English Curriculum Enhancement Projects in the UK "A perfect combination of exciting visits to London and the surrounding area, fun afternoon activities and of course learning the English language in a total immersion environment"

Your experience in the UK  Our History  Who are we?  The Curriculum Enhancement Project  Mission Statement  FAQs  Our Location

FAQs

1. What guarantees do I have as a client? The stay in the UK is guaranteed by an organisation that has successfully delivered inter-cultural programmes since 1991 to highly respected Hong Kong Secondary Schools. 2. Is Excel a registered company? Yes, it is registered with Companies House UK, No. 2941066. 3. Is Excel accredited by any professional organisations? Yes, by the British Council. Excel is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Mrs Walton is a member of the Institute of Directors. 4. Is Excel continuously and rigorously monitored by an external quality auditor? Yes, it is annually inspected by QMS and it has achieved the ISO 9002 certificate. 5. Will my child be safe in the host family? Yes, all host families are vetted by Excel's team of trained and experienced home-stay organisers. The selection procedures adhere to the protocols of the UK Child Protection Act. 6. How does Excel ensure my child will be happy in their host family? Excel takes into consideration each student's individual requirements and background to select the most suitable host family. 7. Do I get any information in advance about the host family? Yes, Excel sends you a letter of placement prior to departure. 8. What if my child is not happy with their host family? In the first instance, Excel's experienced Chinese and English teachers will counsel both sides. In the unlikely event that the student remains unhappy, Excel will find a replacement family. 9. Can I contact the Excel team directly in the UK? Yes, by Phone (+44) 208 466 7070, Fax (+44) 208 466 5111, and email walton@excel.bdx.co.uk or enquiries@excel-institute.co.uk 10. What if my child is ill during the stay in the UK? Your travel insurance will cover medical costs incurred in the UK. Please refer to your insurance policy provided by your travel agent. Excel's host family or staff will take your child to a local doctor or an accident and emergency department depending on the circumstances. 11. How do I enrol? The Excel team will deliver a presentation about the curriculum enhancement project at your child's school in March. A letter of invitation to this meeting stating the date, time and venue will be sent to all interested parents. After this meeting, parents will be given brochures, enrolment forms and detailed instructions. Forms must be completed by 31st March and returned to the school office. 12. What if I can't attend the presentation/briefing by Excel staff? Please contact Excel by any method in FAQ 9. We will then send you a brochure together with an enrolment form that details the procedures. Please note that the completed enrolment form must be returned to the School Office or the local administrator by March 31st. 13. How do I pay? Please refer to the payment options on the enrolment form. 14. Can I cancel? Yes, but this will incur the following charges: - 6 and more weeks before departure - total refund. - 5 weeks before departure - 10% of total cost. - 4 weeks before departure - 25% of total cost. - 1 week before departure - 50% of total cost. - 2 days before departure or non-arrival - Total cost. 15. Can I make alternative arrangements for the return flight? Yes, but this will incur the following charges: - Prearranged collection at Heathrow (at the time of official group check-in ie. 3 hours before departure). Fee £ 25. - Any other collection or individual drop-off at Heathrow accompanied by Excel staff. Fee £ 125. - Documentation of any alternative arrangement and appropriate payment must be made to the Excel Office with the completed enrolment form. The documentation must contain the name of the contact meeting your child, relationship of contact to child/family, contact telephone number, date and time of meeting place. 16. Pocket Money? Please see the enrolment form. Cash payment will be made of £100 at the end of the first week and a further £100 at the end of the second week. Any extra funds given to students by parents are not the responsibility of Excel. We strongly advise that students bring only £50 on arrival for any personal expenses in the first week. 17. Can my child make unsupervised outings? Students aged 14 and under are not allowed to go out unaccompanied. Students aged 15 and over require written parental permission. It is important that students only make unsupervised outings in the company of one or more of their friends. 18. Can my child stay with his/her friend at the host family? Yes, but you must indicate the name of the friend and agree with him/her and respective parents before completing the enrolment form.

Contact Us Excel Communication Institute  51 Tweedy Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 3NH, UK Tel: +44 (0)208 466 7070 Fax: +44 (0)208 466 5111 Email: info@excel-institute.co.uk