First Days at School

During your first few days you will learn more

than just English. You will learn about the

school, your classes and about living in

London.

If you have any difficulties speak to any

member of staff or the Welfare Officer. We

understand and we’re here to help.

First Day Suggested Timetable

08.00 – Speaking interview & orientation

09.00 – Get your course book from reception &

find your classroom

09.15 to 12.30 – Morning classes

(with a 15-minute break)

12.40 to 13.40 – 1st afternoon class (if booked)

OR enjoy the local area OR go sightseeing OR

Are you under 18? Read more details in this guide.

13.40 to 14.20 – Lunch in canteen

Get student card & library card from reception

14.20 - 15.15 – 2nd afternoon class (if booked)

15.25 - 16.20 – 3nd afternoon class (if booked)

Class times are the same Monday to Friday.

Course books

Borrow your book from reception by paying a

£30 cash deposit. The £30 deposit will be

refunded when you return the book if it is

returned in good condition, with receipt and if

you have paid the £20 materials fee in

advance.

Feedback

We will ask for your feedback many times

during your study period and you can

talk to us anytime.

Please tell us immediately if you have

any questions or comments.

We want to resolve any issues straight

away and ensure you make maximum

progress in English during an

unforgettable stay in London.

Student Guide to ELC London

Hampstead School of English

Dear Students,

In this guide we hope you will find all the

information for an enjoyable experience at

ELC London Hampstead School of English.

Read this guide: Make the most of your study experience!

Contents • Where to get assistance at school

• School & lesson information

• Student services & facilities

• Social programme & activities

• Local services, attractions & travel

• Emergencies, safety & medical care

• Student visa obligations

• School rules & under 18s info for parents

• Code of conduct & complaints policy

Welcome to ELC London Hampstead School of English

Help & Assistance Student satisfaction & enjoyment is

very important to us.

Ask any member of staff for help or

ask at reception for the

Welfare Officer.

Meet the team! Our staff photos

are on our website:

www.hampstead-english.com

Would you like to…?

• Change class level?

Speak to your teacher.

• Talk about your classes?

Make an appointment with a

member of the Academic Team

on Student Zone.

• Cancel or extend your course?

Ask for advice from the staff at

reception and submit a request

on Student Zone.

• Talk about your accommodation?

Make an appointment with the

Accommodation Officer on

Student Zone.

Link to our online reception here:

Hampstead Student Zone

Do you need to make special

arrangements for disabilities or

mobility restrictions?

Speak to staff at reception or your

teacher.

The school emergency number is

+44 (0) 78 55 33 01 45.

Enjoy your studies and settle into

the school community.

Take advantage of the library, canteen,

and computer room during your studies.

School Facilities

Student Services Student card – Bring a passport-sized

photo to reception to receive your

student card. Use it as an ID and as a

‘discount card’ for student discounts at

some museums and attractions.

Library card – Use your library card to

borrow books and/or DVDs from the

library in school. You pay a deposit at

reception of £10 for books only or £20

with DVDs. Return your card to reception

with the librarian’s signature to get your

deposit refunded.

Certificates – Each student receives a

certificate at the end of their course. It

confirms the course end date and level.

Letters – Request letters for banking,

travel or council tax purposes on

Hampstead Student Zone online.

Changes & course holidays – Make your

requests on Student Zone online in

advance. Usually 3 weeks’ notice or an

administration fee of £50 is required.

Course holidays are eligible at 2 weeks

per each 12 weeks of course. See Terms

& Conditions for details on cancellations.

Exam registration – Register for

Cambridge exams on Student Zone.

Make payments & other exam queries at

reception (for BEC, TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS).

School Information

Your Lessons

Classrooms – Please keep classrooms tidy

and respect your classmates. You may

have classes in our main building or in a

nearby building. Watch for notices about

room changes posted on the door.

Lateness & attendance - Please be on

time for your lessons. If you are more than

20 minutes late your teacher may ask you

to wait in the coffee room until after the

break. You must attend 90% of your

lessons. Visa students read on for more

details. Request attendance checks on

Student Zone.

Homework – You will be given homework

every day. It’s important to complete

homework as assigned by the teacher.

Speak to your teacher if you have any

difficulty.

Level change - After the Friday test a

teacher may decide you are ready for a

level change. Discuss your level with your

teacher at any time.

If you have any questions about your

lessons you can make an appointment

with the Academic Manager on

Hampstead Student Zone online.

Computers & internet access – There is a computer room where

you can get internet access. If you need a computer to

complete assignments you can use the computers in the library

from which you can also print. The library and computer rooms

are both open from 08.30 to 18:00.

There are Wi-Fi signs around school in the common areas where

free Wi-Fi access is available. No password is required.

Library - There are books, exam study materials, DVDs, worksheets,

newspapers and magazines as well as many more resources

available in the library. There is a librarian available to assist you

until 17.00.

Studying at the weekend? Check out West Hampstead Library.

Cafeteria – The school cafeteria has a range of freshly made cold

and hot items for lunch as well as pastries and beverages

throughout the day. There are also beverage machines located

around the indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Prayer Room – A designated classroom, Room 16, is available

outside class times for students who require a place to pray.

Student Guide ● 2012 ● ELC Hampstead School of English ● info@hampsted-english.com

Social Programme

We post an extensive list of recommended activities around school,

on Facebook, on our website and on Student Zone. There are 3-4

school activities specially organized by the school each week:

2-3 teacher-led activities per week: One of the activities is a social

‘pub night’ and the other changes each week. It can be an

organized walk, a museum visit or any other interesting activity. Sign

up on Student Zone to participate at no cost. Only costs may be

dinner or entry fees.

Pronunciation workshop – Free pronunciation practice with a

teacher; takes place weekly. Sign up on Student Zone. Socialise inside and outside school with people from all over the world.

Page 2

Hampstead Student Zone Username: Code given with booking confirmation

Password: Code given with booking confirmation

www.hampstead-english.com/en/school/elearning/

Log in to Student Zone to:

Complete your level test before arrival

Sign up for social programme activities

Make appointments with Managers

Request course changes and holidays

Start a study plan before arrival and continue

studying after your course is finished

MONEY, POST & PHONES Post Offices & sending/receiving post –

The closest post office is in Golders Green or

West Hampstead. You can send post,

exchange foreign currency and many post

offices have passport photo booth and cash machine.

You can buy international postage stamps in advance and post

letters in the red letterboxes all over London. If you need to send a

package, large letter or important documents, we suggest posting

from the post office directly. You might want to ask for the package

to be ‘signed for’ or sent ‘priority’. These options cost more than

regular airmail post.

To receive post you can use the school’s address. Use the following:

STUDENT, YOUR NAME, Hampstead School of English, 553 Finchley

Road, London, NW3 7BJ. Check at reception regularly for letters or

packages. You can also ask permission to use your

accommodation address to receive post.

Bank machine – The closest bank machine to

the school is at Tesco on Fortune Green Road,

behind the school. For foreign money

exchange or ‘Bureau de Change’ – See Post

Office details above.

Banks & bank accounts – There are several banks in West

Hampstead and Swiss Cottage near Finchley Road tube station. If

you have proof of your address the school can issue a bank letter for

you. Please make your request on Student Zone and we will request

document proof from you. Once received we will post the letter to

your address.

Money Transfer - For fast money transfer the nearest Western Union

branch is at ‘Atlanta’ (+44 (0)207 419 2916), located 3 minutes’ walk

from the School on Finchley Road (turn right outside the School).

Note that fees can be high and since you are in a big city you

should not carry a lot of cash with you.

Phones & mobiles – Dial 00 for international calls. To call abroad with reverse charges please dial 155

There is a phone shop called ‘Carphone

Warehouse’ just down the road from the school.

You can buy a UK SIM card to use in a

compatible foreign mobile phone or even buy a new mobile phone.

For stays longer than a week in the UK it may be worth getting a UK

SIM or mobile phone.

Printing, copying & faxing

Your Progress & Private Tuition Your progress is very important to us. On Fridays there are

tutorials and weekly tests in your class to check your

progress. Speak to your teacher about your progress and

make an appointment to speak with a member of the

Academic Team to discuss what courses and goals are

best for you.

Private tuition is available from one hour to as many as

hours you need to perfect a specific skill, study for an

exam or practice with a teacher intensively. See our fees

list on our website or speak to staff at reception for prices.

Visit the famous sites of London

London is a busy, vibrant city. There are activities, sports and places of interest for

everyone’s tastes and habits.

For more information about local gyms, swimming pools and places of worship,

look at our Hampstead Student Zone pages under the ‘Reception’ tab.

The closest gym to the school is called The Gym at West Hampstead, just behind

the school on Fortune green road. There are several other gyms close to the

school including Virgin Active.

If you are staying in the UK for more than 6 months, find a lot of information about

living here on this website: www.direct.gov.uk. Read about public services

including housing, employment, driving, health and education. Make sure to

speak with the teacher in charge of Long Term Students. You’ll get lots of tips for

living in London and the UK and making the most of your studies.

Local & Public Services

Study Guide ● 2012 ● ELC Hampstead School of English ● info@hampsted-english.com

Page 3

Photocopying and faxing services are

available at a shop near the school called

Atlanta, just a 3-minute walk away.

Printing facilities are available in our library

with the use of a USB memory stick.

For urgent printing students can

send us a document by email

and pay for the printed copies

(£0.50 each at reception). See posters

in the computer room for more details.

Call 999 for an ambulance or for police emergencies

Call 101 to speak to the police if it’s NOT an emergency

Police are there to help and you can speak to them if you

meet them in the street. Contact the school immediately if

you have any problems involving police.

The school emergency number is +44 (0) 78 55 33 01 45. Call

for out-of-hours help with airport transfers or urgent issues.

For urgent medical attention you can visit the Accident &

Emergency department of any hospital. The nearest is the

Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3 2QG; Tel:

0207 794 0500. If you have a medical issue, staff will assist you

as much as possible and refer you to a professional.

Unfortunately, we are not able to treat students with

medications, plasters or other first aid.

Doctors & pharmacists

If you need less urgent medical treatment you will need to

find a local surgery (doctor’s office) close to your

accommodation or you may visit a walk-in centre where you

do not need to make an appointment. Students from E.U.

countries can register with a GP. Pharmacies offer advice

with minor illness such as cold and flu. Speak to a pharmacist

to get immediate medical advice.

Are you staying for more than 6 months in the UK? Register

with a doctor. Call 0845 4647 or visit the website

www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx for a full

list of doctors in your area.

Attendance note: if you miss class due to illness you cannot make up

the lessons and will be marked absent. With a note from a doctor,

absences may be authorised so your attendance is not affected.

Insurance

Emergency travel and medical insurance coverage are

included in the 2012 ELC Fees List course prices. You should

receive details of the insurance coverage upon booking. If

you have any questions about insurance please contact the

school or the agency taking care of your enrolment.

Emergencies, Insurance & Medical Care

-Don’t leave valuables unattended in

school or in public and keep bags secure.

-There is a lost property box at the school

reception where you can check for your lost

items or bring items you find lost in school.

-If you lose valuables you

should report it to the

police, especially if you

will make a claim to your

insurance.

Personal safety & your valuables

Transportation in London – Information about

travel around London can be found at

tfl.gov.uk.

Here are some tips to ‘travel like a Londoner’:

1. The London Underground is also called ‘The

Tube’, you can also travel by bus and by

Overground train with an ‘Oyster Card’.

2. Get an ‘Oyster Card’ to travel around

London. Buy it at a ‘tube station’.

3. You can add small amounts of money for a

single journey or a monthly/weekly ‘Travel

Card’ to this card.

4. Check tfl.gov.uk before travelling at

weekends – there are often disruptions

5. Wave to buses and taxis to get them to stop

for you - otherwise you might miss your ride.

Travelling in the UK & from the airport – You can

travel by bus or by train, or even by airplane

around the UK. One of the main companies is

National Express.

From the airport there are many transport

options. Visit our website for more information

on the best route for you:

www.hampstead-

english.com/en/social/travel-from-londons-

airports/

Local area around the school – Take a walk with

friends through the streets of Hampstead Village

and across the wooded Heath, or explore the

cafes, pubs and speciality shops that give

Hampstead its village charm. Why not grab

lunch in West Hampstead with some

classmates, just a 10-minute walk from the

school.

Recommended local places:

-West Hampstead Village

-Hampstead Village

-Hampstead Heath

Famous sights, attractions and shopping areas

of London and the UK – You can get tickets for

some attractions at the school reception. For

more information on London attractions and

day trip destinations around the UK, visit our

website:

www.hampstead-english.com/en/social/

Travel & Tourism

Visit the famous sites of London

Student Guide ● 2012 ● ELC Hampstead School of English ● info@hampsted-english.com

Page 4

Code of Conduct ELC London: Hampstead School of English is committed

to providing an environment in which students and

staff members can thrive and progress without fear of

bullying, misconduct or discrimination of any kind.

Your well-being is our priority.

Everyone who works here will:

Help you in any possible way

Speak to you in a polite and patient manner

Resolve any problem with your class,

accommodation or welfare immediately, or tell

you how and when it will be resolved

Encourage you to make the most of your time in

London

If you have any concerns or problems please speak ask

to speak to the Welfare Officer at reception.

ELC London: Hampstead School of English is committed

to quality.

We adhere to, and are inspected under, the strict

guidelines provided by the following accreditation

bodies:

British Council

EAQUALS

We hold Highly Trusted Sponsor status under the

authority of the UK Border Agency and are licenced to

sponsor students under Tier 4 of the UKBA Points Based

immigration system.

We are members of English UK, the world's leading

language teaching association.

Complaints Policy We want our students and all who come into contact

with the Hampstead School of English to enjoy their

classes and all services provided by the School.

If you have any complaint about anything that the

School has provided, please talk to a member of the

administrative staff as soon as possible so that we can

try to resolve the problem quickly. Please note that it

not possible to resolve problems after you have left so

please let us know immediately of there is anything that

does not meet your satisfaction.

We try hard to ensure that we offer tuition and services

of the highest standard and will be pleased to get your

suggestions to help us maintain this quality.

You may also speak to any of the following members of

staff: School Manager, Director of Studies, Operations

Manager or Principal.

If your complaint cannot be resolved immediately, you

may be asked to put it in writing and give the

complaint to the School Manager, Director of Studies,

Operations Manager or Principal.

If you find that your complaint is not resolved to your

satisfaction, you may contact English UK (formerly

known as ARELS, the Association of Recognised English

Language Services), or EAQUALS, the European

Association for Quality Language Training Providers.

They may be contacted at:

English UK

219 St John Street London, EC1V 4LY

Tel: +44 (0)20 7608 7960 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7608 7961

Email: info@englishuk.com

EAQUALS Registered Office

Via Torrebianca 18 - 34132 Trieste - Italy

Tel: +39 040 369 369 Fax: +39 040 76 000 75

Email chair@eaquals.org

Group photo

Student Guide ● 2012 ● ELC Hampstead School of English ● info@hampsted-english.com

Page 5

The school is maintained as a safe

environment – remember it’s a public

place.

School Rules

We have rules to protect students and

staff. We want everyone at school to

feel safe and comfortable.

•Students are required to attend at least

90% of their lessons. Absence from

lessons is not compensated. We will

contact you by email and telephone if

you miss 3 days without informing us.

•Abusive behavior is not tolerated. If

you feel at any time that you are being

treated unfairly by another student,

member of staff, homestay host or

member of the public please report this

to the Safeguarding Officer, the

Principal, immediately. The matter will

be dealt with in confidence.

•Students under 18 are not permitted to

drink alcohol, buy cigarettes or obtain

tickets at school for events which are

advertised as 18+.

•Report serious threats to safety or

potential issues to the Safeguarding

Officer, the School Principal.

School Safety

•Know where to exit the building in case

of emergency. If you’re not sure, ask a

member of staff. Report to reception for

emergency first aid treatment.

•We carry out practice fire evacuations

(‘fire drills’) from time to time – the

purpose is to ensure staff and students

know the process of evacuation in case

of a real emergency. Exit calmly and

quickly and proceed to assembly points

outside school.

•Lost items are often returned to

reception by students and teachers

however, don’t leave valuables

unattended.

•If you see any suspicious behaviour

please report it to a member of staff.

We welcome students aged 18+ year

round, with a special invitation to

students under 18 during July and

August and with groups during the

year.

In exceptional situations there may be

students under 18 in adult classes. Any

students under 18 years of age must

complete a Junior Student Consent &

Medical Form, signed by a parent or

guardian, upon booking a course.

A parent or guardian must accept the

enrolment terms & conditions and

agree to the following:

1. They will permit the student to travel

by public transport;

2. They authorise their child to take part

in all tourist, sporting and cultural

activities associated with the course;

3. They permit the homestay to

determine an appropriate curfew (time

to return to the home at night). The

school sets 10pm as the latest curfew

for 16-17 year olds;

4. They understand that outside class

times students are unsupervised and

they permit the student to be

responsible for their activities in their

free time;

5. They permit the student to be treated

by a doctor in an emergency & pay

any 3rd party fees associated with

treatments. We will use all reasonable

endeavours to make contact with the

parent or guardian in this event;

6. They will provide the school with a

contact telephone number to be

reached in case of emergencies as well

as medical details and confirmation of

travel & accommodation

arrangements if not booked by the

school.

Any queries about these policies should

be made before the start of the course.

School Rules & Safety Students Under 18

Teens & Groups come to Hampstead by special invitation

The UK Border Agency sets regulations that the school and students must follow.

We must enforce these regulations and ensure students follow the rules. If we

require any of the details below we will contact you by telephone and email,

first using your recent London details. We may also contact you through your

agent or your emergency contact. Here are the requirements for you and the

school:

.

Page 6 Student Guide ● 2012 ● ELC Hampstead School of English ● info@hampsted-english.com

Students Studying on a Visa FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Lessons & courses Are books included in materials fee?

Yes, the materials fee includes the use of a course book

during your course and any additional copies supplied

by your teacher as well as access to Student Zone

before, during and after your course.

You will be required to pay a deposit of ￡30 in cash

when you borrow the book from reception and will be

fully refunded if the book is returned with receipt in good

condition. If wish to receive a refund for the book please

don’t write in it. Book returns are accepted on Fridays.

The Cambridge exam papers books are £15 each and

are available for purchase only. You may require up to 2

of these books for your Cambridge course.

Will I be with students of same nationality?

We ensure a balance of nationalities in all classes. We

understand that this is important for language learning

progress.

What level class will I be in?

Your level will be decided on 2 assessments: 1 - You

should complete an online grammar test at least one

week prior to arrival. 2 - On your first day you will have a

speaking interview with a teacher then they will give you

a timetable.

How do I change my classes or my course?

We require 3 weeks’ notice for a change to the course

length and number of hours. Some courses have

additional conditions. Make your request on Student

Zone. Cancellation and holiday terms are detailed on

our website. For level changes speak to your teacher.

For other changes make an appointment on Student

Zone with a member of the Academic Team who will

ensure you’re placed in the best class for you.

Accommodation How do I get to my accommodation from the airport?

How do I get to school from my accommodation?

If you booked accommodation with us you’ll find travel

advice in your confirmation documents. Your homestay

host can also help. Londoners use the Journey Planner

on TFL.gov.uk to find their way around London. There

are 5 airports so we have information on Travelling from

London Airports on our website.

What can I expect in my accommodation?

You should receive a profile of your accommodation

before arrival. Please contact us if you don’t have this.

How can I book my own, private accommodation?

There are many important points to note if you’re not

booking accommodation through the school. For more

information visit the Reception area of Student Zone.

Tip No.1 - When visiting houses or apartments, take a

friend with you and make sure someone else knows

where you are going and has your phone number.

Tip No.2 - Adverts for shared houses, rooms and

apartments can be found on:

•Gumtree http://www.gumtree.com/london •The Loot http://www.loot.com/property/property-for-rent •The TNT magazine http://www.tntmagazine.com/ Important: These websites are commonly used but are

not monitored so visit and sign contracts at your own risk.

We look forward to welcoming you to

ELC London: Hampstead School of English!

YOU, THE STUDENT, MUST…

•Comply with all conditions of your

visa and inform the school if your visa

status changes.

•Attend all of your lessons and inform

the school in writing as soon as

possible if you must be absent from

school.

•You must not miss any more than 10

consecutive lessons without

authorisation(example: doctor’s note).

•Provide the school with full and up to

date London contact details (address,

telephone, email) and inform us

immediately of any changes.

•Register with the police if stated as a

condition of your visa. See Student

Zone online or reception for more

information about registering at

Borough Police Station.

•Apply for visa extensions through the

Home Office one month before visa

expiry. You cannot attend classes

without a valid visa or letter from the

Home Office confirming an

application has been submitted.

THE SCHOOL WILL…

•Begin contacting you after 3 or

more consecutive days of absence.

We are concerned about the

welfare of our students as well as visa

issues.

•Inform the Home Office if you do

not comply with the conditions of

your visa, including if you are absent

without notice for more than 10

consecutive days and if you don’t

respond to our attempts to contact

you or if you shorten your course.

•Check your passport and visa

original document and take a copy

for our records.

•Refrain from providing advice or

assistance with visa applications and

issues. We can only provide

information and suggested resources.

University and education advice

Speak to a teacher who can answer

questions about university

placements, who can help you with

all areas of your University application

and offer impartial advice. On

Student Zone, make an appointment

with the University Counsellor.

Long term student support

We understand that students studying

for many months in the UK have

special needs and we want to help.

A teacher will arrange to meet with

you during your studies to discuss any

questions you have and help with

adjusting to life in the UK.

If you have any questions about these

services please come to reception.

Additional Services