Your Safety is
Our Absolute Priority

At Oxford Horizon Academy, student safety and wellbeing come first – before academics, before activities, before everything else. We operate to the highest standards of safeguarding, supervision, and duty of care to provide a comprehensive safety framework that gives you and your parents complete peace of mind.

24/7 Supervision – Never Unsupervised

Students are never unsupervised at Oxford Horizon Academy. From the moment you arrive until your departure, trained staff are present around the clock. Our residential supervisors live on-site in the same accommodation buildings as students, providing constant oversight, immediate response to any concerns, and a friendly, supportive presence throughout your stay.

During the day, all academic sessions, activities, and excursions are staffed by trained tutors and supervisors who maintain appropriate student-to-staff ratios. Whether you're in the classroom, on a museum visit, punting on the river, or exploring Oxford, our team is always present to ensure your safety. During structured free time, students must travel in groups, sign in and out, and adhere to clear safety rules and age-appropriate curfew times.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Every member of our team – tutors, residential supervisors, administrative staff, and visiting speakers – undergoes enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks, the UK's mandatory background screening for anyone working with children and young people. Our staff also receive comprehensive training in safeguarding, student welfare, and emergency response protocols.

We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who holds ultimate responsibility for student safety and welfare. Our DSL has completed formal DSL training and is familiar with all statutory safeguarding guidance. If any concerns arise – whether about student wellbeing, behavior, health, or any form of risk – our protocols ensure immediate reporting, assessment, and appropriate action in coordination with local children's services if needed.

Our comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy covers all aspects of student welfare, from recognizing signs of abuse or distress to reporting procedures, whistleblowing, staff codes of conduct, and liaison with external services. You can read more about our policies here.

Medical Support and Emergency Response

We coordinate closely with NHS services to ensure immediate access to medical care if needed. Our on-site staff include trained first-aiders, and we maintain protocols for managing student illness or injury. If a student becomes unwell, we provide immediate first aid and, if necessary, transport to local medical facilities or call emergency services.

Parents are contacted immediately in any medical situation and kept fully informed throughout treatment and recovery. We maintain detailed medical information for every student (provided during enrollment), including allergies, medications, and pre-existing conditions, ensuring our team can respond appropriately to any health concern.

In emergencies, our staff are trained to follow clear protocols: assess the situation, ensure immediate safety, contact emergency services if needed (999), notify the DSL and parents, and document the incident thoroughly. Our 24-hour emergency contact line ensures parents can reach us at any time, day or night.

Supervision During Activities and Excursions

Every activity – whether in Oxford or on excursions to London, Blenheim Palace, or museums – is carefully risk-assessed and supervised by trained staff. We maintain appropriate student-to-staff ratios (higher for younger students and off-site trips), ensure all transport is safe and insured, and brief students on safety expectations before each activity.

Students must adhere to safety rules: stay with the group, follow staff instructions, respect curfews and boundaries, and communicate any concerns immediately. Our supervision is both protective and enabling—we want you to explore, learn, and enjoy your Oxford experience, but always within a framework of safety and responsibility.

Keeping Parents Informed

We believe parents and guardians are our partners in keeping students safe. Throughout the programme, you'll receive regular updates on your child's wellbeing, academic progress, and experiences. We maintain our parent/guardian contact policy of transparency and accessibility – you can reach our 24-hour emergency line at any time, and we will always contact you immediately if any concerns arise regarding your child.

Our goal is simple: every student should feel safe, supported, and cared for throughout their time at Oxford Horizon Academy, and every parent should have complete confidence in our commitment to their child's welfare. Safety isn't just a policy – it's a promise we make to every family who trusts us with their child's education and wellbeing.

You can learn more about all our safety policies here.

Student accommodation meets the highest safety and security standards. All buildings have controlled access – only authorised staff and enrolled students can enter. Accommodation is separated by gender to ensure comfort and safety, with strict visitor policies (no unsupervised visitors, guests only in communal areas with staff present).

Room-entry protocols are clearly defined: staff enter student bedrooms only in pairs and with doors left open, ensuring transparency and propriety at all times. Regular welfare checks ensure every student is accounted for and feeling well, with any concerns immediately escalated to senior staff and parents.

Fire safety is rigorously maintained. All accommodation buildings have valid fire safety certificates, clearly marked emergency exits, functioning fire alarms, and evacuation procedures that are briefed to all students on arrival day. Our team conducts regular safety walkthroughs to ensure all facilities remain in excellent condition.

Accommodation Safety

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