As all our accommodation is in high demand during the Junior Summer School, the changeover day is usually Sunday for everyone.

However, if you encounter difficulties with this or cannot find suitable flights, please contact us as we may be able to arrange for you to arrive on a Saturday and stay in alternative accommodation for your first night.

It is sometimes possible to arrive on a Monday, however please bear in mind that the accommodation is charged per week.

It is important that you inform the school of your expected arrival time well in advance so the Residential Activity Leaders knows when to expect you. On arrival one of our staff members will show you to your room and also around the residence so that you know where to find the laundry facilities, vending machines and the staff member's rooms.

The check-in time is usually between 10:30 and 22:00, however check-in may be later during busy periods. If you have difficulty getting to your accommodation please contact the residence or one of the school emergency numbers you have been given.

On the first day, all new students will be taken by members of our staff to the restaurant for breakfast, and then from there to our campus.

You will be staying in Thames Street Residence, a student residence belonging to Oxford Brookes University.

You can see the residence at https://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying-at-brookes/accommodation/prospective-students/halls/thames-street/

Your bedroom will contain a bed, desk, chair, reading lamp, wardrobe, waste bin, pinboard, bedside cabinet and curtains. Each room has an ensuite bathroom with a hand basin, shower and toilet. Rooms are arranged in flats of 8 or 10, each with a shared common room.

There are shared self-service laundry facilities. Although bedding is provided, towels are not and you will need to bring your own.

You are responsible for ensuring your room remains tidy. You should make your own bed and put your clothes away. Rooms are cleaned once per week, and bins emptied frequently.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided every day in a nearby restaurant (students go to the restaurant with a member of staff).

On Saturdays, when all students join the full-day excursion, a packed lunch is provided by the school. Students joining the optional excursion on a Sunday also receive a packed lunch.

Yes, there is free Wi-Fi for all students in our residence.

You should bring all items for personal use, such as towels, toiletries, hairdryers and plug adaptors (in the UK, we use three-pin plugs). All of these items can be purchased easily in Oxford.

You will receive a key for your room when you check-in to the accommodation. Please use it responsibly and return it to the warden before leaving.

Any replacement keys incur a charge so be careful not to lose yours!

You are welcome to socialise with other residential students in the common room, however you cannot bring anyone else into the accommodation.

If you have friends in Oxford, speak to one of the school staff members who can help you arrange a good time to see them.

You should check out of your room before 09:00 or before you go to breakfast on your day of departure. Luggage can be stored in a secure room at reception.

This is sometimes possible but please check with the School Administration staff first as the room may be reserved for another student.

You should speak to the School Administration staff about availability of other accommodation and the reasons for the request. At least one week's notice should be given.

If you feel you have identified a genuine problem with your accommodation please tell the school immediately, we cannot know of a problem if you don't tell us.

You must be 12 years old before 31 December of the year in which you join our summer school. For example, if you're joining our summer school in July 2020, you must be 12 before 31 December 2020.

We strongly advise all students to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the duration of your stay in England. Please do not keep large amounts of cash in your bedroom and only carry a small amount around with you.

If you have arrived with a large amount of cash please ask the school for advice. The school and residence cannot take responsibility for loss of money or expensive belongings.

Homestay families are typical Oxford families, and are all different.

They can be large families, small families or simply one person. They might have pets – a dog, a cat, even a rabbit – or they might not. They could be teachers, bus drivers, librarians or workers in a huge number of other trades and professions.

But whoever they are, they are all inspected regularly by our Accommodation team, all DBS-checked to maintain our safeguarding standards, and all offer accommodation which meets our high expectations.

We will send you details of the host family some time before you arrive. If you then have any questions, you can contact us direct to ask.

It is important that you inform the school of your expected arrival time well in advance, so the host family know when to be at home to welcome you.

You should plan to arrive at your host family after 09:00 in the morning and before 21:00 in the evening. If you plan to arrive outside these times, please contact us to discuss the best arrival arrangements for you.

Don't worry if your journey is delayed. We understand that this is sometimes unavoidable! If you have arranged a transfer through us or are travelling as part of a group, we will track your flight and airport transfer so that we can inform your host family that you are delayed. We will also make sure there is still someone waiting at the airport to greet you.

If you are travelling independently, just give your family a call to let them know that you are going to be late. Remember to carry the emergency contact numbers with you.

Your family will show you where to catch the bus to your first meeting point. You will receive a map before you arrive and also from your host family on arrival. Most buses stop when they reach the centre of Oxford and then it's a short walk to the meeting point. At each meeting point on your social programme, Activity Leaders will be waiting for you. Look out for their blue shirts showing our school logo.

Your bedroom will contain a bed and storage space for your clothes. You will have access to a table or desk and chair with a table lamp for private study, either in your room or in a quiet area.

You will have access to the bathroom and can take a bath or shower each day. Please ask your family about convenient times to use the bathroom.

Laundry (one or two loads per week) is included. Your family may wash your clothes for you or they may show you how to use the washing machine.

Bed linen and towels are provided and are changed each week.

The family will clean your room once a week but you are responsible for ensuring it remains tidy. You should make your own bed and put your clothes away.

Most families accommodate more than one student. Unless you request to share with a friend, other students in your host family will always be of a different nationality.

Breakfast, evening meals and a light lunch at weekends are included. You may be asked to make your own breakfast if the family has to leave early to go to work. Breakfast is usually toast and/or cereal. You will normally eat your evening meal with your family. They will let you know at what time they eat their evening meal.

It is important and polite to tell the family 24 hours in advance if you plan to miss a meal. It is not normal to be allowed to use the kitchen to store your food or cook for yourself.

If you require a special diet you must tell the school when you book your accommodation so we can select a family who can offer this. Please note that there may be a supplementary charge for special dietary needs, and that our families are unable to cater for Kosher or Halal diets. People requesting these will normally be given vegetarian meals.

You are not permitted to use the family's telephone without their permission and all calls must be paid for.

A number of mobile phone companies offer cheap pay-as-you-go phones and sim cards, and most newsagents sell international phonecards giving you cheap international calls.

You can also come to our School Office where we can give you advice and supply you with a free SIM card.

Most homestays have Wi-Fi that can be used by students, but some don’t. Wi-Fi is always available on campus and in other places in the city centre.

You should bring all items for personal use, such as toiletries, hairdryers and plug adaptors (in the UK, we use three-pin plugs). All of these items can be purchased easily in Oxford.

Your host family will give you a key to their home if they will not always be at home when you return each day. Please use it responsibly and return it to them before leaving.

Please discuss this with the family first as they will want to know who is visiting their home.

In the daytime you will be busy with your lessons and a full and varied social programme. You should leave the house in the morning and return for dinner each day. If you are unwell please contact your Group Leader or the Centre Manager.

This is sometimes possible but please check with the School Administration staff first as the room may be reserved for another student.

You should speak to the School Administration staff about the availability of another family and the reasons for the request. At least one week's notice should be given to the family. If you feel you have identified a genuine problem with your host family please tell the school immediately. We cannot know of a problem if you don't tell us.

We strongly advise all students to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the duration of your stay in England. Please do not keep large amounts of cash in your bedroom and only carry a small amount around with you. If you have arrived with a large amount of cash please ask the school for advice.

The school and family cannot take responsibility for loss of money or expensive belongings.

Staying with a family is not the same as staying in a hotel. You will be able to join them at appropriate times. However, it is important to remember there may be times when the family wish to entertain at home or relax in private areas of the home.

If you are not sure what you can and can't do in the family home, please ask. It is the family's responsibility to make you feel welcome but it is your responsibility to treat them and their home with respect, and to follow their house rules.