Atlas Summer Courses Safeguarding Guide
Student Safety & Wellbeing
At Atlas Summer Courses, the safety, wellbeing, and welfare of every student are our highest priorities. Whether attending one of our summer programmes in Oxford, Cambridge, or Harrow School, students benefit from comprehensive safeguarding, dedicated pastoral care, and experienced residential teams committed to creating a safe and supportive environment.
From the moment students apply until they return home, every aspect of the experience is carefully planned. Safeguarding-trained staff, age-appropriate supervision, clear policies, and around-the-clock support help students feel secure, confident, and able to make the most of their time with us. This allows students to focus on learning, building friendships, and enjoying an unforgettable summer experience, while giving parents confidence that their child is in safe and experienced hands.
Our Safeguarding Commitment
At Atlas Summer Courses, safeguarding is more than a policy—it's part of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where every student can learn, grow, and enjoy their summer with confidence. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination, and any behaviour that compromises the safety or wellbeing of others. Before arriving, every student agrees to our Code of Conduct, helping to establish clear expectations from the outset.
Students are encouraged to speak openly and seek support whenever they need it. Our safeguarding and pastoral teams respond promptly, sensitively, and fairly to any concerns, ensuring students always have someone they can turn to. By creating a culture of trust, respect, and accountability, we enable every student to focus on learning, building friendships, and making the most of their Atlas experience.
Dedicated Safeguarding & Welfare Team
At Atlas Summer Courses, every course is supported by an experienced Safeguarding and Welfare Team dedicated to protecting students' safety and wellbeing. Our teams include Course Directors, House Parents, Welfare Officers, tutors, and trained residential staff, all of whom complete enhanced DBS checks and comprehensive safeguarding training before working with students.
Throughout each programme, staff are available to provide guidance, reassurance, and pastoral support whenever it's needed. With clear reporting procedures, defined safeguarding responsibilities, and around-the-clock residential supervision, students always know who they can turn to, while parents can feel confident that their child's welfare is our highest priority.
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Student Safety in Practice
At Atlas Summer Courses, safeguarding is embedded in every part of the student experience. On arrival, students receive a comprehensive induction covering expectations, behaviour, personal safety, and how to access support throughout their programme. Our age-appropriate approach ensures younger students are closely supervised, while older students are given greater independence within clear boundaries and structured guidance.
Daily check-ins, clear routines, appropriate curfews, and a visible residential team help create a safe, supportive environment where students can learn and explore with confidence. Staff remain available throughout the programme to provide guidance, respond to concerns, and ensure every student feels secure, supported, and able to make the most of their summer experience.
Safeguarding Tailored to Every Age Group
At Atlas Summer Courses, our safeguarding and pastoral care are tailored to each student's age, ensuring the right balance of supervision, independence, and personal support throughout every programme.
For students aged 9–12, House Parents, Welfare Managers, and residential staff provide close supervision, structured daily routines, and accompanied activities, creating a safe, nurturing environment where younger learners can build confidence away from home.
For students aged 13–24, greater independence is encouraged within clear boundaries. Welfare Officers, Study Leaders, and Course Directors provide ongoing guidance and oversight, helping students develop confidence, responsibility, and independence while ensuring experienced staff are always available whenever support is needed.
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Behaviour, Respect & Community Standards
At Atlas Summer Courses, we believe every student deserves to learn in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. We ask all students to treat one another with kindness, integrity, and consideration, and we maintain a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination, or any behaviour that compromises the wellbeing of others.
Before every programme begins, students and parents receive clear guidance on our expectations and Code of Conduct. Our pastoral and welfare teams work proactively with students to encourage positive behaviour and resolve concerns wherever possible. In the rare event of a serious breach of our policies, appropriate disciplinary action—including dismissal from the programme—may be necessary to protect the safety and wellbeing of the wider community.
Reporting Concerns & Getting Support
At Atlas Summer Courses, we encourage students to speak up whenever they need advice, support, or reassurance. Before arrival, families receive clear contact information for our safeguarding and welfare teams, and throughout the programme students can approach any trusted member of staff—including tutors, House Parents, Welfare Officers, or Course Directors.
Every concern is taken seriously and managed promptly, sensitively, and in line with our safeguarding procedures. Our trained safeguarding team works closely with students, parents, and staff to ensure concerns are addressed appropriately, communication remains clear, and every student receives the support they need to feel safe and confident throughout their summer programme.
Why Families Trust Atlas Summer Courses
Since 2010, Atlas Summer Courses has welcomed more than 20,000 students from over 150 countries to our summer programmes in Oxford, Cambridge, and leading UK boarding schools. Families choose us for our experienced staff, high standards of safeguarding, and supportive learning environment, with many students returning to study with us year after year.
Every member of our team completes enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding training before working with students. Combined with dedicated pastoral care, around the clock residential support, structured supervision, and clear communication with families, our approach ensures students can learn, grow, and enjoy their summer in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Safeguarding
Safeguarding means creating an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and respected — both physically and emotionally. It covers everything from background checks and staff training to supervision, behaviour expectations, and how concerns are handled. Every member of staff, from tutors to seasonal team members, completes enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding training to ensure the highest standards of care.
Beyond procedures, safeguarding shapes our culture. Students are welcomed into an inclusive, respectful community where their wellbeing always comes first. We encourage open communication and mutual respect, helping students feel confident to ask for help, express themselves, and fully enjoy their summer experience.
Supervision is tailored to each age group to balance safety with independence. For younger students aged 9–12, House Parents and Welfare Managers provide close daily supervision, accompany students during activities and excursions, and ensure routines are consistent and comforting. Older students aged 13–24 enjoy greater freedom, supported by Welfare Officers, Study Leaders, and Course Directors who offer guidance, mentorship, and help whenever it’s needed.
Across all ages, our staff-to-student ratios are intentionally low, allowing us to know every student by name. We check in regularly to ensure everyone is happy, engaged, and settling well. Our approach allows students to grow in confidence while feeling supported every step of the way.
Students are encouraged to speak up about any concern — big or small. Before the course begins, both students and parents receive key safeguarding contact details, including how to reach our 24/7 welfare team. During the course, students can speak to any staff member they trust, whether it’s their tutor, House Parent, or Course Director. All concerns are handled confidentially, sensitively, and in line with our safeguarding policies.
We take every report seriously and act quickly to ensure students feel safe and supported. Our team is trained to listen with empathy, resolve issues promptly, and keep communication open with students and parents throughout the process.
We know that for many students, this may be their first time away from home — and that can feel daunting. Our welfare team provides dedicated emotional and practical support to help students settle in, make friends, and feel at home in their new surroundings. Daily check-ins, engaging activities, and open communication all help to build confidence and ease homesickness.
Parents are reassured that their child is in good hands from day one. We combine professional safeguarding standards with a warm, family-like atmosphere where every student is valued. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels comfortable, supported, and ready to make the most of their Atlas Summer Courses experience.
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