Under-18s in the Adult School
Support for students aged 16 and 17
We welcome students aged 16 and 17 to our Adult School. They study in an adult environment and are given more independence than students on our junior programmes, but we put additional welfare and safeguarding arrangements in place to help them feel safe, supported and settled.
We want students to enjoy their course, make friends and make the most of their time in Southampton. Students can speak to us about their studies, accommodation, health or any other questions or concerns.
This page explains the support we provide and the additional rules that apply to students under 18.
Welfare: key points
Weekly welfare check-ins
Students under 18 meet our Welfare Manager each week to check that everything is going well and to discuss any questions or concerns.
Attendance monitoring
Students under 18 must attend all lessons and weekly welfare check-ins. If they are absent or late without explanation, we follow up promptly. The usual Adult School attendance and lateness rules also apply.
Named welfare contacts
Students can speak to our Welfare Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead or any member of staff if they need help.
Homestay support and curfews
Students staying in homestay must follow the agreed curfew and keep their host informed of their plans.
Age-appropriate activities
Students can join many school social activities, although some activities or venues are only available to students aged 18 or over.
24-hour emergency support
Students receive the school’s 24-hour emergency number before arrival and are reminded of it during their stay.
Welfare and safeguarding support
Our Welfare Manager is available to help with practical or personal concerns. Students under 18 attend a weekly welfare check-in, and we may arrange additional meetings where needed.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead manages concerns about a student’s safety or possible harm. Students are introduced to the relevant members of staff during induction and are encouraged to ask for help early.
Our key contacts are:
- Welfare Manager: Suzie Brierley, at Reception
- Designated Safeguarding Lead: Larissa Ribeiro, Academic Manager
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Alistair Walker, Director
Staff receive welfare and safeguarding training appropriate to their role, and first aiders are available at the school.
We must have suitable parent, guardian and emergency contact details for every student under 18. Where necessary, we may contact them about attendance, welfare, behaviour, safeguarding or an emergency.
Attendance and weekly check-ins
Students under 18 must attend:
- all lessons
- weekly welfare check-ins
- any additional welfare or support meetings arranged by the school.
If a student is absent or late without explanation, we follow this up promptly. Repeated or serious concerns may lead to action under our attendance, welfare, discipline or safeguarding procedures.
An adult learning environment
The Adult School is not a junior centre. Students aged 16 and 17 study alongside adult students and are expected to manage their time more independently.
The school does not provide normal supervision during breaks, after lessons or at weekends. Supervision is provided during lessons, welfare meetings and organised school activities. Students should make safe and sensible decisions, follow the additional rules for under-18s and ask us for help whenever they are unsure.
Before arrival
A parent or guardian must complete and return our parental consent form before the student travels. This includes emergency contact details and consent relating to the course, travel arrangements and emergency medical treatment.
We must also know how the student will travel to Southampton from the airport, railway station or port. We may recommend or arrange a taxi transfer. Students planning to travel by train or coach should tell us in advance so that we can provide suitable guidance.
Homestay accommodation
Students under 18 staying in school-arranged accommodation are placed with approved homestay hosts. All hosts accommodating under-18s, and all adult members of their households, complete DBS (police) checks. The hosts also complete safeguarding training.
Students should tell us if they feel uncomfortable or need help with their accommodation or daily routine.
Curfew
Unless a different arrangement has been agreed in advance, students must return to their homestay by:
- 22.30 from Sunday to Thursday
- 23.00 on Friday and Saturday.
If a student is going to be late or has a problem, they must contact their host immediately. The host will contact the school if the student does not return as expected.
Activities and age-related rules
Students under 18 can join many activities organised for Adult School students. However, some activities, venues or parts of the programme are restricted to people aged 18 or over.
Students under 18 must follow all age-related instructions. They must not buy or drink alcohol as part of school activities or arrangements, and they must follow UK law and school rules relating to smoking, vaping and other age-restricted items.
Emergency contact
We provide the school’s 24-hour emergency number in writing before arrival and again during the student’s stay. It is included on the booking confirmation, pre-arrival email and parental consent form where relevant. The number is also available on the school’s answerphone message. Students are reminded during induction when and how to use it.
Students should save the number on their phone. In an immediate emergency, they should call 999.
More information
For more information, please see the documents below.
Policy for Under-18s in the Adult School
Adult School Pre-Arrival Guide
Safeguarding Policy
All school policies
Questions about studying with us?
Please contact us before booking or travelling if you would like to discuss welfare support, accommodation, travel, supervision or any other arrangements for a student under 18.
Contact the Lewis School
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