How we are helping our students to travel home
Travelling alone can be a daunting thought for anyone, yet every year thousands of children travel independently to come to the UK to study, more often than not without a hitch. However since the beginning of the pandemic, students have faced more and more travel related challenges. Flight cancellations, delays, crowding at airports, pre departure testing, fit to fly paperwork, the list goes on.
Planning your child’s travel from another country is tough anyway, but assisting them with an unexpected change or issue is near impossible, so it is essential that your child has someone close by they can call upon, who is reliable and will be guaranteed to help and rush to their side if needed.
Pippa’s has 25 years’ experience of helping students navigate this side of their UK education journey and have adapted our practices to ensure the level of support and knowledge we offer is always of the highest standard.
It is our job to be there for your child. Nothing will ever be more important.
As the end of the 2022 school year approached, we worked closely with schools and parents to ensure that the journey home for our international students went as smoothly as possible.
With entry requirements of countries continuously changing, as well as varying local landing policies and airline guidance, there were many barriers to overcome. As we learned of changes, our Travel Team and Area Managers were able to liaise with their students and parents as well as schools to ensure that all requirements were met and last minute changes reacted to.
Our network of amazing host families and supportive Area Managers were able to accompany students for pre departure testing as well as hosting near their departure airports when required. Some of our younger students also needed chaperoning until being handed over to the airline staff.
We have also had Pippa’s Area Managers stationed at various airports on the main travel days to provide assistance and reassurance and help our students navigate the often complicated paperwork required for travel and ensure no student was left to deal with any issues alone.
Here of some examples of when we were able to step in and help students safely return home to their families:
Hayato, a student at Cheltenham College Prep School, travelled to the airport with one of our Pippa’s approved taxi companies. When he arrived at the airport there was a problem with his ticket and he was not permitted to fly. The taxi driver called the Pippa’s duty phone which was being manned by one of our Regional Managers Sally, who was staying at a hotel close to the airport to provide support to our students travelling over the weekend. The driver took Hayato to meet Sally where they had dinner together before Sally took him to a local host family to rest for the night until his flight had been rearranged.
An early flight was booked for the following morning and Sally accompanied Hayato to the airport where he happily boarded his flight and returned home to Japan.
Hayato
Megan
On an extremely busy morning at Heathrow airport Megan was having trouble checking in to her flight to return home for the summer. She called the Pippa’s duty phone which was manned by Indy, one of our Area Managers who was already at the airport on stand by to assist any students needing help. Indy headed over to the Cathay Pacific desk to find Megan who was having problems downloading the ‘Ready to Fly’ ap on her phone. Indy was able to help Megan provide the airline staff with printed documentation instead which once inspected was approved and so Megan was able to pass through to security and into departures. Her flight was delayed by 45 minutes but Indy was at the airport available to update parents and ensure Megan’s departed safely.
Megan
On an extremely busy morning at Heathrow airport Megan was having trouble checking in to her flight to return home for the summer. She called the Pippa’s duty phone which was manned by Indy, one of our Area Managers who was already at the airport on stand by to assist any students needing help. Indy headed over to the Cathay Pacific desk to find Megan who was having problems downloading the ‘Ready to Fly’ ap on her phone. Indy was able to help Megan provide the airline staff with printed documentation instead which once inspected was approved and so Megan was able to pass through to security and into departures. Her flight was delayed by 45 minutes but Indy was at the airport available to update parents and ensure Megan’s departed safely.
Jit
Jit from Eton College was accompanied by his Pippa’s Area Manager Indy, to get a PCR test the day before his flight home to Hong Kong. Indy was at the airport with him the following morning to ensure he safely checked in and successfully travelled home.
Jit
Jit from Eton College was accompanied by his Pippa’s Area Manager Indy, to get a PCR test the day before his flight home to Hong Kong. Indy was at the airport with him the following morning to ensure he safely checked in and successfully travelled home.
Bono
Bono from Sherborne Boys School who was accompanied by his HF Meryl and Paulo to the test centre. They patiently waited with him for his results and stayed at the airport until he had safely boarded the plane.
Bono
Bono from Sherborne Boys School who was accompanied by his HF Meryl and Paulo to the test centre. They patiently waited with him for his results and stayed at the airport until he had safely boarded the plane.
Vanessa
Vanessa who studies at Millfield School, hasn’t been able to travel home for 2 years due to Covid. Her Area Manager Touche, accompanied her for a PCR test the day before her flight, they had dinner in China Town and stayed in a hotel close to Heathrow airport overnight. Vanessa was then happily checked in at 4am the next morning for her flight home.
Vanessa
Vanessa who studies at Millfield School, hasn’t been able to travel home for 2 years due to Covid. Her Area Manager Touche, accompanied her for a PCR test the day before her flight, they had dinner in China Town and stayed in a hotel close to Heathrow airport overnight. Vanessa was then happily checked in at 4am the next morning for her flight home.
Jiayi
Jiayi who studied at Westminster School, was planning to visit Europe this summer but had problems obtaining the correct visa. Her Area Manager was there to support her during her appointment at the visa centre so she could enjoy her summer in Europe.
Jiayi
Jiayi who studied at Westminster School, was planning to visit Europe this summer but had problems obtaining the correct visa. Her Area Manager was there to support her during her appointment at the visa centre so she could enjoy her summer in Europe.