September means new arrivals
September is always one of the most exciting times of year, as new and returning students arrive at their UK schools and settle into the new academic year.
For our international parents and educational agents, knowing that there is a caring and supportive network in pace on the ground in the UK is incredibly important. That's why September is also a particularly busy month for our team of local Bright World Buddies, who are out visiting students and making sure that the term is off to a good start.
From getting to know their host family to sitting down with their local Bright World Buddy, these face-to-face introductions are an important part of the Bright World experience. They give students the chance to meet the people who will be supporting them throughout the school year and find out how to get in contact if they need assistance.
For new students, these meetings provide an introduction to their support network here at Bright World Guardianships and for returning students, a reminder that we are there to help them.
meeting your Bright World host family
For international parents, having the opportunity to meet their child's host family can provide invaluable peace of mind. We always encourage parents where possible to get to know their child's host family before their first stay, and our team can help facilitate these introductions when requested, whether this is an in-person meeting or an online introduction.
Getting to know the family, seeing where their child will be staying and having the chance to ask questions can help parents feel confident and reassured that their child will be welcomed into a safe and supportive home-from-home.
September is a particularly busy time for these introductions, as new students arrive in the UK with their parents and returning students settle back into boarding life and begin making plans for their Host Family stays throughout the academic year.
meeting your Bright World Buddy
Within the first week or two of arriving in the UK, each student will be visited at school by their Bright World Buddy. For many students, particularly those arriving in the UK for the first time, this is an important opportunity to get to know their local contact, someone who will be part of their Bright World support network throughout the school year.
During the visit, their Buddy will check how they are settling into their new school and surroundings, explain their role and go through Bright World's Student Charter. Students then have the opportunity to ask questions, get to know their Buddy and understand how they can get in touch should they need support during the year.
These Arrival Visits are one of the two guaranteed face-to-face visits each student receives from their Bright World Buddy each year, with the second visit usually taking place after a student's first host family stay. Additional visits can be requested by parents at any time and the local Buddy can also attend parents' evenings, for an additional fee.
Pictured is Bright World Buddy Lisa McGowan with Thai student Poon and his mother at Bromsgrove School.
Poon's Arrival Care Plan report
Poon told me that he has settled in well already and made lots of friends. He is very happy with his room and his room-mate. He told me that he has one of the best rooms as it's on a corner with 6 windows with a great view! He hasn't any concerns at the moment. I explained to him my role as a Bright World Buddy and gave him my contact details, and also the Bright World handbook and 24 hour telephone number. We went through the student charter and Poon signed 2 copies, as did I, and I gave one to Poon to keep.
planning ahead
An important part of our role as educational guardians is planning for the unexpected situations that can arise during the school year. Good planning helps us respond quickly when plans change and can help students feel more prepared for what lies ahead.
Our Bright World Buddies always take the time to talk to students about their plans for the year, including upcoming Host Family stays and arrangements for school holidays. These conversations give students the opportunity to ask questions, think ahead and raise anything they may be unsure about.
By taking the time to get to know each student and understand their plans, Buddies can help them feel more prepared and at ease as they settle into their new surroundings and get ready for the year ahead.
an independent ear
Our Bright World Buddies provide students with a familiar and independent person outside of school who they can speak to if they have a question, concern or something they would like to talk about. Building this relationship from the beginning of the school year means students know who they can contact, and help them to feel more comfortable reaching out if they need help or reassurance.
As someone who is independent of the school, a Buddy can offer a different perspective and provide an important link between the student, their school and the Bright World team. Where a student raises a concern that needs further action, their Buddy will raise this with the appropriate member of the Bright World team so that we can take the appropriate steps to support the student.
Having a local representative who knows the student and can meet with them face-to-face helps us maintain a personal understanding of how students are settling into life at school and identify where further support may be needed. This is an important part of the safeguarding role we provide as Educational Guardians and supports schools in meeting the National Minimum Standards for Boarding.
