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 juniors
A WARM WELCOME FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
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 families and a determination to visit this beautiful city again.
Yours faithfully,
Email - enquiries@cie-oxford.com
Phone - 01865 202238
Emergency +44(0)7963 905 355
Police or
Ambulance - 999
Contacting home
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:
Packing List:
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 is on St Michael's Street
Address: 24B St Michael's street, Oxford OX1 2EB
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. The test that you took before arriving will allow us to place you in the most appropriate class.
A typical day at CIE
-Friday Conversation Café
On Fridays, one student is nominated to hold 'conversation café' where for the first hour of the day we get together in the common room with a cup of tea or coffee and listen to the student's topic of choice and have a good discussion based on their topic. Previous topics have been about food, culture, sports, travel and many more.
-Activities
The school provides a programme of social and cultural activities twice a week after class during the academic year and summer which is included one for free and one for optional activities.
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
Curfew Times
15 Year Olds: Weekdays: 9pm Weekends: 10pm
16-17 Year Olds: Weekdays: 10pm Weekends: 11pm
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.
SCHOOL GUIDELINES
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:
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
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 have a problem with your residential accommodation, please talk to Irma. 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.
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.
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
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!