Your Questions Answered

What qualifications do your staff members hold?

As well as the appropriate degrees to teach academic subjects, all staff and counsellors are trained in first aid, counselling and safe organisation of activities. All staff members are cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau (this is a legal requirement for anyone working with young people in the UK). Furthermore, all staff members undertake pre-summer training led by a qualified 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 within scheduled classes, trips and activities and also during their free time.  In terms of locations, St Andrews and Cambridge are well known as an exceptionally safe university towns offering a safe environment for students to enjoy their summer. Qualified instructors run all outdoor activities and activities using outside contractors (e.g. water sports) are subject to detailed risk assessments.

What about medical insurance?

All students must purchase suitable travel insurance that covers them while abroad. Once a student has been accepted by the summer school they will be sent an information pack, which will ask for full details of health and travel insurance. If you need any advice about the type of 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 are included in our terms and conditions and all students agree to abide by them by applying. The consequences of breaking the rules will vary once circumstances have been taken into consideration. It should be noted that ISSOS strictly prohibits the use of alcohol, tobacco 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 organise evening activities and are always available to support students as and when required and live in the same halls of residence as students to make sure they are monitored.

How many students from one nationality attend the summer school?

We limit the number of students from any single nationality  to 10% in order to provide a truly international environment. In addition, we make sure that the groups into which students are split for activities etc have a good mix of nationalities in order to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to speak English together.

Who will meet my son/daughter at the airport?

A member of ISSOS staff will be at Edinburgh International or Stanstead International Airport  to meet students on opening day and staff will accompany students on the coach to the St Andrews or Cambridge campus. ISSOS counselors will meet the students when they arrive at their accommodation and will help them to unpack and to settle in.