Information for students under 18



Kaplan recognizes its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of students aged 18 and under, within the UK legal framework and criteria of our educational oversight and accrediting bodies.

We aim to ensure a safe, positive and pleasant study and home environment for all students. We show an additional duty of care towards our students who are legally minors, monitoring them more closely than other students and requesting all parents of under-18s to sign consent forms within the Minor Documents which are required pre- enrolment for all students aged 18 and under.

  • All Kaplan International Languages staff and homestay hosts follow our Safeguarding Policy, which includes training and regular guidance
  • All Kaplan International Languages staff and hosts in regular contact with under-18s are subject to rigorous safer recruitment procedures and necessary police checks
  • All Kaplan International Languages schools have a named contact person for under-18s, who meets with the students on a regular basis, explains the legal status of under-18s, monitors any accommodation issues and liaises with the homestay and students’ parents if necessary
  • We ensure there are activities in the school which are suitable for students under the age of 18 to participate in, and we inform under-18s about learning and socializing outside of the classroom
  • All under-18s must be back in their Kaplan accommodation for their evening meal and must follow the curfew conditions, which are explained to them during their day one induction.
  • Under-18s are not permitted to stay away from their Kaplan accommodation overnight unless accompanied by a Kaplan member of staff, a group leader, or a responsible adult appointed by the parents.
  • Under-18 students must ask the school team for permission to stay overnight or for short periods with friends/family—this will only be granted if there is written approval from their parents/ legal guardian and the person they wish to stay with.
  • A 24-hour emergency phone number is given to students. Under-18s are asked to save this number in their contacts for ease of reference.
  • Homestay hosts also have the emergency phone number and will alert the school immediately if a student is not home by the arranged time/curfew.

Please see the full Safeguarding Policy for more information. 

Further information for studying courses

Under-18s studying on Adult (16+) courses

  • Students aged 16 or 17 are allowed to study on adult courses with students aged 18 and above. They are permitted to join any class which is suitable for their level of English and can change classes where possible

  • All Kaplan International Languages schools have a senior member of staff (Local Safeguarding Lead) who has responsibility for the safety of students under the age of 18. This member of staff will meet with students aged under 18 and be available in the school to assist with any welfare issues

  • The curfew time for under-18s on adult courses is 23:00

  • Students are expected to attend all classes and any absence will be followed up immediately (within 30 minutes of the lessons starting)

  • Students aged 16 or 17 are usually required to live in Kaplan host family accommodation. Exceptions to this would be where the school has residential accommodation suitable for students aged 16 or 17 or where the parents have given written consent for their child to live with a suitable adult who is known to them. The school must have confirmation of this private accommodation address pre-arrival and if there is any change of address the student must be update the school

  • Adult school leisure programs include activities that are suitable for under-18s. Some activities may only be suitable for students aged 18 or over and 16 or 17 year old students are not allowed to attend these under any circumstances

  • If an adult class includes students aged 16 or 17, teachers ensure topics discussed are appropriate for this age range

  • There is no supervision of students on their way to and from school, during lunch/breaks or after class

  • Adult student inductions include information for under-18s about age-restricted activities in the UK, and about age-appropriate opportunities for learning and socializing outside of the classroom

  • Schools hold regular meetings for all students under the age of 18. Attendance at these meetings is not compulsory but is strongly recommended

Under-18s studying on Junior (12–17) courses

 

Junior Summer Camps

  • The junior summer camps are exclusively for students aged 12–17. These students might be independent students travelling alone or with friends or family, or they may be travelling as part of a group, accompanied by one or more Group Leaders. In the case of groups, Group Leaders are responsible only for students within their group
  • The junior summer camps are package programs consisting of 15 hours of tuition per week, accommodation and meals, and a full program of daily activities and excursions. Students are required to attend all lessons and activities
  • Students staying in Kaplan accommodation can attend the junior summer camps for a maximum of four weeks (28 days)

Junior closed group courses

  • Students aged 12–17 may also attend junior courses as part of a closed group, accompanied by one or more Group Leaders. Junior closed groups are usually school groups who come to us during the academic year for one or two weeks, often as part of their regular academic curriculum in their country. Junior closed group courses typically consist of 15 hours of tuition per week, accommodation and meals, and a program of activities and/or excursions requested by the group (often with advice from the Kaplan school)
  • Junior closed group courses may occasionally include students within the group who are outside the 12–17 age group. In such cases, approval is requested from the Compliance team and, if this is granted, the parents/guardians of the under-18s are required to sign consent forms confirming that they are happy for their child/children (under 18 years of age) to study in a class with (a) student(s) over the age of 18

Junior Summer Camps and closed groups

  • It is compulsory for under-18s to attend all scheduled lessons and activities which make up their course
  • Students aged 12–13 travel to and from school in pairs or small groups. They are not allowed out in the evening without adult supervision except for scheduled school activities, after which they are accompanied home by an adult. The curfew for 12/13-year-olds is 22:00
  • Students aged 14–15 can travel to and from school independently. They are allowed out in the evening in pairs of small groups. The curfew for 14/15-year-olds is 22:00
  • Students aged 16–17 studying on junior courses are allowed out independently. The curfew for 16/17-year-olds on junior courses is 22:00

Under-18s studying on Online (16+) courses

  • Students aged 16 or 17 are allowed to study on adult courses with students aged 18 and above 

Standards and requirements for Online courses

  • English should be the primary language to be used on all digital platforms

  • All teachers are trained in Safeguarding with a specific focus on online learning and cyber-bullying

  • If an adult class includes students aged 16 or 17, teachers ensure topics discussed are appropriate for this age range. There is no supervision of students during lunch/breaks

  • Students have access to a welfare manager and can contact them via the online platform

  • All students are required to follow the online code of conduct at all times

  • All staff and students must use their full name for their Zoom ID

  • All students are taken to a waiting room before accessing the class so that staff can ensure the correct people are present

  • Private messaging between students is not permitted

  • Teachers should circulate between breakout rooms during group work

  • All breakout rooms should have at least three students in them

  • Staff are encouraged to use a neutral background for all classes

  • All students and staff are required to dress appropriately for classes

  • E-safety should be included in the induction of new students

  • Courses should contain activities raising awareness of digital literacy

  • Students are unable to record lessons or share screens

  • Students are encouraged to keep their camera on at all times

  • No information other than name or email should be stored on the K+ Learning Space platform