If you’re considering a summer school in Cambridge for your child, it’s natural to want reassurance about their safety and well-being. 

You want them to thrive academically, but you also want to know that they’ll be cared for, supported, and happy while away from home.

At Immerse Education, safeguarding and pastoral care aren’t just policies; they’re central to everything we do. 

From the moment your child arrives to the day they leave, you can trust that they’ll be in a safe, nurturing environment where both their academic growth and personal well-being are prioritised.

Safeguarding at Immerse’s Summer School in Cambridge

Immerse Education has developed a safeguarding framework that goes above and beyond standard requirements. It rests on three core principles:

  1. Recruiting the right people – We carefully vet every staff member through safer recruitment practices. In the UK, this means Enhanced DBS checks. For international programmes, the equivalent safeguarding checks are used.
  2. Creating safe environments – We train all staff in safeguarding, first aid, and mental health so they can respond quickly and appropriately to any concerns.
  3. Clear and transparent systems – You and your child will always know how to raise concerns. Our designated safeguarding officers remain available throughout and deal with issues promptly and effectively.

Who Will Be Looking After Your Child?

1. College Managers

When your child joins us, the College Manager is one of the key people you’ll hear from. They’re experienced education professionals trained to Level 2 safeguarding standards.

  • They’ll be on-site throughout the programme, making sure your child is settled and happy.
  • They’ll act as your main point of contact during the summer.
  • They’re trained to handle well-being concerns with professionalism and care.

College Managers often check in with students informally, ensuring no issue goes unnoticed.

2. Mentors and Mentor Families

Your child will also become part of a Mentor Family, which is a small group of about ten students led by a Mentor.

  • Current or former Cambridge and Oxford students serve as mentors and live on-site alongside your child.
  • We carefully select them not only for academic ability but also for empathy, responsibility, and approachability.
  • They’ll help your child find their way to classes, introduce them to Cambridge life, and offer a friendly face at all times.

Mentors serve as role models and give your child someone to turn to when they need help with homesickness, making friends, or adjusting to university-style learning.

3. Area Managers and Tutors

Behind the scenes, Area Managers, trained to Level 3 safeguarding standards, support College Managers directly and escalate complex cases when necessary.

Tutors also support your child pastorally. Most are subject experts and often PhD candidates or professionals, and we rigorously check every tutor before they join our programmes.

Beyond their teaching role, they’re chosen because they care deeply about guiding young people and ensuring a safe classroom environment.

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Safe Arrival and 24/7 Supervision

We know that one of your biggest concerns may be your child’s journey to Cambridge. That’s why we provide a dedicated Airport Transfer Coordinator.

  • A member of our Pastoral Team will meet your child in the arrivals hall, easily recognisable by their Immerse polo shirt and lanyard.
  • They’ll accompany your child until they’re safely on our transfer service.
  • We background-check and train all staff involved in transfers.

Once at the college, security is tight:

  • Students access accommodation through secure, monitored entrances
  • Porters are on duty 24/7 at Cambridge colleges.
  • Staff take roll calls at breakfast, before classes, at activities, and again at curfew.

This balance gives your child independence while ensuring their whereabouts are always known.

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Wellbeing Support at Immerse’s Summer School in Cambridge

Academic development is only part of the story. Your child’s emotional, social, and physical well-being is equally important at Immerse’s summer school in Cambridge. That’s why pastoral care extends to every area of the programme.

Your child will take part in activities designed to help them bond with others and enjoy their time in Cambridge. 

From scavenger hunts and talent shows to weekend excursions, every event is risk-assessed and supervised by trained staff. First aid kits and emergency contacts are always on hand, so you can feel confident about their safety.

Dietary and Medical Needs

If your child has specific dietary requirements, such as being vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, or allergy-related, these will be fully catered for. 

We’ll ask you to complete a pre-arrival form so we can prepare in advance. Our team handles medical needs, whether daily medication or ongoing conditions, sensitively and professionally.

Respect for Religious Observances

If your child needs time for prayer, adjustments for fasting, or support for other religious practices, we respect and accommodate their needs.

We want every student to feel comfortable expressing their identity while in our summer school in Cambridge.

Why You Can Feel Confident

Choosing a Cambridge summer school for under 18s is a big step, but here’s why you can feel confident in Immerse:

  • We have a Designated Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Officer, supported by a safeguarding team led by our Global Operations Director.
  • We’re linked with external organisations such as NSPCC and ChildLine, so additional support is always available.
  • We make transparency a priority: your child will be given emergency contact details, often printed on their lanyard, and you’ll always know who to contact if you have questions.

What Daily Life Looks Like for Your Child

To give you a sense of the structure, here’s what a typical day might look like:

  • Morning: Roll call at breakfast, then classes led by expert tutors.
  • Afternoon: Additional classes followed by group activities or excursions, always risk-assessed and supervised.
    Evening: Dinner in the historic Cambridge dining halls, followed by social events like debates, games, or music nights.
  • Night: A final roll call and curfew, with mentors on hand if your child needs extra support.

This structure gives your child the independence to enjoy new experiences while ensuring their safety at every step.

FAQs

Is Immerse the same as a Cambridge University summer school?

Not exactly. Immerse is an independent organisation that runs programmes in Cambridge University colleges. Many of our tutors are Oxbridge graduates, giving your child an authentic taste of Cambridge life.

What ages do you support?

We run Cambridge summer programmes for 13–18 year olds, with tailored academic content and pastoral support for each age group. Programmes are also available for 18-30 year olds.

What happens if my child feels homesick or unwell?

Our mentors and College Managers are trained in emotional well-being support and mental health awareness. Your child will always have someone approachable and trusted to talk to.

Can I talk to my child during the programme?

Yes, your child can contact you during their free time, and if there’s anything urgent, our College Managers will get in touch with you straight away.

Conclusion

At Immerse Education, safeguarding and pastoral care aren’t just responsibilities – they’re our commitment to you and your child. 

When you choose a summer school in Cambridge with Immerse, you can be confident that your child will experience exceptional teaching in a safe, secure, and supportive environment.

If you want to learn more about our summer school in Cambridge, download our prospectus and see how we prioritise your child’s wellbeing.