Travel
We make it easy and safe for children travelling to and from Heathrow Airport as around 90% of our students arrive and depart in this way. If you are arriving by car or rail you can find all the location details here.
Arrival and Departure
Our 2027 Course begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday.
Don't worry. We make it easy and safe for children travelling to and from Heathrow Airport.
For children arriving on Sunday 11 July 2027 and leaving on Saturday 7 August 2027, we can collect students at Heathrow Airport, London (ALL TERMINALS) from flights arriving between 12.00 and 16.00 and return them there (ALL TERMINALS) for flights departing between 11.00 and 14.00. There is no charge for this if we are advised before 6 June. If we are not advised before 6 June, we cannot make arrangements and shall assume non-attendance.
It is quite usual for our students to fly alone. 90% of our students arrive and depart in this way. Our collection/return service is SAFE and FREE.
If flights arrive slightly earlier than 12.00, students wait for our staff near the Information Desk. If flights leave slighly later than 14.00, we explain the procedure and take students to wait in the correct area. For flights arriving much earlier than 12.00 and leaving much later than 14.00, we shall arrange taxi or minibus transportation at cost. To comply with legal UK Safeguarding requirements and our own policy, we shall not and cannot agree to children waiting for long periods alone. We decide what 'slightly', 'much' and a 'long period' are.
Please send travel information ONLY on the 'Agreement and Travel Details' form which you should complete and sign after you and your child have read the 'Notes for Parents' and 'Notes for Students'.
For arrivals and departures NOT at Heathrow on 11 July 2027 and 7 August 2027 or not at the times specified, we can make arrangements at cost with a taxi driver known to us. Here are the charges made by the taxi company we use. 2027 charges will be announced in March 2027 and will be from and to Cheam (not Mary Hare), but will not be too different. We add nothing on for making the arrangements for you.
Children aged 10-13 must travel with a person aged 16 or older, unless the airline offers an 'Unaccompanied Young Persons (UYP)' or 'Unaccompanied Minors (UM)' service. You may also wish to use 'Airport Angels'. Prices are here. Information about their services is here.
Children aged 14+ can travel independently. We can put you in touch with others using the same airport.
Children with an Italian passport under 14 years of age, must hold a completed 'Dichiarazione di Affido' when travelling out of Italy. You must get this from a local police office as it is not available at the airport. Any Italian child under 14 years must be accompanied by a person aged 16 years or over.
A passport (not an Identity Card) is needed to enter the UK. We suggest you apply for a passport early.
You will also need an 'ETA' (Electronic Travel Authorisation). This is a new requirement. Details are here.
If you need a visa (check here), please obtain it months in advance. We can supply a supporting letter if you request one.
We ask parents to communicate travel arrangements ONLY on our 'Agreement and Travel Details' form which can be scanned and e-mailed or posted. Please do not communicate travel arrangements in any other way – even if you do not use our services for arrival or departure.
All passengers can travel with only 1x suitcase and 1x carry-on bag, Anyone will more luggage than this will have to travel in a separate taxi which we will arrange at cost.
At the airport
Before travelling, we send an identity badge and luggage tags to ensure quick recognition.
Our representatives will carry blue Vacational Studies' folders and will meet students at the entrance to the Arrivals Hall after leaving the Customs Hall.
Mobile phone numbers for staff collecting students on 11 July and returning them on 7 August will be published in March 2027.
If you do not take our standard collection/return service, but we make other arrangements for you, the 2027 charges will be published in March. The 2026 charges are here. The driver we use is Dave Roach - Telephone in UK: 01635 44444 (landline and diversion to mobile); Telephone outside UK: +44 1635 44444 (landline and diversion to mobile).
If a flight leaves after 20.00 on 7 August, the return must be on 6 August. Everyone must leave the school by 13.00 on 7 August 2027.
School address and directions
Cheam School
From London, follow M3 to Exit 6 (Basingstoke). Follow the A339 to Headley. Or follow the M4 to Exit 13 (Newbury) and follow the A339 past Newbury to Headley. 'Cheam School' is signposted. Take the first left on entering the school and you will arrive at the front.
Address for students' letters
VacStuds at Cheam School, Newbury, Berkshire UK-RG15 8LD.
Telephone (to contact Course Manager):
National: 07777 712 012. International: +44 7777 712 012 (only 11.08.27 - 07.08.27)
The telephone numbers and address given above are only for use during the Course.
During the rest of the year, please use our Newbury Office address and telephone numbers detailed in 'Contact Us'.
If you come by car
Please use the postcode RG15 8LD to navigate to Cheam School. Parents bringing students are asked to arrive at between 12.30 and 14.30. Parents collecting students on the last day are asked to arrive before 11.00.
Directions by rail from London
By train from London, leave from Paddington Station. Arrive at Newbury Station (costs about £27). There are normally taxis at Newbury Station (costs about £20). If not, call Cabco on +44 .
Directions by rail from Heathrow Airport
Take the RailAir link (bus) from Heathrow to Reading Station (costs £30) or take the train (Reading is on the Elizabeth line). Then take a train to Newbury from Reading Station. (costs about £20) There are normally taxis at Newbury Station (costs about £20). If not, phone Cabco on +44 1635 33333.
On arrival at the school
All money is handed in at the office for safe keeping. Students can withdraw money every day. We keep passports and tickets safely. We cannot accept responsibility for pocket money or valuables not handed to us.
On the first day
On request, students will be allocated to a returning student who will act as a guide, explaining the layout of the building, the way the course runs and answering any questions.
Clothes and possessions
Notes and advice on what to bring and other information will be sent to parents and students in advance.
Visits to the school
Visits to Cheam School outside the course dates may be made only by appointment through our Newbury Office.