Information for accompanying Hong Kong staff in the UK

The role of the Hong Kong teachers is to support the English staff by advising them on intercultural issues. It is this element of close cooperation between professionals from different cultures that leads to the most efficient and successful inter-cultural experience. In order to make the programme run effectively Excel Academy asks Hong Kong teachers:

1.      To liaise with other accompanying staff (prior to departure if necessary), particularly if two or more schools are sharing a programme/boarding house, to ensure that common attitudes and expectations are developed and shared.

2.      To accompany a student group on the flight to and from London, at a ratio of 10-15 students per staff member.

3.      To help facilitate the implementation of the educational and cultural learning objectives of the Intercultural Curriculum Enrichment Programme designed by the Excel Academy. 

4.      To understand intercultural differences and thus foster a positive attitude in a foreign environment and create a positive working relationship with Excel Academy staff.

5.      To speak in English to the students at all times. To support the English staff to ensure that students speak in English in informal settings.

6.      To work jointly with Excel Academy staff towards finding a satisfactory solution to any problems that may arise.

7.      To accompany students on excursions or activities as designated by Excel Academy. A pack of detailed daily itineraries and instructions will be provided.

8.      To check students’ well-being during the stay and discuss any issues/problems with their respective personal English tutors.

9.      To provide pastoral care for their students during the stay in the UK.

10.   To safe-keep and monitor the distribution of medication to students.

11.   If a student falls ill, to accompany them to a medical facility and/or stay with them at the host family or teaching centre to monitor their health as necessary.

12.   To support the English staff with preparing the students for departure, including those with Stay Behind Arrangements.

Accompanying teachers are not included in the manpower ratio in the teaching and supervision of students, except during excursions; nonetheless, they play an important role as mediator between the two cultures. We ask that when on site accompanying teachers eat meals with the students and support the English staff in developing the students’ etiquette skills.