Student safety and support during travel disruptions
Bright World steps in during winter chaos
a busy start to 2025
When severe snowstorms swept across the UK on one of the busiest arrivals days of the year, Bright World Guardianships stepped up to ensure the safety and well-being of our arriving students. This challenging day was the busiest in Bright World's recent history, and highlighted the critical role of guardianship services and how important teamwork, clear communication between schools, students, and their families really is.
early starts and unwavering leadership
The day began at 4 a.m. for Cory Holden, our Duty Manager, who took the first call that signalled a day full of travel disruptions. With airports cancelling flights and runways closed in Manchester and Stansted, Cory’s calm and focused approach set the tone for the Team to navigate the chaos.
From arranging emergency plans for stranded students to keeping parents back home and schools informed, Cory showcased why having an experienced UK-based guardian is essential for international students in UK boarding schools.
case study - when flights get diverted
There were several instances where flights due to land, mainly at Manchester Airport, were diverted as the runway was closed due to snow.
We had two friends who were on the same flight and another boy on a different flight coming into Manchester.
4.30 am Our driver called Cory on the emergency phone to inform him that roads to the airport were impassable due to heavy snow. This affected three of our students due to land at 6.30am.
6.00 am Su and Cory discussed contingency plans for those students arriving.
6.30 am Flight tracking showed both flights were delayed.
6.30am We realised that the runways were closed at Manchester.
7.00am The first flight was diverted to Dublin.
7.30am The next flight was diverted to Heathrow.
8.00am Grace and Hai in our China office contacted parents of the affected students to tell them our plans.
8.00am Host families close to Manchester Airport were lined up for the two friends and the school was contacted to request assistance if needed.
8.30am A host family was lined up near Heathrow for the second student should they need it.
9.00 am The runway was reopened. The friends in Dublin finally took off again.
10.00am They were able to get on a school coach and we stood their host families down.
11.00am The boy at Heathrow was able to catch a shuttle bus to Manchester and we arranged an onward transfer to him to school.
managing travel in extreme conditions
For Annie Constable, our Duty Travel Manager, the challenges came thick and fast. Rebooking taxis amidst widespread cancellations and icy roads required quick thinking, and relentless focus for most of the day. Annie coordinated with drivers, host families, and schools to ensure that every student had a safe and reliable route to their destination.
By the end of the day, all students were either in temporary host families or safely returned to their boarding schools. The day really highlighted the importance of guardianship in providing 24/7 support for boarding school students.
That was not the end for Annie though as the travel disruptions continued through the night on Sunday with more cancelled flights and runways closed again Monday morning.
keeping overseas parents in the loop
In times of disruption, clear communication is vital. This is where our international team truly excelled. Grace and Hai, based in our Bright World China office, worked tirelessly to update and reassure anxious parents in Chinese. Their ability to provide timely and accurate information bridged the gap between our UK operations and families abroad.
For parents of international students in UK boarding schools, knowing that their guardian can provide real-time updates and support in their native language is invaluable. Today’s teamwork was a perfect example of the global approach to student care that Bright World offers.
a guardian you can rely on
This day of unexpected challenges underscored why choosing the right UK guardian for boarding school students is so important. Bright World’s guardianship services go beyond logistics; we provide:
- Emergency planning: Quick action in response to severe weather or unexpected disruptions.
- 24/7 support: Always available to students, parents, and schools, no matter the time of day.
- Effective communication: Liaising with schools, transport providers, and international families.
- A reliable network: Trusted host families and experienced travel managers to ensure student safety.
For families searching for the best UK guardianship services for boarding school students, Bright World is a trusted partner. Our team ensures that every student is cared for, even in the most challenging circumstances. Today was a powerful reminder of the value of guardianship and the peace of mind it brings to students and their families.
teamwork at the heart of guardianship
The success of today’s operations was only possible through teamwork. By collaborating with schools, host families, and our global team, Bright World upheld its commitment to student welfare. Kudos to Cory Holden for his leadership, Annie Constable for her travel management, and Grace and Hai for their exceptional communication with parents.
