This is a family which provides accommodation for a foreign student in their home. The “family” can be of any size or composition. Students stay in single or shared rooms and the host family provides dinner, bed and breakfast every day with light lunches at the weekends (junior students also require a packed lunch each day). The school pays a good weekly rate, the amount depending on the type of room and age of student. The most important thing is that the family makes the student feel at home and treats him or her as part of the family.

The majority of host families are in Sidmouth, but junior students can also be placed outside the town in Ottery St Mary, West Hill, Feniton, Honiton, Newton Poppleford and Otterton. School transport is sometimes available to transfer these junior students to and from Sidmouth (chargeable).

• They enjoy meeting people from other countries and cultures. • To earn extra income – you can earn up to £7,500 per year tax free on the Inland Revenue “rent a room” scheme. • They want their own children to learn to integrate with other nationalities. Many now have “extended families” all over the world.

Over 40 different countries!

The students are divided into three groups; adult 18+, teenage/young adults 14-18 and junior 8-13. Host families can choose which age group they prefer.

The main host family carer/s will be subject to personal references and child protection checks. In addition all host family members aged 18+ taking students aged under 18 years will be subject to DBS checks.

They come to study English for various reasons; for their career development, to prepare for examinations, for a study vacation etc. Some come as individuals; others come as part of a group.

Students stay for different lengths of time from 1 week to 1 year! A host family can choose the dates they would like to take students and the length of stay they would prefer. The school can work around holiday dates.

They are at school 5 days a week from 09.00 to 16.00 hrs. The students have classes from Monday to Friday. They also have a social programme which includes afternoon activities, a Saturday full day excursion and evening activities (not juniors). Sunday is their free day which is normally spent with the host family or new friends.

The school provides a full support system for host families. We also operate an after-hours emergency phone service.