Pre-Arrival Summer Junior School 14-17
PRE ARRIVAL INFORMATION FOR JUNIOR STUDENTS (SUMMER, 14-17)
Welcome To CIE Oxford
Think of this page as your essential guide to starting your journey with us at CIE and living in England. From packing tips to emergencies, health care and staying safe in a new city, we’ve got you covered. Your adventure begins soon, and we can’t wait to welcome you!
Click here to see information for seniors
All of our staff at CIE are looking forward to greeting you, and we shall do our best to provide you with an unforgettable experience.
Oxford is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Matthew Arnold wrote that Oxford, “whispers from her towers the last enchantments of the Middle Age”. You will notice the beautiful combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture together with some splendid stained glass windows and some fine paintings housed in the Ashmolean museum. Situated between the Rivers Cherwell and the Thames, Oxford is also a place of considerable natural beauty, and offers many fascinating walks and experiences.
It was at Christ Church that Lewis Carroll wrote the story of Alice in Wonderland, basing it on Alice, the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, and other Oxford people and places. CS Lewis, the Lord of the Rings, were both teachers at the university. You might also recognise places from Harry Potter or Wonka while exploring the city.
We hope you will feel something of the “magic” of Oxford so that you have an enriching experience and take away with you many happy memories, new friends and a determination to visit this beautiful city again.
Yours faithfully,
Simon Llewellyn
College Principal
Essential Information
Summer Junior School Contacts
Email – enquiries@cie-oxford.com
Phone – 01865 202238
Emergency +44(0)7963 905 355
Police or Ambulance – 999
Contacting home
WiFi – access to and details will be made available upon your arrival
You may have access to data roaming on your mobile phones but we advise you to turn it off when not in use to avoid expensive charges.
Finding CIE
CIE’s city centre main campus is located in the centre of Oxford. This is where our all year round and summer courses for senior students are delivered. CIE administrative staff are based here.
Bocardo House 24b St Michael’s St OX1 2EB
We should have:
- Your completed enrolment form
- Your completed parental consent form if you are under 18
- Your contact details & emergency contacts/ next of kin
- Your mobile number that you will be using in the UK
Packing List:
- Passport / visa / insurance and any other important documents
- Any medication you rely on
- Electronics and chargers, UK plug adaptor
- Money/ contactless card/ a small amount of cash (note – lots of places only take card payment)
- Toiletries
- Weather appropriate clothing; umbrella / hat / sunblock/ raincoat/ and a warm jacket or coat if you are coming during the winter months.
- Learning aids e.g. a notebook & stationery
- A contactless payment card (most shops prefer card over cash)
- Any small home comforts or snacks that you may not be able to find in the UK!
Oxford is easily accessible from London and its airports. The journey takes between 60 and 180 min depending on the airport/ station and a single ticket might cost between £12 – £30. We recommend purchasing a return ticket as this will be cheaper than 2 singles.
For more information please look at the following websites:
Trains www.nationalrail.co.uk / trainline app Buses From Central London: www.oxfordtube.com, www.oxfordbus.co.uk From Heathrow & Gatwick: www.theairlineoxford.co.uk From Stansted: www.nationalexpress.com Taxi – Most popular option We are happy to arrange airport transfers by taxi – the cost is £160 one way from Heathrow / Luton and £220 from Gatwick / Stansted.NB: Students under 16 must have an airport transfer arranged if travelling without an adult.
CIE’s city centre main campus is located in the centre of Oxford. This is where our all year round and summer courses for senior students are delivered.
CIE administrative staff are based here.
Bocardo House 24b St Michael’s St OX1 2EB
Juniors will be based at City of Oxford College OX1 1SA
Your first day
Please arrive at the school on your first day at 8.45 am. You will be shown your classroom and facilities. You will also be given a ‘welcome pack’ with a pencil, notebook, and useful information. A brief interview with our teachers at the first day will allow us to place you in the most appropriate class therefore no online placements aren’t required.
A typical day at CIE’s Summer Junior School
9.00 – 10.00 – Communicative English
10.45 – 12.15 – Skills for Success
12.15 – 13.30 – Lunch Break
13.30 – 15.45 – (Lessons Tue and Thu) or Activities (Mon, Wed and Fri) Country & Culture/Activities
15.45 – Free Time
-Lessons
All students are provided with lunch at cafeteria on campus. You will be able to choose between a variety of freshly prepared food and drinks.
Communicative English
This course is designed to help students activate and improve their English knowledge by developing confidence, natural English, and ease of speaking. Every lesson will look at a new topic and the language and expressions used when talking about it – the focus will always be on speech and improving students’ ability to share ideas and knowledge with one another.
Skills for Success
In the second lesson students will be focussing on developing skills to build their confidence and ability to work together to achieve a goal. Each week the class will study a new topic and work together creatively to develop a project which they will share with the whole school. This process will involve a range of activities including research, discussion, debate, collaboration, team-building, drama, and presentations.
Country & Culture
Twice a week in the afternoons, our Country & Culture lessons will give students a chance to practise their English skills as they explore different aspects of English history and culture. These lessons will also provide more information about the destinations students will visit on their weekly trips, allowing the students to benefit even more from their time at these beautiful and historic locations.
-Lunch
All students are provided with lunch at cafeteria on campus. You will be able to choose between a variety of freshly prepared food and drinks.
Sample Meals:
Chicken pasta, Bolognese, meatballs in tomato sauce, burgers, veggie burgers
-Activities
The school provides a programme of social and cultural activities three times a week in the afternoon. (Typical activities on the week: Sightseeing Bus tour (Mon), Museum Visit (Wed) and Sports (Fri)
-Excursions
Optional excursions every Saturday will be available for all students to join. (Typical excursions on Saturdays: Bath (The city listed by UNESCO) , London (Capital in UK) and Warwick Castle)
Your Home Stay
When you arrive, remember to make a note of your address and host’s phone number and keep it with you all the time. Find out what the arrangements are for keys, meals, telephone, visitors, and laundry.
Please tell your hosts if:
- You are going to be late
- You are going to miss a meal at home
- You would like to have a visitor
- You break or damage anything
- You need a packed lunch for a weekend trip
You are responsible for tidying up your room.
Usually, you will be sharing the bathroom. Make sure you keep it clean and tidy.
Don’t stick pictures on the wall unless you have an agreement with your host.
Host families are responsible for your care, they do not expect you to help yourself to food or do your own cooking.
You should never leave your home without letting your host know.
Lights, electric fires, heaters, mobile chargers etc. should be switched off when you go out.
If you want to leave your host family, you need to have a good reason. CIE need to give the family a week’s notice so please inform the Accommodation Officer.
Under 18 Curfew Times
Week days; (9pm, 14 +15yo) (10pm, 16+17yo)
Weekends; (10pm, 14 + 15yo) (11pm, 16+17yo)
Student Welfare
Cash is no longer widely accepted in Oxford. It is advisable for students to have a contactless VISA / Mastercard. For safety we recommend a pre-paid travel money card that can be topped up if necessary.
For cash, the easiest way to access cash is from the many 24-hour ATM machines throughout Oxford, accepting VISA & Mastercard.
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT If you choose to open a bank account whilst in the UK, you will need to take your passport and a letter of acceptance from CIE. A letter of reference from your bank in your home country may also be useful. Most banks are open 9am-5pm on weekdays, and also on Saturday mornings.Banks in Oxford include, Lloyds, Barclays, Natwest, HSBC, Metro Bank and Santander.
CIE is a place for study. Even if you have free time, other students could be studying, so please keep noise to a minimum.
CIE is a place to learn and exchange experiences. You are going to be studying with people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds, so please join us with an open mind.
Look after your own property. CIE is not responsible for damaged or lost property.
Leave your classroom clean and tidy for the next students. Take all your papers with you when you leave and respect college property.
It is illegal for under 18s to smoke and drink in the UK. Do not smoke or vape anywhere in the building. You are not allowed to buy or drink alcohol. Please, check CIE’s Alcohol & Drug policy on the website.
Medical conditions must be stated clearly in the online enrolment form. All students who come to study at CIE should take out travel insurance that covers medical treatment, even those students who are entitled to NHS treatment.
Emergency treatment in England is free for all, but this does not always apply to follow up treatment. If you are entitled to NHS treatment you will not have to pay for a visit to the doctor or hospital treatment.
However, you will have to pay for medicines, dental treatment and optical treatment. There are First Aid notices at CIE and at our other teaching centres. We keep a record of all accidents and injuries, and have a procedure for ensuring that these are reviewed regularly to minimise the likelihood of recurrence.
We will contact next of kin if a student suffers more than a trivial injury.
The following members of staff are qualified as Emergency Aiders and may be called to assist with an emergency: Luca Marinuzzi, Simon Llewellyn, Andy Wixon.
Tips for staying healthy & looking after yourself
Spending time away from home might feel a little overwhelming, but we’ve got your back to ensure you have the best time possible. Check out our tips below to keep yourself healthy:
- Get enough sleep
- Drink lots of water
- Daily fresh air and exercise
- Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables
- Minimise the use of social media and screen time
Disability
CIE is committed to advancing an environment in which all students and staff are given the opportunity to demonstrate and realise their full potential. All discussions and information regarding a disability or learning difficulty are treated in a confidential manner. For our full disability policy please see our policies on
https://cie-oxford.com/our-policies/.
It doesn’t matter what the problem is, it can be a big problem or a small one. By discussing it, you may come up with some positive ideas.
If there is anything making you unhappy, from school to home stay, or a personal problem, please mention this to your teacher or a member of CIE staff. We are here to help with any problem, no matter how big or small!
If you do not want anyone else to know about your problem, tell the staff: they will understand. Even if you find the problem hurtful or embarrassing, do not worry, only staff who can help you will talk about it and we will always talk to you about what action we are thinking of taking.
If you need to discuss home stay, please talk to Julie at CIE.
Disciplinary Procedure
1st time > verbal warning
2nd time > written warning
3rd time > expulsion
Bullying
CIE will not accept bullying or harassment of any kind. Bullying is treating someone badly for any reason, either because of who they are or what they believe. At CIE you will meet many different types of people and you should treat everyone with respect. If you feel that somebody is treating you badly, please tell us.
Absenteeism
If you are late for a lesson or activity we will take 30 minutes off from your attendance %. If you are more than 15 minutes late for a 90 minute class, your teacher will decide if you can come into the class.
Good attendance is important because:
• Regular attenders make better progress both socially and academically
• Low attendance is disruptive to your teacher and classmates.
• You may have to repeat a level.
• Low attendance can affect future visa and university applications.
Expected > 100%
Concern > 95%
Unacceptable > 90%
We only excuse an absence if:
• The host family, group leader or a member of CIE staff confirms you are ill/sick
• Or you have permission from the Academic Manager to have a day off.
Anything else will be recorded as an absence.
Lessons & Activities
Phone the school on 01865 202238 if you are going to be absent or late for class. Be on time, attend all lessons and do not be disruptive. Your teacher can decide not to let you into class.
Make sure you complete all of your set homework and give it to your teacher on time.
You must attend your lessons. If you are here on a student visa and you stop coming to lessons, you might lose your visa and have to leave the country.
Tell your activity leader if you have any problems regarding certain activities. Be on time for activities and weekend trips. If you are late, make sure you call. If you don’t, the group might leave without you!
NOTE FOR UNDER 18’s:
If for any reason you cannot attend an activity, we need your parents’ written permission.
Self-study, the Internet & staying safe online
There is limited space available for students’ private study at CIE. We recommend you use the public library, in the Westgate centre, if you need a quiet area to study in.
If you need to use a computer, you can book one free of charge at the public library in the Westgate Centre, online or by calling 01865 815549.
Students are welcome to borrow books from the CIE bookshelf, but please remember to sign them in and out. Reference books, dictionaries, graded readers, and online materials are available for self-study.
Our filtering system allows us to monitor internet access for the purpose of enforcing this policy. If you do not follow the rules, this will be regarded as a disciplinary offence and could lead to your removal from the school. Do not download any software onto CIE laptops or visit sites that are deemed explicit, discriminatory or offensive.
- Keep your personal information and social media pages private
- Don’t trust anyone you are talking to online, no matter how nice they may seem
- Don’t arrange to meet anyone in person that you have met online
- Be mindful of what you choose to share online
- If you see something online that you don’t like or has upset you, report it
- Beware of scams, don’t give out your personal information or bank details to anyone unless you are 100% sure the company is legitimate
If you are a parent and your child is bringing their own IT device to the UK, we ask that you ensure parental settings have been set on the device.
Life in the uk & Staying safe
Good to know:
Cars drive on the left in England – make sure you look both ways before crossing the road.
Many people in Oxford use bicycles. Look out for bicycles in the street.
The Law:
No alcohol, cigarettes or vapes are to be sold to persons aged under 18.
No cigarettes are to be sold to under 18.
Showing mutual respect and tolerance are core British values and is therefore a basic expectation.
Respect the British custom of queuing. If you are waiting for the bus or to be served in a shop, you must stand in line and wait for your turn.
Do not block the pavement.
Do not drop litter, use the bins provided.
Oxford is not a particularly dangerous place but, as in all cities, you need to be careful. Try not to walk by yourself, especially late at night. Do not leave your bag, mobile phone or valuables unattended. You are responsible for your ow.n belongings.
Never take shortcuts. Always stick to routes selected by parents, and stay on main roads .
Do not carry more money than you need, try not to carry high value notes (e.g. £20, £50) and make sure you carry money in a safe place (NOT your back pocket). Remember that you are responsible for your cash and valuables.
Keep your phone with you. Keep your phone charged.
Do not accept lifts or rides from strangers.
If you are on the bus late at night, sit at the front, near the driver.
Useful Websites About Oxford
https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/ – useful information about Oxford
https://oxfordcity.co.uk/ – tourist information
https://www.ox.ac.uk/ – the website of Oxford University
https://www.oxford.gov.uk/ – the city council website
Leaving CIE
At the end of your course we will ask you to tell us about your experience at CIE by completing the end of course feedback form. We also really appreciate Google Reviews, you can find the QR code ready to scan around the school.
You will be awarded a certificate to show that you have successfully completed your course. Students who do not attend at least 90% of their lessons will not qualify for a certificate.
We love to stay in touch with all of our students long after they have left. Send us an email or keep talking to us on social media!
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