Has there ever been a more exciting time to be in the final stages of a senior school career? With a mix of ingenuity, teamwork and technology, a multitude of challenges has been overcome in recent times and when we combine these factors with resilience and flexibility, an Earlscliffe education equips its students with a toolkit for continued success in higher education and an everchanging workplace.

We offer our students, who come from a wide range of international backgrounds, a rigorous academic platform for what the World Economic Forum calls ‘academic literacies’, or the golden threads of any classical education.

Our GCSE and A-level programmes are complemented by bespoke courses such as the Diploma in Business Management and our well-established University Foundation Year (UFY), ensuring each student has a personalised academic pathway supported by the strongest university application counselling and careers guidance, which provides a springboard for high achievement, sustained self-motivation and ultimately, happiness.

The aim is to care for each child as though they were our own. This family environment provides guidance and support but encourages personal development and growing independence as our older teenagers learn to accept increasing responsibility for their own work, future plans and interpersonal relationships.

Our ethos is that a truly successful education includes so much that goes beyond the curriculum, so that sports, cultural activities and service opportunities can only enhance and enrich the academic experience. Character qualities such as initiative, persistence, curiosity and leadership are as important as academic literacies in developing the whole person.

With a background in leadership development and my own learning at UCL and Oxford, as well as a career in top schools in the UK and overseas, I am well-placed to manage an ambitious yet balanced offer of academic drive, enrichment, high-quality care and guidance so that all of our students may flourish.

Earlscliffe’s approach and ‘no stone unturned’ attitude has enabled students to enter some of the world’s most selective universities over the last decade. Whatever the future holds, I firmly believe that an Earlscliffe education gives you the very best chance to be ready, resilient, aware, knowledgeable and happy as you become a citizen of the 21st century.

We all very much look forward to welcoming you to Earlscliffe.

Joss Williams

Head Teacher

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 English and Maths test to complete (1 hour each) so we can determine your abilities in these areas and we will also arrange a student interview – this can be done online or in person if you are able to visit us.

At this stage we require:

• Application form
• Student passport
• School reports from your most recent school
• Any existing visa / proof of right to study if held
• Your choice of subjects – Click the course to see the forms: ITY    A Levels     UFY

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 application letter and 2 invoices; 1 for your registration fee and deposit – which needs to be paid to secure your place – and a 2nd invoice will be issued for your first term’s fees, plus a single room supplement for the whole year if applicable. You can find details of all our fees HERE and these are reviewed annually so maybe 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 prior to arrival. These will include;

• Guardianship forms
• Medical forms
• Parental Consent Letter
• Student Questionnaire
• Consent forms

You will continue to hear from us in the weeks and months preceding arrival. If you have any questions they will hopefully be answered as you read through the Student and Parent Guide sections below – or you can contact our team for more information.

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.

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.

We also need to record where students are at all times they are in the United Kingdom. Please help us with this by completing the required travel forms when requested (see sections on Travel and Holidays)

Who needs a visa?

Most international students joining Earlscliffe will need a visa.

You will not need an Earlscliffe sponsored visa if you come under one of the following categories:

• UK or Irish passport holder
• BNO dependent – please provide evidence.
• You have an existing EU pre-settlement scheme right to stay in the UK – please provide us with a share code; https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
• You have another visa allowing you the right to remain in the UK e.g Ukraine sponsorship  scheme – please provide evidence.

Students who have had a previous visa in the UK, for example at another school, should provide details of this during the application process.

Starting the visa application process

Earlscliffe uses the Dukes Education Visa and Immigration team to support you with your CAS issue (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) and starting your visa application correctly. A charge of £230 per CAS required will be added to your invoice. A new CAS will be required for each new course, for example; 1 CAS /visa for ITY and 1 CAS/visa for A-Levels

The invoice for the first term’s fees will be issued when we have your preliminary subject options as some subjects incur practical fees. On payment of the first term’s fees a member of the team will contact you to start the procedure. A receipt for payment will be forwarded to the email address connected to your invoice. You can also choose to pay for the full year up front – please tell the admissions team if you would prefer to do this.

Our Visa and Immigration team will need from you the following:

• Student Passport copy
• Birth Certificate copy – with certified English translation if applicable
• Signed Parental Consent Letter
• Proof of available funds (personal bank statement) to cover the school year ahead*
• Copies of both parents’ passports

*unless you are paying for the full year upfront.

The UKVI team will then ask for any other significant documentation in relation to your application.

For example; the student may, in some circumstances, also need a UKVI IELTS certificate with scores over 4 or a GCSE in English to apply for their visa.

When all documents are complete and in good order you will be sent a draft CAS for your approval. On approval they will issue the final document that you will use to proceed with your visa application. The CAS number will be what you need to input into your visa application.

What type of visa?

Students aged 18 and over or who are enrolled on the UFY (University Foundation Year) programme will be applying for a STUDENT visa. 

Students under 18 will apply for a CHILD STUDENT visa.

Visa application

Please note that while we will help and support you as much as possible through the visa application process, it is the responsibility of the student and their family to complete the application correctly. If you feel you need assistance in making the application or have more complex visa requirements, we recommend you consult an independent immigration advisor in your home country.

Once the process is complete you will receive confirmation of the issue of your visa. Please send this to your UKVI consultant.

EU students will also need to supply a share code – https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

International students will be supplied with a BRP (Biometric Residents Permit) which will be issued to them on arrival at school. (Please be aware these are being phased out over the next 2 years)

Visitor visas

Students who are attending Earlscliffe for a course of less than 6 months should attend using a visitor visa. Those on a visitor visa should avoid travelling regularly between home and school. They should always carry a copy of their acceptance letter and a completed Parental Consent Letter.

Students on a visitor visa will not have free treatment on the NHS (National Health Service) as if they were a resident – therefore adequate travel insurance should be arranged prior to travel.

Returning students

Students returning to Earlscliffe for the next academic year will need to check the validity of their current visa.

If you are changing course (e.g ITY to A-Level), you will probably need a new visa for the next stage of your education. 

Students with current BRP’s that expire on or after 1 November 2023

Returning students that need to renew their visa should arrive on Wednesday 6th September 2023 and their application will be processed on THURSDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2023. 

Students will be appointed to a time-slot where they will meet with our UKVI team who will assist with the visa application process. The meeting will take place in the Earlscliffe Main Building.

We will advise all students and their families of this time-slot in advance. Please make sure that the person responsible for the visa payment is also available at that time with a credit or debit card. The student will call when the payment is required.

The benefit of this service is that you will be free to travel over the summer holiday without being restricted to remaining in your country while the new visa is being applied for. 

Applying for your visa in the UK may mean, however, that you will need to remain at school** or with a guardian in the UK during the half term break at the end of October.

**usual half term accommodation costs will apply

If you would prefer to make your visa application in your own country during the summer holiday, please let us know by emailing admissions@earlscliffe.co.uk. 

Students with current BRP’s that expire before 1 November 2023

You will need to make your new application before your current BRP expires. 

You can do this in your home country and stay within your home country during the period of application or you can do this in the UK – but will have to remain in the UK until the new visa is issued. Any applications made within the UK can only be submitted 3 months prior to course start date.

We will contact you to start this process as soon as possible.

Guardians

In setting the highest standards of safeguarding and for the welfare of every student, we require parents who do not live permanently in the UK to appoint a guardian on behalf of their son/daughter, regardless of their age. Arrangements for this 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 confirmation from the parents confirming the care arrangements as part of the visa application.

A guardian is not a student’s legal guardian and so does not have legal rights to make major decisions relating to the student. Such rights remain with the parents. However, guardians are the parents’ representatives in the UK and are essential in times of emergency. They have a student welfare role, bridging the gap between parents, the student and the school and in some cases acting as a translator.

During term time Earlscliffe is legally responsible for each student’s welfare and undertakes parentally delegated responsibilities. However, there are times (holidays, illness, suspension, personal ‘off site’ visits etc) when Earlscliffe must be able to hand over these responsibilities to an appointed guardian. In addition, those students who are under 16 years old on arrival must have an active guardian who will organise all travel, trips and accommodation outside of school. This can be a heavy responsibility so we strongly recommend a guardianship agency is used rather than a friend or relative.

You can find a list of Guardianship Agencies here who are AEGIS accredited online: www.aegisuk.net  You can search for local agencies who have both Gold and Preliminary Accredited status and we suggest you search under the ‘Kent’ region.

Alternatively parents can contact the Boarding Schools Association for further advice.

 You will agree that the duties of a guardian include the following:

• To be a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week point of contact in an emergency throughout the school term.
• To be able to accommodate the student (in a host family if applicable) when Earlscliffe is closed, in an emergency, in case of a long term health issue or in a case of suspension from Earlscliffe.
• To offer assistance with travel to and from Earlscliffe at the beginning and end of term.
• To ensure arrival and departure times comply with the Earlscliffe published term dates/times.
• To communicate travel arrangements to Earlscliffe at least two weeks before the student leaves or returns to Earlscliffe, giving exact travel and accommodation details.
• To arrange proper care and supervised accommodation for any days when the student is in the UK but not at Earlscliffe.
• To ensure the student does not stay in a hotel during such times unless supervised by a responsible adult (over 21).
• To give permission in the parents’ place for other arrangements where the student will be away from Earlscliffe for example school trips or visits to friends.
• To give permission in the parents’ place for the student to participate in activities for which extra charges may be payable, for example music lessons.
• To provide educational support, for example attending parents’ meetings in place of the parents.
• To communicate in the parents’ place with Earlscliffe regarding the student’s wellbeing

Parents should complete the Guardianship appointment form prior to arrival.

The appointed Guardian should complete the Guardian responsibility form prior to arrival and send their id and prof of address to admissions@earlscliffe.co.uk.

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 available below and will be on display in your boarding houses. The standard of our dress code is professional business dress. Casual clothing is not permitted during lesson time. Extremely valuable items of clothing should not be brought to school. Any requests for variations to this dress code on cultural or religious grounds will be considered by the Head Teacher on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Dress Code – evenings and weekends

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.

Formal attire: We hold formal dinners and parties throughout the year and the highlight is the Valedictory dinner in the summer term, so it is useful to have an outfit of formal attire (Black tie or evening dress) including appropriate shoes!

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

Packing

Click here: 2023 24 Packing List for our useful packing list which you can print and use to prepare your bags.

Packing tips & Storage

• Firstly, remember that everything you bring you will probably need to carry! You may also need to pack it up to move rooms during the holidays, so it is best not to bring an excess of anything. Also, your bedroom may be 2, 3 or even 4 flights of stairs up!
• Your room will have a wardrobe / hanging space, shelves, drawers and hooks to store your personal belongings and your room should be kept tidy at all times. Students are permitted to decorate their room (or their area in a shared room) with personal items such as photographs and posters within the designated area. These must be suitable and appropriate for a school environment. Nothing should be stuck to walls but you can use the pinboard provided. Your room will be regularly checked by your House Manager. Suitcases will have to be fully unpacked and then stored.
• Folkestone and the surrounding cities are exceptionally well served for shops. You can buy most of what you need here. (Just remember you will need to take it home again!)
• It is worth noting that now the UK has left the EU posting and using a courier to send items to/from home has now become very restricted and extremely expensive. It is likely to be cheaper to purchase extra baggage options on your flight rather than to send anything. If you have something that needs to be sent, you will need an itemised list of the contents and values of all items. Many items are not allowed to be sent at all.
• 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 for you.
• You may wish to bring a supply of face masks (plain; no slogans) – in case needed when travelling.
• Students are expected to bring a laptop with charger / adaptor.
• For some subjects you will also find a scientific calculator useful.
• Students will find a mobile phone essential.
• You will need an adaptor and charging cables (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! f51.co.uk
• It is recommended that students add name labels into their clothes.
• At the end of each term we will collect unwanted clothing and books for charity.

You should not bring…

• Fridges, mini-ovens, microwaves, rice cookers, kettles, or any electric appliance in a student room which the school may deem either potentially dangerous or unsuitable. If you are unsure, please ask before you pack it. All students will have access to a student kitchen.
• Valuable 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.
• Any pets, including fish, birds or hamsters!
• 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.
• 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.

Here is our TRAVEL guidance for all of our holiday periods.

Please read through all of the details on travel below and if necessary please use an online translation tool for full understanding.

This section is quite comprehensive as it encompasses safety, safeguarding and immigration compliance. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Travel Dates

• Earlscliffe term dates can be found on our website HERE
• All students should leave / arrive on the indicated ‘Travel Days’
• On travel DEPARTURE days, students should leave the boarding house AFTER 07:00 and be gone by the time indicated on the relevant travel email e.g 18:00. This means that flights should be booked for departure times AFTER midday (12:00).
  • Students may also leave AFTER lessons (between 17:00 and 20:00) on the day before travel day.
  • Students cannot be accommodated in the boarding houses after travel day except in the instance of Half Term and then, only when a place has been booked and confirmed in advance.
• On travel ARRIVAL days students should arrive between 08:00 and 18:00, and certainly no later than 21:00. 
  • Students MUST NOT return to the boarding houses before travel arrival days as there is no provision to accommodate them.
• In exceptional circumstances where students cannot leave or arrive on the specified dates, and at the designated times, permission for leave MUST be requested from the Head Teacher prior to making your travel arrangements.
• Please be reminded that part of visa compliance is to adhere to the term dates as published.
• We understand the constraints of international travel. Please plan ahead, keep within the guidance of this document and regularly review the published term dates.
• Please be aware that we have 140 students travelling from 30 different countries into at least 7 points of entry into the UK. Encourage your child to speak to their peers and see if you can coordinate their travel with other students. 

For every holiday the travel coordinator will send out a form for completion. 

• The travel form will be sent to parents and guardians on our records.
• The travel form will also be available on the parent portal.
• This form must be completed by a parent or the guardian we have on the student record and not by the student, even if they are over 18.
• This form should be completed by the deadline indicated. If this is not possible the reason should be sent to travel@earlscliffe.co.uk. We have to process 140 forms for each travel session and adhering to the deadlines is appreciated because it allows for efficient planning; in particular for school transfers – see below.
• Forms should be completed as accurately as possible. Please ensure you know your child’s Boarding House information and visa status.
• These details form a record for immigration compliance purposes and also for safeguarding and safety. It is important that we know exactly when we should expect a student to leave or return.
• If changes occur prior to travel please submit a NEW form.
• If changes occur within 24 HOURS of travel please email travel@earlscliffe.co.uk, message the travel phone: +44 (0)7842 408689 or contact the students’ House Manager. Please ensure you get an acknowledgement.

Travelling to/from airports

• Travel times
  • We recommend allowing 5 hours prior to flight departure time to travel and check in for all London airports. This is why departing flights should be booked after midday as students can only leave the boarding house from 07:00. Students taking morning flights will need to leave during the evening prior to flight departure and be accommodated by their guardian.

Examples:

• Flight time 05:50 on Travel Day – Depart school 17:00 – 20:00 day before and stay with guardian
• Flight time 13:00 on Travel Day – Depart school 07:00 – 08:00
• Flight time 22:00 on Travel Day – Depart school 16:00 – 17:00 on Travel Day or earlier if desired

School Arranged Transfers

• School arranged transfers are transfers organised by the school with our local trusted suppliers. If you are arranging your own transfer please use the ‘Private Transfer’ option.
• As much as possible we try to make sure school arranged transfers are shared. This is for the good of the environment and for sharing transfer charges. Shared transfers are subject to change due to the nature of international flights and are never guaranteed. 
• School arranged transfer prices can be seen HERE
• School arranged transfers are added to your termly invoice. 
• School arranged transfers are usually confirmed 2-3 days prior to travel due to the logistics involved in coordinating these transfers. Where possible we will confirm them sooner but this relies on everyone submitting their forms by the required deadlines.
• Our transfer providers are exceptional in their service. They will wait if the student is delayed and be as flexible as possible. Waiting charges may apply. 
• We strongly recommend students use our transfer service for their safety and in particular when they are new to travelling in the UK and not familiar with the rail network. We do not recommend that students use UBER services or unregistered taxis at the airport.

Travelling to/from London by train (for onward UK rail travel or for Eurostar services)

• Please consult https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/ for rail travel information. 
• There has recently been regular strike action on our network and also weekend engineering works. Please check the route before travel. 
• If we become aware of significant rail travel issues we will do our best to inform you.
• If students travel regularly on the train it may be worth purchasing a railcard for discounted travel: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/tickets/ways-to-save/railcards
• Students should message their house manager when leaving London on a return journey.
• The nearest station to school is FOLKESTONE CENTRAL. Journey time to LONDON ST PANCRAS is approx 52 minutes.

London St Pancras is the location of Eurostar services and is adjacent to King’s Cross station.

• London Heathrow airport can be reached from St Pancras directly on the PICCADILLY LINE 
• London Gatwick Airport can be reached from St Pancras directly on the Thameslink service
• London City airport can be reached from STRATFORD INTERNATIONAL (the stop before St Pancras) on the DLR service
• London Luton can be reached from St Pancras directly on the Thameslink service with a shuttle bus at the end from Luton station Interchange
• London Stansted  – there are no direct routes by train. We recommend seeking advice or booking a school transfer.

When Travelling

• Students should make sure they have the travel phone number – +44 (0)7842 408689,  their House Manager’s number, their guardians number and the school number saved in their phone at all times.
• Students should make sure their phones are sufficiently charged prior to arrival or have the means to do so e.g a backup battery pack / charging cable to use in the airport. 
• 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. We recommend the purchase of an airtag or tile tracker for their main luggage in case it goes astray so it can be traced.
• Students should carry:
  • Their passport
  • Their Biometric residence permit (BRP) if applicable.
  • A copy of their Earlscliffe acceptance letter
  • A copy of the parental consent letter. 
  • A method of payment in case needed.

Unaccompanied minor service

It is crucial you advise us if a student is travelling on an airline Unaccompanied Minor service so we can ensure that we send the driver with the correct documentation. This is usually applicable to students age 14 / 15 but only with some airlines. There is a £65 supplement for the Unaccompanied Minor transfer service.

Weekend leave during term time

If students wish to leave school at the weekend and will be away overnight the Weekend Leave Request form should be completed by the parent or listed guardian. 

Day leave should be discussed with the students’ House Manager and a Day Leave form completed by the student.

Weekend leave is not available during exam dates – see Term Dates.

Please remember

• The safety of all of our students is paramount.
• Even if students are over 18, have a high level of independence, or have lots of travel experience we must still be aware of when to expect a student’s arrival. This must be as accurate and up to date as possible for everyone’s peace of mind.
• Please submit your forms in line with the guidance above and please keep in touch!

For any questions regarding travel please email travel@earlscliffe.co.uk

Arrivals day – New students

The arrivals day for new students for the start of the academic year 2023/2024 is THURSDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2023.

New students should aim to arrive between 0800 and 1800 so you can be greeted by a member of our admissions team.

Please ensure the travel information form is completed prior to arrival so we know how and when to expect you. This will be sent to you at least 2 weeks prior to your anticipated arrival.

On arrival we will collect from you your passport and any cash you would like to be kept safe for you.

If you are in possession of any medications you will then meet with the nurse.

You will then receive your boarding house allocation and someone will show you to your house, and to your bedroom. You will have time to rest and recover from your journey and have something to eat and drink. Most importantly you will meet your new house manager and fellow housemates.

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.

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, meet with the nurse, set up your computer and email, have your photo taken and be shown around. You will wear uniform on this day and it will be checked by your house manager.

The induction day for the start of the academic year 2023/2024 is FRIDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2023.

The first 4 Saturdays

On your first 4 Saturdays at Earlscliffe you will take part in a set of 4 introductory trips to London, Deal, Dover and around Folkestone. These trips are compulsory for all new students. You will be put in groups of up to 20 students – who will mostly be new like you and you will take part in a wide variety of team building and fact finding activities. There may also be a few of our returning students joining you too who are great people to answer your questions!

The first 4 Sundays

On your first 4 Sundays you will have free time to settle in. There will be optional activities which you can take part in such as a shopping excursion – in case you have forgotten something – time to discover the local sporting facilities or a leisurely trip to the city of Canterbury

Your first day in lessons

The first day of lessons for the start of the academic year 2023/2024 is MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2023.

Homesickness and worries

We understand that you 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. Your House Manager is like having a parent to speak to but you can choose a teacher or another member of staff that you feel comfortable speaking with. 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

• You 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 your worries inside – there is always a solution to a problem, however big or small. Nobody will judge you for asking for help – this is something we celebrate and value amongst everyone in our school community.
• If you are worried 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 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 Manager about your reasons.
• An independent listener can be arranged for you to talk to. This is someone not involved in the school who can give you an impartial view on your thoughts and feelings about school. The details of this service are on the noticeboards in every building and also in your school diary.

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, the Bursar (finance) and most of our offices.

29 Westbourne Gardens – Girls House

25 Grimston Gardens – Girls House

26 Grimston Gardens – Boys House – also known as Flowergate. You will find the Science classrooms on the ground floor and further classrooms on the first floor. Our academic administrator, SENDco, University advisor and multi faith room can also be found here.

47 Earls Avenue – Boys House

10 Julian Road – Boys House – also known as Goldschmidt House – see ‘Our History‘

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. Before you leave you will be sure to have met all 141 other students!

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. All electrical items are off. (Please do not leave anything – switched on, and on your bed!)
8. All dirty laundry is in your basket and if it is laundry day put out.

From time to time you will be given feedback regarding the tidiness of your room. There are rewards available for consistent and courteous tidiness.

Boarding house meetings will be held weekly and you will be expected to attend.

Laundry

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

Year 13 are expected to do their own laundry (clothing) 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 Manager / on a rota basis.

We recommend 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 done as required.

Students should keep 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.

A week at Earlscliffe

Monday to Friday afternoon

Friday evening

Saturday

Sunday

Late night passes: Boarders may sign-out for either Friday or Saturday evening, but not both. A Late Pass will be issued by the House Manager, thereby allowing a student to sign-out.

The issuing of Late Passes is entirely at the House Manager’s discretion and non-issue may be caused by under-performance academically or non-adherence to house rules or conduct of any nature found unacceptable by any member of staff. At all times, we must know where you are going. A Late Pass entitles the holder to return to their boarding house no later than 2230hrs. Late returners risk serious sanctions.

Late passes may be earned through the rewards system or may be issued in exceptional circumstances e.g a birthday, parents visit etc. Please submit your request to your House Manager at least one week prior to the requested date.

Day leave at weekends and weekend leave: For a student’s weekend leave that involves 1 night or more away from school a parent or guardian must submit a request using the ‘Weekend Leave Request form’ supplying all details accordingly. This must be received by 17:30 on the Monday prior to the weekend in question. Day Leave requests at the weekend can be requested by the student from their House Manager who will provide them with a form to complete and then discuss their plans with them.

All leave requests may be refused if we do not feel we have adequate information about where the student will be or whom the student will be with.

Leave of absence: We strive to maintain the integrity of the term dates for all concerned. Any leave of absence that includes missing lessons, examinations or compulsory activities, including days at the beginning or end of term, may only be requested under exceptional circumstances and with at least a week’s notice. Please submit requests in writing to the Head Teacher – Mr Williams.

Meal times

All meals are available in main building at the following times:

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.

Students who are age 15 or under on the 1st September 2023 must register with a member of staff in the Main Building for Breakfast and Dinner.

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

House Kitchen / Take-aways.

Students may keep food in the fridge 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. 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 asking 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 Chinese New Year where we theme the menu accordingly.

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 peers.
• Students must attend all lessons and complete all work set according to deadlines.
• Students must be present for weekly TRaC™ tests.
• 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 it is 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. TRaC™ test results are available in the parent portal each week.

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 prior to coming to the UK these must be declared on admission so that a plan may be actioned as appropriate.

We have a dedicated UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Advisor  – Anna Burkett  – within school who can advise all students on their ambitions and the best pathway to get there. All students will be enrolled with Unifrog.org to build their portfolio and help process any submissions.

Laptops and technology

Students can bring laptops to use in lessons and during study times. We recommend a Windows based product as this works most efficiently with the programs we use.

All students have access to our local WiFi connection at Earlscliffe but must adhere to our Acceptable Use of ICT Policy. This will form part of the induction.  You will also be signed up for a school email address prior to arrival – please look out for the link on your personal email and follow the instructions.

All classrooms have clevertouch screen technology which is interactive and students are encouraged to experience using these.

Sports, Culture and Service Programme (SCS)

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 after lunch students can elect to join a different club or society to further their interests or take part a volunteering activity.

Examples of such activities include; Drone Club, Book Club, Chess Club, Model United Nations, Marketing Union, Photography, First Aid skills, Volunteering, Journalism club, Yearbook club.

New Timetable

From September 2023 we will be operating a modified timetable to allow for a longer lunchtime and more space in the dining areas.

The timetable will be split by year group as shown below.

School Holidays

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. All students must vacate their rooms for the Easter and Summer holiday periods. 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.

For students who can not travel or stay with a guardian/host family during the holidays we can offer some options within school:

• Half Terms: A study and activity programme is on offer to Earlscliffe students only, at an additional cost.
• Christmas: No student accommodation available
• Easter: No student accommodation available
• Summer:  No student accommodation available

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. This includes an increased level of awareness of respect for different responses to the pandemic. 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, but the House Managers are the key point of contact as, aside from teachers, they will spend the most time with each student.
• 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 Managers supported by the Assistant Head – Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead, will check each room 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 Manager 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.

School nurse

• The School nurse is available Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00 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 Manager 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 General Practitioner (GP) (doctor). Students on visitor visas will require Travel insurance to cover these services.
• Professional counselling may be arranged with the parents’ consent. Registration can only take place once the school receives the completed Medical Information Form.
• Prior to arrival you will need to complete a comprehensive health questionnaire for your child, and this will be reviewed by the Head of Pastoral Care and the Nurse.
• 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.

Sensitive issues

If you need to make us aware of any sensitive issues surrounding your child, please send this direct to the Assistant Head – Pastoral (Head of Boarding) and Designated Safeguarding Lead; Sithaar Harkhu

Who should I contact if I have a concern about my child?

Pastoral concerns (friendship, wellbeing) – Assistant Head – Pastoral

They will liaise with the House Manager, Group tutor, Head of year, Deputy Head – Academic and Head Teacher as needed.

Academic concerns (engagement in lessons, curriculum concerns) – Deputy Head – Academic

They will liaise with the student’s subject teacher, Group tutor, Head of year, House Manager, Assistant Head – Pastoral as necessary

Financial concerns (payment of fees, finances) –Bursar

Travel concerns (arrangements for start/ end of term, weekend leave) – contact travel@earlscliffe.co.uk and one of our travel team will get back to you.

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 boarding house and in each students’ school diary.

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 for you and you can access it during school hours. Pocket money brought in cash will be kept by our bursar and can be accessed Monday to Friday before 5pm.
• 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. 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.
• The buildings are not manned at all times. Bedrooms must be locked when you are not in it. You will have a key/code for the front door. You must check the front door is locked when you leave the building. You must not lend your door key to anyone else for any reason. If you lose your key, you must inform a member of the house staff immediately. Door codes must remain confidential at all times.
• Students should be vigilant when walking between buildings and in the local areas and should try not to walk alone. If they have any concerns or get lost they should consult with a member of staff so that they can be assisted accordingly. A torch will be provided to each student.
• Students will be provided with a torch for use when out in the evenings.

Sports and Activities

The activities coordinator is called Miss Fuller. She will help you organise any type of activity and will also organise excursions that you can join throughout the year. Keep an eye on the notice boards in the main building common room and school house for more details on what is coming up.

Regular activities include;

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

Trips include;

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

PLEASE speak out about what you are interested in, where you want to go and what you would like to do.  Miss Fuller will happily help you organise activities to make your Earlscliffe experience a great one. If you want to ask her any questions prior to arrival please email her: lucyfuller@earlscliffe.co.uk

Folkestone sports centre (including gym and swimming pool)

All students can use the local sports centre for gym sessions (induction must be completed first) and for use of the swimming pool. We will help you to understand the rules of the gym and pool. There is a small fee for booking the tennis or squash court, or to take part in fitness classes, but the gym and pool are free of charge to Earlscliffe students. www.folkestonesportscentre.co.uk

Interact and Duke of Edinburgh

Interact – This is the youth section of Rotary International and our club was the first Rotary club in the world to be chartered since Covid! The group meet weekly and work on projects to raise charitable funds, get involved in the local community and have lots of fun. Last year they even arranged a sleepout in the garden to raise awareness for the homeless. www.rotary.org

Duke of Edinburgh – 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

Being a part of both the above societies is an excellent addition to your future CV / University application.

Other information

Mobile phones

 Now an essential part of life, mobile phones are the best way for you to communicate when away from home and for us to keep in touch with you.

• You will have access to WIFI in school (turns off in the boarding houses after lights out) and most places across the UK have some form of WIFI access for free browsing.
• You may find it cheaper to get a UK sim or phone deal if you are here for the whole year. Please check if your handset can accommodate this.
• You will not be able to use your phones in lessons, during study time or in the dining room – they are for your personal time only.
• Please download the app ‘Whatsapp’ before arrival. This means we can add you to your House group and Activity groups and keep you connected with everything going on in school. This is how your House Manager will keep in touch with you.

Social media

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

Local wildlife

 Kent is often considered the garden of England and within the area of school you will come across some of the local wildlife.

• Seagulls – they will stalk and steal your dinner – do not leave your food unattended outside!
• Squirrels – whilst cute they are still wild animals – however a local family of squirrels do regularly visit the Physics lab where you can come and meet them with Mr Dalidovich our Physics teacher.
• Foxes – Again the youngsters are cute, but they should be left alone and not fed.
• Seals and Dolphins – have been spotted off the coastline near us

For more information on Kent wildlife: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

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 TRaC™ results, travel forms and other useful information during your child’s time at Earlscliffe.

School diary

This year all students will be gifted an Earlscliffe school diary on arrival in which they can record information about their time at school and organise their homework and free time in equal measure. It also includes useful information about school, rules and skills for the future.

Forums and whole school services

Every week each student will attend forum with their year group during one of their Group Tutor sessions. 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 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.

Supper clubs

Each term we host Supper clubs for different groups of students where we bring in outside speakers to inspire us about their journey through life. We encourage students to interact and ask questions and help them to grow in confidence in starting conversations with people they do not know.

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 and 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 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 June. We acknowledge and congratulate all of our graduates. Invitations will be sent before the end of Hilary term and spaces are limited.

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. The school number is covered 24/7 by an on-duty member of staff however 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 address in the UK and should be used for all correspondence / post / parcels and visits.

School Phone Number: 0044 (0) 1303 253 951.

School Email: admissions@earlscliffe.co.uk – your enquiry will be directed according to your request.

You can contact our Key members of staff by clicking HERE and reading their profile.

You can reach the admissions team HERE.