Latest Updates 7th December 2021 More Temporary Changes. Considering emerging evidence on the Omicron variant, the UK government has taken the decision to extend the requirement for pre-departure Covid tests for all passengers aged 12 and over travelling to the four nations of the UK......
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Please read our updated FAQ’s below
What date will the school re-open for Face-to-Face classes?
29th March 2021
Will all courses be Face-to face?
Yes, however we will offer hybrid learning for students who need to quarantine upon arrival.
Are online courses still available?
Yes, they have been very popular and are now part of our permanent range of courses. Our online English courses are a great way to prepare for your trip to the UK and to keep practising your English after you return home. They are also a great alternative if you are unable to travel.
What are the restrictions in Canterbury?
Bars, pubs, cafes, and restaurants are now open outside only. Cinemas and theatres are closed, except for broadcast performances online. Museums, galleries, and other tourist attractions are closed. There are still many outdoor sights to see walking around Canterbury, staying socially distanced, with a lovely hot cup of takeaway coffee, tea or hot chocolate and chips! Remember to wear face coverings in all shops, take always, public transport. Currently all non-essential shops are closed however our road map to recovery is ongoing so rules and advice will change. Anything you are not sure about we are on hand to give you all the advice you need to get around Canterbury.
Will I be safe at the school?
We have very comprehensive measures in place to ensure your safety here at LanguageUK. Please see all our information on our We are Safe page on the website. We adhere to all the latest government guidelines.
Will we be accepting students U18?
Yes, our family programmes, junior programmes and individual students aged 16-17 will be accepted.
Am I able to travel to the UK from where I am?
If you are travelling from, or have visited in the last 10 days, any country on the ‘red list’ you will not be allowed to enter the UK. ‘Red list’ countries include all South America, most of southern Africa, United Arab Emirates and Portugal. For the full list please visit: ‘Red list’ countries. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19 Link
Please note this information changes regularly, please see the Road Map https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021 link for dates of any changes.
If I am not travelling from a red list country what procedures do I have to follow?
The test must be taken within 72 hours of the departure of your flight to the UK. You will need to show a negative result (by text or email) to check in and board the flight. You might also be asked to show the result when you arrive at the UK airport, dock or train station.
Less than 48 hours before departure you must complete a form to give the address of where you will isolate in the UK for 10 days. You will also need to enter your passport and flight details. You can complete the form here: Passenger locator form. https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk link
You need to book and pay for 2 tests, that you will take on day 2 and day 8 of your isolation. The tests cost £210 and will be delivered to the address given on the passenger locator form. The tests must be ordered here: COVID Home Test Kits https://quarantinehotels.ctmportal.co.uk/Quarantine/Home.aspx lINK
Isolating when you arrive in the UK, you must isolate for 10 days. You can use public transport to get to your accommodation. You must stay in the same location for 10 days.
You cannot:
You should have as little contact as possible with other people that you live with.
After 10 days, if you have a negative test and no symptoms, you can stop isolating.
LanguageUK can offer excellent residential accommodation, where you can isolate and where you will be looked after.
Can I travel around the UK?
Travel by public transport to other parts of the UK is limited to essential travel only at present. The four nations of the UK are easing restrictions at different rates, and guidance varies from one nation to the next. The UK government have detailed plans for the easing of travel restrictions around the country, so it will get better in time!
What are my accommodation options?
Student residency, homestay provider or finding your own holiday flat.
We can provide a quarantine residency house only and a full care service for you whilst you quarantine.
Please contact our accommodation department for any advice. [email protected]
How will I get to the airport safely?
For now, we suggest booking a transfer with us. The taxi will be cleaned and sanitised after every journey.
How will I travel to school?
You can walk to the school from our residential in 5 minutes and we shall endeavour to put you in walking distance to the school with one of our homestay providers, however we cannot guarantee this. Public transport is running again you will have to wear a mask on all buses and please make sure you wash your hands thoroughly.
How will my first day be at the school?
All language testing will be done before you arrive online. First day Inductions will take place in the large activity room and welcome packs will be sent to you online before you arrive. We will ask you to send us a scan of your passport before you arrive, if that is not possible, we shall check it on the first day with you showing us.
Will there be a social programme?
The social activity outside of lessons plays an important part for all students. We will be able to provide local and as many outdoor activities as possible. There will be a minimal use of public transport, and we will only offer activities where we can adhere to the correct social distancing measures. As per government guidance we will not be offering day trips to other cities or places until it is safe to do so.
You will be able to socialise with other students up to 6 students from the 29th of March 2021 1M apart, outdoors only, we do have many lovely areas in Canterbury for you all to explore safely. All activities will be risk assessed thoroughly before going ahead to ensure that any potential risk to students and staff is managed.
Do I have to have a Vaccine?
No this is not required.
What happens if the school needs to close?
If a student or a member of staff contracts COVID-19, the school may need to close for up to 2 days for deep cleaning. During this period, all courses will be moved online. In the unlikely event of a total Government shutdown, all courses will be moved online, and you will be very welcome to stay in your accommodation and remain in the UK or return home and continue studying from there. If you do not wish to transfer to online courses, you will be offered a credit note.
What happens if I get Covid-19 Symptoms at LanguageUK?
If you do not feel well, you must call the school immediately either by the main number or for out of hours the emergency number Please see your student card for the numbers. If you are already in the school and are displaying covid symptoms you will be asked to attend our sick bay where your temperature will be checked using a non-contact thermometer and then asked to return to your homestay provider or the residency. The student will be asked to request a covid-19 test within 5 days we are here to help you with this. The test can be requested online. If you test positive everyone in your class and bubble will be contacted. You do not need to pay for a COVID-19 test in the UK. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 then you must self-isolate for at least 10 days. If you are staying with a homestay provider, they will also have too self-isolate with you. If you are staying in our residency everyone their will have to self-isolate as this is considered one household. We can help you arrange an online consultation with a medical professional if you need to speak to one.
Any other questions?
Please contact
[email protected] for general questions
[email protected] for all questions relating to accommodation
[email protected] for all questions relating to safeguarding, health and safety and covid-19
Updates can also be found on the following:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#sports-and-physical-activity
Accommodation options that are available is homestay and residential.
All our homestay providers will have been reviewed by the end of August 2020 and re-inspected online with new covid-19 homestay risk assessments by our accommodation officer Joanna Galek. Any questions please email [email protected]
Homestay providers will follow the government guidelines on social distancing.
One student per household unless they are from the same family.
Homestay hosts will adhere to a high standard of cleaning throughout your stay.
Our two residential houses are being prepared now with a deep clean and we will be keeping one house empty for quarantine students only.
Students will have a self-managed rota system for use in the shared kitchen.
Shared kitchens will be deep cleaned once a week.
Over 18’s only allowed in the residential houses.
No visitors allowed.