Supervision Concept
Our supervision concept for juniors is based on a compulsory activity programme with options for you to choose from. The cornerstone of our supervision is TTT (Time to Talk) that takes place at least once per day. You will be part of a TTT group in which one particular supervisor is responsible for you and makes sure that you know what to do, and have all the information you need. There is a strong link between the supervisor and his/her TTT group. The TTT groups are organised on a weekly basis.
Our staff members are always available for you. They live in the same residence as you and they look after you during your stay. In our centres, you can always find staff members in the IP Ocean Lounge and every day after lessons you will have an assembly to provide you with all the information you need for your stay and for the daily programme. There is an extensive activity programme in the afternoons, usually consisting of several workshops for sports, arts and crafts, culture and lifestyle. You can choose your favourite activity each day. There are fewer options during the evenings because many evening events are on a larger scale.
Age-appropriate supervision
On our junior courses the degree of supervision and support depends on your age. Your safety and welfare are very important to us. Our staff ratio on and off campus for the age group 10-12 years is 1:10, for 13-15 years is 1:15 and for 16-17 years is 1:20.
10 to 12 year olds:
Our youngest students are supervised more thoroughly by specially trained staff. The staff ratio for this age group is 1:10. The activity programme is compulsory and your supervisors will ensure that you take part in the offered activities. You are not allowed to leave the campus without supervision, but we will offer town walks most days. It is not possible for your parents to give you permission to leave the campus without supervision.
You will be in a TTT group with students from the same age group. During that time, your supervisor will make sure you are signed up for one of our exciting activities in our App so that later on we make sure you have attended. Daily checks include: wake-up, breakfast, class check, lunch, TTT, activities, dinner, night-check.
We do not normally accept students aged 12 and below in homestays. We may make exceptions to this if your agency is sending a closed group and there are special circumstances. In these exceptional circumstances, you will need to book an accompanied transfer from the homestay to the campus and back again in time for dinner and evening activities - if they want to join.
13 to 15 year olds:
If you are aged 13 to 15 you will follow a partly-compulsory activity programme with a variety of engaging options. You can sign out twice a week to explore the city with new friends in pairs or groups, while on other days, participation in planned activities is expected. For those who don’t sign out or don’t have parental consent, there are always exciting alternative activities available.
We also offer a "Town Walk with Free Time" most afternoons, where our staff will accompany you to and from town or the beach, providing more supervision for those who prefer it. Homestay students travel independently between their accommodation and the campus. On campus, students are expected to make their way independently to meals and classes, though supervisors are on hand to offer guidance when needed.
The supervision ratio is 1:15, and students must follow sign-out rules, with the possibility of privileges being revoked if necessary. You are not allowed to stay in the accommodation during the day.
Please note students will not be accompanied to and from their homestays.
16 to 17 year olds:
If you are aged 16 or 17 you will have more freedom to explore with friends in pairs or groups, but you are still not allowed to leave the campus alone. Our supervisors provide a balance of supervision and independence. Your participation in afternoon activities is optional, allowing you to choose between joining the programme or exploring the town after signing out. You can also leave the campus without supervision for two evenings per week after dinner, again only in pairs or groups. We do also offer some special activities for older students. Some off campus activities may be offered with a small fee.
Homestay students must check in with their supervisor once around lunchtime to share their plans. In the evenings, they can join the activity programme or stay at their homestay (up to two nights per week), provided their host is home. Supervisors can limit freedom if rules are not followed.
You will be a part of a TTT (Time To Talk) group of up to 25 students. Your supervisor will make sure you are signed up for one of our exciting activities in our App so that we can make sure you have attended.
Please note, students will not be accompanied to and from their homestays.
How do we train our staff?
Since we are a specialist tour operator for junior language courses, your safety and supervision are of major importance to us. This is why we spend a lot of time and money on the selection and training of our staff. The applicants go through several stages during our recruitment process and are assessed for their general suitability, their experience in working with children and teenagers, as well as their commitment.
As part of our recruitment process, our applicants take part in a specially designed training programme where they have to demonstrate their abilities as a supervisor or management team member. The training programme takes place over a number of months and is specific to each position.
What does a typical day look like?
| 07:30 | Wake up |
| 08:00 | Breakfast in the residence/ homestay |
| 09:00 | Students begin morning lessons |
| 10:30 | Mid-morning break - 30 minutes |
| 11:00 | Back to lessons |
| 11:45 | General Course lessons are finished! ‘The IP Ocean Lounge’ is open for drinks, music and information. |
| 12:30 | Intensive Course Lessons finish!!! ASSEMBLIES for all students – What's new? What's happening today? What's the programme for today? |
| 12:40 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Start of afternoon activities |
| 17:00 | Afternoon activities finish; time to relax before dinner. |
| 18:00 | Dinner time in the residence or in homestay accommodation |
| 19:00 | TTT – Time to Talk |
| 20:00 | Evening Programme starts |
| 21:45 | Evening Activities end; students go to their accommodation |
| 22:30 | Night check |
FAQ
Who are the supervisors?
Our staff members are young people, often students (in education, tourism, languages…), who like to travel and work in an international environment.
Is there a curfew?
Yes. Depending on their age, students have various levels of freedom. The strictest rules apply to students under the age of 13, 13 to 15 year-olds have a bit more freedom and 16/17 year-olds experience even more freedom within our supervision framework. Our supervisors may restrict the level of freedom if necessary.
What about alcohol and cigarettes?
Our staff members ensure that youth protection laws are followed. It is against the law for under 18s to buy or to consume alcohol. It is also against the law for under 18s to buy cigarettes or vapes. For all under 18s it is against the law to smoke. In our IP Centres we have a strict ‘No Alcohol’ and ‘No Smoking’ policy.
How much pocket money should I bring?
That depends on what you would like to do during your stay. We recommend having a budget for treats, such as ice cream or soft drinks but also note that some activities have an additional fee. If you want to go shopping, you should bring along some extra money. Surveys indicate that our guests usually take around £150.00 for a two week stay.
Quick overview
- Trained, international staff in the course centre
- Language in the course centre: English, German or French
- Age-appropriate supervision for students aged 10-12, students under the age of 16 and students 16/17 year-olds
- Learn more than a language: our staff create activities and space for unique experiences that help you to develop your intercultural skills
- You can experience a lot in our centres: sports, workshops, excursions, evening events and more
- In our centres you can choose from several activities during afternoons and evenings
- Our staff members are always available for you if you have any questions