StudentGuide 2013

ContentsStudying atFrances King

Livingin London

Map.................................1

FK Rules..........................1

People.............................2

Places..............................3

Change level....................4

Change class...................4

Re-enrol...........................4

Take a holiday..................5

Accommodation..............5

I have a problem..............6

I have a complaint...........6

Visas registration.............7

Books for sale.................7

Working with FK..............8

Further study in the UK...8

Getting around...............10

Oyster card.....................11

Things to do in London..12

Mobile phones...............13

Bureau de Change.........14

Libraries.........................14

Sport centres.................14

Police stations...............14

Money transfers............14

Health............................15

Smoking........................18

Shoplifting.....................18

Tv license......................18

Council tax....................18

Cycling..........................18

Studying at Frances King

Studying at

WATCH YOURVALUABLES

Keep your phone, purse, laptop etc... with you at all times

Map

FK Rules1. NO SMOKING INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS OR ON THE FRONT STEPS

2. NO EATING OR DRINKING INSIDE CLASSROOMS OR STUDY CENTRES

3. PLEASE PUT YOUR MOBILE ON SILENT IN CLASS AND STUDY CENTRES

4. DON’T BLOCK THE FRONT DOOR

5. PLEASE ARRIVE AT YOUR CLASS ON TIME. If you know you will be late or miss a

class please tell client services and your teacher 1

Drew Hyde Vice Principal & Head of Client Services

Antonio Ramos Client Services Team Leader

Marta Ruiz Dotras Client Services Officer

Sean Leahy Client Services Officer

Sarah Scofield-Marlowe Client Services Officer

Elena Gardelli Client Services Officer

Amanda Dwek One-to-One Coordinator

Helga Dias Dos Santos Accommodation Manager (homestay)

Pablo Abraham Accommodation Manager(residences)

Viv Tolley Student Experi-ence Manager

Steve Darwen Activity Programme Organiser

Ruth Tafla Welfare Officer

Mary Pettit Academic Manager

Mark Carter Academic Manager

Josephine Ijeh Academic Manager

Mubeen Ahmed Course Director

Tim Hutchinson Exam Officer

Eisuke Suzuki Marketing Manager

Welcome to FK: People

Client Services

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION INCLUDING EXAM COURSES, BOOKING EXAMS AND ATTENDANCE PLEASE COME TO CLIENT SERVICES. IF YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS CHANGE WHILE YOU ARE STUDYING PLEASE TELL CLIENT SERVICES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Study Centre

A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN STUDY, AND PRACTISE YOUR ENGLISH. YOU CAN USE THE COMPUTERS AND

INTERNET FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES. YOU ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS,

FILMS AND OTHER RESOURCES.

THIS IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR AT 77 GLOUCESTER ROAD AND IN THE

BASEMENT AT WETHERBY GARDENS. COME HERE IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK

TO A TEACHER.

KingsCoffee

BUY A COFFEE AND MAYBE A CROIS-SANT OR PANINO AT THE CAFÉ NEAR THE CLIENT SERVICES OFFICE.

TeachersRoom

Wi-Fi USERNAME: STUDENT PASSWORD: LEARNING

and Places

3

Things you may want to know...

I want to change my level

I want to extend my course

I am not happy with the class or the teacher

I am �nishing my course this week...

Please come to Client Services where we will be able to help you or introduce you to someone you can speak to.

Talk with your teacher, tell them why you want to change.They will discuss with Academ-ic Managers and suggest the best option for you!

We will give you a Student Feedback Form to complete and give in to reception the Thursday before you leave. You can choose if you want your certificate. You will receive your certificate in your class on your last day.If you are leaving early and need your certificate please go to Client Services.

I AM FROM OUTSIDE THE EU

YOU HAVE A 10% RE-ENROLMENT

DISCOUNT*

GET PLACED IN CLASS AND HAVE YOUR STUDENT CARD UPDATED

I NEED TO CHECK THAT MY VISA IS STILL VALID FOR

STUDY

I AM FROM THE EU

I WANT TO RE-ENROL

GO TO CLIENT SERVICES

YOU CAN GO TO CLASS. ENJOY!

*Please see Frances King Terms and Conditions. Does not include One-to-One lessons.

I AM STUDYING FOR MORE THAN 12

WEEKS

YES! PLEASE TELL US THE WEEK

BEFORE YOU WANT TO GO ON HOLIDAY

GO TO CLIENT SERVICES TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH HOLIDAY YOU HAVE AND TO ORGANISE

YOUR HOLIDAY DATES. (MONDAY TO FRIDAY ONLY)

I AM STUDYING FOR LESS THAN

12 WEEKS

YOU CANNOT TAKE ANY HOLIDAY. IF

THIS IS A PROBLEM PLEASE GO TO

CLIENT SERVICES

I STUDY IN AN EXAM CLASS

I STUDY GENERAL ENGLISH

CAN I TAKE A HOLIDAYWHILE I AM STUDYING?

12 WEEKS STUDY = 2 WEEKS HOLIDAY24 WEEKS STUDY = 4 WEEKS HOLIDAY30 WEEKS STUDY = 6 WEEKS HOLIDAY36 WEEKS STUDY = 6 WEEKS HOLIDAY40 WEEKS STUDY = 8 WEEKS HOLIDAY

Accommodation information

I want to take a holiday while Iam studying

For accommodation enquiries, extensions and problems please speak to Client Services who will put you in touch with the Accom-modation Office.Extensions: If you would like to extend your stay at your current accommodation, you will need to tell the school so the Accommoda-tion Department can check if it is possible.

If we confirm that you can extend, you need to pay everything in advance.Cancellations: If you want to cancel your accommodation, you must tell us giving enough time (notice period) depending on your accommodation type (i.e. homestay – 1 week). Please speak to an accommodation adviser as soon as possible for more information on how to proceed with your cancella-tion. 5

I have a complaint

I have a problem

ABOUT YOUR CLASS

EXAM COURSES

1TO1 ANDCLUB 8

ACADEMIC MANAGERS

PERSONAL OR MEDICAL

PABLO ABRHAM

RESIDENCES HOMESTAYS

MARY PETIT

AMANDA DWEK

MUBEEN AHMED

MARK CARTER ABOO

ABOOBAKERHELGA DIASDOS SANTOS

JOSEPHINE IJEH

RUTH TAFLA

WELFARE OFFICER

ABOUT YOUR ACCOMMODATION

GO TO CLIENT SERVICES WHO WILL BE ABLE TO

HELP YOU IS YOUR PROBLEM...

Go to Client Services where we may be able to resolve the problem, or we can make and appointment with someone who can help. If you are not satisfied, you may ask for an appoint-

ment with the Academic Manager, Head of Client Services or the Accommodation Manager. If you are still not satisfied, you may ask for an appointment with the Vice Principal. If you are still not satisfied, we will help you to write down the complaint and we will give it to the Principal or you can contact him directly by phone (0207 870 6521) or email garth.younghusband@francesking.co.uk. Frances King is a member of English UK, the Association of Accredited English Language Services. If you are not satisfied with a decision of the school you may write to the association for advice.

Visas and police registration

Books for sale

Registering with the police: On your visa it may say that you need to go to the police within a number of days of arrival in the UK. You need to bring your passport or travel document, any Home Office letters or forms and a work permit if you have one.If this is so please go to:

The Overseas Record OfficeBrandon House180 Borough High StreetLondonSE1 1LH020 7230 1208

Opening times: Monday to Friday 9.00—16.00Closed on Weekends

English Grammar in Use (+ CD-ROM and Answer key) For levels D-E

Essential Gram-mar in Use (+ CD-ROM and Answer key) For levels B-C

Longman Ad-vanced Learner’s Grammar ( + Answer Key) For levels E-F

English Vocabulary (+ CD-ROM and Answer key) For levels D-E

Longman Active Study Dictionary (+ CD-ROM) For levels B-D

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (+ CD-ROM and mobile phone download) For levels D-F

£20.00

£20.00

£20.00

£20.00

£18.00

£26.00 7

Working with Frances King

At Frances King we have opportunities for students get work experience as Client Services Student Assistants or in other departments.

To apply for a Student Assistant role you need:

To be a Frances King student;

To have a minimum upper intermediate level of English;

To be staying in the UK for a minimum of 12 weeks;

To be a Non GSV, SVV or VV holder;

A knowledge of other Languages (as a bonus).

3 hours work in exchange for 3 free hours of study per day.Please bring your CV (in English) to Marta at the Client Services Office.

Further Study in the UK

If you are looking to go to university in the UK SIUK will give you all the help you need. SIUK is a university prepara-tion service which offers professional University application support to students. The service, FREE OF CHARGE ONLY FOR NON UE STUDENTS and in 10 different languages, offers:

Counselling on how to apply for and study at UK universi-tiesHelp with university selec-tionUniversity application support: writing of personal statements and CVsPractice IELTS and PTE tests at their officesLiaison with over 90 UK universitiesVisa supportFor more information and to make an appointment go to Client Services.

8

Livingin London

Getting around

Tube: Gloucester Road, Earls Court and South Kensington are the nearest tube stations. In every station you can buy tickets or top up your Oyster Card. You will have a tube map in your Welcome Pack.

Bus: A cheaper way to travel around London, but also slower. To find out which buses leave from the Gloucester road area go to the nearest bus stop and look at the map.

Barclays Bikes: These are bikes provided by London for anyone to use for a small fee. You can pay by credit card or online. Go to the TFL website for more information.

Coach travel: This is a slow but cheap way to travel. For information on timetables and fares go to coach.nationalex-press.com/ or visit Victoria Coach Station, 164 Bucking-ham Palace Road, SW1W 9TP.

Sightseeing buses: You can also take a bus tour of the City for around £22-25 from just outside Gloucester Road Tube Station.

Taxis: Take Black Cabs or phone Addison Lee on 0207 387 88 88 or 0844 800 6677.There are also taxis which look like normal cars called Minicabs. Only get these from a taxi rank and if you have booked one make sure the driver says your name to confirm the booking before you get in the car.

Rail travel: For information on times and fares go to www.nation-alrail.co.uk This is an expensive way to travel but it is quick. Booking in advance can save you money.

Coach travel: This is a slow but cheap way to travel. For informa-tion on timetables and fares go to coach.nationalexpress.com/ or visit Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9TP.

Walking: Victoria station is about 30 minutes walk from Gloucester Road; High Street Kensington 15 minutes; South Kensington is about 8 minutes; Knightsbridge 20 minutes; Notting Hill 25 minutes; Southbank 50 minutes; Piccadilly Circus 40 minutes.

10

Getting an Oyster Card

I AM STUDYING AT FRANCES KING

FOR MORE THAN 14 WEEKS

HERE IS HOW:1. go to www.tfl.gov.uk2. press ‘tickets’from the main menu at the top3.under the oyster online menu press ‘get a photocard’4. under get a photocard men press ‘18+ student’5. press view list of all establish-ments’6. select Frances King School of English (Gloucester Road or Wetherby Gardens)7. press ‘apply now’ and follow the instructions8. you will need to pay

YES!

I AM STUDYING AT FRANCES KING

FOR LESS THAN 14 WEEKS

YOU CANNOT GET A STUDENT OYSTER

CARD. BUT YOU CAN GET A NORMAL OYSTER CARD

TOP UP YOUR CARD AT ANY TUBE

STATION, OYSTER CARD SHOP OR

ONLINE.YOU CAN

PAY AS YOU GO

BUY A DAY/WEEK/

MONTH/YEAR TRAVELCARD

CAN I GET A STUDENT

OYSTER CARD?

What is an Oyster Card?An Oyster Card is a travel card which makes travelling around London easier. You can use it on most forms of public transport in London. If you want to take a train outside of London (e.g. to Brighton) you will need to buy a separate ticket.

11

Things to do in London

Here are some recommendations from us and previous students at Frances King:

Museums/Art Galleries: There are over 100 museums in London and all of them are free including the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A. You should also visit some of the others: try the Whitechapel Art Gallery, or for more contemporary art, the Design Museum and Dulwich Picture House.

Parks: 30% of London is green space for you to enjoy. Visit a park local to you and or for more information on the Royal Parks see www.royalparks.org.uk.

Markets: The most famous markets are Camden Market (every day 10am-6pm) Tube: Camden Town, Petticoat Lane (Sunday to Friday 10am -2pm) Tube: Liverpool Street, Aldgate or Aldgate East, and Portobello Market (Saturday 8am-6.30pm) Tube: Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove. For good quality fresh food try a farmers’ market early on a Saturday or Sunday morning (See www.lfm.org.uk to find one).

Pubs and Pub Culture: When you arrive in a pub first go to the bar to order your drink. Take your drinks to a table or stand and drink. It is quite impolite to remain in the pub without a drink so either order another one or move somewhere else.

Tipping culture: In restaurants if a ‘service charge’ has been added to the bill you don’t have to leave a tip. If service is not included it is normal to leave a tip of 10-15%. Do not tip in Pubs. For taxi drivers give up to £1 more or tell them to ‘keep the change’.

Eating out: Best value are often Indian or Chinese. Some do

‘all-you-can-eat’ deals. To try English food, go to a Pub and try some traditional English meals like Shepherd’s Pie.

Theatres and Musicals: Buy half price tickets for shows on the same day from the ticket office in Leicester Square. Queue at the theatre for returned tickets a few hours before the performance. You can buy tickets at any box office around Piccadilly Circus.

Cinemas: Cinemas in central London tend to be expensive so find one in Zone 2 if you can. the Prince Charles Cinema near Leicester Square shows unusual older films and is cheaper than

other local cinemas. The cinema has some themed evenings and sing along.

Shopping: Westfield (White City and Stratford) are the biggest shopping centres in London.The best department stores are John Lewis (Oxford Circus) and Peter Jones (Sloane Square). Marks and Spencer is good for food and clothes. House of Fraser and Debenhams are cheaper department stores.Selfridges (Marble Arch/Oxford Street), Liberty (near Regent Street), Harvey Nichols and Harrods (Knightsbridge) are the most popular high end stores.For cheap clothes visit shops like Primark, Topshop and H&M (Oxford Street).For electrical items there is a hardware store at 101 Gloucester Road next door to Pret A Manger.

Supermarkets: There is a wide range of supermarkets in the UK. Waitrose (opposite 77 Gloucester Road) is expensive but good quality. Also Wholefoods on Kensington High Street sells very good quality organic food. Sainsbury, Tesco and the Co-operative are cheaper but also have good quality products. Asda is the cheapest supermarket and has the most offers.

13

Services

Mobile phones: To get a sim card to use in the UK you need to go to a mobile phone store. Lots of companies do ‘sim only’ deals. Look in Tesco and O2 stores for more details.

Post Offices: Letters in the UK are priced by both size AND weight so check before you post. The nearest post office is on the corner of Gloucester Road and Cromwell Road diagonally opposite to 77 Gloucester Road.

Bureau de Change: The nearest is located in the Gloucester Arcade opposite 77 Gloucester road. The Post Office also does exchange but wherever you go, check the rates before you buy.

Libraries: The nearest library to the school are:Kensington Central LibraryPhillimore WalkW8 7RXOpening times: Mon, Tues, Thurs 9.30-20.00; Wed, Fri, Sat 9.30 – 17.00Tube: Kensington High Street

Sports Centres: The best public Gym near to the school is:Queen Mother Sports Centre233 Vauxhall Bridge RoadSW1V 1EL

Police Stations: The nearest police station to the school is:Kensington Police Station, 72 Earls Court Road, London, W8 6EQ Tel: 020 7376 1212 Metropolitan Police Station, 2 Lucan Place, London SW3 2PB Tel: 020 7376 1212If you are a victim of any crime or are charged with any crime, please tell Client Services who will offer you assistance. The Frances King Emergency Telephone number is 07768 325391. You can also find this on the back of your Student Card.

Money Transfers: Western Union offer a worldwide money transfer service – you can receive money without a bank account. For more information on location of offices and charges see www.westernunion.co.uk.

14

Is NHS free?

If you are not entitled to free medical treat-ment you must buy medical insurance if you have not done so already. Private medical treatment is expensive.

Health

Is NHS free?

I AM STUDYING IN THE UK FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS

I AM STUDYING IN THE UK FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS

IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR PLEASE GO TO ONE OF THE WALK-IN MEDICENTRES (more

information on the next page)

REGISTERING GUIDLINES:1.FIND A DOCTOR IN YOUR LOCAL AREA

www.nhs.uk/england/doctors/nearestsearch.asp

2. CONTACT THE PRACTICE AND ASK TO REGISTER WITH THEM. YOU WILL NEED:

YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH, ID CARD, PASPORT AND PROOF OF

ADDRESS

3. ONCE REGISTERED, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN NHS CARD. KEEP IT SAFE AND TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR,

DENTIST OR HOSPITAL.

CAN I REGISTER WITH

A DOCTOR?

NHS treatment is free if one of these is true for you: You are from the European Econom-ic Area (EEA).You are studying on a course in the UK for 6 months or moreYour country has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK: www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Health-careabroad/countryguide/NonEEA-countries/Pages/Non-EEAcountries.aspx You need to go to ‘Accident and Emergency’ for treatment.See also:http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/

15

Is NHS free?Is NHS free?

I need to see a Doctor

NB: Please read the informa-tion on entitlement to Free health treatment in the UK.

In an emergency call 999Call 111, when it’s less urgent than 999 If you need medical help quickly, but it isn’t a 999 emergen-cy, you can call NHS 111.  NHS 111 will asses you, provide advice

NHS Walk-in Centres: To get free immediate treatment by nurses for simple problems quickly and without an appoint-ment.5-7 Parsons GreenLondonSW6 4UL020 8846 6758Open weekdays 8.00-20.00 and week-ends 9.00–13.30

Accident and Emergency (A&E):Open 24hrs for SERIOUS illnesses or injuries ONLY.Chelsea and Westminster HospitalFulham RoadLondonSW10 9NH020 8746 8000

Nearest tube: Parsons Green

Nearest tube: Fulham Brodway

Emergencies and Hospitals

Minor Injuries Units: Come to these to reduce your waiting time if your injury is not life threatening:

and direct you straight away to the local service that can help you best.  It is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and calls are free, including from mobiles. For more information visit www.nhs.uk/111

Urgent Care Centre Charing Cross HospitalSt Dunsan’s RoadLondonW6 8RF020 3311 1234

Nearest to the school:Guy’s Hospital Minor Injuries Un.Ground FloorTabard AnnexeGreat Maze PondLondonSE1 9RT020 7188 3879

Nearest tube: London Bridge

Nearest Tube: Hammersmith or Barons Court 17

Important information

The Law in the UK:

Smoking: Smoking is banned in all public buildings in Britain including bars, restaurants, shops, stations, cinemas and on all public transport. You can smoke on the street.

Drugs: Britain has strict laws against the use of illegal drugs and punishments can be very heavy. You are strongly advised not to use illegal drugs during your stay.

Shoplifting: People who are caught stealing from shops will probably have to go to court.

TV Licences: Every house/flat that has a TV must have a TV licence. If you rent a room or are in a flat share, find out who is responsible for getting the TV licence.

Council Tax: This is a local tax that his charged on each property. It varies in different boroughs (districts) in London and each has its own rules for discounts for students.Weapons: it is illegal to carry any weapon for defence including gas and sprays. You will be arrested if the police stop you and you have a knife.

Cycling: you cannot ride a bike on a pavement and you must have lights if you cycle at night. A helmet is not obligatory but is strongly recommended.

Legal problems: For free legal advice you can go to the Citizens Advice Bureau (Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, London, SW3 5EE 0844 8269708 or 020 7351 2114)

For more information

come and see us

at reception

or visit

our website

www.francesking.co.uk