Admissions Guide

Application process

Applications for Earlscliffe can be submitted all year round. You may do this directly or through the guidance of an agent.

When we have received an enquiry we will be in touch to discuss your plans, make sure you have all the information you need and we will collect from you documentation to support your application. We will supply you with an entrance test to complete so we can determine your abilities and we will also arrange a student interview – this can be done online or in person if you can visit us.

At this stage we require:

• Application form
• Student passport
• Birth Certificate
• School reports from your most recent school (in English)
• Any certificates of completed English language qualifications including IELTS if held.
• Any existing visa / proof of right to study if held
• Your choice of subjects

When the above has been completed and received by the admissions team, we will decide if we can make an offer of a place. We will send an offer letter and 2 invoices; 1 for the registration fee and deposit – which needs to be paid to secure an offered place – and a 2nd invoice will be issued shortly afterwards for the first term’s fees.

The details of all our fees can be seen HERE and these are reviewed annually so may be subject to increase. Payment of the fees will trigger the commencement of the visa process, so prompt payment is encouraged. Settlement of fees must be paid prior to attendance. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more details.

With your acceptance letter we will make further documentation requests and also start sending you forms to fill in before arrival. These will include;

• Guardianship information
• Medical forms
• Parental Consent Letter
• Student Questionnaires
• Consent forms
• Travel forms
• Travel Insurance (for non-sponsored students)

You will continue to hear from us in the weeks and months prior to arrival.

Passports

On arrival, and at the beginning of each term, we will take passports from all students to check them and make copies for our immigration records.

Unless you request otherwise – all passports will be securely stored in a safe and issued to the student only when required, e.g exams, bank appointments etc. Students should always bring their passports with them to school.

It is imperative that all passport and visa records are kept up to date and in good order. Please let us know immediately if anything changes or is lost or stolen. If Earlscliffe suspects passport or visa malpractice all relevant information will be passed to UKVI authorities.

Legally, we are required to record where sponsored students are at all times they are in the United Kingdom. For safeguarding purposes, we do this for all of our students. Please help us with this by completing the required travel forms when requested.

Who needs a visa?

If a student does not have a British or Irish passport, they will need either a Visa or an ETA. The type will depend on their age, course and planned length of stay. Please refer to our page Visa Information for the latest details on Visas and ETA.

Students without a visa

Students entering the UK to study on a visitor visa will require Travel Insurance to cover them whilst in the UK. Primarily, this is for medical purposes in case of an accident or illness where they require medical support. A copy of the insurance policy showing the emergency assistance contact details of the insurer and a policy number will need to be provided.

Guardians

Earlscliffe requires parents who do not live permanently in the UK to appoint a guardian on behalf of their son/daughter, regardless of the student’s age. Students will not be admitted into the school until a guardian is appointed.

Arrangements for a guardian must be made by the parents. The UKVI guidance for sponsors states that suitable care arrangements must be in place for students in the UK and requires a parental consent letter confirming the care arrangements as part of the visa application. From 29 May 2025, the guardian information will need to be submitted as part of the visa application.

The Guardian

• The guardian has to be a British Citizen or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
• The guardian (and those living regularly with them) should be free of criminal convictions.
• The guardian should not be a full-time student and must be over the age of 25.
• The guardian must live in the UK and should not be required to travel regularly overseas.
• The guardian should live in their own private accommodation, ideally within 2 hours drive of the school.
• The guardian should be able to correspond fluently; verbally and in writing with the School in English

Packing tips & Storage

• A checklist is included in your welcome pack.
• Firstly, remember that everything that is brought to school will need to be carried! Students may also need to pack up their belongings to move rooms during the holidays, so it is best not to bring an excess of anything. Also, bedrooms can be 2, 3 or even 4 flights of stairs up and students will be expected to move their own luggage!
• Each room will have a wardrobe / hanging space, shelves, drawers and hooks to store personal belongings and bedrooms should be kept tidy at all times. Bedrooms will be regularly checked by your house master/mistress.
• Students are permitted to decorate their room (or their area in a shared room) with personal items.  Nothing should be stuck to walls because of fire regulations but a pinboard is provided. Any damages will have to be charged.
• Suitcases will have to be fully unpacked and then stored during term time.
• Folkestone and the surrounding towns and cities are exceptionally well served for shops. It is easy to buy most of what is needed here. (Just remember it all needs to be packed to take it home again!)
• It is worth noting that now the UK has left the EU so posting or using a courier to send items back home has now become very restricted and extremely expensive. It is likely to be cheaper to purchase extra baggage options on a flight home rather than to send anything. If something needs to be sent, an itemised list of the contents and values of all items will need to be provided. Many items are not allowed to be sent at all, such as food products and toiletries.
• Please bring towels for personal and sport use.
• Bedding is provided but if you prefer your own you may bring it and it will be laundered weekly.
• Students are expected to bring a laptop with charger / adaptor – please see the IT information on the packing list and in the pre-arrival information that has been sent to you.
• For some subjects students may find a scientific calculator useful. Maths students will be provided with one suitable for their curriculum.
• Students will need an adaptor and charging cables for their mobile phones (all electrical items will undergo a PAT safety check before they are approved for use.) Extension leads are permitted but not socket cubes.
• Permission for bicycles may be requested and is subject to storage space. A lock and helmet is essential.
• Skateboards and scooters are allowed and essential if you want to try out the world’s first multi storey skatepark – right here in Folkestone!
• It is recommended that students add name labels into their clothes and name their personal items.

Please do not bring…

• Non-prescribed medication (for example; but not limited to: paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines). These must be handed in on arrival. Supplies of these medications can easily be obtained from the School Nurse, so please do not bring them unless essential for journey. All prescribed medication must be detailed on your medical forms supplied before arrival. Please see the Pastoral care section for more information.
• Fridges, mini-ovens, microwaves, rice cookers, kettles, or any electric appliances which the school may deem either potentially dangerous or unsuitable. All students will have access to a student kitchen.
• High value items of clothing, handbags, electrical items, jewellery.
• Clothing with offensive slogans or wording. These will be confiscated and returned at the end of term to be taken home.
• A car or other motorised vehicle.
• Pets of any kind including fish, birds or hamsters!
• Protein powders of any type and energy drinks with a high caffeine content.
• Alcohol, tobacco or vaping products.
• Sports kit that may prove a danger unless by prior agreement, e.g baseball bat, pool cues, fencing equipment etc.

Please ask before packing an item if you are unsure whether you are allowed to bring it.

Dress Code – at school

Students are expected to always adhere to our dress code during the school day and on school trips when required. A copy of the dress code is included in your welcome pack and will be on display in your boarding houses. The standard of our dress code is professional business dress. If you look through the website you will find lots of examples of students in their school clothes.

Students will be given a school badge that determines their year group and an ID pass and lanyard. All of which should be worn daily to school.

Casual attire: Students are free to choose their leisure wear as long as it is appropriate and inoffensive. We recommend at least 4-5 changes of clothes, including activity-appropriate attire, e.g., if you are interested in horse riding, go-karting, climbing, paintballing, etc., you will need clothing to suit. We also have occasional school days where you can wear your own clothes to school for a small charitable donation. Extremely valuable items of clothing should not be brought to school.

Formal attire: We occasionally hold formal events or parties throughout the year, and the highlight is the Valedictory celebration for our Year 13 graduates in the summer term, so it is useful to have an outfit of formal attire, including appropriate shoes!

Sports attire is also required. Students in Year 11 have a mandatory fitness session per week, but students may also need clothing for football, basketball, swimming, gym use, water pursuits etc.

Travel guidance notes

As we are an International school, travel to and from school is carefully monitored. We are obligated to record the travel arrangements for ALL students for both UKVI (immigration) and safeguarding purposes.

The safety and security of students when traveling is paramount and we ask for the cooperation of parents and guardians in this regard. It is important that everyone respects the expectations and parameters for travelling to and from school. Compliance and cooperation makes the process much smoother to manage for our pastoral team and causes less disruption to our academic lessons. Students should be encouraged to check in with their House Manager when travelling. 

Travel Dates and times

• Students should be attending school every day during the published term dates. Any unavoidable changes to term dates will be provided to parents and guardians with as much notice as possible via an official school email and by being published on our website.
• Departures we recommend a departure from school a minimum of 5 hours before your flight take off time in case of delays.

Transfers

• We highly recommend the use of our school-arranged transfer service, where we can organise transfers to/from airports, stations or UK addresses. Where possible, we arrange for students to share with each other. 
• NOTE: Transfers are confirmed 48-72 hours prior to travel. This is due to the collation of all student arrangements to ensure an efficient service and also because of how the transfer company allocates the vehicles. 
• Click here for School Transfers and Rail service information

Absences

• Family occasions, religious observances and medical reasons may mean that from time to time, exceptional leave is required. Please give us as much notice as possible and send your email to the Deputy Head – Pastoral and Boarding – peterscargill@earlscliffe.co.uk with your request. 
• All absences will be categorised and monitored for both educational and immigration purposes. We reserve the right to decline any request that compromises the student’s education or visa status. All absences must be authorised by the Deputy Head – Pastoral and Boarding

Weekend and Day Leave

• Earlscliffe does not have regular exeat weekends. Students may leave school for the weekend on completion of an Overnight/Weekend leave request form (see below). This must be completed by a parent or guardian. If the parent supplies the information, then we will also share it with the nominated guardian of any sponsored student. Forms must be submitted at least 3 days before the date of departure for review, and approval must be received before the student may depart from school.
• Day Leave is arranged between the student and their house manager e.g university visits, medical appointments.

New Students

• New students are expected to remain in school for the weekends during September to take part in a schedule of organised orientation activities

Proof of Travel

• New students or returning students on a new CAS will need to provide proof of arrival into the country, e.g., a boarding pass, an entry stamp or luggage label
• Students who withdraw from the school prior to completion of their course will need to provide evidence of leaving the UK, along with an offer letter from their new school. 

Contacts when travelling

• When travelling, students should have the following numbers stored in their phone and make contact in the following order.
  • Their house master/mistress’s number – provided at the start of term
  • The travel phone – +44 (0)7842 408689. This number is available for calls, texts and WhatsApp on travel days.
  • The school number – if you can not reach anyone else – +44 (0)1303 253951
• Students should ensure they have sufficient charge on their phone while travelling and have a charger readily available.

Independent Travel

• Students are responsible for their documents and luggage when travelling. Please ensure they are prepared for immigration and baggage drop off / collection, and what to do/who to call if this is not a smooth process. 
• Students should carry:
  • Their passport
  • A copy of their Earlscliffe acceptance letter
  • A copy of the parental consent letter. 
  • A method of payment in case needed.
  • A charged phone

Unaccompanied minor service

It is crucial that you advise us if a student is travelling on an airline Unaccompanied Minor service so that we can ensure that we can supply you with the correct documentation and have one of our senior drivers available. This is usually applicable to students aged 14 / 15 but only with some airlines. There is a supplement for the Unaccompanied Minor transfer service.

The Travel guidance outlined above applies to ALL students irrespective of age.

Arrivals day – New students

New students should aim to arrive between 08:00 and 16:00 so that they can be greeted by a member of our admissions team. Students should arrive with a responsible adult e.g a member of their family, an agent or guardian.

Please ensure the travel information form is completed before arrival so we know how and when to expect you. The link to this will be sent out regularly over the summer.

On arrival, students will need to hand in their passport and any cash they would like to be kept safe.

Students will also need to declare all medications held to the nurse or their house master/mistress.

After checking in, students will be shown to their boarding house by some of our existing students. The house master/mistress will show students to their bedrooms. There will be time to rest and recover from the journey and have something to eat and drink. Most importantly, students will be introduced to fellow housemates and house pets!

If you have any concerns when you arrive or feel unwell, please let someone know as soon as possible. Always ask questions; everyone is here to help you.

Homesickness and worries

We understand that students are a long way from home, and it is completely normal to feel homesick, emotional or worried as you settle into a new routine. There is always someone at Earlscliffe to talk to. All staff are happy to help, and to listen. You may prefer to talk to your fellow students and that is ok too. Remember, our returning students have felt the same way as you do and are a great source of advice.

Please remember;

• Our students are brave! It takes a strong individual to make the decision to learn and live so far from home and all of the comforts you are used to.
• Do not keep worries inside – there is always a solution to a problem, however big or small. Nobody will make judgments of someone asking for help – this is something we celebrate and value amongst everyone in our school community.
• If there is a worry that you may suffer from homesickness (for example, if this has been an issue previously), it is good for us to know in advance so we can put extra pastoral support in place and make the transition as easy as possible.
• If, at any time, you feel you would like to request a room move so you are sharing with a different student, this may be possible – please chat to your house master/mistress about your reasons.
• An independent listener can be arranged for students to talk to. This is someone not involved in the school who can give an impartial view on thoughts and feelings about school. The details of this service are on the noticeboards in every building.

Your first day

The first day after arrival is an induction day. You will attend presentations from some of our senior staff, collect your timetable, set up your computer and email, have your photo taken and be shown around. You will wear a uniform on this day, and it will be checked by your house master/mistress.

The first 4 Weekends

The first four weekends, there will be lots more activities to choose from, some of which will be compulsory, so we would recommend that students do not plan to travel away at these times. These are a great opportunity to get to know fellow students and settle in.

Students arriving during the academic year

If you are arriving during the academic year, a personalised induction schedule will be created for you to introduce you to school life. You will be assigned a buddy to help you settle in and find your way around.

Boarding houses

There are 6 boarding houses at Earlscliffe:

29 Shorncliffe Road – Girls’ House. This house is also known as ‘Main Building’ as it is the original Earlscliffe school building. It is where you will have your meals and where you can find Reception, the Nurse and our art department.

29 Westbourne Gardens – Girls’ House A smaller house closer to the coast with a sociable kitchen and common room area and a basement chillout room.

25 Grimston Gardens – Girls’ House Our girls’ house is closest to school, with a bright common room.

26 Grimston Gardens – Boys’ House. This house is also known as Flowergate and has a lovely private garden to relax in or help cultivate if you wish.  You will find the Science labs on the ground floor and further classrooms on the first floor.

47 Earls Avenue – Boys House Our boys’ house that is nearest to the main building with a private garden and a busy common room.

10 Julian Road – Boys House This house is also known as Goldschmidt House – see ‘Our History‘. It is the largest of our boys’ houses and is located near the sports facilities. A popular meeting spot owing to the large common areas.

You will be allocated a room in one of these houses on arrival based on the information we know about you and how we think you might fit in with our other students. All rooms are either a twin share or single with ensuite facilities. A twin share room will be with a student of a similar age but from a different nationality/language to yourself, so that you can both improve your English skills. Our houses are mixed ages, nationalities and courses, so you will get to know students from all parts of the school.

Please visit our Location page to explore the area and view our buildings.

Room Rules

Before leaving your bedroom in the morning, please make sure:

1. All lights are turned off.
2. Curtains and windows are opened.
3. Your bed is made.
4. Your desk is tidy.
5. All books are in the bookcase.
6. All rubbish is in the bin.
7. The floor is clear
8. All electrical items are off. (Please do not leave anything switched on, especially on your bed!)
9. All dirty laundry is in your basket, and if it is laundry day, put out your laundry basket / strip your bed.

From time to time, you will be given feedback regarding the tidiness of your room. There are rewards available for consistent and courteous tidiness. Our cleaners have a big job to do, and everything you can do to make it easier for them is appreciated.

Boarding house meetings will be held by your house master/mistress regularly, and you will be expected to attend.

Laundry

Laundry is carried out once per week, and the day will be on your bedroom door or noticeboard. Baskets will be provided, and you should put these outside your door before leaving for school on laundry day. For this purpose, we suggest that students have their names labelled on their clothes.

Year 13 students are expected to do their own laundry, and instruction will be provided. All students are encouraged to use the laundry facilities themselves and may do so during evenings or weekends in consultation with the house master/mistress / on a rota basis.

We recommend that all items of clothing should be capable of being machine laundered/ironed, but we can provide details of local Dry-Cleaning services if required.

Bedding is provided and will be laundered in all houses weekly. You must strip your beds and leave the linen at the foot of your bed, and your bed will be remade for you. If you wish to bring your own bedding, you may do so, and this will also be laundered for you. Please ensure it is labelled with your name.

Cleaning

Rooms are deep cleaned on a weekly rota basis, which includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting and bathrooms.

On a daily basis, rooms are checked and bins, bathrooms, and floors are done as required.

Students should keep their rooms tidy for easy access.

As indicated above, bedding and towels are washed on a designated day, once a week. Beds must be stripped by the student.

Cleaners will usually be working when students are at school, but please get to know their name and say hello, thank you and be kind and courteous when you see them.

Meal times

• Breakfast: 07:30
• Lunch: 12:00
• Supper: 18:00

A light breakfast may also be available in your boarding house.

A light lunch can be pre-ordered in School House.

Meals are a social occasion. Coats, bags, AirPods, headphones and mobile phones are not permitted in the dining room. It is an opportunity to sit and enjoy good food and great company. Talk to someone new or even talk to staff members you might not usually see.

Students who are age 15 or under on the 1st September must register with a member of staff in the Main Building for Breakfast and Supper.

All students must attend Saturday Lunch, Sunday Brunch and Sunday Supper to register.

Please queue in an orderly fashion at meal times and be polite and courteous to our dining staff.

House Kitchen / Takeaways.

Students may keep food in the fridge/freezer and in designated cupboards in the house kitchen areas; all food must be labelled. Students are welcome to use the facilities in the kitchen during free time when permitted by house staff. Use of the kitchen is a privilege and must be respected. All pans, crockery and cutlery must be cleaned immediately after use and kept within the house where they belong. Any work surfaces used must be wiped down and all equipment put back where it belongs.

All cooked food must be eaten in the designated dining areas in your house. Cooked food must not be taken to bedrooms. Hot drinks can be taken to bedrooms, but cups must be brought back down, washed and put away. 

House staff, at their discretion, may allow students to order take-away food once over the weekend. Permission in advance must be obtained.

Food options

We are a very multicultural society and try our best to cater to a wide variety of tastes. We actively encourage students to contribute through surveys, our food council and ask them to undertake ‘Kitchen takeovers’ where they can come and help the chef prepare their favourite dishes from home.

We also hold themed events, such as celebrating National Days and annual events like the Chinese New Year, where we theme the menu accordingly. You are encouraged to share your wishes and feedback with the catering team. Please speak to the chefs or email headchef@earlscliffe.co.uk with your requests and ideas.

If you have any specific dietary requirements, please discuss these with us before arrival. We will ask for information in our medical forms and Student Questionnaire as well.

A sample menu can be downloaded here: Sample Menu

Academic Expectations 

• Students must be punctual and prepared for the day ahead.
• Students must be respectful to all staff and to their fellow students.
• Students must attend all lessons and complete all work set according to deadlines.
• Students must adhere to external examination rules and regulations, including public examination coursework, practical and controlled test deadlines. Teaching staff will issue deadline dates and prepare students accordingly, but it is each student’s own responsibility to meet such deadlines, as well as to attend examinations.
• Academic honesty is paramount. Earlscliffe may report to examination boards any suspected plagiarism or malpractice after an internal review and may withdraw a student from an examination or examination suite as a result.
• Earlscliffe expects its students to show high levels of personal academic motivation and ambition. We issue termly reports and hold termly Parent Consultation Evenings.

The school may alter a student’s individual study pathway, i.e., exam entries at GCSE or A-Level, after notifying parents, partners, and/or guardians, if it deems such action to be in the student’s best interest.

University entrance

Most Earlscliffe students are aiming for entry into some of the UK’s, and indeed the world’s most selective universities, and as such, competition for places will be intense. Parents, students, and Earlscliffe staff must be ambitious yet realistic. If a student has specific aims before coming to the UK, these must be declared on admission so that a plan may be actioned as appropriate.

Laptops and technology

All classrooms have Clevertouch screen technology, which is interactive, and students are encouraged to experience using these. All students will need a Windows or Mac laptop computer with a charger (iPads are not suitable for lessons, but can be brought for personal use).

Students should also have a mobile phone to communicate with their House Managers and staff on trips. Use of mobile phones is restricted during the day but may be used during free time. WiFI access will be restricted during nighttime.

Before arrival, please download: https://www.securly.com/ssl – the webpage will share with you an installation guide suitable for your device.

Alerts

You may get some security alerts whilst installing the certificate. These alerts are designed to protect you against installing certificates from unknown sources. Securly is a known and trusted source so you can ignore these warnings and proceed with the installation.

To mobile phones: Please download Whatsapp

Please ensure we are provided with a personal email address for each student. At the end of August, each new student will then be sent an access email to open their new school email account to allow them to access all the material they will need. Both the certificate downloaded above and the new email address will be needed to access the WIFI in each building.

For any help with anything IT, please contact itsupport@earlscliffe.co.uk.

Sports and Community – Wednesday afternoons

All students are expected to participate fully in this area of Earlscliffe life. Our academic, sports, and pastoral staff will deliver, arrange, and monitor such activities, making sure each student achieves a healthy and constructive balance of activity each term. Every Wednesday afternoon, students can elect to join a different club or society to further their interests or take part in a volunteering activity.

Examples of such activities include: Drone Club, Book Club, Chess Club, Model United Nations, Basketball, Photography, Service(volunteering), and Sports Leaders.

School Holidays

The main school holidays are

• October Half Term – 1 week
• Christmas Holiday – 3 weeks – School is closed to all students
• February Half Term – 1 week
• Easter Holiday – 3 weeks – School is closed to all students
• May Half Term  – 1 week
• Summer Holidays – School is closed to all students

Full term dates can be seen HERE

For students who can not travel or stay with a guardian/host family during the holidays, we can offer a study and activity programme during half terms only, at an additional cost.

Earlscliffe students may be asked to vacate their rooms during half-terms to accommodate fellow students staying on campus as we condense the boarding houses. Students will be accommodated in one or two of our houses during the holidays, and where possible, we keep roommates together or students who have singles in single rooms, but this can not be guaranteed and is subject to demand.

All students must vacate their rooms for the Easter and Summer holiday periods as the school is used for Easter / Summer School. You will be asked to take your belongings with you or use our student storage system of crates/suitcases, for which a fee is payable. All items are sealed and taken to an external storage facility. No access is available to the storage facility during the holidays.

During the Christmas holidays, items may be left neatly in bedrooms. The houses are closed to all students.

Student Behaviour

Students must behave responsibly at all times and follow all rules accordingly.

A summary of our behaviour policy is as follows.

• Students must show respect for all fellow students and staff.
• Earlscliffe does not tolerate bullying of any kind.
• Students must show respect and care of property and possessions, both theirs and others.
• Use of alcohol and illegal substances is strictly forbidden; Earlscliffe may carry out random or specific drug/alcohol tests on any of its students and staff in accordance with its policies.
• There is restricted access to female/male accommodation. Girls are not permitted to go into any bedroom areas of boys’ houses at any time. Boys are not permitted to go upstairs in girls’ houses at any time.
• All curfews must be observed.
• Authorisation to spend time away from school must be obtained in advance.
• Students and parents must recognise that Earlscliffe reserves the right to suspend or expel any student who it believes has brought the school into disrepute and/or whose actions significantly impact upon the well-being, academic and pastoral of other students. There is a right of appeal using the Complaints Policy available on the website.

Please read the complete Behaviour policy before arrival. This will also form part of your induction where students will sign to say they have read and understood it. You can find it along with our other school policies HERE.

Pastoral care

All staff are responsible for a student’s care and well-being throughout their time as a residential student.

House masters/mistresses play a pivotal role as they will spend the most time with each student. We have a very positive approach to our pastoral care and endeavour to create a home from home experience whilst encouraging students to be self-sufficient, considerate and independent individuals.

• All students will be required to follow the daily timetable and attend meals as expected, and maintain a healthy regime of work, rest and play. The house master/mistresses supported by the Deputy Head – Pastoral and Boarding, will check each room at least twice each night to spend some time with each student. Earlscliffe is a small school, and we value our personalised approach to student welfare.
• You will be contacted by the house master/mistress within the first few days of school so they can introduce themselves and find out more from you about your child. They can be contacted by landline and mobile phone or by email, and you will be provided with their details within 48 hours of arrival.

School Nurse

• The school nurse is available Monday to Friday in the Main Building.
• Students will be provided with a document on what to do if they feel ill. They should report any illness to their house master/mistress or teacher, who will speak to the nurse and decide the best course of action.
• Students can also make appointments to see the nurse.
• The nurse will help each student register with the local Doctor (GP). Students on visitor visas will require travel insurance to cover these services.
• Registration can only take place once the school receives the completed medical information form, and links to these forms will be sent out before arrival. Students can not be admitted to school until this information is received.
• The nurse will only share information with staff on a need-to-know basis.
• Dentist, orthodontist, specialist and counselling appointments can be arranged if required, and only with the parents’ cooperation.
• Each student will also meet with the Nurse on arrival and will need to hand over all medications held. All items that do not have an English language prescription will have to be disposed of. Students can not retain any medicines in their room – including items such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Sensitive issues and any concerns

If you need to make us aware of any sensitive issues or concerns surrounding your child, please contact us. All concerns are logged on our internal system and raised at pastoral or academic staff meetings. Safeguarding concerns are logged separately but may involve external agencies. If you wish your issue to remain confidential amongst certain staff, please let us know, but do be aware that, in the interest of the student, this is not always possible or appropriate.

Safeguarding concerns should be directed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or any of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads as listed on the posters in the boarding houses and around school.

Independent Listener – all students can contact someone outside Earlscliffe who will listen to their concerns. The details of the Independent Listener are displayed in each building.

Security and Safety – things to know

• Students are responsible for their possessions at all times.
• Essential items of value (including passport) may be handed over to the House Managers for safe-keeping in our secure storage facility.
• Pocket money may be transferred by a parent to our account. There is a fee for this service: £5 for amounts up to £200 and £10 for amounts up to £500. For larger amounts please contact the school for rates. Please do not bring more than £1000 in cash to school. This will be kept securely and can be accessed during school hours. Pocket money brought in cash will be kept by the Head of Pastoral and Boarding and can be accessed on request.
• Students with credit cards are advised to take care when keeping and using such items and must never lend them to others or divulge PIN numbers.
• Students may open UK bank accounts on arrival. We will help with this and provide the letter that you need. Full details on how to do this will be provided to students on arrival.
• Boarding houses are not manned at all times. Bedrooms must be locked when students are not in.
• Students should be vigilant when walking between buildings and in the local areas and should not walk alone after dark. If they have any concerns or get lost, they should consult with a member of staff so that they can be assisted accordingly.
• Students will be provided with a torch for use when out in the evenings.
• Regular safety talks will take place throughout the year.

Sports, Activities and trips

Our sports coordinator will help you organise any type of sport that you can join throughout the year. Look at the notice boards in the main building common room, your boarding house and school house for more details on what is coming up each term and don’t forget to check your emails for exciting opportunities.  If you do not see an activity you want to do listed, please ask your house master/mistress for it.

Sports activities available locally include;

• Padel
• Football
• Dance
• Cinema
• Tennis
• Gym
• Swimming
• Music Lessons
• Skateboarding
• Boxing
• Pilates
• Badminton
• Paddleboarding
• Basketball
• Running
• Horse Riding
• Yoga
• Sailing

Examples of past activities and trips include;

• Shopping
• Bowling
• Markets
• Lectures
• Theatre
• Historical Sites
• Exhibitions
• Museums
• Ice Skating
• Theme Parks
• Football
• Go Karting
• London Eye
• Brighton
• London sights

You may also do trips led by your subject teachers or in groups by house or year group.

Tre Fitness gym 

All students can use Tre Fitness for gym sessions. We will help you to understand the rules of the gym. A termly membership fee applies.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award – This scheme empowers young people through a programme that encourages the learning of new skills, builds confidence and challenges each individual. You will undertake 1 each of a Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition activity at different levels to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. www.dofe.org

Other awards and schemes also exist on the themes of leadership, sustainability, poetry, public speaking, sports and charity  – look out for these opportunities throughout the year.

Participation in any extra-curricular activity provides excellent material to add to your University applications and future CVs.

Social Media

Find us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok and join in the Earlscliffe conversation or start your LinkedIn profile and connect to us there as well.

Students may connect with official school social media channels, but can not connect with any member of staff until they are aged 21 or over and at least 2 years have passed since they left the school.

Parent portal

Parents and guardians can have access to the Parent Portal, and you will be sent a link for this at the start of the new term. This will give you access to reports, results, travel forms and other useful information during your child’s time at Earlscliffe. (Please note this is different from the Dukes Education application portal used during the admissions process)

Forums 

Every week, each student will attend forum. They will hear presentations, learn school news, be guided in school policies, and may be given awards. Whole school services may occur on occasions such as memorial or remembrance days.

School Council 

Students can join the School Council to share their views and the opinions of their fellow students. School Council meets regularly and is designed to be a proactive forum amongst the school community. When you are at the end of Year 12, you can also put yourself forward to be a Head Student to help lead the school.

School ambassadors

All students are expected to be excellent ambassadors for Earlscliffe. We will, however, on occasion select specific students to be designated ambassadors, perhaps for their home nation or for particular activities, and we will ask them to take part in interviews, photography projects, marketing and events.

Photography

We regularly film and photograph in and around the school and out on activities for the purposes of promoting the school and/or recording annual events such as Valedictory. This may be for our prospectus, website, social media or other marketing materials. It may also be shared with Dukes Education.

If you do not wish to be included in such activity, you may opt out. We will send a consent form regarding this prior to arrival and update it regularly.

Valedictory

This is our annual celebration of the year at Earlscliffe and usually takes place in the Trinity term. We acknowledge and congratulate all of our graduates. Invitations will be sent before the end of Hilary term and spaces are limited.

Earlscliffe Alumni

Earlscliffe Alumni is our group for all students who have graduated from Earlscliffe. At the end of their final year,  invitations to our Alumni platform will be sent to all graduating students over 18 years of age. On the portal, we will share upcoming Alumni events, news, and photo albums exclusively. We invite all of our Alumni to return regularly and keep in touch, especially if it is to inspire the next generation(s).

Contacting us

Our school reception is open from 0830 – 1700 Monday to Friday and they can redirect your call subject to staff availability. Alternatively they can make an appointment for you to be called back. We recommend that outside of office hours you contact the relevant House Manager in the first instance.

School Address

29 Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, CT20 2NB, UK – This is the students’ legal and postal address whilst at Earlscliffe.

School Phone Number

+44 (0) 1303 253 951.

School Email

admissions@earlscliffe.co.uk – your enquiry will be redirected according to your request.

Post Packages and Parcels

Please use the School Address above for all correspondence, parcels and packages. Items for students will be stored for collection after school.