Every year, thousands of school age overseas students are educated at independent schools across the UK. When their school closes for half term holidays and exeat weekends, they need a great host family who will provide a home away from home.

Pippa’s Guardians has been providing high quality guardianship services to international students for over 20 years and understand the value of a good home and how a host family can positively impact on a student’s wellbeing. 

The families we look for are welcoming and interested in other cultures. Having children of similar ages helps but is not the most important thing as we have many successful host families who have no children, younger children or indeed older children who have left home. Internet access is very important, and each student will need their own bedroom with a desk or somewhere quiet for homework. Being part of a family and experiencing day-to-day family life enhances students’ study and plays a part in improving their English language. 

As well as receiving a generous payment, becoming a Pippa’s Guardians host family is a wonderful experience; providing the opportunity to really make a difference to a student whilst they are studying here in the UK, in many cases a very long way from home.

For children of host families, it can be really exciting and interesting getting to know other children who have had very different life experiences to them.  For families where children have grown up and left home, it is a chance to enjoy the fun and companionship of having younger people in the home once again.

Our students come from all over the world. It is a marvellous and interesting way to learn about the cultures, traditions and daily life of young people and their families from countries very different to our own.  Many of our host families form lifelong friendships with our students and their families and stay in touch even after they have left school for university.

We are very keen to find new host families locally so please do spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested in applying to host a student. The half term holidays fall in October for 2 weeks, for 1 week in February and 1 week in May. Exeat weekends take place up to 3 times a year and are usually for 2 or 3 nights each time. Most students travel back home to their families for the long holidays in the Summer, at Christmas and at Easter. Our local Area Managers look after our students during term time and are close by to support you whilst your student is staying in your home.

For further information contact: hostfamilies@pippasguardians.co.uk or visit our website: www.pippasguardians.co.uk