Level B1 or above. The student sits in ordinary lessons with British classmates and nothing in the school day is adapted for international students, so a lower level makes the placement frustrating rather than useful.
School holidays are not covered by the weekly placement fee. Families have three options for each break: fly home, book the separate School Holiday Camp at inlingua Cheltenham, or — for students aged sixteen and over — join a General English course. There is no provision over Christmas, when both the school and inlingua Cheltenham are closed; staying with the host over that period has to be agreed with the school in advance.
Not an official grade report. The student receives an attendance report and a written summary of their performance and participation from their teachers.
inlingua Cheltenham works with several state secondary schools in and around Cheltenham. A student is placed at a school that has availability and fits their profile — age, year group and subject requests — and the school is confirmed before travel. Academies and voluntary aided schools may set their own calendar, so the exact term dates of the chosen school are confirmed at the same time.
Daily transport to school and back is arranged by inlingua Cheltenham and is part of the weekly price. Depending on the school and on where the host family lives, it is by bus, taxi or school van.
No school requires a uniform to be bought, although families may if they wish. Schools ask that students dress in smart clothes. A uniform from the student’s own school at home is the best option, and some schools will lend one.
Usually not: the daily pick-up and drop-off schedule does not leave room for them. There are exceptions where a student is placed at a school close to the host family.
