COVID-19 Safety measures for face-to-face classes & FAQs

We are teaching face-to-face classes - come and join us!

The UK is currently one of the most 'open' destinations in the world to study English, however should travel rules change you can trust that your chosen course at IH Bristol will continue uninterrupted whatever happens.

Jump to:

Covid-19 guidance for England
Arriving in the UK - latest travel guidance
What we expect of our students
What IH Bristol will do for you
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Covid-19 guidance for England (updated March 2022)

We try to keep this page updated as frequently as possible, however you can check the latest UK government updates here. If there is anything you are not sure about, please ask us.

Masks are no longer mandatory on public transport and in shops, however, you may wish to wear one in enclosed or crowded public spaces
In school and in the classroom, all fully vaccinated students can choose whether or not to wear a mask. Unvaccinated students are encouraged to wear masks.
There is no longer a legal requirement for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) infection to self-isolate, however if you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people: we ask our students to follow this advice

Arriving in the UK - Latest travel guidance

There are no more Covid restrictions for travellers to the UK.

you do not need complete a Passenger Locator Form
you do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests before you travel to England or after you arrive
you do not need to quarantine when you arrive in England

Please note these guidelines are subject to change, and we will keep this page updated as often as we can however you can also check the UK government guidance directly here.

What we expect of our students:

We will ask you to complete our online Travel & Health Declaration before you travel/start your course, so we can make sure all students are safe to join us. If you have shown symptoms in the last 10 days of COVID-19, please inform us. Main symptoms are:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- a flu-like illness with fever (temperature above 37.8C) and at least one of the following respiratory symptoms, which must be of acute onset: persistent cough (with or without sputum), hoarseness, nasal discharge or congestion, shortness or breath, sore throat, wheezing, sneezing

You must inform IH Bristol if you have pre-existing health conditions which mean you are in the COVID-19 high risk categories.
In school and in the classroom, all fully vaccinated students can choose whether or not to wear a mask. Unvaccinated students are encouraged to wear masks.
Each time you enter/leave the school, you must sign in/out as instructed on arrival and wash your hands.
You are expected to follow IH Bristol’s posters on hand-sanitising
If you sneeze or cough, use a tissue, and place this securely in a bin. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze/cough into your elbow.
It is a good idea to bring your own water bottle each day.

What IH Bristol will do for you:

We will ventilate rooms where possible.
Hand sanitisers are available for students at the entrance and at various locations in communal areas/corridors. Please use these regularly and before and after you touch common areas (snack and drink machines, for example).
In addition to our regular cleaning procedures, staff regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched items around the school each day: door handles, flush plates, microwave, etc; the areas of the school being used by students.
Accommodation facilities will comply with COVID-19 related new regulations imposed by the local authorities, if and when these are made public.

Accommodation

Homestay:

Homestays have been asked to inform us if they or anyone in their household are in the high-risk categories and we will avoid placing students with these families.
If you need to self-isolate at your homestay, we will support and advise you and your host throughout this time
Additional emergency accommodation is available if necessary
We continue to keep homestay families updated with any change in guidance where necessary

Good to Go

We're delighted to have been awarded "We're Good to go" status by Visit England.

This industry standard mark means that International House Bristol is following government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring processes and policies are in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.⁠

Find out more here.

FAQ

Are all courses available?

Yes, our full range of courses is available.

We will be running all summer courses (for adults and juniors) as normal.

Find out more about:

What do I need to prepare?

Please follow our COVID-19 guidance listed above and complete our Health & Travel Declaration here. If you have shown any symptoms of COVID-19, please inform us.

If you have a medical condition that could put you at additional risk (for example asthma) you must inform us as per our standard terms & conditions. It is your own decision to travel (or your parents', if you are under 18), so please make sure you are aware of any risks associated.

Masks are no longer mandatory indoors in school or in public spaces; if you are more comfortable wearing mask then bring them, if you don't normally wear masks it still makes sense to bring a few, just in case. Hand sanitiser is provided throughout the school building, but you may wish to bring your own for use out and about.

Most businesses in the UK now prefer card payments (contactless if possible) so be prepared to pay this way.

Do I need to self-isolate on arrival to the UK?

No, it's no longer a requirement for anyone to self-isolate on arrival to the UK, but please see the Latest Travel Guidance above to check the latest rules.

How do I get to and from the airport safely?

Public transport is available, however, we recommend booking our normal private taxi transfer service to and from the airport.

Can I travel around Bristol safely?

Yes, public transport is running as normal. It is not a requirement to wear a facemask on public transport, but we do recommend it.

What is the cancellation policy?

We know these are uncertain times for everyone, so if you show symptoms or your travel plans are disrupted, you can postpone your course with no penalty (however if you cancel your English course, your course deposit is non-refundable). For accommodation, 1 weeks' accommodation payment may be due in lieu of notice for last minute changes.

Please note, we cannot take any responsibility for any additional costs incurred (for example, your flights) so we highly recommend you take out full insurance to cover this.

Once you begin your course, our standard Terms & Conditions apply.

What happens if I get symptoms of Covid-19 before I travel?

Please inform us immediately; we will need to discuss whether it's better to postpone your booking - but don’t worry - we won’t charge you extra course fees and we will re-arrange the course for you. We want you to be safe and well so you can enjoy your course with us.

What happens if I get symptoms of Covid-19 after I arrive in Bristol?

On your first day at school, we will remind you of the main COVID symptoms. Students should tell IH Bristol if they develop any symptoms.

If you are at school, we recommend you return to your house and isolate as per government guidelines. If you are at home, please do the same. If you are with a homestay, you can ask for help, and call our school office/Emergency Phone.
If you have tested positive with COVID-19, we ask you to self-isolate at home until the guidance says you can return to a normal routine. Our team will be in contact with you to support you, to make sure you have what you need, to help with any phone calls in English, etc.
Where possible, we will move you to online lessons so you can continue learning while self-isolating (there is no difference in cost for this). If you are too ill to have classes, this is a standard absence as per our Terms & Conditions
If a period of self-isolation ends after your planned departure from the UK, or you become ill and are unable to travel, you will need to extend your stay at your own cost but only for accommodation. If you have taken our insurance, this may cover this situation.

What is open in Bristol?

There are no current restrictions in place so everything is open as normal. There is no legal requirement to wear a mask or face covering when using public transport or entering shops and indoor attractions, so you may make your own decision about this.

Do I need insurance?

Yes. Although your course with IH Bristol can be easily postponed, other elements of your trip may not be and we cannot accept any responsibility for any other costs incurred during your trip - for example flights or extension of accommodation should you need to isolate. You can find our recommended insurance options here.

*All advice is based on current UK government guidance correct at the time of writing. We will review regularly and will update our policies and this webpage and advise staff and students.

COVID-19 Safety Measures for Face-to-Face Classes & FAQ