LANGUAGE schools, police, bus companies and Oxford City Council say they are ready for this year’s influx of language students.

In previous summers, residents complained that young students caused problems ranging from late night drinking, noise and litter to over-crowding on buses.

In response, a Language Schools Forum was resurrected by the organisations last autumn.

It is planning a code of conduct for language schools – which are worth an estimated £74m a year to Oxford’s economy – and has worked with bus companies to solve transport issues.

The guide for students will be issued by language schools to their pupils, and will contain information about British culture, conduct and security advice.

Chief Inspector Cecilia Agger, pictured, said: “After the summer period and some problems, we had a big meeting and put it all together last autumn.

“The language forum is now up and running and it’s well attended.

“We’ve got local councillors, about five language schools, we’ve got both bus companies involved which is really good.

“We are developing a gold standard code of conduct as an example of best practice.”

But Ms Agger said the biggest challenge facing the authorities was identifying and contacting all of the language colleges in the city.

She said: “It’s not a fast process, it’s a gradual build up of information.

“There is no one central directory of schools.”

EF language school director Ruth Chambers said that representatives of the school in Pullens Lane in Headington had been regularly attending the forum.

She said: “We have been talking with local authority officers, park wardens and bus company representatives about many issues.

“We’ve been discussing the students’ needs to make sure they have a good experience in the city and make sure they present Oxford in the best possible light and spread the word.

“But we need to make sure they give a positive contribution and don’t have any negative impact.

“As a school EF is always at the forefront of working with local or-ganisations and authorities in this way.

“It would be nice if there was a larger representation from our industry.

“We are always telling other language schools about it and encouraging them to join.”

The bus companies and language schools have been working together to organise bulk-buying of tickets for students before their arrival.

They are also set up a scheme for teachers to alert the bus companies to any planned trips that will see large numbers of students moving in groups.

Carole Stevens, Stagecoach’s operations manager for Oxford said: “Language school students appear to be forming an increasing proportion of the annual summer tourist trade in Oxford.

“But due to their need to travel in large groups can be difficult to accommodate on ordinary bus services without good communication and pre-planning.

“We were very keen to be part of the forum to ensure we are aware of the language schools’ requirements and constraints, and they of ours, so that our customers – both regulars and visitors – have the best possible experience.”

Headington city councillor Mohammed Altaf-Khan welcomed the work of the language school forum, but added: “People are still concerned about the high numbers of students in the area.”