AEGIS was founded by a group of leading boarding schools and UK guardianship organisations to safeguard the welfare and happiness of children from overseas being cared for in this country. It also provides a forum for schools to address important issues concerning their international students. Recent seminar discussions have included ‘Integrating overseas students’, ‘The international student and the law’, ‘English language teaching and support, in and out of the classroom’, and other matters of topical importance
Accreditation
The Association provides accreditation for reputable guardianship organisations. The inspections and assessment are rigorous and ensure that each organisation is adhering to the AEGIS Code of Practice and meeting the required criteria before it can gain full membership of AEGIS. It uses inspectors who have previously trained with the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). AEGIS, which has charitable status, also works in close conjunction with the Boarding Schools’ Association and the British Council.
Membership for guardianship organisations
The membership criteria for guardianship organisations are comprehensive and rigorous, and are designed to uphold the highest possible standards. If the parents of an international student have cause for complaint, AEGIS will operate a grievance procedure.
The requirements that must be met by guardianship organisations in the UK accredited by AEGIS include:
• safeguarding the welfare and happiness of children and young adults under guardianship and, in conjunction with the educational institutions, acting on behalf of their parents
• respecting the child’s rights, religion and customs
• providing suitable guardian families who have been carefully checked through the correct national procedures and whose homes have been visited and vetted
• assuming care whenever necessary and having a member of staff who can be contacted 24 hours a day in case of emergency
• maintaining appropriate contact with the child, the overseas parents, the guardianship family and the school, and keeping adequate records of all such contact
• providing appropriate and comprehensive guidelines on care, including emergency procedures, to the child, the overseas parents, the guardian family and the school.
Membership for schools
School membership of AEGIS signifies a school’s endorsement of standards and measures that help to protect the international student and to maintain the highest level of care. With a large number of independent schools and colleges taking up membership, the AEGIS motif represents a hallmark for best practice in the care of international students. School members also benefit from both the AEGIS helpline and the conferences, which provide a forum for all international student issues.
Further information
For further information about AEGIS, please contact:
Mrs Janet Bowman, AEGIS Administration Manager, 66 Humphreys Close, Randwick, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 4NY
Tel/fax: +44 (0)1453 755160
E-mail: secretary@aegisuk.net Web: www.aegisuk.net