FAQs - Information for students under 18

Online safeguarding

Due to the recent pandemic, Kaplan International Languages offers online courses to students aged 16 and above and in junior groups to students aged 12 to 17. Safeguarding of children is paramount in these courses and is as relevant in the online world as it is in regular, face to face classes. With this in mind, the below is applicable to all online classes.

If you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to contact a student advisor for more information.

• All staff and students must use their full name for their zoom ID.
• All students will be taken to a waiting room before accessing the class so that staff can ensure the correct people are present.
• Private messaging between students is not permitted.
• Teachers will circulate between break out rooms during group work.
• All breakout rooms will have at least 3 students in them.
• Only English is used on all digital platforms.
• Staff are encouraged to use a neutral background for all classes.
• All students and staff are required to dress appropriately for classes.
• E-safety is included in new students’ induction.
• Courses contain activities raising awareness of digital literacy.
• All teachers are trained in Safeguarding with specific reference to online learning and cyber bullying.
• Students have access to a welfare manager and can contact them via the online platform.
• Students are unable to record lessons or share screens.
• Students are encouraged to keep their camera on at all times.
• All students are required to follow the online code of conduct at all times.
• No information other than name or email is stored on K+ Online.

Kaplan actively encourages students to attend face to face classes, with obvious safety measures in place. Additional steps are in place for Under 18’s:

• Students aged 12-13 are accompanied on longer journeys to and from school and during their activities.
• Travel to and from homestay to school for students aged 14 to 17 is independent but remotely supervised.
• 24 hour emergency phone and information on what students do if they have any difficulties.
• Host families also have the emergency phone numbers and will alert the school immediately if a student is not home by the arranged time/curfew.

Activities:

Activities are scheduled in all schools that are suitable for Under 18 students to participate in and inform them about learning and socialising outside of the classroom. Under 16's closed groups have their own scheduled programme and activities, it is compulsory students attend these, at other times will be supervised by their Group Leader

Homestay and Residential accommodation:

Make sure that all Under 18 students are back with their host family or in the residence for their evening meal and by curfew time at night.

For Under 18 students that wish to stay overnight or for short periods with friends and family they will only be permitted if there is approval from parents/ legal guardian and the person they wish to stay with.

Please see the full Safeguarding Policy for more information.