Upload
others
View
11
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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
2www.bloomsbury-international.com
■ 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
3www.bloomsbury-international.com
■ 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.
4www.bloomsbury-international.com
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
5www.bloomsbury-international.com
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:
6www.bloomsbury-international.com
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.
7www.bloomsbury-international.com
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.
8www.bloomsbury-international.com
■ 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
9www.bloomsbury-international.com
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
10www.bloomsbury-international.com
■ 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
11www.bloomsbury-international.com
■ 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
12www.bloomsbury-international.com
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
13www.bloomsbury-international.com
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.
14www.bloomsbury-international.com
■ 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
15www.bloomsbury-international.com
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
R/FEB14