Age 16-18
A highly successful international student exchange programme is coming to New City College Havering Sixth Form from September 2026 – bringing exciting new opportunities for students, staff and the wider community.
The prestigious scheme, which has already been running for more than 11 years at top-performing colleges, including NCC Attlee A Level Academy, will see a group of talented Swiss students join the Havering Sixth Form campus for a full academic year.
The students, aged 16 and 17, are part of a selective three-year bilingual programme in Switzerland. During the second year of their studies, a small group of students travel to the UK to study A Levels alongside local students, helping to develop their English language skills while experiencing British culture and education first-hand.
College leaders say the programme, run by Barnes Educational Services, has proved hugely beneficial wherever it has been introduced – not only for the visiting students, but also for local learners who gain the chance to build international friendships, broaden their cultural understanding and experience new perspectives in the classroom.
The Swiss students are known for being highly motivated and academically ambitious, and will receive a warm welcome at the campus in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch.
Host families needed
To ensure the programme’s continued success, the college is now appealing for local host families to come forward and provide a welcoming home for students from September 2026 until early July 2027.
Host families are asked to provide a private bedroom, meals during term time and a supportive home environment. Students return to Switzerland for the Christmas and Easter holidays, and additional flexibility can be arranged during the year if needed.
All types of families are encouraged to apply, and students will be carefully matched to the most suitable home environment.
Families who take part will receive generous remuneration, as well as ongoing support from Barnes Host Families, who oversee the welfare of both students and hosts outside of college.
As well as offering practical support to the students, hosting provides a rare opportunity for local families to create lasting international connections. Many families involved in the programme elsewhere have remained in touch with their students long after the exchange ended.
Anyone interested in becoming a host family or finding out more is asked to contact Ric Carby from Barnes Host Families on 07748 113782 or email ric@host-families.co.uk
