Become a Host
International Homestay Host
Could you provide a safe and comfortable home for one of our International students? We'd love to hear from you!
Being a Homestay Host is incredibly rewarding. We obtain as much information as possible before placing students and we try to match them with host families that appear to be a good match. It's a great opportunity to learn about other cultures whilst providing a home away from home for students across the globe.
A home away from home
Every year, John Leggott College welcomes students aged 16–19 from a wide range of countries who choose to live and study in the UK. These young people are carefully selected, academically focused and often experiencing life away from home for the first time. A supportive host family plays a crucial role in helping them adjust, succeed and feel secure during their time here.
Hosting an international student is a meaningful and rewarding experience. Many families tell us they value the chance to learn about a different culture, share everyday life with someone from another part of the world and build connections that last well beyond a single academic year. Hosting not only enriches your own home but also provides a stable and welcoming environment that helps a young person flourish.
What does hosting involve?
Host families come in all forms, and you do not need to have children at home or previous hosting experience to apply. We welcome a wide range of households and provide full guidance, induction and ongoing support.
As a host, you will offer a safe, clean and comfortable home where the student is treated with warmth, respect and inclusion. Every student must have their own private bedroom with suitable space to study, as well as access to bathroom and laundry facilities and a reliable internet connection.
Students are enrolled on full academic programmes and stay for extended periods, usually for two full academic years. This stability is important to their wellbeing, and your home becomes a key part of their daily life. Students are expected to behave responsibly, communicate politely and follow household expectations as well as the college’s rules.
We offer both catered and self‑catered arrangements. In catered placements, the host provides breakfast and an evening meal during the week along with all meals at weekends. In self‑catered placements, students buy and prepare their own food, and hosts simply provide appropriate kitchen facilities and storage. The option is agreed in advance so both you and the student know what to expect.
Support & Safeguarding
Your role is to offer encouragement, guidance and a welcoming environment, but you are never expected to act as a legal guardian. Our International Team manages all administration, welfare oversight and pastoral support. Hosts receive a full induction, regular check‑ins throughout the year and a named point of contact during office hours, along with access to a 24‑hour emergency phone line for urgent situations.
Safeguarding is central to everything we do. Before hosting, applicants complete an application form, a home visit and reference checks. All adults in the household aged 18 or over must undergo an enhanced DBS check, and the college covers the cost of the initial check. Annual inspections ensure that accommodation remains safe, comfortable and suitable for student needs.
Payments and Practicalities
Hosting provides weekly payments to help cover the cost of providing accommodation. For the 2026–2027 academic year, host families receive £175 per week for catered placements and £145 for self‑catered placements. Current rates until the end of the 2025–2026 year remain at £150 and £120 respectively.
Students generally travel to college independently by foot or public transport, and any specific arrangements will be discussed before a placement is confirmed.
If any concerns arise, whether practical, cultural or welfare‑related, the International Team is available to support you promptly and sensitively.
Who makes a good host?
A good host family is warm, patient and communicative
You should enjoy supporting young people, be open to cultural differences and provide a stable routine that helps a student feel at home. You do not need experience, nor is there one “ideal” type of home; what matters most is the quality of the environment you provide and your willingness to be part of a young person’s journey.
Ready to apply?
We are always looking for new host families to join our community. If you feel you can offer a welcoming home and are interested in learning more, we would be delighted to hear from you. The International Team can answer your questions and guide you through the application process.
You can begin by completing the International Host Family Application Form, which will be available as a download on this page.
For enquiries, please contact:
JLCInternational@leggott.ac.uk
Thank you for considering opening your home to one of our international students and supporting them through an important stage of their education.
