Client Name: English in York
Event Name: English Language Courses
Date of Event: July 2023
Type of Event: English Language School
Location: St Saviourgate York
Leading English language school, English in York, welcomed pupils from all over the world for a week of intensive courses at St Saviourgate York, part of Central Hall Venues group
Introduction
English in York is a leading English language school based in the centre of the historic city and established in 1985. The school offers a wide range of English language courses from General English to English for Specific Purposes as well as one-one-tuition. Pupils from around the world return to English in York again and again, while word of mouth recommendations are frequent. When English in York was looking for an overspill centre from their headquarters, Peasholme House, during the busy summer period, they turned to the beautiful Grade II* listed building of St Saviourgate York, part of the Central Hall Venues group portfolio – just a stone’s throw away in the city’s lively cultural centre.
Objective
English in York specialises in helping students to achieve their language goals and enjoy a memorable experience in the charming city of York, while offering a very high level of student support. During their busiest summer period, they were looking for a venue for a week of intensive English language courses that reflected both their values and the atmosphere of their own historic 18th century Georgian building, Peasholme House, situated in the centre of York. St Saviourgate York with its striking 19th century architecture, and headquarters of the Central Methodist Church, a purpose-built meeting and community space, fitted the bill perfectly. The venue’s flexible meeting spaces were a plus point too as the language school wanted to arrange a variety of classroom set-ups.
The Event
Around 50 students split between three classes attended SSY for tuition with English in York tutors every day for a week. SSY staff set up two large spaces in the Fulford and Rawcliffe rooms and one smaller boardroom style space for the sessions. As well as providing AV and tech support for the classroom set-ups, SSY staff also served refreshments. On one of the days, the Fulford and Rawcliffe rooms’ moveable wall, a real feat of Victorian engineering, came into its own when the organisers wanted to transform them into one large classroom space.
Solutions
Dr Elizabeth Newton, English in York’s Director of Studies chose St Saviourgate York not only for its convenience, but also for its striking architecture that provided a unique atmosphere for international students who may not have visited the city before. She was also impressed by the venue’s flexibility, not only on times and dates but in the variety of room set-ups available.
“Chris Williams, St Saviourgate York’s Head of Venue, was super helpful and flexible and very patient about our changing demands. At an international language school, things often change at the last minute, but Chris and the team were extremely accommodating. The team were also very helpful with our technical requirements and I was impressed with how the two larger rooms could be converted into one very easily,” said Dr Newton.
“If we needed to return to St Saviourgate York another time, we would have no hesitation in doing so. I can’t think of a single negative about hiring SSY.” she added.