Information on Sponsorship of BACE students in the CRSS

Sponsorship is a mutual arrangement between the student and the CRSS, in which both sides take on responsibilities and commitments in several areas of life and work:

Community Life

Students are normally part of a house community, sharing life and work with other co-workers and the pupils. Experienced co-workers and the community frame work aim to support and facilitate students well being and development, and students are expected to be willing to take part in and support cultural/spiritual and social events and activities of the CRSS community as well as in the care for the wellbeing of the house community and the physical environment.

Finance

The CRSS pay the University fee of approximately £780.00 for EU students and £1.950.00 for non- EU students per year, as well as the cost for visa and work permit applications of £540.00 and also carry the cost of providing library facilities, computer and internet access, photo copying, printing, transport to lessons at the University or other locations and teaching resources, plus a fee of £50 for each re-submission of an assignment. Students also receive a monthly allowance for their personal expenses. This is a considerable financial commitment and offers the unique opportunity for students to undertake a course of studies free from financial burdens or the need to pay back student loans or debts. For more details of financial arrangements see the CRSS Co-worker Handbook. Normally students do not receive financial support to undertake any other course of study or to attend large conferences.

Work

Students will be asked to help in many areas of Curative Education, i.e. supporting pupils in the home, in Classes, Workshops, Land work and Therapeutic activities on a regular basis. They will also be given specific responsibility for one or more pupils in their house community. With growing experience students often take on wider responsibilities and commitments to specific tasks within the CRSS and are able to make a valuable contribution. It is important that students recognize the need to be involved with the life and work of the Community and are willing to engage in day to day life beyond the requirements of the BACE. This needs ongoing communication and negotiation with relevant people so that the needs of the community, pupils and students can be met as well as possible. Details of this will be discussed and agreed on by the Training Team in Personal Development Plans. (See BACE Handbook Sections A and B)

Study arrangements

BACE guidelines set out clear arrangements for personal study time. Individual arrangements need to be clarified and recorded in the Personal Development Plan. The aim is to always balance the student’s needs with that of the community and this asks for mutual recognition, flexibility and responsibility from all parties. Students are expected to make the best possible use of all learning opportunities and attend lessons and workshops on a regular basis. It is essential to make sure that personal holidays do not interfere with workshops that are taking place during school holidays.

Employed co-workers

Employees of the CRSS can apply for a place on the BACE if they are supported by the relevant Supervisor/ Line Manager. This also needs consultation with the Training Group and the Personnel Co-ordinator to consider financial support and time management.

For more specific details see the document ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ in section A of the BACE Handbook.

It is important to note that the arrangement of sponsoring a student does not automatically extend over all stages of the BA Programme, but will be reviewed by the Training Team and the Community at the end of each stage.

Visa nationals

CRSS acts as a sponsor of non-EU students’ application for Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain in the UK. For details of current immigration procedures and status of BACE students please refer to the separate information provided by the Recruitment Group.

Signed:



Piet Hogenboom
Administrator
(September 2007)