Safety and Support


Safeguarding

Lancaster University takes all reasonable measures to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of young people that take part in the Pre-university Global Summer School.

We protect the safety and security of young people in the following ways:

  • Designated Safeguarding Leads to oversee the planning and delivery of the summer school
  • All LU staff and Student Ambassadors involved the delivery of the Pre-University Global Summer School have undertaken compulsory Safeguarding and Child Protection training and undertake their duties in accordance with Lancaster’s Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk policy : Policies and regulations | ASK - Lancaster University
  • All LU staff and Student Ambassadors involved in the delivery of the summer school undertake additional training on how to report concerns or disclosures in relation to safeguarding, student health and wellbeing
  • Young people participating in the Pre-University Global Summer School are registered as LU students so they can access a range of university services relating to student support, wellbeing and mental health (as required)
  • All young people must comply with the Pre-University Global Summer School Online and Residential and Code of Conduct
  • All events and activities delivered on campus at Lancaster University and off-site at other venues/locations as part of the Pre-University Global Summer School are fully risk assessed
  • In advance of the programme, students and parents/guardians will be invited to attend an online briefing session to meet the Global Experiences team, ask questions and find out more about the pastoral support available

Security and accommodation

  • Lancaster is a campus-based university set in 578-acres of parkland, we have a 24/7 Security team on site to protect the health and safety of the LU staff and student community
  • Students will stay in Lancaster University accommodation on campus in a lockable ensuite bedroom, within a flat of up to 8 young people (reserved for their school group only). They will be fully supervised by the nominated staff member from their international school, who will stay in the accommodation with young people overnight. Accommodation blocks will be reserved for the Pre-University Global Summer School, and no other external guests will be permitted

Supervision

  • Student Ambassadors will be employed to support the delivery of the Pre-University Global Summer School, and they will supervise young people during daytime and evening activities, in addition to LU staff (minimum staff to student ratio of 1:7)
  • There will be two Night Supervisors employed for overnight supervision on campus (Student Ambassadors with additional responsibilities and training) in case of any issues at night. These staff members will support and/or triage any minor problems and liaise with nominated staff from international schools
  • A member of LU staff will be ‘on call’ each night in case of an emergency
  • All young people taking part in the Pre-University Global Summer School will have access to a Global Experiences mobile number during the day and at night so they can speak to a member of LU staff at any point (if needed)

Please note: Young people are always supervised during scheduled daytime, evening and weekend activities by LU staff and Student Ambassadors, in addition to the nominated staff member from the international school. The only exception is when young people are in their bedrooms or during independent study time.

Rules and Expectations

We expect young people to adhere to the following principles/conditions of participation:

  • Meet our eligibility criteria
  • Arrive and depart on the dates and times specified as part of the programme
  • Agree to and abide by the Online and Residential Code of Conduct (as outlined below)

Please note: The above list is not exhaustive. Parents/guardians and students will be asked to acknowledge and agree to a Residential and Online Behaviour Code of Conduct as part of the consent/permissions process.

If individuals do not agree to or fail to comply with the outlined rules and expectations, they will not be offered a place on the programme. Or if they are already taking part in the programme, they may be asked to return home (at the expense of their parents/guardian) in the case of a serious incident.

Online and Residential Code of Conduct

We want everyone attending the Pre-University Global Summer School to enjoy themselves, learn new things, develop skills, make connections and feel welcome. We ask you to follow our Online and Residential Code of Conduct as a condition of participation.

Online

You will be invited to join a Pre-University Global Summer School MS ‘team’ and will also be given access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Moodle. These platforms will be a source of up-to-date information for you during your participation in the programme, give you access to resources for independent study and a place where you can ask questions outside of scheduled in person sessions.

Please be aware of the following online expectations:

  • Act responsibly; appropriate classroom behaviour is always expected. Misuse of audio, video, or chat features will not be tolerated
  • Always follow instructions from Lancaster University staff and Student Ambassadors. If you are asked to stop doing something in an online space, please do so immediately. Repeated failure to follow the instructions will result in you being removed from the MS team/Moodle
  • Do not try to contact LU staff, Student Ambassadors, or fellow participants through their personal emails or social media accounts
  • LU staff, Student Ambassadors, or fellow participants must not contact you through their personal emails or social media accounts. If a member of staff, Student Ambassador, or a participant contacts you in this way, please tell an LU staff member
  • If you post group messages via MS teams or Moodle, please remember that it is public, and everyone can see what you post. Do not share personal details or confidential information about yourself under any circumstances, and do not encourage others to do the same. MS teams and Moodle spaces will be moderated by a member of LU staff throughout the Pre-University Global Summer School
  • Any ‘private’ chats conducted between young people can be accessed by LU staff (as per Lancaster University policy) on the grounds of safeguarding.

Residential

  • Stay in Lancaster University accommodation for the entirety of the Pre-University Global Summer School (fully supervised as outlined above)
  • Do not leave Lancaster University campus at any point during the Pre-University Global Summer School, unless it is to attend pre-scheduled programme events and activities
  • Observe the instructions given to you by Student Ambassadors and Lancaster University staff during your time on campus. This also includes the airport transfer (via coach)
  • Remain with your allocated group or under the supervision of your designated Student Ambassadors as requested
  • Participate fully in (and arrive promptly for) all timetabled aspects of the programme i.e. academic tasters, cultural events, social activities and weekend trips
  • Adhere to all curfews, including ‘lights out’ at night
  • Treat all LU staff, Student Ambassadors, other students and the Lancaster University campus with respect and due consideration
  • No alcohol, intoxicating substances, or dangerous objects should be used or in an individuals' possession at any time during the programme
  • No smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, in any University building at any time
  • Switch off or place mobiles phones on silent during all timetabled sessions, unless instructed to engage in an interactive activity
  • Do not take photographs unless there is the permission of all those involved
  • If you notice that someone else is being bullied, inform an LU staff member as soon as possible

Anti-bulling statement

Online bullying can take different forms, such as:  

  • Verbal: Name calling, making nasty jokes, comments, or threats
  • Emotional: Excluding or ignoring people
  • Cyberbullying: Sending upsetting messages, pictures, or videos through social media, texts, email, etc.  

Lancaster University promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We want all young people attending the programme to feel welcome and safe. Therefore:

  • We will not tolerate any form of bullying
  • You must show respect and kindness to Lancaster University staff, Student Ambassadors and other participants
  • You must not make remarks that could upset someone - including remarks based on gender, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, religious beliefs, or absence of religious beliefs