Who can participate?
The Exchange is open to all students from Year 8 to Year 11, providing the dates do not clash with GCSE exams or other commitments, such as school concerts and performances, providing that their Head of Year has agreed to their participation, providing that they are able to stay with a family abroad and host their partner during the return visit to London.
The German exchange allows students to apply in Year 7 if they study German in Year 8. They will be hosted in families where English is spoken well.
How many go on the Exchange?
40 to 55 students from this school usually take part in either the French of the German Exchange, and those who wish, in both.
Who will the partner be?
Students are matched up with a partner in the foreign school. We do our best to pair up students of the same age and profiles but, although we are not always successful, past experience suggests that usually students adjust well and individual personalities are just as important in forming friendships. The most important thing is to be open-minded, adaptable, interested in getting to know other people and family life in a different country.
How do they get there?
The students usually travel by coach to Dover, cross the Channel either by ferry or shuttle, and keep the use of the coach the whole week. They take a packed lunch as the journey takes up most of the day and, of course, we have regular breaks on the Motorway.
Are they alone with the family?
On arrival, students are met by their host family and spend their first evening there. During the following days, students regroup at school, where they attend a few lessons or do some activities and go on various trips. Week days, students spend the day with the group and they are encouraged to be with their partner as much as possible. The evenings and the week-end are spent with the family (which does not exclude meeting up with other partner friends at some stage)
What if they are homesick?
It is not unusual for some students to feel a little homesick in the first day or two. However, experience shows that they tend to overcome this quite quickly. The more they get on with people around them, the easier it is, but even the few who might have felt less lucky than some with their partner seem to take it in their stride and enjoy their stay abroad.
How safe will they be?
Whilst travelling and during the day, supervision is similar to that on any school trip, and keeping the students safe is an absolute priority to all staff.
When they are with their family, students are asked to report anything they might feel unhappy about or which they suspect their parents might not approve of. The teacher leading the Exchange is contactable at all times and all students are asked to put the number in their mobile.
The families are also briefed by their school and by us as about behaviour and safety rules. For example, our students can go on the bus with their partner if the partner is used to doing it. They are not allowed to be out without a responsible adult in the evening.
Will there be other expenses?
The price is all inclusive. However, it is expected that the English family offers some activity to their student at the week-end, and possibly during an evening, when he/she is staying in London, such as shopping, tourism, meal, sports activity.
Most parents will also like to send their child abroad with a little present for their host family and with some pocket money.
In the very unlikely event that a student misbehaves during the trip, we reserve the right to request that parents to pick up their child at their expense.
