Information for guardians

At Imperial, we take our responsibility to protect students from harm very seriously. Safeguarding during the Global Summer School programme is overseen by a Designated Safeguarding Lead.  

Students are also assigned an Academic and Pastoral Mentor, who are current undergraduate students, for the duration of the programme. Mentors supervise students at all times, other than when they are in their rooms.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding safety or supervision, we encourage you to get in contact with the Global Summer School team. 

Global Summer School is structured in two parts. Week one begins with academic sessions focussed on your chosen subject and is followed by week two which includes working together with other students to participate in the Innovation Challenge.  

Global Summer School is a fantastic developmental opportunity and students will have the chance to make plenty of new friends. However, it is very normal for students to feel some homesickness whilst living away from home. While most students find that homesickness is only temporary, mentors and staff members will be available at all times to discuss any worries or concerns.

We recommend that all students bring a mobile phone, appropriately insured, as this will be the most convenient way to stay in touch with family and friends at home.

WiFi is available across campus, including the accommodation. 

We advise students to not bring large amounts of money. We encourage students to bring a small amount of spending money for gifts and travel around London. Three freshly prepared meals per day will be provided and do not need to be budgeted for. Please note that Imperial College London is a cashless campus. 

Further information about living costs in London can be found here.

Global Summer School students are required to live on-campus in our halls of residence for the duration of the Global Summer School. The programme has a full academic and social schedule and students will be busy for most of the day and evening. Therefore, we cannot grant permission for students to leave and return during the programme.

We ask that students do not make arrangements to see friends and family during the programme. We have large numbers of students attending and a packed schedule of events across a range of different locations. This makes it very difficult to coordinate meeting times/sites and to keep track of students who depart from the group.

Students' safety is of great importance to us, and we are here to provide support throughout their experience. 

• All halls of residence have swipe card entry, CCTV and 24-hour manned security offices across campus.
• A residential team of pastoral mentors provide round-the-clock support and supervision in each hall of residence.
• Students will be allocated an academic and pastoral mentor, who are current Imperial undergraduate students, for the duration of the programme. Mentors supervise students at all times, other than when they are in their rooms. 
• All pastoral staff and student mentors have a valid, enhanced DBS check and have been vetted to ensure they are suitable to work with young people. 
• Key members of Global Summer School staff have completed relevant safeguarding training. 
• Prayer facilities are available on campus. 
• All our activities are risk assessed and a full health and safety briefing will be carried out at the start of the programme

Summer School students will be chaperoned by our Pastoral Mentors and Senior Residential Assistants (SRAs) for all social activities to ensure the safety and comfort of the whole group while exploring London and other parts of the UK. Pastoral Mentors and SRAs stay in campus accommodation alongside students to provide 24-hour support.