Boarding schools require all international students to have a Guardian aged over 25 who is a resident in the UK.
Whilst schools are responsible for your child’s welfare during the school term, there are many times, such as exeats, half terms, holidays or when your child is sick, when the responsibility falls to the Educational Guardian to take care of your child.
In studying abroad, your child is embarking on the educational adventure of a lifetime. In essence, a guardian acts as the safety net. A guardian ensures that your child gains all the benefits and opportunities of adventure, independence, confidence and new experiences, without the accompanying risk. A guardian gives you peace of mind.
What does Pippa’s Guardians do?
Whilst Pippa’s Guardians’ are caring for your child, they will carry out the following responsibilities:
Your child’s Area Manager will regularly visit your child in their boarding school to provide ongoing communication back to you, the parent. Your Area Manager will take a genuine interest in the wellbeing of your child and these regular visits reflects the personal service we pride ourselves on.
Appoint a friendly, welcoming and fully inspected host family, which is close to your child’s school. The host family provides a home for your child during all weekend breaks, half terms and holidays (as needed), according to your child’s requirements.
Greet your child upon their arrival into the UK, and make all personal travel arrangements for weekend breaks, half terms and holidays.
Arrange visits to schools or universities for interviews.
Supervise your child’s school uniform.
Manage your child’s pocket money.
Provide genuine pastoral care and take an interest in your child’s progress at school both academically and in their personal development as they grow into adults.
Support your child’s academic progress and attend parent/teacher meetings when required.
Represent both you as parents and your child’s needs through good communication with your child’s school and host families.
Assist you with Visa applications and Police Registrations.
Organise the purchase of UK mobile SIM cards.
Assist with opening UK bank accounts.
In the event of a crisis, Pippa’s Guardians will support your child by providing advice and assistance. Guardians are on call 24 hours every day to help you and your child with any difficulties or problems that may arise.
Provide support, help and advice on medical issues and counselling.
Advise and assist you regarding placements with future schools including handling the applications for you. They will also organise suitable English Language and revision courses for the holidays when needed.
Why choose Pippa’s Guardians?
We understand how difficult it can be to give your child the opportunity of studying overseas. The trust required to put your child on a plane to the UK (and the courage required to get on it) is appreciable. We know we can’t possibly replicate what you do as parents, but we do promise that we will be the next best thing to a parent we can be, and provide the vital link to enable you to continue as parents from afar.
Our team of dedicated and experienced Area Managers have special responsibility to you and your child ensuring their academic success and pastoral welfare. All our Area Managers are located close to your child’s school to offer responsive and continuous support. They have personal knowledge of all the schools our students attend and act as mentor and advocate for your child, in your absence. With twice termly visits, they have a genuine interest in the academic and personal development of your child while they are studying in the UK. If required, they will ensure you are represented at Parent Teacher meetings. They have expert knowledge of the boarding school system and university application, all of which ensure your child is getting the very best out of their experience of studying in the UK.
"The Pippa’s difference lies in our values. We go the extra mile because we care about the students we look after, not just because it’s our job."
"The Pippa’s difference lies in finding out what will make the difference to your child’s experience in the UK."
The Pippa’s difference lies in the small details. Like all Guardianship companies we will keep your child safe and support him or her in an efficient, timely way. But our commitment extends beyond that to the broader support we will give your child in achieving his or her potential. It might be arranging a quiet host family in the holiday before exams, or smoothing out teething problems with homework. It could lie in buying new shoes when feet experience a sudden growth spurt or going to watch your child perform in the school play. It might simply be a question of storing luggage and large musical instruments over the summer holiday.
Why choose Pippa’s Guardians?
We understand how difficult it can be to give your child the opportunity of studying overseas. The trust required to put your child on a plane to the UK (and the courage required to get on it) is appreciable. We know we can’t possibly replicate what you do as parents, but we do promise that we will be the next best thing to a parent we can be, and provide the vital link to enable you to continue as parents from afar.
"The Pippa’s difference lies in our values. We go the extra mile because we care about the students we look after, not just because it’s our job."
"The Pippa’s difference lies in finding out what will make the difference to your child’s experience in the UK."
The Pippa’s difference lies in the small details. Like all Guardianship companies we will keep your child safe and support him or her in an efficient, timely way. But our commitment extends beyond that to the broader support we will give your child in achieving his or her potential. It might be arranging a quiet host family in the holiday before exams, or smoothing out teething problems with homework. It could lie in buying new shoes when feet experience a sudden growth spurt or going to watch your child perform in the school play. It might simply be a question of storing luggage and large musical instruments over the summer holiday.
Correspondence with Rachel Wright in our Admissions team on admissions@pippasguardians.co.uk: We understand that this is a very important decision to make and that you will have lots of questions. This first stage takes as long as you need to be certain that Pippa’s is the right Guardianship service for your family.
Complete registration form: When you have decided that you would like to use Pippa’s the next stage is to complete a Registration form giving us important information about your child and confirming that you agree with our terms & conditions
Area Manager introductions: Once we have received the agreement we will introduce you to your Area Manager.
Confirm Guardianship with School: At this point you will need to confirm with the School that you have appointed Pippa’s Guardians. If we don’t already have close links with the School we will introduce ourselves to the School at this stage too.
Appoint host family: Next we will match your child with one of our host families close to the School and send you information about the family.
Preparations: We will make all the necessary arrangements for all family members coming to the UK, co-ordinating travel and accommodation as well as uniform purchase and so on.
Meet & greet: The Area Manager will come to meet you in person. Wherever possible, they will also arrange a meeting with the host family.
Once your child is at School our on-going programme of visits and support starts.