Frequently-asked questions
What qualifications do your staff hold?
As well as the appropriate degrees to teach academic subjects, all staff and counselor are trained in first aid, counselling and safe organization of activities. All staff are cleared by Criminal Records Bureau (this is a legal requirement for anyone working with young people in the UK). Furthermore, all staff go through pre-summer training led by a trained leadership, camp and program professional who has extensive experience of working with young people.
What about safety?
The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority. Throughout the three week program students are well supervised both within scheduled classes, trips and actives and their free time. As a town, St Andrews is well known to be exceptionally safe and offers a safe environment for students to enjoy their summer. All outdoor activities are run by a qualified outdoor instructors and activities using outside contractors (ie white-water rafting) are subject to detailed risk assessments.
What about medical insurance?
All students must purchase suitable travel insurance which covers them when abroad. Once a student has been accepted on to the program they will be sent an acceptance pack which will ask for full details of health and travel insurance. If you need any advice on what travel insurance to purchase please do not hesitate to contact us.
What happens if a student breaks one of the rules?
(A set of rules and regulations will be sent out to every student and is to be signed by both themselves and their guardian and returned to us prior to arrival.)
The consequences of breaking the rules will vary once circumstances have been taken into consideration. It should be noted that The International Summer School of Scotland strictly prohibits the use of alcohol and drugs and reserves the right to dismiss any student at anytime, without refund of the program fee.
How well are students supervised?
We have a team of counselors dedicated to supervising and looking after students. Our counselors orginise evening activities and are always there to help students when ever needed. Students are very well supervised and St Andrews as a town is a very safe place to spend the summer.
How many students from one nationality attend the summer school?
We limit the number of students from one nationality in order to provide a truely international environment. In addition we make sure that the groups which students are split in to for activities etc have a good mix of nationalities in order to make sure students speak English as much as possible.
Who will meet my son/daughter at the airport?
A member of summer school staff will be at Edinburgh International Airport to meet students on opening day, staff will accompany students on the coach to St Andrews where they will be met by their councillors who will help them unpack and settle in.