Sophie Lindsay, School Membership Manager, explains how AEGIS supports schools

As well as inspecting and accrediting guardianship organisations, AEGIS also has a growing number of member schools, who support the work we do and champion the welfare of their international students.  We love working with our schools, and have worked hard to support them through the last few very challenging terms. 

AEGIS is adding to the resources it provides for its member schools with the launch of the AEGIS Member Portal – an exciting development which will give our members unique access to a range of documents including a guardianship guide, support and templates for policies and agreements, regularly updated legal guidance, AEGIS framework documents and other key resources that will help them remain compliant with NMS and UKVI standards and requirements at this critical time.

Building a bridge between guardianship organisations and schools has been vital during the pandemic and AEGIS is perfectly placed to do this, facilitating communication to ensure better care for students.  We can inform schools of key barriers experienced by guardians ‘on the ground’ arranging testing and travel, pass on helpful information about holiday provision, and we are able to intervene, should any issues arise with an AEGIS accredited company.   Sometimes guardianship requirements are very specific, and we can also communicate with our accredited firms to carry out tailored searches for schools who are looking for a particular type of package for their students.

“AEGIS is always knowledgeable, on the end of the telephone and offers thoughtful, calm and practical advice which has been invaluable during the last 18 months.” Juliette Sheldon, Registrar – Abbotsholme School

AEGIS works closely with the DfE and we keep our schools up to date with the latest changes in travel advice; clarifying and explaining updates where necessary.  We also provide a consultancy service, advising on all areas associated with guardianship, whenever needed.  With the advent of the new Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, which look set to place greater and more specific emphasis on the responsibilities of school for the ongoing quality of guardianship, we anticipate providing ever more crucial support to our schools as they work towards meeting the new requirements. 

Our advice is supported by regularly updated documentation which supports schools’ guardianship policies, and legal advice on the responsibilities involved in guardianship.  We also provide regular training sessions on all areas associated with guardianship, and these are free of charge for our member schools. 

Our current members are listed on the AEGIS website here.  We promote our schools to agents and parents in a variety of ways; on our website, on social media, in our marketing materials and in our newsletter.  In return, our members are proud to demonstrate their support for AEGIS and the safeguarding of international students in the UK.

If you would like to join this growing community or wish to know more, please contact Sophie, via sophie@aegisuk.net.

AEGIS offers the highest level of inspection and accreditation of guardianship organisations in the UK and offers a choice of over 80 accredited guardianship organisations. As the leading experts in educational guardianship, please feel free to direct parents, agents and students to the AEGIS website www.aegisuk.net.