- What age are the students? The students are between 11-16.
- What makes Giggleswick different? It is very special in many ways, its tradition with 500 years of experience as a school, its location set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, its facilities in terms of teaching, pastoral and sporting, its staff with years of teaching experience and knowledge of running successful summer schools.
- Where will my child sleep? In the same boarding school facilities as our own students. House parents live in the same accommodation and are on hand 24 hours a day - Boys and girls are separated.
- What should my child bring? Final information will be sent to you and your child approximately 4-6 weeks before the start of the course. This will contain a clothing list and suggestions of what your child should and should not bring. It will also contain important contact information and what your child should expect to happen on arrival at the airport.
- What happens outside class? Students are kept busy from the moment they wake up to the moment the lights are turned off at night. Our experience has shown us that students - and their parents - prefer a structured schedule for the day. There is some free time built in to each day, so that those who wish to can spend some quiet time, email home or catch up on the day's events with friends.
- How can I communicate with my child? Email and Skype are both easy ways of keeping in touch with your child while they are at Giggleswick. You will also have an emergency contact number for the Director of Giggleswick Summer School and the Boarding Houseparent. We make sure that all students contact their parents on arrival and write a brief weekly report which we email home, with teacher comments.
- How will you improve my child’s English? Improving our students' English is our main focus. Our English language teachers are experienced and well-qualified. We know that they will deliver classes that will get the best from all our students. Students will be encouraged to speak English all the time, with their teachers and their friends, and this will quickly build their confidence and improve their language.
- What level of English does my child need? We welcome all levels of ability, from bilingual to complete beginner. Each student is given a thorough language test on arrival, including an interview with the Director of Studies, and is then placed into the appropriate class.
- How big are the Classes? No more than 10 students but in many cases less than 10.
- Travel arrangements? You can of course make your own arrangements to get to the school, please follow the contact details link on our website which offers easy routes by air, rail and road. The vast majority of students however simply provide their flight details to the school and the experienced Giggleswick staff will be there to welcome each student as they arrive at either Manchester or Leeds airports. Staff will be in the red and black uniform of Giggleswick, be holding a large lollipop sign with the school badge on it. Staff collecting younger students travelling as unaccompanied minors will have a letter signed by the Director of Giggleswick Summer School informing airport staff that they have permission to collect the student.
- Visa arrangements? The school is experienced in taking parents through the process, please get in touch and we will help in any way we can.
- Where do the students come from? Students come from Europe and further afield, for example China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Middle East and Africa. The school places quotas on the more popular countries to ensure that there is a real mix of nationalities, which in turn makes sure everybody uses English as a common language. Obviously each year will be different in terms of mix but we will be welcoming students from all across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
- How soon should I book a place? Again certain European nationalities book early and places will go quickly. It is therefore advised that parents contact the school directly to see if places still remain and to provisionally reserve a place if necessary.
Questions
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