Why Wantage needs host families
Best known as the birthplace of King Alfred, whose statue stands in the market place, Wantage is a small town with a strong sense of community. Downland, the Ridgeway and the ancient White Horse at Uffington are all close by.
Wantage does not have its own railway station, so a homestay here suits students who are happy with a bus or a lift to Didcot, Abingdon or Oxford. In return they get a quieter home life, a family who knows them by name, and plenty of chances to speak English.
If you have a spare room, hosting can bring a new voice to the dinner table for a few weeks or a few months. Schools contact you directly, and you decide which placements fit around your own plans.
Who you could host in Wantage
You choose the ages, lengths of stay and dates that suit your household.
How it works
1. Register for free
Create your host profile in a few minutes. There are no fees or subscriptions.
2. Get found by schools
Language schools that place students in and around Wantage search for hosts by location, rooms and availability.
3. Welcome your student
A school contacts you directly to arrange a placement. You decide which students you accept.
Earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free
Under the government's Rent a Room scheme, income from hosting students in your Wantage home is tax-free up to £7,500 a year.
- Applies whether you own or rent (with your landlord's permission)
- Claim it with a single tick box on your tax return
General guidance only. Read more on GOV.UK
Hosting in Wantage: common questions
Ready to host in Wantage?
Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.