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Summer Programmes excel academy international Elite UK schools Ages 12-16

Excel Academy International Brochure

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Established for over 20 years, The Excel Academy has become a market leader in the provision of high quality, highly personalised English language courses. Our clients continue to benefit from the Excel Academy’s expertise developed over the last two decades in bringing together specialists, knowledge and international experience from wide ranging disciplines within the domain of education. The key to our success is based on our on-going and increasing personal working relationships with schools, business, educationalists and teachers. Our specialist team develops and adapts quality course programmes and teaching approaches to make the educational experience totally relevant to requirements.

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Page 1: Excel Academy International Brochure

Summer Programmes

excel academyinternational

Elite UK schoolsAges 12-16

Page 2: Excel Academy International Brochure

CON

TEN

TS

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Our Ethos

3 Message from the Principal4-5 About us 6-7 Our mission 8-11 Teachers

Programme Information

12-13 Our programmes 14-15 The Classic prramme16-17 Excurions 18-19 Lessons20-21 Workshops22-23 Sport and activities24-25 About Trinity School26-27 Staying with a host family28-29 Boarding at Epsom College30-31 About Epsom College2

Further information & booking32-33 2012 programmes and booking34-35 Outcomes and achievement36-37 Frequently asked questions

Page 3: Excel Academy International Brochure

During my career in education, I have been deeply committed to developing strategies for second language acquisition in a variety of academic, business, professional and teaching contexts. For the last 20 years I have been working with principals and senior teachers from prestigious secondary and primary schools on developing school-based projects delivered both internationally and the United Kingdom. In addition I have researched the Secondary English Language Syllabus prepared by the Curriculum Development Council, Hong Kong and presented a vertical and horizontal plan for a series of course materials. In June 2001 I authored several course books published by the Oxford University Press.

It never ceases to amaze me how much the young students learn during such a short period of time when they come to the UK. They make a real success of the inter-cultural experience in the UK and many make friends for life. They learn how to become independent and more confident and are able to build relationships with people from different backgrounds and different cultures. Their response to the programme is always remarkably positive. Their appreciation of British culture, literature and drama is reflected in the way they respond to the challenges given to them. The end of course public drama performance, together with their publication are true testimonies of their commitment and achievements.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

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Our programmes provide a truly unique experience for everyone involved and one that will stay with our students for the rest of their lives. Exploring and experiencing a different culture allows them to respond positively and form positive impressions in a non-threatening environment. These are the first steps to becoming international citizens.

Hanna Walton

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ABO

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US

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The company was incorporated at Companies House in 1994, number 2941066, under the name Excel Academy Language Programmes.

The Excel Academy is accredited by the British Council and since 1998 has maintained the highest level of quality from ISO 9001 for its management systems and processes.

ABOUT US

The Excel Academy was formally incorporated in 1994 to serve schools and their students by enabling them to benefit from our curriculum enhancement projects.

Students continue to benefit from the Excel Academy’s expertise developed over the last two decades in bringing together specialists, knowledge and international experience from wide ranging disciplines within the domain of education.The key to our success is based on our on-going and increasing personal working relationships with schools, educationalists and teachers.

Our specialist team develops and adapts quality course programmes and teaching approaches to make the students’ educational experience totally relevant to their requirements. Inter-cultural interaction and collaboration maximises students’ progress during their stays in the UK.

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“courses are run efficiently and managed well...”BRITISH COUNCIL 2011

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OUR MISSION

✓ To empower students to communicate effectively in English, building on the language they have already learnt and developing strategies for different purposes, situations and contexts

✓ To promote the principles of mutual understanding and inter-cultural communication skills and experience

✓ To increase students’ awareness of their own culture in order to appreciate other cultures and promote tolerance and respect and so avoid misunderstandings

✓ To provide the highest level of education to prepare students for their global future in an international world

✓ To be totally committed to the success, enjoyment and well-being of the students entrusted into our care by parents, teachers and schools

✓ To foster an atmosphere of confidence and enhance students’ personal independence as well as learning about how to learn

✓ To provide a unique opportunity to experience British culture first-hand and to use English to communicate effectively at all times with British people, other students and teachers

✓ To encourage students’ interest and enthusiasm for learning to develop their critical creative, imaginative and original thinking

✓ To stimulate students’ own sense of self-discipline and make them aware of their own effort to achieve personal success and satisfaction

✓ To develop leadership skills: working in teams sharing observations, analyses, making impartial judgements and solving problems in an international context

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“Highly talented teachers impart confidence and self-belief...”

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OUR TEACHERS

Our teachers are very talented, knowledgeable, committed and highly successful educators.

They stimulate our students to help them achieve fast progress in their English performance skills: speaking and writing.

Effective English and Drama specialists enhance their expertise in the use of second language acquisition strategies that constitute the Excel Teaching Method.

Their insight into how students learn together with extensive training in the Excel Teaching Method prepares them to deliver our super intensive learning programmes successfully.

All our staff are selected for their friendly personalities and high level of pastoral care. They know how to deal with the challenges younger students may face when they are away from home for the first time and function in a different culture.

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“Teachers and host families really worked very hard and put their hearts into organising all the activities”

SLaven, aged 16Czech Republic

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Qualifications, background and competencies of our teachers:

✓iPGCE/BEd and/or TEFL, MA, Fellow in Skills and Learning

✓Headmaster of famous and high achieving grammar school

✓Theatre director at well-known theatres in the UK and abroad

✓Author of children’s books

✓Advanced skills’ teachers

✓Heads of English and Drama departments

✓Examiners: GCSE and A-Level

✓Pastoral care specialists

✓Successful lead teachers with proven track records in coaching and winning competitions in public speaking, debates and Shakespeare performances

✓Motivating dedicated teachers with a genuine desire to make a difference

OUR TEACHERS

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“Highly talented teachers impart confidence and self-belief...”

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PRO

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OUR PROGRAMMES

For over twenty years students have thrived on our courses . Our programmes allow students to experience the British culture and develop their English language skills in a safe and fun environment.

Our courses implement the super intensive Excel learning programme, maximising students’ personal progress in learning English, measuring success and building confidence and independence.This holistic learning approach promotes English communication skills inside and outside the classroom. Our International programmes are based at top UK schools renowned for their supurb facilities and elegant settings.

Students...

✓ express their own ideas and thoughts fluently both orally and in writing

✓ enjoy stating their opinions positively and convincingly

✓ learn for life: leadership and independence

✓ increase their levels of self-esteem

✓ build confidence in performing in English

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“I enjoyed the trip. The teachers were really nice and their lessons were well prepared and useful.”

Jurgen, aged14Switzerland

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or HOMESTAYRE

SID

ENTI

AL

All our programmes include: • Excursions • Activities • Interactive lessons • Workshops • Master classes

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CLASSIC PROGRAMMES

Excursions Students discover and explore the British culture meaningfully on excursions and visits:

✓ Cambridge or Oxford: a visit to one of the famous colleges

✓ The Globe Theatre

✓ St Paul’s Cathedral

✓ Westminster and the Houses of Parliament

✓ Royal Castles and Palaces

✓ A West End Musical

Activities Students enjoy a fun packed activities’ programme:

✓ Interactive games ✓ Sports: football, rugby, cricket ✓ Film nights ✓ Singing, dancing, making music, arts and crafts

Interactive lessons ... ✓ implement the highly successful and

interactive Excel Teaching Method ✓ are totally interactive using the English

language for communication at all times ✓ are structured strategically to build confidence

in speaking and writing fluently ✓ are fun and purposeful ✓ maintain a high level of enjoyment and success ✓ enable students to achieve a sense of self-

esteem

Workshops; students learn from the experts

Experience immediate success in different learning environments:

✓ Improvisation and voice production ✓ Performing own ideas and imagination ✓ Writing for an audience ✓ Producing a magazine for publication

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EXCURSIONS

• We have organised programmes for our students for over 20 years and have earned a reputation for well-prepared, safe, high quality excursions.

• Our itineraries are planned to provide an ideal balance of historic highlights, leisurely sightseeing and opportunities for shopping.

• All travel costs and entry fees are included and a packed lunch is provided.

• BBC Studios• Brighton• The British Museum• Canterbury• Chelsea FC• Dover Castle

• London Duck Tours• Greenwich Maritime• The Royal Observatory• Hampton Court• Holmbush Farm• The Houses of Parliament

• Kensington Palace• Cambridge University• Leeds Castle• The London Eye• Longleat Safari Park• Oxford University

• The National Gallery• The O2 Music Experience• The Royal Courts of Justice• St Pauls Cathedral• The V & A Museum• The Tower of London

Excursions can include:-

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LESS

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Our lessons implement ‘The Excel Teaching Method’

✓ This extremely powerful learning tool enables students achieve personal progress and success in the performance of English for now and the future.

✓ It is based on psycho- and socio-linguistic principles activating the brain on many different levels.

✓ Students perform a great variety of interesting and professionally constructed tasks that lead to successful results.

✓ Learners speak in English at all times. They express their own ideas, identity, imagination and opinions in English.

✓ Students become independent learners. They use self-, peer- and teacher-assessment and targets to achieve and maintain increasingly high levels of personal progress.

✓ Famous authors and successful public speakers provide inspiration for students to create their own texts, stories, poems and speeches that are appealing, entertaining and moving.

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LESSONS

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Lessons...• are totally interactive using the English language for communication at

all times

• are fun and purposeful

• maintain a high level of enjoyment and success

• enable students to achieve a sense of self-esteem

✓ A Shakespeare play e.g. “Romeo & Juliet” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

✓ Paul Jennings “Unreal” ✓ Charles Dickens “Oliver Twist” ✓ Michael Morpurgo “Kensuke’s Kingdom” ✓ Philip Pullman “Northern Lights”

Texts studied include:-

✓ Relationship building and leadership skills ✓ Orientation ✓ Understanding cultural differences ✓ People and personalities ✓ The media ✓ Debate

Lesson themes include:-

• are structured strategically to build confidence in speaking and writing fluently

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WO

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WORKSHOPS - STUDENTS LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS

Workshops play an important part in motivating students and learning in a different and enjoyable context. They are led by experts, who facilitate students to explore ideas and thoughts within a larger group. They provide a very important opportunity for students to interact with a variety of specialists and learn from their specific areas of expertise. These workshops can include:

• Drama• A dramatic presentation of poems and lyrics in solo, duet and ensemble• Etiquette and table manners• Dance• Music• Magazine Workshop• Arts & Crafts for theatre props• Creative writing

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✓ Improvisation and voice production ✓ Performing own ideas and imagination ✓ Writing for an audience ✓ Producing a magazine for publication

Workshops help students to experience immediate success in different learning environments: “The magazine workshop is the

best”

Pieonnie, aged 13Hong Kong

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SPO

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SPORT

Workshops play an important part in motivating students and learning in a different and enjoyable context. They are led by experts, who facilitate students to explore ideas and thoughts within a larger group. They provide a very important opportunity for students to interact with a variety of specialists and learn from their specific areas of expertise. These workshops can include:

• Drama• A dramatic presentation of poems and lyrics in solo, duet and ensemble• Etiquette and table manners• Dance• Music• Magazine Workshop• Arts & Crafts for theatre props• Creative writing

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✓ Improvisation and voice production ✓ Performing own ideas and imagination ✓ Writing for an audience ✓ Producing a magazine for publication

Workshops help students to experience immediate success in different learning environments: “The magazine workshop is the

best”

Pieonnie, aged 13Hong Kong

Page 24: Excel Academy International Brochure

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“a friendly and positive environment in which every individual can thrive...”

Page 25: Excel Academy International Brochure

THE HOMESTAY PROGRAMME AT TRINITY SCHOOL

Students on our homestay programme study at Trinity School in Shirley.

✓ Trinity school is consistently placed among the top schools in the country

✓ Sport, music, drama and other activities are all of the highest quality

✓ Outstanding modern facilities

✓ Extensive sports grounds

✓ Located within close proximity to central London (20 minutes by train) which enables students to embrace the real buzz of life in the capital whilst living in a safe, residential greenbelt area.

✓ Students stay with carefully selected host families from the local area

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“I had an amazing experience at Trinity, I wish I could go back...”

Helena, aged 13Germany

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“host families welcome their visiting students as real members of their family...”

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STAYING WITH A HOST FAMILY

Host families share their everyday life and extend genuine friendship and interest. Students become confident in living harmoniously in a foreign environment.

Each host family is professionally vetted by a highly trained and experienced homestay coordinator. They help students to settle with their families and provide excellent pastoral care.

Each host family is unique, which makes each student’s experience unique. Students become familiar with many cultural differences and learn how to adapt to a different way of life, routines, food and values.

The homestay environment fosters a real understanding of how to live in a new culture quite naturally and students learn how to build successful relationships. They quickly become confident and independent young people and learn how to appreciate cultural differences.

what to expect...

✓ High quality, carefully selected families ✓ Exposure to the English language, culture and way of life ✓ A separate or twin bedded room with towels ✓ Three meals a day ✓ Laundry once a week

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“My stay was fantastic and I look forward to staying in touch with my host family”

Matt, Aged 14Switzerland

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EXPERIENCE OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMME

Students on our residential programme are actively engaged at all times: during lesson, workshops, excursions and evenings.

Past students found the residential programme great fun, magical and exciting. They have revelled in the enormous green open spaces and thoroughly enjoyed the many wonderful activities that were offered to them.

Activities

Every activity encourages students to achieve the most from this interactive and varied learning programme.

The Excel Academy arranges a wide range of fun activities outside the classroom that foster English communication skills, relationship building, leadership and independence.

This ideal combination of learning and leisure activities encourages a dramatic improvement in confidence and fluency in English in a very short space of time.

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“My favourite activity was the farewell presentation because it was fun and we were able to present all the things we have learnt”

Mariana, Aged 12Brazil

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EPSOM COLLEGE

Epsom College is a top independent UK boarding school situated in the quiet residential area of Epsom, just outside London. Students who enrol on our residential programme live as British boarders at this prestigious school.

Our teachers and the on site staff provide 24 hour care for the students as they stay together in the same boarding house. This caring environment fosters trusting and genuine friendships between students, teachers and staff.

Facilities

The facilities are first-class;• well-equipped classrooms• extensive grounds• modern sporting facilities• computer rooms with fast Internet

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““I’d love to come again if there was the chance. I would keep these two weeks forever in my heart”

Isaac, Aged 16Hong Kong

Food

• The food is excellent. The College prides itself on the high quality, nutritional value, wide choice and well-balanced meals suitable for growing children

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided

Accommodation

• Students live in attractive and very pleasant dormitories that are well-equipped

• Single or twin rooms• Laundry once a week

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WEEK ONE

Thursday 2nd August

Friday3rd August

Saturday4th August

Sunday5th August

Monday6th August

Tuesday7th August

Wednesday8th August

Morning • Transfer to the boarding house

• Welcome & tour by Excel staff

Lessons• Relationship

building• Leadership skills

Excursion• Canterbury

(All day)

Lessons• Dealing with

cultural differences

Excursion• The Globe

Theatre

Lessons• Introducing the

drama project• Romeo & Juliet

Excursion• Westminster

Afternoon Lessons• English

Assessment

Workshop• Orientation• Etiquette

Exploring the town’s heritage

Workshop • Drama 1

Excursion• St Paul’s

Cathederal

Workshop • Film workshop

based on Romeo & Juliet

Excursion• Visit to a famous

West End Musical

Evening Opportunity to e-mail home

Introduction to the programme.

Journal writingOpportunity to e-mail home

Journal writing Study period Outdoor games Journal writing

WEEK TWO

Thursday 9th August

Friday10th August

Saturday11th August

Sunday12th August

Monday13th August

Tuesday14th August

Wednesday15th August

Morning Lessons• The literature

project

Lessons• Developing

themes, ideas and characters

Excursion• Cambridge

(All day)

Workshop • Arts and crafts

Lessons• Reader’s

theatre

Excursion• Brighton (All

day)

Lessons• Media project• Debate

Afternoon Workshop • Dance - led by

expert leaders

Excursion• Ten pin bowling

Excursion• The history and

importance of Cambridge

Workshop • Writing

Workshop • Drama 2

Excursion• Explore

Brighton pier and the lanes

Workshop • Music

Evening Workshop • Film workshop

Romeo & Juliet

Workshop • Arts and crafts

Study period Popular music and songs

Quiz evening Journal writing Traditional barn dance

WEEK THREE

Thursday16th August

Friday17th Augst

Saturday18th August

Sunday19th August

Monday20th August

Tuesday21st August

Morning 1. Lessons• Topic project• Poems

Lessons• Creating devised

TV presentation

Workshop • Magazine

Full dress rehearsal for farewell performance

Excursion• Hampton Court

& Windsor (All day)

Final farewell to Excel staff & transfers home

Afternoon Workshop Dramatic presentation

Workshop • Drama 3

2. Devised drama Farewell performance and achievement ceremony

Excursion• Exploring the

historic town centre

Evening Film night Workshop • Magazine

Small games and relationship building

Games Packing and preparation.

EPSO

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RESIDENTIAL

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For our latest courses, availability and online booking, please visit:

www.excelacademy-uk.co.uk

or

contact us:Tel: +44 (0)208 466 7070Email: [email protected]

WEEK ONE

Thursday 2nd August

Friday3rd August

Saturday4th August

Sunday5th August

Monday6th August

Tuesday7th August

Wednesday8th August

Morning • Transfer to the boarding house

• Welcome & tour by Excel staff

Lessons• Relationship

building• Leadership skills

Excursion• Canterbury

(All day)

Lessons• Dealing with

cultural differences

Excursion• The Globe

Theatre

Lessons• Introducing the

drama project• Romeo & Juliet

Excursion• Westminster

Afternoon Lessons• English

Assessment

Workshop• Orientation• Etiquette

Exploring the town’s heritage

Workshop • Drama 1

Excursion• St Paul’s

Cathederal

Workshop • Film workshop

based on Romeo & Juliet

Excursion• Visit to a famous

West End Musical

Evening Opportunity to e-mail home

Introduction to the programme.

Journal writingOpportunity to e-mail home

Journal writing Study period Outdoor games Journal writing

WEEK TWO

Thursday 9th August

Friday10th August

Saturday11th August

Sunday12th August

Monday13th August

Tuesday14th August

Wednesday15th August

Morning Lessons• The literature

project

Lessons• Developing

themes, ideas and characters

Excursion• Cambridge

(All day)

Workshop • Arts and crafts

Lessons• Reader’s

theatre

Excursion• Brighton (All

day)

Lessons• Media project• Debate

Afternoon Workshop • Dance - led by

expert leaders

Excursion• Ten pin bowling

Excursion• The history and

importance of Cambridge

Workshop • Writing

Workshop • Drama 2

Excursion• Explore

Brighton pier and the lanes

Workshop • Music

Evening Workshop • Film workshop

Romeo & Juliet

Workshop • Arts and crafts

Study period Popular music and songs

Quiz evening Journal writing Traditional barn dance

WEEK THREE

Thursday16th August

Friday17th Augst

Saturday18th August

Sunday19th August

Monday20th August

Tuesday21st August

Morning 1. Lessons• Topic project• Poems

Lessons• Creating devised

TV presentation

Workshop • Magazine

Full dress rehearsal for farewell performance

Excursion• Hampton Court

& Windsor (All day)

Final farewell to Excel staff & transfers home

Afternoon Workshop Dramatic presentation

Workshop • Drama 3

2. Devised drama Farewell performance and achievement ceremony

Excursion• Exploring the

historic town centre

Evening Film night Workshop • Magazine

Small games and relationship building

Games Packing and preparation.

EPSOM COLLEGE - RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMME 2012

2nd August 2012 - 21st August 2012

Lessons Fifteen hours of lessons per week

Workshops 30 hours of workshops

Activites Outdoor games Varied evening activities

DATE

LESSONS

WORKSHOPS

ACTIVITIES

KEY FEATURES

Boys and girls aged 12-16AGE

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Excursions Six Full day excursions One half day excursion

EXCURSIONS

£2022.50COST

DETA

ILS

Workshops BoardingACCOMMODATION

HOW TO BOOK

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Outcomes and achievements

Our students celebrate their achievements and success displaying their own publication as well as presenting a drama and public speaking performance at the end of the programme.

All students receive a graduation pack, a helpful evidence for further study, containing:

✓ Personal and detailed academic reports

✓ Content and objectives of the learning programme

✓ Achievement certificate

✓ Publication: magazine or collaborative journal

✓ DVD of the farewell performance and ceremony

All students participate in an achievement ceremony attended by their teachers, Excel Academy staff, parents and host families where applicable.

Past Excel Academy students have gained access to Universities such as:

✓ Oxford

✓ Cambridge

✓ Imperial College London

✓ London School of Economics

Aim high and achieve high ...

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Q: What guarantees do I have as a client? The stay in the UK is guaranteed by an organisation that has successfully delivered inter-cultural programmes to prestigious schools since 1991.

Q: Is The Excel Academy a registered company? Yes, it is registered with Companies House UK, number 2941066, under the name of Excel Academy Language Programmes Limited.

Q: Is the Excel Academy a member of a professional organisation? Yes, it is accredited by the British Council. Yes, it is accredited by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Yes, it is a member of the IATEFL organisation for professional development. Mrs Walton is also member of the Institute of Directors and an Alumnus of the Institute of Education, London.

Q: Does The Excel Academy organise flights or trains for students arriving into the UK? As we are an educational organisation, the flights or train journeys will have to be arranged by a separate travel agent. The cost for this is not included in the above course fees.

Q: Do I need to have my own travel insurance? Yes, students are required to have their own travel insurance. Students must pay for small insurance claims such as damage to property, medical or other expenses, from their own funds. Students must keep receipts for personal insurance claims. Please ensure that your insurance policy has ‘no excess.’

Q: Will my child be met at the airport or train station on the first day and taken back to the airport/station at the end of the course?Meet and greet - normal hours Between the hours of 9am and 6pm, our meet and greet service is free and includes a minibus shuttle to the school or host family.Students will be met at the airport or train station by a member of staff at the appropriate exit point carrying a board with the Excel Academy International logo and the student’s name. If several students arrive at the same time of day, some may be asked to wait until we have met another arrival before the airport or station. Staff will also take the student to the airport or station on departure day assisting students to check-in and stay with the student until he or she has gone into Departures.

Meet and greet - out of hours Between the hours of 6pm and 9am, a £150 cost will apply for our meet and greet service.Please note that students should arrive and depart from London Gatwick or London Heathrow airport or a major London train station. Airport transfer is included in the course fee so long as the student’s flight/train is scheduled to arrive/depart between 10am and 4pm. For more information regarding arrivals and departures, please refer to the booking form.

For students making their own way to your course, please contact us for directions. If your transfer is not on the published arrival/departure dates and times, there will be an extra cost. There will also be an added cost for accommodation if you have to stay extra day/s. Please check availability with us before booking.

Q: What happens when I arrive at the school or host family? Boarding Students are welcomed at the Registrations area upon arrival. Pocket money, passports and tickets will be collected from students upon arrival. Staff will organise a tour around the campus and will take the students to their boarding houses and rooms to settle in. Students will have time to unpack, to take a shower or rest. Snack and refreshment will be provided throughout the day in addition to hot meals at dinner time. Phone cards will be provided to all students and we will try to encourage the students to call home as soon as they settle in to ensure the parents that they arrive safely. An English placement test will be organised the day after you arrive and students will be placed in a suitable class according to their age and ability. Homestay Staff will organise a tour around the school. Pocket money, passports and tickets will be collected from students upon arrival and snacks and refreshments will be provided. Phone cards will be provided to all students and we will try to encourage the students to call home as soon as they settle in to ensure the parents that they arrive safely.

Host families will collect students from the school in the afternoon and welcome them into their home.

An English placement test will be organised the day after you arrive and students will be placed in a suitable class according to their age and ability.

Q: Where will I be living and sleeping and will it be safe? Boarding Boys and girls are accommodated separately. There are members of staff resident the boarding houses who will be supervising and assisting students in the evening and at night. There will always be staff on-call throughout the night in case of emergency. The house is securely locked at all times and only students and staff have access.

HomestayAll our host families are vetted by one of the Excel Academy’s highly trained and experienced homestay coordinators. The selection procedures adhere to the protocols of the UK Child Protection Act. The Excel Academy takes into consideration each student’s individual requirements and background to select the most suitable host family.The students choosing this option will come to the school daily for lessons and all events and excursions. Homestay students can opt for a single or shared room and will receive full board.

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Frequently asked questions

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Q: Can I share a room with a friend?Yes, but you must indicate the name of the friend and agree with them and their parents before completing the enrolment form. Please note that the Excel Academy cannot guarantee that this requirement will be met.

Q: What type of food is provided on the programme? Boarding The at Epsom College is excellent. The College prides itself on the high quality, nutritional value, wide choice and well-balanced meals suitable for growing children.

HomestayStudents stay on a full board basis. Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the family home and a packed lunch will be given to each student by the host family.

Q: What about pocket money? There is nothing to pay for on our courses. All course expenses are included in the course fee. The Excel Academy provides a pocket money service to prevent students carrying a lot of cash on their person. The allowance is £100 for two week and £150 for three week programmes. This allowance is payable with the course fees and is returned to the students in two instalments during the programme. The Excel Academy cannot be held responsible for any money lost during the programme. Parents are strongly advised not to send additional large sums of money.

What clothes should I bring and how often is laundry done? Host families or Epsom College will launder the students’ personal clothing once a week. However, the Excel Academy cannot be held liable for any damage or loss. Student Safety and Welfare

Q: Is it safe for my child to visit central London? The Excel Academy staff carry out a risk assessment prior to all excursions. If there is any cause for concern, the trip will not go ahead and a contingency plan is put in place for an alternative activity.

Q: How do I contact my family? Our staff will help you phone home on arrival. Phone cards will be provided on arrival.Please note that mobile phones must be switched off during lessons and scheduled events and activities.

Q: What happens if my child becomes ill during their stay in the UK? Most travel insurances will cover medical costs incurred in the UK; please confirm this in your insurance policy provided by your travel agent. The Excel Academy’s host family or teacher will take your child to a local doctor or an Accident and Emergency department at a hospital depending on the circumstances. Please refer to terms and conditions for further information on charges and insurance claims.

Q: Are students allowed out with a family member or friend on Sundays? Yes but we must have a permission in writing from your parent or guardian before arrival. (Please see terms and conditions) Students are NOT ALLOWED out unsupervised, i.e. without the presence of a teacher or authorised adult. The Excel Academy does not accept responsibility for unauthorised outings of any kind.

Q: Can I follow my normal religious practices while I am on the course? Yes. Please tell us at the time of application if you want to attend a place of worship.

Q: How do I pay? Yes. We must have a permission in writing from your parent or guardian at least 48 hours in advance. This must be done to make sure that students do not miss important classes or activities.

Q: Can I cancel? Yes, but this will incur the following charges:

Up to 8 weeks before departure – 10% of total cost 8 weeks to 8 days before departure – 50% of total cost 7 days and non-arrival – total cost payable

Q: Can I contact the Excel Academy team directly in the UK? Yes, by phone on (+44) 208 466 7070 or email to [email protected]

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