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| English in Chester 9-11 Stanley Place Chester CH1 2LU |
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| Tel: | +44 (0)1244 318913 |
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| Fax: | +44 (0)1244 320091 |
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Terms & Conditions
Swine Flu
English in Chester and Swine flu (H1N1 virus)
The spread of the new H1N1 flu virus worldwide has been in the headlines around the world in recent weeks. The number of cases has grown quickly, and the World Health Organisation is now calling the virus "unstoppable".
Fortunately, very few cases of H1N1 flu have led to serious illness. Almost all people who have contracted the virus so far have suffered mild flu symptoms and have fully recovered within 5 to 10 days without the need of further medication. The number of serious cases leading to complications is only slightly higher than the rate expected for normal winter flu viruses that arrive every year. In most cases, people who have had serious complications have had other long-term serious medical conditions.
There has been no significant problem in Chester so far, but we know that the virus is spreading all over the world and so there is a good chance that the city will be affected at some point, like every other town or city in the world. English in Chester therefore recognises that students, their sponsors and parents may be concerned about the spread of the virus and that they will wish to know what measures the school is taking to combat and deal with the problem.
What is the school doing to reduce the chances of the H1N1 virus spreading in the school?
The school took advice several weeks ago about steps to take to reduce the chances of the H1N1 virus spreading in the school. We have taken the following measures:
- There are notices throughout the school encouraging staff and students to maintain good basic hygiene. This advice is also given to students on arrival at the school. They should use tissues if they sneeze and dispose of them as soon as possible in a bin. They should also wash their hands regularly.
- The school is selling cheap packs of tissues to students in the office, there are anti-bacterial hand washing dispensers in the toilets and antiviral quick-drying hand gel throughout the school. There are bins in all public areas.
- The school has increased its cleaning procedures, and in particular is cleaning hard surfaces such as door handles to minimise the risk of the spread of viruses.
What can students do before they come to Chester?
- Students should not travel to Chester if they suspect that they have the virus. It is unlikely in any case that the airline will allow the student to travel.
- If a student has another serious medical condition, he or she should consider whether they can postpone their visit to the UK. The school will consider any requests to postpone arrival sympathetically if students have a pre-existing serious medical condition. These would include:
Chronic lung/heart/kidney/liver/neurological disease, any disease or treatment leading to immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus, students who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past 3 years - All students coming to the school should make sure they have adequate travel insurance. This needs to cover medical expenses, cancellation and postponement. The school will not be able to cover expenses incurred by illness, such as reorganising a flight or a longer stay in accommodation after the course has finished, so we advise all students to ensure that they have suitable insurance cover.
What will the school do if a student is suspected of having caught the H1N1 virus?
- The school will help the student to check their symptoms. The main symptoms are a sudden high temperature and a sudden cough, but may also include a headache, tiredness, aching limbs, a sore throat and sneezing. The school has designated a room for quarantining students who are unwell and suspected of having the virus.
- The UK has an excellent referral service for any people suspected of having contracted the H1N1 virus. The school will help the student to contact the government helpline and/or a doctor in the UK who will advise the student and prescribe medicine if required. The UK has large stockpiles of antiviral medicine and students will have no problems getting this if it is required.
- Any member of staff or student who is suffering from the virus will be isolated from other students. Staff will be sent home and we will encourage students to stay at their homestay or other accommodation if possible until they feel better, which will usually be in 5 to 7 days. Students will be marked as authorised absences for the period they are away from school.
- The school will keep in close touch with students if they are ill, as we always do, and if appropriate will provide language work for the student to do at home. Students should inform the school when they feel fit to return to normal classes.
- The school will not close unless there is a severe outbreak, following advice from the UK government and English UK. The school may have to take other short-term measures, such as combining classes, if staff numbers are significantly reduced through illness. The school will do all it can to ensure that the students receive the excellent provision that they would normally expect.
- There may be cases where students suffering from the illness are unable to travel as planned at the end of their course. The school will help them to extend or find alternative accommodation and to re-arrange any travel plans if necessary.
- The school’s terms and conditions fully outline the school's position regarding postponement or cancellation of courses. Our up-to-date terms and conditions are available here.
