Admissions policy
Exeter Academy admits students from the age of 18 years upwards.
We generally accept students between Elementary level and Cambridge Advanced level, although students at Advanced level should contact the school to ask about availability of this level.
Beginner or post-beginner level students should also contact Exeter Academy before enrolling.
If we do not have group classes at Beginner or Advanced level, we may be able to provide alternative courses involving individual tuition We may send you a pre-test and/ or needs analysis form to assess the suitability for our courses for your needs.
Students with a UK Student Visa must produce evidence that they have the required language level (Intermediate) in the form of a SELT test.
For details, please use the following link to the UKBA web-site: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf
We may also request a skype interview with you
As soon as your enrolment is confirmed, we will send out invoices, and acceptance letters, with visa letters or Confirmation of Acceptance for Study if applicable.
We will also send payment details.
Homestay details will be sent as soon as receipt of full payment of fees has been received or in the case of sponsored students, a scholarship guarantee. Please see terms and conditions for payment details.
Visa students
Students who do not possess the appropriate visa for study can not be accepted onto courses.
UK Student Visa students who have a different main sponsor can enrol as long as it is in holiday periods on their main course, but not before the course has begun or after it has finished.
Exclusions / Discipline policy
As stated in our terms and conditions, we believe our students and staff should study and work in a positive, safe and friendly environment.
Any aggressive, violent, prejudiced, discriminatory, inappropriate, illegal, or other behaviour which infringes on this will lead to action which could result in the expulsion of the perpetrator from the school.
Any student behaviour judged by the Principal to be detrimental or harmful to other students, staff or the reputation of the School, will result in the following procedure described below being put into place.
Examples of such behaviour include bullying and intimidation, disruption of classes, acts of verbal or physical aggression, homophobic acts, committing criminal offences or actions resulting in a police caution, racist offences, and illegal involvement with drugs or alcohol.
The procedure is as follows:
- In the first instance, any misconduct will result in a warning from your teacher or Director of Studies.
- A second act of misconduct will result in a warning and interview with the Principal or a Director, and the issuing of a written warning.
- In the event of any further occurrences, the student will receive a final letter of notice and will be excluded from the School with immediate effect without refund of unused course fees.
The Principal reserves the right to apply stage 3) immediately according to the severity of the offence.
Students who consistently miss lessons or arrive late for classes may also be asked to leave the school if their behaviour impedes the development and enjoyment of other students.
Tier 4 students are subject to regulations regarding attendance. Failure to meet the UKBA requirements on attendance may lead to cancellation of visas.
Policies relating to Health and Safety
We want our clients to study and experience Exeter Academy in a safe and pleasant environment.
Exeter Academy has a full Health and Safety policy and compliance to help ensure this
Two of our staff have Health and Safety qualifications and three of our staff are trained in First Aid.
Students will be given all appropriate information, training and supervision, including emergency contact details on arrival.
A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available at the Academy.
Disabled Access at Exeter Academy
Exeter Academy occupies a 19th Century 3 storey building in a Conservation Area of Exeter.
The age of the building and status of the area place restrictions on the extent of the modifications we can undertake. The building is located on a steep hill and the Ground Floor area has 8 separate levels with appropriate steps
The front of the building is unsuitable for wheelchair access. However, we can provide a ramp for wheelchair access to one classroom at the rear of the building. This classroom has access to a small section of the coffee bar which has both e-mail PCs and a disabled toilet – all on the same level
We can also provide a dedicated table in this area
Unfortunately the steps from this area preclude wheelchair access to other parts of the building
Should an application be received from a disabled student, Exeter Academy would ensure staff were aware of the students needs and all necessary assistance would be given.
For details further details, please contact Exeter Academy
Policy on disabilities and learning difficulties
Exeter Academy is an equal opportunities establishment and welcomes applications from all. We aim to accommodate disabled students and students with learning difficulties as far as possible within the allowances of the school building and staff capacity.
If you have any concerns or have a disability or other medical issue, please contact Exeter Academy. We will try our best to help and advise you accordingly and will discuss assistance and any reasonable adjustments that may be made.
Anti – Bullying Policy
We define bullying as: ‘Behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally’.
At Exeter Academy we believe that it is extremely important for staff and students to feel respected and safe and to feel positive about all aspects of their stay here. We therefore expect all staff and students to show respect and tolerance towards colleagues at all times.
We have a zero-tolerance policy against bullying of any kind – physical, verbal, indirect or electronic (cyber bullying). We undertake to:
- Support our staff and hosts to deal with bullying appropriately.
- Ensure students know that any concerns about bullying will be dealt with sensitively and effectively.
- Deal with any other forms of abuse or hate crime etc.
If you have any concerns or questions please speak to any member of staff in the school.
Procedure for dealing with alleged abuse (including bullying)
- If any of our students reports an incident of alleged abuse or bullying, we will take the following action:
- Investigate where the alleged incident happened and who was involved.
- Talk to the student with two members of staff being present.
- Let the student know we will treat our discussion with confidentiality.
Take action as appropriate in-line with our policies on discipline and exclusion
Complaints Policy
If you have a problem with any part of your stay, the first step is always to discuss the problem with the right person in the school and they will be happy to help you.
- If you have any problems with your lessons, please speak to your teacher.
- If you are unhappy with your teacher for any reason, you can talk to the Principal.
- If you have any problems with your accommodation or your homestay family, please speak to Julier, Lydia or Fiona in reception.
If you prefer, or the above are not available, you can speak to Andy (the Principal). If you want, a friend or classmate can come with you for support or to help you with your English.
If you have spoken to the right person and you are still unhappy, you are welcome to use our formal complaints procedure. The process is as follows:
1) Speak to the Principal, or write to him if you prefer.
2) The Principal will consider your complaint, and contact you as soon as possible to arrange a convenient time for you to talk about your complaint in private to him. Whenever practical, this meeting will be arranged and conducted on the same day as the complaint and always within 48 hours of the complaint.
3) After your meeting, your complaint will be investigated and then discussed with any relevant staff and a decision will be made about what action will be taken within 24 hours.
4) A further meeting will be arranged with you in private. In this meeting the decision of the Principal will be presented and explained to you. If you are still unhappy, the way to register the complaint with ENGLISH UK will also be explained. All complaints and decisions are recorded and filed and a written record of formal complaint decisions will be issued to those bringing a formal complaint. If you decide to pursue the complaint with English UK, the school’s written description and decision will be available for use in this process.
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English UK is the world’s leading language teaching association and your guarantee of high quality and good service. Students can appeal to English UK if they are dissatisfied with the way a centre deals with a complaint. See www.englishuk.com/complaints
Equal Opportunities Policy
Exeter Academy is committed to providing a fair and discrimination free working and studying environment in which all employees/students are able to realise their full potential irrespective of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, part time status, age, religion or belief. All employees/ students are required to support this policy.
The Company is committed to identifying and eliminating unlawful discriminatory practices and procedures throughout the Company.
It is specifically part of the Company’s code of conduct that no employee or candidate is subject to unlawful discrimination, either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of gender, race (including colour, nationality or ethnic origin), disability, sexual orientation, marital status, part time status, age, religion or belief. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including:
- Recruitment selection, including advertisements, job descriptions, interview and selection procedures;
- Training and development opportunities;
- Promotion and career development opportunities;
- Terms and conditions of employment and access to employment related benefits and facilities;
- Grievance handling and the application of disciplinary procedures;
- Selection for redundancy. The Company will periodically review and, where appropriate, update its policies to ensure that all members of staff enjoy equality and opportunity.
Harassment
Harassment is physical, verbal or non-verbal behaviour which is unwanted and personally offensive to the recipient, and which causes the recipient to feel their dignity has been violated or whereby their environment becomes intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive.
The Company encourages all members of staff, students and contractors to discuss any concerns about equal opportunities and indeed to report in confidence any perceived breaches.
Handling Complaints of Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment
Discrimination and harassment are legally complex matters for which there is no set way of dealing with every alleged instance. In some cases employees may resolves an issue by raising it with their line manager. If possible an employee should tell the person causing the harassment to stop that behaviour.
If an employee wishes to make a formal complaint he or she should use the Company’s grievance procedure which is set out in the Employee Handbook.
The Company will treat seriously all allegations of unlawful discrimination or harassment.
When an Employee is accused
Employees accused of unlawful discrimination or harassment will be investigated in accordance with the Company’s disciplinary policy. In the course of the investigation the employee will be given an opportunity to respond fully to the allegation and provide an explanation of his or her actions.
If the evidence suggests that no unlawful discrimination or harassment has occurred, the matter will come to an end.
If the Company concludes that the complaint is false or malicious the complainant may be subject to disciplinary action.
If, on the other hand, the Company finds evidence to suggest that the employee’s actions amount to unlawful discrimination or harassment he or she may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including summary dismissal for gross misconduct.
Monitoring
The Company will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment of any kind in the working environment and will take positive action to prevent its occurrence.
EXETER ACADEMY STATUS
Exeter Academy is a Limited Liability Company
The Company name registered at Companies House is Exeter Academy Limited and the number is 04616045
The Registered and Principal office is 64 Sylvan road Exeter EX4 6HA telephone 01392 430303