The German Pupil Courses and German Scholarships Programme are run by the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD), Bonn in co-operation with UK-German Connection, London. The PAD runs the programme on behalf of the Auswärtiges Amt (German Foreign Ministry). UK-German Connection manages the programme in the UK on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) and the British Council, and in close cooperation with the PAD. The Pädagogischer Austauschdienst is the German governmental institution in charge of international education at school level and works to develop and promote international co-operation at school level.
http://www.kmk-pad.org

Group structure and group leaders

German Pupil Course participants travel in groups of 12 together with one dedicated UK group leader each, who travels out and back with the group and stays with them throughout the duration of the course. The group leaders are fully-qualified and vetted UK teachers and have completed a DBS check. Group leaders are selected by UK-German Connection on the basis of their experience in teaching and leading groups abroad, and relevant references from their heads of institutions. The group leaders are responsible for the welfare of the 12 UK pupils during their stay, for accompanying the group on their travels and for leading and coordinating their activities. They also provide some German lessons, in cooperation with teachers from the German school.

Group leaders for the German Pupil Courses receive comprehensive guidance from UK-German Connection prior to the course, including an in-depth briefing meeting, which includes all aspects of the course, including health & safety procedures. They have a valid first-aid qualification and carry an emergency pack at all times, as outlined in our Health & Safety Policy.

In Germany, every host school has a dedicated course organiser for the UK group, who has been selected by PAD and briefed by UK-German Connection. The course organiser works together with the UK group leader on all activities during the two weeks and remain in regular contact with UK-German Connection and PAD.

Participants are supervised and/or in groups of at least three for most of the time on the German Pupil Course; however, for local transport to and from the German school participants are accompanied by a member of the host family.

How are host schools and host families selected?

The German schools, and course organisers, are selected by PAD, and have generally been running the courses at their schools for many years. UK-German Connection then allocates UK pupils to the German schools on the basis of their applications.

The host families are carefully selected by the host schools. They are well-known to the school, have children at the school and are trusted by them. UK pupils and host families are matched according to the details provided by pupils in the ‘host family’ section of the application form. Where possible, host families are selected where there is a pupil of the same age but this cannot be guaranteed. Details of host families are sent to participants well in advance of the course, so that participants and their families can establish communication beforehand.

Travel and insurance

UK-German Connection books return journeys between a London airport and the German destination. Local travel and transport in Germany is arranged there. Participants arrange their own journey to and from the London airport and, where possible, UK-German Connection advises participants on who may be able to travel to the London airport together. Individual travel arrangements to and from Germany are not possible nor can flight or travel dates be altered. UK-German Connection organises travel and health insurance for all participants.

The groups are met on departure at a London airport by a member of UK-German Connection staff and their group leaders. The teacher accompanies them to their destination and is their group leader during the entire stay in Germany.

Group structure and group leaders

German scholarships participants travel out to Germany as a group of eight, and are met on departure at a London airport by a member of UK-German Connection staff and collected from a German airport by the German group leaders on arrival.

The group leaders are experienced youth leaders and teachers who have been carefully chosen and trained by PAD. Group leaders attend preparatory seminars organised by PAD in advance of the programme, where they are also briefed on all health & safety procedures and expectations. Group leaders carry an emergency pack at all times, as outlined on the programme health & safety pages. UK-German Connection maintains regular contact with the group leaders throughout the course.

Participants are supervised and/or in groups of at least three for most of the time on the German Scholarships Programme; however, for local transport to and from the German school participants are accompanied by a member of the host family.

Accommodation

Pupils spend two weeks with host families, who are carefully selected by PAD (please see German Pupil Courses host family information above for further information). The remaining two weeks are spent in a school-friendly hostel/hotel. Boys and girls are placed in separate rooms and are briefed on the health & safety procedures in place at the hotel. Teachers and group leaders are made aware of where pupils are situated and ensure that pupils stick to designated curfew times and general rules as outlined in the code of conduct form which they sign in advance of the course (see details on our Health & Safety advice page).

Travel and insurance

The PAD books return journeys between a London airport and the German destination. Participants arrange their own journey to and from the London airport and, where possible, UK-German Connection advises participants on who may be able to travel to the London airport together. PAD organises travel and health insurance for all participants.