Why choose Dawn Davis and Canning House Guardianship as your guardian?

Dawn Davis manages and owns Canning House guardianship and has over 12 years experience as a UK guardian to International students of all nationalities and ages. Her two children went to prestigious British boarding schools. She also hosts students and is a qualified English as a foreign language teacher (CELTA).   She has been guardian to students from various countries, including, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia, Mongolia, Japan, Nigeria, Thailand, The Ukraine, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Iran, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, Germany and Spain. She has experience of children of varying nationalities, religion, race, and cultural backgrounds. She treats her students as if they were her own children. Their safety, happiness and
well being is the priority.  She enjoys getting to meet students and, in partnership with the School, aims to make their experience in the UK an enjoyable, fun, friendly and safe one, whilst they are working hard at their studies. Canning House Guardians want parents to be 100% confident that their children are being looked after in a caring, kind and professional way.

The aim of Canning House guardianship is to ensure children settle into their new school in the UK as smoothly as possible. If required transport can be arranged to get students to and from the airport. Students are provided with personal support and we deal with any problems that arise during the term. We communicate with the schools, parents, students and any agents, as required and we are able to handle any personal, pastoral or education problems that might arise and have handled all sorts of challenging situations in the past.

Dawn attended boarding school in the UK, so is fully familiar with how these schools operate. Her Father was a Headmaster of a girl’s boarding school and she has had plenty of boarding school experience. All Canning House Guardianship staff are fully Police checked and have the required DBS certificates.

Why do I need a guardian?

UK boarding schools require international students to have a UK based guardian.  A Guardian is a responsible adult living in the UK who can be there to deal with any issues that arise (including emergency situations) on behalf of parents.  If parents do not have a friend or family member who can act as the guardian, then the family need to appoint a guardianship company such as Canning House guardianship to act in ‘Loco Parentis’ for their child. Both Boarding School and UKVI guidelines require students to have a guardian who is responsible for looking after the international student when they are not in school and are unaccompanied.  Guardians also liaise with schools, parents, teachers, house staff, agents and the student to ensure that that the students is OK at all times.

CANNING HOUSE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

The following services are included within guardianship fees:

  • Proactive attention to all your child’s educational and welfare needs.
  • Communication with parents, students, and the school on a regular basis and feedback to parents
  • Parent wishes are represented at School.
  • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week availability to deal with any type of problem or emergency that may arise for both parents, the student and the School.
  • A contact point for the School and liaison with them on any matter (educational or welfare) as appropriate.
  • Organisation of any required travel arrangements between school and the airport at the beginning and end of terms, expats and half term. These details are communicated to the school, parents and student 2 weeks before the travel date.
  • Availability, at any time to students, to offer guidance, advice and support. This is particularly important in the first few weeks of a new school when numerous students can suffer from homesickness.
  • Availability to take telephone calls from UK Customs and Immigration when students are coming into the UK in order to confirm they have a UK guardian.



The following services are at additional costs to parents;

  • Attendance at any parent/teacher meetings if required and requested by either the parent.
  • Homestay (such as at exeats or half term).
  • Any trips out whilst staying are additional costs, such as an entrance to the cinema, visits to a show or museum etc.
  • Travel to and from school or airport.

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the student has a correct and valid UK visa and any paperwork in order for them to study in the UK.