Homestay Agreement

Below, for your records, is the latest version of the homestay agreement which all hosts complete when they first host with us.

Looking After Your Student

The welfare of your student is key, and we ask you to provide a welcoming and secure environment, to encourage them to integrate and to help them if they have difficulties. We also ask you to do a reasonable amount of laundry for your students, change their bed linen and towels once a week, and allow them to make tea/coffee and snacks. On arrival, you can introduce your student to your home and explain the household arrangements, such as use of the bathroom/shower and let them know of any expectations you have of them, for example also advising you if they are going to be late home for dinner. This is also a good time to exchange phone numbers and establish whether they use WhatsApp (we find this an ideal way of communicating between host and student). If you have any concerns, we will be there to advise, help and support you.

Mealtimes, Board and Dietary Requirements

There are two types of board. We will inform you of the board type and any dietary requirements on booking.

Half Board: This includes breakfast and a cooked evening meal Monday to Friday, and all meals at the weekend and on bank holidays. Junior students also require a packed lunch if on a full-day trip.

Full Board: This is as half board, plus a packed lunch Monday to Friday.

We strongly recommend that you do not purchase too much food in preparation for your student before you establish their particular likes and dislikes.

Mealtimes are an important part of the homestay experience. This is a great way to get to know your student and for them to practise their English with you. We do ask that you eat together whenever possible.

English Language

One of the main reasons students choose homestay accommodation is the chance to practise English with their hosts. It is therefore a requirement that English is the language of communication when the student is present. 

First Morning

We ask that you take the student to school by bus so that they familiarise themselves with the journey, as they will be returning alone later that day. We also suggest that you help the student get to know the surrounding area by going for a short walk or drive with them.

Keys

Students on Junior Programmes (aged 11-17) should not be given a key. A responsible adult should be present to see their student off in the morning and welcome them home at the end of the day (this is a requirement of the British Council). Unless otherwise specified, a junior student will return home directly after their class/evening activity has finished and then spend the evening with the homestay host. Students on Adult Programmes (ages 16+) require their own front door key to allow free access but are still expected to keep their host informed about their movements.

Arrival & Departure

If you are hosting junior students, we do ask that you collect your student on arrival and drop them off on departure. The pick-up/drop-off point is South Front, in the city centre. If you are unable to do this or make alternative arrangements for collection/drop off, the school will organise a taxi and the cost will be deducted from my remittance. All adult students will be asked to contact you by phone or email to advise of their expected date and time of arrival. If a taxi transfer has been booked, we will advise you of their ETA. An adult from your household must be present to welcome your student on arrival. 

Fire and Gas Safety

Anyone having paying guests is required by law to provide an annual fire risk assessment. This form will be emailed to you in advance. You are also required to have all gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who will provide a Gas Safety Certificate. Please keep this as the Homestay Officer will need to see it.

Safeguarding

In line with the school’s safeguarding policy, to host under-18s, you will require an enhanced DBS check. This will be organised by Lewis School of English at a cost of £48.80 per person, which includes an administration fee. The card payment provider may charge an additional processing fee of approximately £3 plus VAT. This fee may vary depending on the provider.

All permanent adult members of the household must have individual criminal records checks unless there is evidence that the check on the main caregiver included other adults in the home. 

All hosts are also required to complete a free online safeguarding course.

Sickness

If the student is unwell or is likely to be late for any reason, they are expected to telephone the school first thing in the morning. If they are too unwell to telephone themselves, we ask you to contact the Lewis School on their behalf. In accordance with the required level of care, we ask you to take your student to our doctor or dentist, or assist them in contacting the NHS Helpline (NHS 111), in the event of illness/injury and inform the school. If they are too unwell to attend school, we ask you to make suitable arrangements for the student to stay at home (please note that juniors need to be supervised).

Further Information

• The Lewis School is NOT responsible for any damage or loss caused by a student. All homestay hosts are strongly advised to notify their insurance company that they are taking ‘paying guests’.
• The school issues all students with a form inviting them to give feedback on their experience in homestay accommodation.