Page 20 - Oundle Life March 2025

STUDENT HOMES
Open your hearts
Every year, thousands of overseas students
come to the UK to experience a top-class
British education at one of our country’s many
outstanding independent schools, including
Oundle School and others close by. During
exeat weekends and half term breaks from
school, the responsibility for these students
falls on an educational guardianship company,
which provides a welcoming and nurturing
environment close to the school where
students can feel safe, supported and relaxed.
This is done through the recruitment of local
host families.
Host families play a pivotal role in the success
of these students, and efforts are ramping up to
recruit host families around Oundle
who are ready to make a difference in
a young person’s life. The ideal hosts
are welcoming and interested in other
cultures. They may have no children
themselves, young children who might
relish the opportunity to pick up a new
language, or older children who have
flown the nest, leaving a spare bedroom
or two in the family home.
If a student can experience feeling
part of a family during their time away
from home, through the provision of
a comfortable living space, nutritious
food, encouragement and understanding, this
is fundamental to them adjusting to a new
country and culture, and reaching their full
potential.
I think it’s
great for
so many
reasons, not
only for us as
a host family
but also for
the students
staying with
us
The benefits are not only for the student
themselves, as host families feed-back that they
love the experience too. A host can
develop a deeper global perspective
as they learn about different cultures,
and they often form life-long bonds
with students and their families,
remaining in touch for many years after
the student has left school. On top of
this, host families receive a generous
payment.
Kendal Yardley and her husband
Anthony, from Oundle, have been
hosting students for Pippa’s Guardians
for over 10 years and are not planning
to stop any time soon.
Kendal says: “I think it’s great for so many
reasons, not only for us as a host family but also
for the students staying with us. We both get
to learn and understand different cultures and
customs, try new food and make wonderful
connections. It’s a win-win. And it’s been lovely
that when the students have moved on to the
next stages in their lives, they have kept in touch
and sent us updates on what they are doing.”
If you are ready to open up your heart and
your home to a student from an independent
school near Oundle, please contact
hostfamilies@pippasguardians.co.uk
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