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 at weekends, they need a great host family who will provide a home away from home. 

Pippa’s Guardians provides Guardianship services to international students who are studying at boarding schools across the country.

They find supportive and caring families who can offer a welcoming home for students during their school holidays. 

Ben Hughes, Managing Director for Pippa’s Guardians explained: “The families we look for are welcoming and are interested in other cultures.

“Having children of similar ages helps but isn’t 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”

Becoming a host family can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the family too; 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. 

Carolyn Cole Rodrigues de Souza lives in Arlesy and has been hosting international students since 2019.

Most recently, she cared for a student from Haileybury School in Hertford: “Being a host for Pippa’s Guardians is like extending your family.

“We loved having our student, learning about her culture and sharing ours. My daughters loved having an ‘older sister’ and we enjoyed food, fun and Go Karting!”

If you are interested in hosting a student who is studying at a school in York, please contact hostfamilies@pippasguardians.co.uk