Handbook

Student & Family Handbook

Last updated: July 2026 · Next review: July 2027

This handbook explains, in plain terms, what to expect from a ScholarBridge programme: how it works, what the mentor and the student each do, how we communicate, and where to turn if you need help. It brings together the practical points from our policies in one place.

1. How our programmes work

ScholarBridge offers three routes into serious academic work: Research Scholar, one-to-one mentorship over a focused project; Field Seminars, small-group academic exploration; and Academic Essentials, writing and research-readiness support. The programme, its length, and what it includes are confirmed in a written programme plan before it begins.

2. Getting started

Most students begin with an application and a consultation, where we assess fit honestly and recommend the structure that best suits the student's readiness, interests, and timeline. Once a programme is confirmed, we match the student to a mentor on academic fit, and share a plan and schedule with the family.

3. The mentor's role, and the student's role

This is the heart of how we work. The mentor guides, challenges, questions, and teaches. The student thinks, reads, argues, writes, and produces the work. A mentor will help a student shape their own research question, recommend reading, and give honest feedback, but a mentor will never write the work for the student. The work is the student's own, which is exactly what makes it worth having, and what lets the student discuss and defend it later. This is set out fully in our Academic Integrity & Misconduct Policy.

4. Using AI well

AI tools can support learning, but they cannot replace the student's own thinking, and AI-generated content must never be submitted as the student's own work. The student must also follow the AI rules of any school, exam board, or university they submit to, which are often stricter. Our Generative AI Policy explains what is and is not allowed, in detail.

5. Sessions, communication, and scheduling

Sessions are held online, by video call, at times agreed with the family.
All communication goes through ScholarBridge-managed channels, not a mentor's personal contacts.
Please send cancellation or rescheduling requests to ScholarBridge, not directly to the mentor, with at least 24 hours' notice where possible.
Sessions are not recorded without the agreement of the student and family.

The full terms on scheduling, cancellations, and rescheduling are in our Terms of Service.

6. Staying safe

Safeguarding the young people we work with comes before everything else. Parents and guardians are kept informed, and a parent or guardian may observe a session by arranging it with us in advance. If you ever have a concern about a student's safety or wellbeing, contact us immediately at [email protected]. Our Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy explains how we handle concerns.

7. Fees and refunds

Programme fees are confirmed in writing before any payment, and are not collected through this website. The rules on payment, cancellation, and refunds are set out in our Terms of Service.

8. If something is not right

If you are unhappy with any part of a programme, please tell us. Most concerns are resolved quickly and informally. Our Complaints & Appeals Procedure explains how to raise a concern and, if needed, take it further.

9. Our policies in one place

10. Key contacts

General questions: [email protected]. Safeguarding concerns: [email protected].