A guardian may be a relative, friend of the family or a guardian agency and must be aged over 23 years old. It is essential that a guardian is nominated before the student joins Queen’s College and that you notify the Registrar of the guardian’s name and contact details before the student joins the School.
Guardians are required to assist the student in various circumstances, including making travel arrangements and accompanying the student between the airport and School (if the student is not travelling on School transport) and, if necessary, arranging overnight accommodation between leaving or arriving at School and the departure or arrival of flights.
Many students remain in the UK for half term holidays and the guardian will be expected to make travel arrangements and accommodate the student, unless the parents have made alternative arrangements.
Guardians should develop a positive and friendly relationship with the student and maintain contact during the term, including attending parents’ meetings, performances and sports fixtures, ie developing and nurturing the individual.
The School has a well-equipped Medical Centre, but a medical or other emergency may arise when the help of the guardian is required. A guardian will also be required to collect and accommodate a student who is unwell for a period of longer than three days.
Very occasionally a student may break School Rules and if the offence is serious, the guardian will be required to make travel arrangements and accommodate the student whilst they are excluded from School for a period of time.
In order to carry out these duties it is essential that the guardian should be a householder (i.e. not a student), should be able to speak English and be accessible by telephone.
Term dates and holidays are published on the School website and in the calendar at least one year in advance. This ensures that students do not leave before the end of term or return after the beginning of term. Parents arrange tickets for overseas flights and are responsible for passports (which may be sent to the Houseparents for safe-keeping).