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Welcome to our May 2018 Newsletter!
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
We are sure you are all aware, from your bulging inbox’s asking for any number of ‘opt ins’, that new EU data regulations come into force on 25th May. Please do take a look at our new Data and Privacy policy. Other aspects of ‘sign up’ on the site have also been changed. Please be assured, we are only sending you this newsletter as you specifically opted to receive this communication from us and it is the only way we will contact you. You can unsubscribe at any point emailing hello@ukeducationguide.com or by following the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every newsletter.
In other news!
Positive Mental health in the Boarding school sector-innovative approaches explored
In our last 2 posts about mental health services offered in the Boarding school sector we highlight some innovative approaches to promoting good mental health and in the final article review the power of using visual imagery to help international students explain how they feel. This latest post is featured on The PIE’s blog and all other articles in the series can be found here.
London voted the best global student city
The survey, based on the responses of 54,000 students from 180 countries, sees London climbing 10 places since last year and replacing Montreal at the top.
What level of English competency is needed to thrive in UK Education?
The current threshold for degree study in the UK is IELTS 5.5 but the fact is that an IELTS score of 5.5 – or even one a few notches higher – may not be sufficient to learn and perform to the best of a student’s true ability. A recent study by the University of York has highlighted that international students had an average English vocabulary just under half the size of that of the home students. Furthermore, they read and processed information in English at half the speed, understood significantly less of what they read and were less able to summarise in writing what they had read. They were at a striking disadvantage regarding the language skills that are essential for academic success, despite arriving with a proficiency well above the government’s minimum threshold-averaging 6.5-7.5 IELTS To put this in context, their difficulties with reading and writing were far greater than those reported on the same tests for home students with dyslexia.
Students in collective legal action for strike compensation
University students in the UK are joining a class action to demand compensation for the classes they lost during the UCU (lecturers) strike earlier this year. Over 100,000 students signed various petitions to demand compensation. Law firm Asserson has created a website for students to sign up to the group claim – more than 1,000 students were needed to apply for a Group Litigation Order and this number has now been exceeded.
New Search options added to the site to help find relevant information-quicker!
As we add more Boarding schools to the site to provide greater choice we are also trying to provide more ways to filter the information we provide-so we have now added the option to filter by ‘type’ of school.So on the Boarding school landing page you can now sort by:
International schools – those schools with a focus on English language development for students who need to increase their fluency in either written or spoken English (beginner – IELTS 5)
Mainstream schools – Schools for British students that also take international pupils who have already attained an English language competency equivalent to at least IELTS 5 (fluent speakers and highly competent in written English)
Special schools – for those children and young people with additional learning and/or physical needs.
City Guide to Bath cont….
Places to shop
Milsom Place is Bath’s smartest shopping and dining destination.
There is a sophisticated collection of shops and restaurants with everything from fashion, accessories, shoes, homewares and jewellery to flowers, oils and provisions. A great mix of new and established independent shops sit alongside flagship stores such as Hobbs, Phase Eight and Cath Kidston.
The open courtyards and terraces house some of the best restaurants in Bath including Cote Brasserie (see below) and many other eateries, offering a wide range of food from sushi to traditional English afternoon tea.
Vintage & artisan trail.
Bath also boasts a wide range of ‘alternative’ shopping experiences from bi monthly markets to vintage shops. Visit Bath’s web site is a good place to look to see what is happening and when, so you don’t miss out.
There are 6 main shopping areas in Bath City centre, but you might also like to visit the Designer outlet village which is 30 minutes from the city centre by car. The outlet village, Kilver Court can be reached by bus from Castle Cary station and is home to over 40 designer brands which offer up to 60% off RRP all year round.
Places to eat - Fine dining
The top ranked restaurant with consistent outstanding reviews is Menu Gordon Jones. The restaurant is located about 5 miles from the city centre, but is well worth a visit. The 7 course tasting menu comes highly recommended. The web site says ‘if you don’t like surprises, then this is not the place for you’ but the reviews would suggest that it worthwhile taking the risk!
For a more relaxed lunchtime meal Sotto Sotto a top class, Italian restaurant, gets amazing reviews. Highlighted dishes include the rack of lamb and the profiteroles for dessert.
Student view direct from my niece, currently studying at The University of Bath.
Absurd Bird - there is a chicken wing eating competition there and the record is 24, apparently. My niece said, immediately after a visit; ‘the wings are huge, I managed 15 but cannot move at the moment! The competition is how fast you can eat 24 wings and to get the wings free you have to reach the top 10 and so finish them in at least 24 minutes. I ate 15 in an hour and a half so I have no chance! Definitely won’t be entering!’
However, she loved the wings and will be going back…
Night Life
Again, thanks to my niece for the insider knowledge here-quotes directly from her:
‘Best two clubs by a mile…’
Fame ‘Amazing! Venue is just one huge room. Fame is every Friday but I’ve heard the other events they run are also pretty good’
Second Bridge ‘Monday night Bridge is always great and is an event held at second bridge. The bar upstairs is called the Earl which leads down to the club, Second Bridge’.
2 other options…’Okay if everywhere else is sold out’
The Nest ‘Toast Tuesdays is the event we usually go to…’
Bath Ponana ‘Propaganda on Friday night is the only night worth going. Karaoke room is pretty fun’.
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