Alexanders International School - FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Alexanders International School and what makes it special?
Alexanders is an international study centre with over 40 years of experience in children’s education. Alexanders provides the essential building block to start your child on the pathway into the British educational system. It is a school where each child is an individual. We encourage our students to produce of their best not only educationally but also in self esteem and overall confidence. By building these elements, Alexanders provides a sound basis for your child’s onward schooling.
Applying for a Place and Joining the School
How can I receive a prospectus?
http://www.alexandersschool.com/default.asp?page=52
How and when do I apply?
We need a completed Admissions Form (which you can download) and a copy of your child’s latest school report. You can apply at any time - the earlier the better especially if your child needs a visa.
http://www.alexandersschool.com/default.asp?page=52
What level of English must my child have?
If applying for the Foundation course – all levels are accepted from complete beginners.
If applying for the Two Year IGCSE course, then all levels from elementary are accepted.
If applying for the One Year ICSE Course, then a good intermediate level is needed
What age must my child be?
For Foundation, between 11 and 17 years.
For Two Year IGCSE 14 or 15 in the September when the academic year begins
For the One Year IGCSE course, 15, 16 or 17 in the September when the academic year begins
How long will my child stay at Alexanders?
For the Foundation Course you child can stay for 1 term, 2 terms or 3 terms (an academic year). If studying on the Two Year IGCSE programme it will be for 5 or 6 terms and if on the One Year IGCSE it will be for 3 terms.
When can my child start?
Most join in September but we can accept children in January and in April*. Where possible children should join at the beginning of the term but later starts can be arranged.
*If studying the One Year IGCSE programme, students must join in September
VISAS
Will my child need a visa – can you help me?
If your child is not from a European Union country then yes a visa is needed. If your child is studying for less than 6 months in total with us, then you should apply for a Child Visitor Visa. We would provide you with a visa support letter once the course has been confirmed and the necessary payments received.
If your child is studying for more than 6 months with us, then you should apply for a Child Student Visa (Tier 4). We would provide you with a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies required for Tier 4 Applications) once the course has been confirmed and the necessary payments received.
My child is 17 – shouldn’t I apply for an adult visa?
No as although your child may become 18 whilst with us, the age at the time of application is what determines the type of visa and at 17 a Child Visa (Visitor or Student) applies.
What happens if the visa is refused?
We would help in any re-application but if it is totally refused then, provided we see a copy of the visa refusal letter, funds paid are refunded with the exception of the administration fee.
GUARDIANS
Must my child have a guardian and how can I arrange this? What do they do? Can they be friends or relatives?
All non European Union students must have a guardian resident in the United Kingdom
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GUARDIAN:
To act on your behalf, and under your instructions, to support the student at all times and especially in case of any problems or emergencies. These problems or emergencies may occur while the student is at school and could include medical emergencies, disciplinary matters, social or welfare problems, emergency closure of the school, arrangements for activities or travel. The school must have a person they can contact 24 hours of the day and who will act on your behalf and in accordance with your wishes.
FINDING A GUARDIAN:
You may have a relative, friend or business associate who will take on the responsibilities outlined above. There are also guardianship agencies who provide such services. Before confirming the arrangement, you must satisfy yourself that the person you ask to be a guardian will:
- Be available and willing to receive the student into their home if necessary.
- Be able to deal with emergencies, including possibly the removal of the student from the school.
- Be at home if the student is there and provide suitable living and studying facilities, with appropriate insurance cover.
If you would like advice on guardianship please contact us
PAYMENT OF FEES
When do I have to pay and how much?
When you apply you need to send the registration fee. When the place is confirmed you need to send the Student School Expenses fee and then 4 weeks before term begins you need to send the balance of fees.
What are the Student School Expenses and does it include pocket money?
It does not include pocket money which needs to be sent separately. The Student School Expenses covers uniform items which are supplied at the school (e.g. Alexanders sweatshirt, Alexanders track suit etc. – see Packing List in the Joining Information) and any other incidentals not covered by the Termly Fees.
At the end of your child’s stay at the school, you will be sent a copy of the Student School Expenses sheet. If there is any credit balance remaining this will be sent to you (please ensure we have full bank account details)
How much pocket money will my child need and how can I send more?
We recommend no more than 60.00 GBP per week. If you wish to send more pocket money to your child, contact us
LIVING AT ALEXANDERS
Does my child live near the school? Where is Alexanders?
Yes, he or she will live on the school campus and all school facilities – classrooms, bedrooms, dining room and social areas are all on the same site. Alexanders campus (48 hectares) is right on the sea in an area of outstanding natural beauty and special scientific interest. The region is called East Anglia and contains such important historical and cultural centres such as Cambridge, Colchester, and Norwich – and many more!
Do you accept girls and boys?
Yes
Where do they sleep and will they have a shared room? Who looks after them after classes?
There are separate houses for girls and boys. Children normally share a room with 1 or 2 others. Each house has a House Parent resident in the House with the children and there is a Head of Boarding in overall charge. Pastoral staff help children during their free time.
Where do they eat, do you provide all meals? Do you cater for special diets?
Children eat their breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main dining room and have snacks in their House at other times. Food is healthy and nutritious. Vegetarian food is available at every meal. Celiac diets can be catered. Pork is not served at Alexanders. For any other enquiries concerning diets please contact us
What clothes must I bring, can I bring my lap top, mobile phone etc?
You can download a copy of our Joining Information from:
http://www.alexandersschool.com/default.asp?page=52
This also contain lots of other important information including use of lap tops, mobile phones etc.
Is there a laundry service at the school and does it cost extra?
Yes laundry is done 2 times a week for everyday clothes and on Sundays for uniform items. This is included in course fees. Clothes must be labeled with the child’s name
What happens if my child is ill?
We have a School Matron who comes into school every day Monday to Friday between 0830 and 1130 to see children who are unwell. All children are registered with local doctors and more serious cases are taken to the local hospital. All children must bring with them full insurance documentation including cover for medical expenses.
What other children are there, what nationalities and ages?
Alexanders is an international school with students from all over the world. Our students are aged between 11 and 17 years. Nationality mixes vary each term but in Autumn 2010 we have students from: Armenia, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, Iran, China, Spain, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, Colombia, Mexico, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
Can my child leave the campus, can they go away at weekends, and can I or other relatives or friends visit?
Children are never allowed to leave the campus unless they are accompanied by an adult (a member of staff or relative/friend of the family). We ask that weekend trips to visit friends and relatives are restricted to one or two each term. Prior to such visits – or visits to the school by friends or relatives – Alexanders must have received the fully completed request document at least 48 hours prior to the visit.
Are there holidays during term time – must my child leave the campus?
There is a Half Term Holiday during the autumn term of one week. There is a Christmas Holiday between Autumn and Spring Term and an Easter Holiday between Spring and Summer Terms. There are no Half Term holidays in the Spring and Summer terms. The only time children must leave the campus at Christmas but at all other holiday periods can remain on campus (at extra cost)
Can my child attend a place of worship?
Yes this can be arranged although there may be some small extra charges to cover transport and accompanying adult.
EDUCATION
What does Foundation mean?
This is a course to raise your child’s English language level both generally in terms of ‘everyday’ language and also in the language relevant to specific school subjects such as mathematics and science as well as the subjects themselves. Further we help prepare students in the study skills they will need to continue their education in an English speaking school or college (whether in the UK or abroad).
What is an IGCSE or a GCSE?
GCSE is the General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken by students aged 14-16 in the United Kingdom. The IGCSE is the international version of the GCSE which can be taken anywhere in the world. Students at Alexanders will take a mixture of IGCSE and GCSE depending on the subject. Both examinations have equal value.
What is the syllabus?
The actual syllabus will depend on your child’s level, length and type of course being followed but syllabus outlines can be provided.
How many hours a week does my child study?
25 hours per week in the class room (Monday to Friday)
Does my child have to do homework?
Yes - every night Monday to Thursday for 90 minutes and for 60 minutes on Sunday night.
What other examinations can my child take?
Students can be entered for English language examinations (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) - Key English Test, Preliminary English Test, First Certificate AND IELTS
Entry Level Certificates - ELCs are subject-based qualifications targeted at 14 to 16-year-old students who are working at a level below that required from GCSE Grade G.
Can I study A Levels?
Not the examinations themselves but we can prepare children going on into a 6th Form to study for A levels.
What subjects will my child study?
On Foundation - English and Maths plus Science, ICT, Geography, History, Art, Music, Physical Education, Environmental Studies, PSHEE and Citizenship
IGCSE Courses – English and Maths plus Combined Science, Business Studies, ICT, Arts. First Language (mother tongue) may be studied where it is available at IGCSE.
Will I receive regular reports on my child?
By the end of the first month at school you will receive a Settling in report and then a full academic report at the end of each term.
OUT OF CLASS TIME
What sports do you offer?
Depending on the time of year : basketball, gymnastics (weights, exercise bikes, punch bags, mats) , fitness training, sailing, swimming (off campus) , lacrosse, tennis, softball, athletics, football, volleyball, orienteering, squash, badminton, cross country running. Sports form part of the timetable 3 days a week and on Saturday mornings.
What non sporting activities are there?
Aerobics, dance, arts and crafts, chess, computers, drama, music and photography
Can I go horse riding or play golf?
Yes on Sunday afternoons (at extra cost and subject to availability) – off campus
When do I have free time to relax?
Between 2030 and 2200 each evening Monday to Friday and from 1900 on Saturday. Sunday is a more relaxed day in general although there is an hour of homework in the evenings.
Do I go on visits and excursions off campus
Yes. Every Saturday there is a shopping trip to a town within East Anglia – Cambridge, Colchester, Norwich and Ipswich (on a rotation basis).
During each term educational visits are also organised off campus. We also arrange sporting events with local schools.
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