Devon School of English

Adult Accommodation

Host Families

During their course most students prefer to stay with an English family, so that they can get the greatest benefit from their stay in England. All our host families are carefully selected by our accommodation team and then checked for comfort, friendliness and suitable study facilities.

All of our host families are located within walking distance of the school, with a maximum distance of approximately 20 minutes. Students are placed in families using the information received on their enrolment form about special diets or preferences. You can choose full-board, where students have breakfast and dinner at home and are given a picnic lunch every day; or half-board with no weekday lunches. Students stay in single rooms.

In the summer students can also choose to share with another student of a different nationality / mother tongue, although single rooms are available on payment of a small supplement. All of our families offer a light laundry service. We will do everything to ensure that your stay with your host family is as pleasant and enjoyable as possible.

Hotels and Bed & Breakfast

We run our own booking service for those who prefer to stay in hotel accommodation. A wide range of Bed and Breakfast accommodation is also available in the town. Brochures and prices are available on request.

Apartments

It is also possible to rent holiday apartments. Once again we provide an information and reservation service. (Please note it is necessary to book well in advance).

Homestay Teenager Accommodation

Homestays

Paignton is a small, quiet town. Students are placed in families as close as possible to the school and in any case at a maximum of 20 minutes’ walking distance (they are accompanied by their families on the first day).

Students usually share a room with a student of a different nationality, unless they ask to stay with a friend. They can also have a single room if they prefer. Accommodation is full board. Students have breakfast with the family and are given a “picnic” lunch (for example, sandwiches, crisps, some fruit, a soft drink) which they eat at school or in the school gardens. They then have dinner with the family in the evening.

As a family-run school, we know all our host families personally. These are people who are used to looking after young people, who genuinely care for the welfare of their young guests and who understand the feelings of youngsters away from home – perhaps for the first time.

All our families are checked regularly by our Accommodation Staff and also by the relevant authorities in accordance with British Council guidelines. Students often come back year after year to the same family and very often longstanding friendships are formed during their Teenager course in Paignton.

Residential Courses Accommodation

Queen’s College accommodation houses have well-appointed dormitories with between 2 and 6 beds. There are also single rooms available. Each student has wardrobe and drawer space and a lockable cupboard. Students are advised to leave expensive items in the school safe. Towels and bed linen are provided – they are changed weekly.

Each house has a pay phone and students can phone home using phone cards purchased from the school office. Parents can phone or leave a message on the office telephone / fax machine.

A 24-hour emergency number will also be provided. We advise students to telephone their parents once they have arrived at the college to assure them that they have arrived safely and well.

The three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are taken in the large, light and airy dining hall. There is a choice of meals every day plus a vegetarian option. Food is cooked freshly on the premises, with packed meals being provided for excursions and transfers. Menus offer a varied, balanced, healthy and tasty diet, with produce supplied from local farmers and butchers. There is also a Tuck Shop, providing the students with a variety of snacks, sweets and cold drinks.

Supervision & security

Supervision and security are certainly the major concerns of parents sending their child to England and we, at The Devon School, give these matters our top priority. We make sure that parents feel confident about sending their child to study with us. Day and evening activities are closely supervised by our Managers, teachers and activity leaders. Students must take part in the full activity programme and are not permitted to go off on their own.

Staff are always on hand to deal with any individual problems or requests. Our Anti-Bullying Code (ABC) means that everyone can be sure that they will enjoy their time at Queen’s free from intimidation.

On the first day of school, students are given a personal school identity card with an emergency telephone number which can be contacted 24 hours a day. Before their arrival, students receive a welcome Pack, explaining exactly what to expect during their stay.