntilyouhaveseentheticketsoyouknowwhereinthetheatreyourseatisandwhattheoriginalpricewas.

■ Cinemas

CinemasinandaroundLeicesterSquareareverygoodbutyoucanseethesamefilmincinemasinZone2forabouthalftheprice!Manycinemashavespecialhalfpricenights(e.g.Monday).ThePrinceCharlescinemanearLeicesterSquareisunusualasitshowsslightlyolderfilms,asmanyasfivedifferentfilmsaday,atamuchcheaperpricethanothercinemas.IndependentcinemassuchasTheRitzy(Brixton),TheChelseaCinema(KingsRoad,Chelsea),andtheElectricCinema(PortobelloRoad)haveahighstandardofcomfortandoftenshowlesswellknownindependentfilms.

■ Film Premieres

Thereareover50filmpremieresperyearinLondon,usuallyinLeicesterSquare,attractingavarietyofsuperstarsandnotsowell-knownpeople.Fordetailsseehttp://markmeets.com/#/film-premieres/4562408561

■ Museums and art galleries

Asyoucanimaginethereare100sofmuseumsinLondon,TheBritishMuseumisrightonourdoorstep!Manyofthethemarefree,sogoonlineandcheckoutthewebsiteswehaveprovidedyouwith.TryandvisitsomeofthelesserknownmuseumssuchastheDesignMuseum.

■ Markets

Londonhasahugeselectionofmarketssowhetheryouareinterestedinantiques,fashionorfoodtherewillbeamarketforyou.ThereisthefamousCamdenMarketorthegreatPortobelloMarket,otherwisevisit lessknownmarketssuchastheSundayflowermarketinColumbiaRoad.Makesurewhenyouarevisitingamarkettobesafe.Keepyourbagclosedandinviewatalltimes.Rememberaswelltoalwayscheckyourchange!

■ Pubs

InLondon,youarelikelytofindapubonalmosteverystreetcornerfromthetraditionaltothetrendy.Youdonothavetodrinkalcoholandnowtheyaresmokefree,canbeagreatplacetomeetandmakenewfriends.Youcannotsitinapubwithoutbuyingadrinkasitisconsideredrude.Alwaysmakesureifyouaresittingatatableyouhaveadrinkwithyou.

■ Shopping

ValueAddedTax(VAT)isincludedinthepriceofmostthings.Ifyouspendmorethan£100andliveoutsidetheE.U.youmightbeabletoclaimthetaxbackwhenyougohome.Asktheshopassistantfordetails.

07 Things to do in London


BloomsburyInternationalhasadetailedequalopportunitiespolicyandtheachievementofourmissionfundamentallyrequiresthatnobodyshouldbedeniedtheirfairchanceofsuccessbytheactionsofothers.Weallhavearesponsibilitytoensurethatthepolicyisimplementedandtostrivetoachieveequalityofopportunitythroughouttheschool.Wewillsupportanymemberoftheschoolcommunitywho issubjectedtodiscriminationorharassmentandwewillnottolerateactsofdiscrimination,harassmentorbullyinganywhereintheschool.Pleaseseeourcomplaintsprocedureandonlineequalopportunitiespolicy.Ontheleftcolumnclickschoolandfromthedropdownboxclickpolices.

Students at Bloomsbury International can expect…

• honestyandaccuracyinallinformationandpublicityaboutourcoursesandservices.• awarmfriendlyservicefromallourmembersofstaff.• tobetaughtbyappropriatelyqualifiedandprofessionalteacherswhoplanandpreparesuitable lessons.• interestingandvariedclassesthatusearangeofappropriateandeffectiveteachingmethods.• aninitialplacementtesttoensurethattheyareintherightlevelclassesandlateropportunitiesto changelevelastheyprogress.• tostudyinclean,well-lit,comfortableclassrooms.• tohaveregularopportunitiestodiscusstheirprogressthroughregulartutorialswiththeirteacher andopportunitiestomeettheDirectorofStudiesforadviceabouttheircourse.• aninterestingandvariedSocialProgrammeincludingmanyfreeactivities.• adviceonwhichpublicexamstotake,whenandhowtoregister.• freeinternetaccesseitherusingcomputersintheinternetloungeorviawirelessnetworks.• azerotolerancepolicyonanyformofharassment,bullyingordiscrimination.

The school expects our students …

• toattendclasseseverydayandbeontime.• totelltheschoolbyemailortelephoneiftheyhavetomissanyclassesduetoillnessorotherreasons.• toattendthe inductionfornewstudentsonMonday inthetheatre roomtohearaboutschool servicesandhealthandsafetyissues.• toinformtheregistrarsofanychangeofaddressorcontactdetails.• tofollowtheschool’sITpolicyandtonotusetheschool’scomputersinappropriatelyortodownload inappropriatematerial.• torespectotherpeople’scultures,traditionsandbeliefsandtoavoidbehaviourorlanguagethatmay causeoffence.• tofollowhealthandsafetyguidelinesandtoavoidcreatingdangersintheschool.• tobepoliteandrespectfulwhenspeakingtoallmembersofourstaff.

08 Equal opportunities

■ Free activities

TrythesewebsitestofindoutmoreaboutwhatishappeningandwhatyoucandoforfreeinLondoneveryday.www.allinlondon.co.uk www.londonforfree.net

M

Tottenham Cour t Rd

Ch

aring

Cro

ss Rd

Endel l St

Bow St

Neal St

Shaftesbury

Ave

Long AcreShelton St

Shor ts Gardens

Great Queen S

t

Russel l Sq

Bloomsbury St

Bedford Sq

High Holborn

B l o o m s b u r yS q ua r e

S o h oS q ua r e

L i n co l n’sI n n Fi e l d s

Greek St

L incoln’s Inn FieldsWhetstone Park

Russell Square

R u s s e l lS q ua r e

Bedford Pl

Montague St

Great Russel l St

Great Russel l St

B r i t i s hM u s e u m

Southampton Row

Bloomsbury Sq

Red Lion Sq

Theobald’s R

d

Gloucester St

Bosweller St

Drake St

Procter St

Eagle St

H igh Holborn

Theobald’s Rd

Kin

gsw

ay

Kin

gsw

ay

New

ton St

Drury Lane

Aldwych

Oxford St

Tottenham Court Road

New Oxford St

Covent Garden

High Holborn

Southampton PlSicilianAve

Museum

St

Bury PlDrury Lane

New Oxford St

Gilbert Pl

Bloomsbury Pl

Holborn

Bloomsbury Way

Bloomsbury International (UK) LTD 6-8 Southampton Place, London WC1A 2DB United Kingdom tel: + 44 (0)20 7242 2234 fax: + 44 (0)20 7242 8118 email: [email protected] www.bloomsbury-international.com

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STUDENT HANDBOOK - Bloomsbury International

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