Covid-19 - Guidance for Agents

Guidance for Agents

BOX HILL SCHOOL

CONTENTS Frequently Asked Questions Admissions page 3 Campus/Student Safety page 4 Financial page 4 Government/Regulatory Requirements page 8 Medical page 8 Teaching and Learning page 9

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UK Government Covid-19 Response

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

ADMISSIONS

Q A

Phone contact with school can be difficult with staff home working.

Phone contact will be available with our Registrar during normal UK office hours and also with our Director of Admissions by arrangement. All phone and email contact with staff which the school normally has for parents is readily provided during these times as well. For example, all House Parents can be contacted in the normal manner.

Q

What are the acceptance arrangements given the current situation with awarding IGCSEs?

A

The school is happy to adopt a more flexible approach to IGCSE/ GCSE results. We will scrutinise carefully the most recent school reports and take account of the responses given at interview.

Q

When promoting Virtual Open Events and Webinars, it is important to emphasise the benefit of using agents to support applications.

A

We will be working with our agents to support parents and any attendance at Open Events will be by invitation through agents and only made directly once an offer has been made through an agency.

Q

Parents choosing a school without visiting is a risk. What are we doing to help?

A

The school has a comprehensive website which has a 360 virtual tour of the school. We will try to respond to any reasonable request with respect to a visit to the site which may be able to take place with appropriate social distancing.

Q A

Clear and open communication is vital.

The school has endeavoured to keep our valued agents abreast of all the information we are providing to parents regarding our plans to re-open and support overseas students. As the situation evolves over the coming weeks we will continue to update stakeholders as frequently as necessary.

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

CAMPUS/STUDENT SAFETY

Q

Is the school working on a risk reduction policy for students in September?

A

Yes - absolutely, we will follow all government guidance but also consider our own rigorous health and safety policies to ensure that the School environment is safe for pupils and staff.

Q

Will students be able to wear face masks at school and more generally locally?

A

Current guidance is that masks may not be necessary in School so it may not be compulsory but every student will be permitted to make their own choice.

Q

Will students be able to be tested for Covid-19 if needed? What happens with quarantine if guardians cannot accept them?

A

The Government strategy for coming out of lockdown is centred around a test and trace approach and therefore we expect testing facilities to be available and we will ensure these are accesible to students who need them. We expect to be able to provide accomodation if required for quarantine purposes.

Q

How will the school deal with hygiene measures now in place and with social distancing, especially in boarding houses. Will contact sports take place?

A

The School has a diligent and well trained cleaning team who will continue to provide a safe, clean and hygienic environment when the School reopens. Contact sports and all other activities will continue to be subject to detailed risk assessment to make sure that, as always, the safety and welfare of the children is put first. Activities will only restart when it is deemed safe to do so and are in line with government guidelines.

Q

Parents need to be reaasured about the measures schools are putting into place.

A

We will be open and transparent about all of our plans for re-opening.

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

Q

Will school provide quarantine and will students be able to remain at school during October Half-Term?

A

Yes to both if required. The School made extensive plans to provide accomodation over the Easter holidays, these were ulitmately not needed but remain relevant to future holidays so we are ready to provide all necessary support to boarders who may not be able to return home for the half term break.

Please note that Box Hill School has adopted the BSA Covid-Safe Charter which sets out the rigorous requirements that we will comply with when boarding reopens.

Please find the link to the Charter here: https://bit.ly/BSACharter

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

FINANCIAL

Q

Parents are looking more favourably on schools with a flexible policy on refunds and withdrawals.

A

We will not be amending Terms and Conditions but we will be sympathetic to issues caused by Covid-19.

Q

Can Tier 4 applications be delayed until the situation is clear and therefore deposits witheld until confirmation of re- opening?

A

Yes - we will work with you to ensure we make the Tier 4 application at the appropriate time, we are happy for parents to wait to commit until there is clarity and confirmation regarding re-opening.

Q

What financial policies are likely to be in place if there is another outbreak?

A

We will continue to be fair and sympathetic and work in collaboration with parents to navigate the issues.

Q

Will schools open physically in September and if not what is the school’s position on deposits and termly fees if parents withdraw on non-opening?

A

We expect to re-open physically from September, we would be sympathetic to withdrawals based on a short notice inability to open.

Q

Will parents be able to withdraw without penalty right up to start of September?

A

It is likely that they would be able to withdraw without penalty if the withdrawal is clearly caused by Covid-19 related issues, for example if the UK government’s advice regarding travel changed at short notice or the School was unable to re-open due to a second wave of cases.

Q A

General concern about lack of income and cash flow.

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There are very few businesses who are not challenged by the current situation but the School is solvent, has positive cash flow and was operating at full capacity at the time of lockdown. We are confident that the School is fundamentally sound and is well placed to move forward in the coming academic year.

BOX HILL SCHOOL

Q A

Will BHS accept deferral of entry with no cost penalty?

We expect to re-open physically from September, and we would be sympathetic to withdrawals based on a short notice inability to open.

Q

A clear indication that fees will not rise in 2020/21 would be a reassurance to parents.

A

The School has confirmed that fees will not rise in 2020/21.

Q

Will fees be adjusted if schools do not open physically in September?

A

Yes - as per this term.

Q

Are we doing anything with commission to support agents given that their livelihoods are at risk?

A

The School is open to dialogue with agents to look for arrangements that can benefit both parties in the short and medium term, we recognise that “we are all in this together� and want to work closely with our trusted partners to navigate this crisis.

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Q

If Visa Centres are still closed how will we adapt to students not getting visas in time to get here for September?

A

We will do all we can to support visa applications and will support late arriving students with bridging work and contact with teachers.

Q

If schools provide quarantine support that will help as guardians are less likely to support this element.

A

Yes. The School made extensive plans to provide accomodation over the Easter holidays, these were ulitmately not needed but remain relevant to future holidays so we are ready to provide all necessary support to boarders who may not be able to return home for the half term break.

MEDICAL

Q

Will isolation be required and if so will it be managed on-site? What testing will be made available and how would we deal with a case in school?

A

Isolation may be required but is not definite at this point as UK government requirements may be adapted by August. Should it remain in place then we will support this. Should a case be confirmed in School we will folllow all government guidelines and protocols as well as our own risk assessments. We do not expect to have to close the School if a case is confirmed but will monitor all guidelines and best practice on this matter.

Q

How will schools manage and look after international students if they contract Covid-19. Will they cover medical costs as in New Zealand?

A

At Box Hill School we have a dedicated team of nurses on site, a medical centre, and close association with the local doctors’ practice. Should any symptoms persist or worsen, great care will be taken to support the student and family. In the unlikley event that hospitalisation is needed, this will be managed by the school with close contact with the family. Families should make sure that they have relevant medical insurance. There is a small surcharge but largely costs are covered.

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

TEACHING & LEARNING

Q

Parents would prefer more recorded and Zoom lessons if on-line learning is to continue in September.

A

We are addressing this and plan to increase Zoom delivery from 50% to 75% both in the short term (after half-term) and for any remote delivery in September.

Q

More academic engagement with students joining in September would be a real reassurance and encourage confidence.

A

We will provide the usual preparation work for new starters over the summer and support their integration in the usual manner. The school is considerng a number of plans for supporting students and parents which range from staggered starts - September, October, January with differing levels of support and input. This could vary from bridging work, through video tutorials and lessons, to on-line learning and physical schooling. There would be consideration of a sliding scale of fees attached to the specific style of learning being undertaken. We would look to deliver tutor time remotely so all students in the tutor group are present and they can integrate - both remote and physical starters.

Q

Can students defer entry to January and can academic courses be adjusted?

A

Whilst we have discussed this possibility, we cannot make any immediate promises about this until we have more government guidance and a clearer picture of what’s happening in September.

Discussions have taken place around, from January, a 4 term AL and IB package in the Sixth Form and potentially a two term Pre-Sixth Form non-examined course within the ISC. GCSE study in Year 10 could easily be started in January.

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

UK GOVERNMENT COVID-19 RESPONSE

Q

Travel restrictions are a big concern especially in respect of closed borders and availabilty of flights.

A

The school will remain as flexible as possible for entry. This includes a recommendation for early entry and quarantining on site, the provision of alternative start dates in October and November, as well as discussion around starting in January. We hope for clarification from the UK government soon and the easing of quarantine restrictions.

Q A

Does the UK death rate indicate poor medical care?

The UK death rate is an indication of many variables such as elderly population, close proximity in urban areas and a delay in initial lock-down measures, amongst others. The NHS is staffed by expert doctors and there are many beds still available, which means that the medical provision across the UK has not been overwhelmed in any way. Provision is therefore as before, and students should not have concerns in this area. The medical care is highly advanced.

Q

Concerns about the safety of students studying in the UK after Covid-19. A general feeling that the UK Government has not handled the situation well and there is a lack of confidence in their ability.

A

The UK government is responsible for general policies such as border controls etc. The school has considerable latitude in planning and local councils are supporting schools in prioritising safety. The impact on students after arriving at school is minimal since their direct care is then managed by our pastoral team of expert educationalists.

Q

Can the UK health care system cope in the event of a second outbreak?

A

We have as much confidence as we can that the proof that the NHS has not been overwhelmed during the current crisis is also proof that any ‘second wave’ will not overwhelm local provision.

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BOX HILL SCHOOL

Q

Concern about how the government is handling the pandemic in the UK - the impression is badly and this is affecting confidence in the UK.

A

Students come to us to experience world-class pedagogy, educational experiences, activities, and the English language. Culture and understanding remain important. The school is not political and any impression of the government is not a broader reflection of the UK in general.

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