1984 (as the Cambridge School of English) FS: 45; CS: 100 FS: 58; CS: 233 (CN: 127) Minimum age (including closed group or vacation) FS: 16 FS: 16-20

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1 Spot check report Organisation name EC London Inspection date 31 July 2014 BACKGROUND Organisation profile Inspection history First inspection Dates/details Last full inspection October 2013 Subsequent spot check (if applicable) Subsequent supplementary check (if applicable) Subsequent interim visit (if applicable) Other related schools / centres /affiliates Other related non-accredited activities (in brief) at this centre Current accreditation status and reason for spot check Current accredited status Accredited Reason for spot check Premises profile Address of main site Details of any additional sites in use at the time of the inspection Details of any additional sites not in use at the time of the inspection Sites inspected 1984 (as the Cambridge School of English) 15 EC schools in Malta, UK, South Africa, Canada and the USA. None. Signalled: check course not running at inspection EC Central (Head Office): St. Julian's Business Centre, Elia Zammit Street, St. Julian's, STJ 3153, Malta EC London: Euston House, Floor 3, 24 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AD EC London: Euston House, Floor 3, 24 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AD EC Covent Garden: 7-11 Stukeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5LB EC Freestyle (FS): CityLit, 1-10 Keeley Street, London WC2B 4BA EC Classic London South (CS): St Dunstan s, Stanstead Rd, London SE6 4TY EC Classic London North (CN): St Margaret s, Merry Hill Road, Bushey WD23 1DT EC Freestyle at CityLit, 1-10 Keeley Street, London WC2B 4BA EC Classic South at St Dunstan's, Stanstead Road, London SE6 4TY Student and staff profile At inspection In peak week (14 July 2014) Total ELT/ESOL student numbers (FT + PT) FS: 45; CS: 100 FS: 58; CS: 233 (CN: 94) (CN: 127) Minimum age (including closed group or vacation) FS: 16 FS: 16 CS: 12 CS: 12 Typical age range FS: FS: CS: CS: Typical length of stay 1-2 weeks 1-2weeks Predominant nationalities German, Italian, Chinese, German, Italian, Moroccan, Ukranian, Moroccan, Ukranian, Polish, Polish, Russian, Russian, Belgian Belgian, Chinese Total number of teachers on eligible ELT courses Total number of administrative/ancillary staff 12 Report expires 31 March 2018

2 INTRODUCTION Background EC London was last inspected in October 2013 when continued accreditation was recommended. There was a further recommendation that a supplementary inspection be carried out in summer 2014 to assess the Classic and Freestyle courses held for teenagers at other sites in London. This is the report of the supplementary inspection. Preparation The supplementary inspection was carried out by one inspector who had not been part of the inspection team in October A date for the inspection was agreed with the centre director of the year-round EC school in Euston, London; the inspector requested, and was sent, documentation in electronic form relating to the staffing of the junior courses, the teaching and social programmes, and an organogram. Some publicity materials were received from the Accreditation Unit. A timetable was drawn up and agreed with the centre director of the London Euston school. Programme and persons present The inspection took place on 31 July 2014, starting at and finishing at The programme: 1. A half day at the Classic South London programme at St Dunstans (CS): discussions with the centre manager, the academic manager and the social leader co-ordinator focus groups with students and with teachers short observations of all the classes running. 2. A half day at the Freestyle programme at CityLit, central London (FS): discussions with the centre manager, the academic manager and the curfew manager from one of the residences focus groups with students and with teachers short observations of all the classes running. 3. A meeting followed by a short round up at the EC London Euston school with the centre director who has overall responsibility for the junior programmes, and the manager in charge of the three junior programmes. Relevant documentation was scrutinised in both centres. FINDINGS Course structure The Freestyle programme is for students aged The course offers 15 hours of General English per week with an activity programme of three half-days, two evenings and one full-day excursion (for students staying at least two weeks). The maximum class size is dates: 29 June to 23 August. The Classic programme is for students aged year olds are occasionally enrolled as part of closed groups. The course offers 15 hours of General English per week with an activity programme of five half-days, three evenings and one full-day trip (for students staying at least two weeks). Two evenings are spent with the homestay hosts, and one full day (for students staying at least two weeks). The maximum class size is dates: 22 June to 23 August (Classic South), 6 July to 16 August (Classic North). Management The centre manager at the year-round EC London school in Euston has overall responsibility for the junior courses; he is assisted by the junior manager, a teacher at the Euston school, who had experience of being a centre manager herself in She has an operational role, visiting and supporting the centres through the summer. Both summer centre managers spoke of excellent support from, and a very constructive working relationship with, the junior manager. The centre manager at CS has experience in various roles within EC. The centre manager at FS is new in her role in Communication in both summer centres is good with daily briefings, short meetings and much informal communication by mobile phone and texts. Both teams of staff clearly work very closely together and both centre managers reported very good working relationships with the staff of the host organisation. Student feedback is collected every Wednesday by a survey and any issues are followed up and recorded; there was evidence of quick attention and decisive action having been taken. Feedback is passed onto the senior team

3 regularly. For feedback on homestay accommodation at CS see below. Students in the focus groups were generally very positive about all aspects of their course programmes, as well as about the staff and the accommodation provision. Staff have an opportunity to provide feedback during regular meetings and at the end of their summer contract. Publicity There are no issues relating to the publicity materials for the junior courses. Resources and environment For premises see Premises and facilities below. The resources for the Freestyle programme are good with an adequate range of suitable and up-to-date materials. The resources for the Classic programme are also good and include a good choice of course books for teenagers and a good range of supplementary materials. Academic management The academic manager at the year-round London school in Euston is responsible for recruiting the academic manager for each summer centre, and the teachers. Both summer academic managers are TEFLQ and have experience as teachers in the EC London Euston school; there is a senior teacher at FS who is also TEFLQ. At FS short development sessions for teachers are held regularly and had included teaching teenagers and exploiting course books effectively. All teachers had been observed. Teachers reported good support from the academic manager, particularly with regard to selecting and using materials effectively. At CS development sessions are held weekly and had included using interactive whiteboards, teaching pronunciation and lesson planning. All teachers had been observed with notes on file that were seen to be constructive; newly-qualified teachers are observed twice so that any additional support can be provided. Teachers in the focus group reported excellent support from the academic manager, and also from the centre manager when occasionally they needed to deal with disruptive students. Both course programmes have a syllabus and follow course books. Teachers team-teach, each working on a different unit in the book to avoid any overlap or repetition, while some lessons are based on supplementary materials. Students receive a certificate at the end of their course with their attendance noted, and the level they have studied at. Teaching observations At FS three classes were observed and the segments assessed to be good. Lesson plans showed good attention to course objectives and teachers showed a good awareness of the linguistic systems of English. Topics were appropriate and were sometimes negotiated with students. A good range of teaching techniques was seen and teachers were able to set up and monitor pair and group work appropriately. Students were mostly engaged by the classroom activities observed. At CS four classes were observed and the segments assessed to be good. Lesson plans were thorough and included a good element of review. Topics were suitable for the age range and all teachers showed a good knowledge of the linguistic systems of English, and were able to explain and illustrate new language well. Teachers used nomination and gave clear instructions; all had good elicitation techniques and allowed students time to produce the target language. Students were all involved and engaged in the classes observed. Welfare and student services At FS the site is quite open as other organisations and individuals are in the building attending courses but FS students stay on the floor where their classroom is, and in break times sit on the roof terrace on the fourth floor or go to the cafeteria on the ground floor. Students are issued with wrist bands as ID. At CS there is very good supervision by the team leaders at all times when students are not in class. At both centres students are told to approach the centre manager or any of the staff if they have problems. The staff in both centres know the students well and clearly understand the importance of picking up on any pastoral issues. At FS transfers are organised by the curfew monitor who is based at one of the residences. At CS transfers for the students are organised by the transport and accommodation co-ordinator, based in the summer centre.

4 Accommodation At FS students are accommodated in one of two residences: most are in the residence in Islington, north London, which offers shared self-catering flats with single en-suite bedrooms, a shared kitchen and a common room; the second residence is in Clerkenwell, east London, and offers single en-suite bedrooms and a shared common room. Both residences have CCTV cameras and a secure door entry system; both residences have first aid trained staff. The average journey time to the summer centre is minutes by public transport and the cost of a travel card is given in the publicity materials. Each residence has live-in EC supervisors who are introduced to new students on their first Sunday evening, and one accompanies the students to breakfast. The accommodation is offered on a halfboard basis with students receiving vouchers for breakfast and dinner to use in the café at the EC London school in Covent Garden, very close to the summer centre at CityLit. At weekends, when the EC school is closed, students are given a choice of two cafes in the area where they can use the vouchers. There had been some comments from students about the unsatisfactory breakfast provided in the school café; this issue had been dealt with promptly and students in the focus group said they were now reasonably happy about the situation. There was no time during this one day inspection to visit a residence but the curfew monitor from the Islington residence came to the Citylit centre to talk to the inspector. She explained that, in her view, cleaning at the residence was good. She reported that fire drills had been carried out but always on Monday mornings when the students had already left; she agreed to raise the issue with the manager at the residence to ensure that a more appropriate time is scheduled for a fire drill. She is in regular contact with the students at the residence by phone or text so feels well informed about where they are and what they choose to do. Students at CS are accommodated in homestays on a full board basis. Lunch is taken in the school refectory, with packed lunches provided at weekends when there are trips; dinner is also provided in the school three evenings per week when there are evening activities. The average journey time to the centre is minutes by bus or on foot and the homestay host takes the student(s) to/from the centre every day. The homestay provision is arranged through an accommodation agency registered with the British Council, and so no homestay visits were required. The centre manager reported a positive working relationship with the agency and swift attention to any issues that arose. On Mondays a member of staff from the accommodation agency comes for a homestay surgery to check everyone is happy, and agency staff are available throughout the summer. Students on the Classic North programme, also for year olds, are all accommodated on a full board basis in a boarding school in Bushey (zone 8). Leisure programme At FS there is an activities coordinator responsible for the social programme. In the residences there is also a bank of information about places to go and things for students to do in their free time. At CS the activity programme is compulsory. Team leaders are former students of St Dunstan s so they know the school and local area very well. The social activity organiser draws up the programme one week in advance and briefs the team leaders so that they can do their own research before leading an activity. All key activity staff are trained first aiders. Sports available include swimming with a lifeguard on duty in the school pool; a wide range of sports is organised including football, cricket, basketball and rounders. There are risk assessments in place for all activities, including sports. Scenarios involving risks on the activity programme are practised and then discussed at induction so activity staff are well prepared. All students have an emergency number on their student cards. Care of under 18s For care of under 18s see criteria C1-C8 below. Premises and facilities Criteria Not met Met Strength R1 Adequate space R2 Condition of premises R3 Classrooms and learning areas R4 Student relaxation facilities R5 Signage and display R6 Staff room(s) See comments

5 Comments Premises profile: The FS programme takes place at the central London premises of CityLit in Covent Garden, an organisation that runs evening, daytime and weekend courses for adults. The building opened in 2005 and has more than 50 modern classrooms available, and a cafeteria on the ground floor. The ground floor reception is staffed all day and students ID is checked as they arrive. EC has an office for the centre manager and academic manager on the fourth floor, and classrooms on the second and fourth floors. The CS programme takes place at St Dunstan s, a co-educational independent school in Catford, south-east London, close to very good transport links into central London. The school is in a large Victorian building with extensive grounds, and a further 20 acre site opposite the school with sports facilities including tennis courts. EC has a large office and a teachers room on the ground floor, and classrooms on the first floor. R3 Classrooms at both sets of premises are large and are furnished appropriately. At both sites the classrooms have interactive whiteboards and whiteboards, and suitable furniture for the age groups. R4 At CityLit students buy food in the cafeteria or in nearby Covent Garden, and then eat their lunch either in the cafeteria or on an attractive roof terrace on the fourth floor close to the EC office. They have access to computers in the classrooms and there is Wi-Fi in the building. At St Dunstan s students have lunch in the refectory, and afterwards can sit in the school garden to relax or in a break-out area on the ground floor. There is Wi-Fi throughout the college and its grounds and students can use a computer room with controlled internet access. Students are not allowed off-site unsupervised. Care of under 18s Criteria Not met Met Strength C1 Safeguarding policy C2 Guidance and training C3 Publicity See comments C4 Recruitment materials C5 Suitability checks C6 Safety and supervision C7 Accommodation C8 Contact arrangements Comments C3 There is clear and quite detailed information about the level of care and support given to students under 18 in the publicity materials, as well as an outline of the rules that apply at FS and CS. C5 All staff working on the junior courses had undergone suitability checks. C6 FS students who are 16 and 17 have to go out in groups of minimum three students, and are required to sign out with information about where they are going and who with; they have a curfew of and staff check they are back. On the CS programme, parental consent forms giving permission for students to leave the site unsupervised are no longer accepted. Experience in previous years showed staff that supervision at all times was the best option on a central London site. Staff were seen supervising breaks indoors and outside. C7 Accommodation arrangements for under 18s are satisfactory. See description above. Care of under 18s summary The provision meets the section standard. There is appropriate provision for the safeguarding of students under the age of 18 on the junior courses and in the leisure activities and accommodation provided. POINTS TO BE ADDRESSED Points to be addressed relating to the October 2013 inspection These were not discussed during this one day inspection because of time constraints.

6 CONCLUSIONS The junior courses are managed very professionally and delivered according to the standards required by the Accreditation Scheme. The management structure is clear and communication good; feedback is collected and taken seriously. Publicity materials are clear and accurate. The premises for the FS and CS courses are very suitable. Teachers have appropriate qualifications, are given good support and have access to appropriate resources. The teaching observed was good. The welfare provision is sound, the accommodation and leisure programme provided suitable, and issues relating to the care of under 18s are addressed well. RECOMMENDATION The next inspection falls due in 2017; there are no grounds for bringing this forward. PUBLISHABLE STATEMENT Changes to publishable statement No changes need to be made to the publishable statement. Publishable statement The British Council inspected and accredited EC London in October The Accreditation Scheme assesses the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching, welfare and care of under 18s and accredits organisations which meet the overall standard in each area inspected (see for details). This large private language school offers courses in general English for adults (16+) and vacation courses for under-18s. The inspection report noted a need for improvement in the area of publicity. Strengths were noted in the areas of staff management, quality assurance, learning resources, academic management, course design, learner management, teaching and care of students. The inspection report stated that the organisation met the standards of the Scheme. Points to be addressed outstanding from the previous inspection(s) or arising from this visit W1 Fire drills requiring evacuation of the residence in Islington only take place at times when the EC students are not there.