Orchard House Student Accommodation Guide 2021-2022 Adkins Corner Cambridge CB1 3RU
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Welcome
Welcome to Orchard House Boarding House! I hope you will be very happy with your accommodation while you are studying at Abbey College Cambridge. Orchard House offers a friendly and well-located home for our students. It offers a balance between socialising with other Abbey’s students and allowing students to have a place to study outside of the classroom. We hope that you find this booklet helpful for settling in as well as understanding what is required from you. Enjoy the year! Dr Julian Davies Principal, Abbey College Cambridge Your boarding experience is very important to us and we hope you are happy here. We will provide you with all of the support, experience and opportunity to grow into confident, resilient and independent young adults. We expect you to participate as a member of our very special community and look forward to learning more about you. Helen Walker Director of Boarding
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Contents Welcome from your Principal and Director of Boarding 2 Welcome from your Head of House 4 Statement of Boarding Principles & Practices 4 The Boarding Team 5-6 Boarding House Rules 7-8 Activities, Rewards and Sanctions 9 Complaints and Compliments 10 Boarding house charges 11 Morning routine, curfew, and weekend absence 12 Weekday and Weekend Routines 13-14 Orchard House facilities 15-16 Health and Safety 17-18 Medical care and Illness 19 Medicines 20 Term dates 21 Useful Information 22 External Support 23 Places of Worship 24 Local shops and amenities 25 School shop 26 Map of Abbey College Cambridge 27
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Louis Ling, Orchard Head of House I’ve been at Abbey College Cambridge since 2016, working as part of the Boarding team and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with Orchard. Your Boarding House is your home, and we want you to decorate your room with posters and pictures that show your personality. It’s important that you feel comfortable here and want to spend time relaxing when you return from college. Boarding offers a selection of diverse activities and clubs which I urge you to get involved with during your time here or across the other Boarding Houses as well. The House Parents are here to support you 24 hours a day. They are extremely knowledgeable about the accommodation and Cambridge as well. If you ever have a question, do ask your House Parents and we will get you the answer. I hope you have a wonderful time and I’m excited for you to join our community here.
Statement of Boarding Principles & Practice Abbey College Cambridge aims to provide boarding facilities of the highest standard to allow students to thrive in their educational studies. We give our students an appropriate degree of independence while monitoring and being supportive of a healthy and safe lifestyle. We also take great care to help our students to adjust to being away from home, for what may be the first time. The ethos is of mutual respect which is maintained throughout the school and boarding and at all levels from the staff and students.
Boarding Aim "To build a safe & happy community where our students can develop the skills needed for future independent living, within a professional, supportive & nurturing environment." Orchard House, Accommodation Guide
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The Boarding Team will: • Ensure all students are happy and healthy and that all rules are followed • Look after the welfare of students while in the boarding house • Ensure students receive morning wake up calls and leave the site by 08:15am • Carry out room inspections • Make sure students are in their residence by curfew and in their rooms at bedtime • Encourage everyone to become part of the Abbey Cambridge Community • Ensure all students receive an induction in how to access and use on site facilities • Recognise, reward, and celebrate the success of students • Manage discipline and sanctions
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Contacting the Orchard House Team The Orchard House team are on site and available to you 24 hours a day. You can contact the team by visiting the office or calling the duty phone. Orchard House duty phone number: 07384 798365. In an emergency you can also call the boarding team on the emergency phone: 07584 705720. After 11pm and throughout the night, if you need to contact a houseparent, you can also find a houseparent in one of the duty rooms – there is one duty room in M-Block, and another in D-Block.
If you are struggling to understand any aspect of this handbook and require a translation, please ask the boarding team for an alternative document.
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Orchard House Rules • Respect staff and other boarders • Students should actively contribute to the Orchard House community by taking care of communal spaces and taking part in activities • All accommodation blocks are single sex occupancy; no student should enter a block of the opposite sex. Students from other accommodations can visit, however must remain in the communal areas • No smoking anywhere in the building- you must use the allocated smoking area, and be of the legal age specified by UK law • No alcohol is to be brought onto Orchard House site and students are not to return to Orchard House intoxicated • All medication must be stored in the medicine cabinet in the boarding office • You must not tamper with any of the fire equipment, signs or medical boxes • Boarding houses are closed during the school day, boarders must leave on time and register in the morning • You must sign in/out when leaving Orchard House site • You must be in your accommodation for curfew and your own room for bedtime • No guests are allowed in the building without staff permission and must be signed in. The House Parent have the right to refuse visitors
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• Students are not allowed to keep more than £50 in their safe or on their person • Students are expected to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at their allocated times • Students are only allowed to have takeaways on Friday and Saturday evenings • You must keep your room clean and tidy (the cleaner will clean but only if they can access your room, it is not their job to tidy your room) • No candles or tea lights anywhere on the site • No loud music • Always lock your door if you are not in the room • Doors must be closed at all time. Do not prop the doors open at any times as they are fire safety doors • Corridors must be kept clear to allow exit in the case of fire • Do not use portable electric heaters in your bedroom • Overuse of laptops and computer games after curfew will result in items being taken by the boarding team at curfew. This will be at the discretion of the Head of House • Students must follow the guidance when requesting weekend leave. Exeat may be granted by the Boarding team dependent on behavior, attendance, and academic progress. Exeat requests must be received by the Wednesday prior to the leave date
As well as the above, you are expected to follow instructions and requests from the Boarding team at any given time.
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Activities, Rewards and Sanctions Rewards & Sanctions We want to support an active, inclusive and happy community in Orchard House. If you contribute to that success, we will celebrate. For example, if you keep the Boarding House and your rooms clean and tidy, if you help the house parents plan and organise activities, or you get involved in community volunteering we will celebrate with rewards. The Boarding Rules are there to keep you and the rest of the house safe, support your learning and to comply with UK law. If you break the rules the boarding team will meet with you to discuss your behaviour and agree a plan of action for future compliance. If you continue to break the rules then you will incur sanctions and be referred to the Head of House, your parents will also be informed.
Student Voice There are lots of ways of getting involved at Abbey, making your voice heard and your contribution count: • • • • •
Student Council Student Surveys Suggestion Box House Meetings One-to-One meetings with huddle leader/teachers/tutors/mentors
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Complaints & Compliments If we are doing something well and you would like to see it continued or developed, please do tell us, everyone likes a compliment. If there is something we could do better, then please tell us either informally or through the complaint’s procedure.
Informal Complaint If you have a complaint about your accommodation and home, you should initially speak to: A member of the Boarding team. In the first instance, the member of staff will consider how to resolve the complaint most effectively. They will discuss this with you and, during term time, will try and resolve the issue within five school days of the complaint being made. If the boarding staff member is unable to resolve your complaint you should make a formal complaint to the Director of Boarding, Helen Walker in writing or by making an appointment to discuss the matter.
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Accommodation Charges and Fines 2021-2022 • • • • • • • • • • • •
Full room deep clean - £150 (excluding carpets) Carpet clean / Bathroom floor polish - £75 Replacement carpet - cost of replacement at the time of the damage Damage to walls (dents, scratches, holes and staining) - £150 plus cost of repainting Redecoration/repaint due to non-standard wear and tear - £300-£1500 dependent on room size Removal/disposal of items left behind at end of school year - £150 per bag Damage to furnishings, appliances, bathroom and kitchen fixtures and fittings and doors/locks - cost of replacement at the time of damage Replacement of broken or lost kitchen and bathroom items - cost of replacement Tampering with smoke alarm - £300 and possible legal consequences Smoking in room - £50 fine + £150 deep clean Tampering with window restrictors - £150 Replacement key fob - £85
Smoking is prohibited by law in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed work and public places throughout the United Kingdom. (Health Act 2006) Misuse or removal of fire safety features and equipment or non-compliance with essential fire safety instructions will not be tolerated in and may be treated as criminal offences. The accommodation deposit paid by your parents and held by Abbey College will be used to cover minor expenses incurred by you, the student (for example the cost of repairing damage caused by you). Your parents will be informed about these charges as the money will be removed from your account. If the accommodation deposit held is not sufficient to cover the cost, your parents will be invoiced.
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Morning routine & curfew All students will receive wake up calls at the beginning of term. You will be given the opportunity to display independence and those that are punctual and able to get to school independently will no longer receive them. Curfew and bedtime rules are displayed on the door in all rooms and must be followed at all times. Staff will knock on your door at curfew to check you are in your room, if you are not there then the missing persons procedure will be followed. If you require an extended curfew for a particular event this can be requested and will be granted at staff discretion. If you wish for an early curfew you can speak to the staff in the office or call the duty phone to let them know.
Weekend absence Students may sometimes ask for permission to stay away overnight; however, your parents or guardian must give permission for any overnight absence from Orchard House. The permission should be requested by Wednesday on the week of absence and an email must be sent to acc.orchard@abbeycambridge.co.uk detailing the dates of your absence and the name, address, and telephone number of the responsible adult you will be staying with. Overnight absence is a privilege and will be granted at the discretion of the Head of House and will be dependent upon attendance, behaviour, academic progression. All students must return by curfew on Sunday evening. Date of absence Name of adult student is staying with Contact number and address of adult Relationship of adult to the student How student is travelling to address Expected time of return
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Weekday and weekend routines Daily routines vary depending on student age. Routines also vary on weekdays and weekends. Please see the information in the box below for your age. Students aged 16
Weekdays
Wake up and get ready for College
07:00
Travel to Abbey College
08:15
Breakfast
08:25-08:50
End of day sign out (Dining room)
16:00-17:30
Clubs/prep/free time
16:00-17:45
Dinner
16.45-18:00
Travel to Orchard House
17:30-17:40
Prep/free time (Monday -Thursday)
19:30-21:00
Independent study (Thursday – Sunday)
As required
Curfew (all in Orchard House)
21:00
Bedtime (no noise)
22:00 (Sunday – Thursday)
Students aged 16
Weekends
Breakfast (all students to be seen and to register at breakfast)
08:00-11:00
Clubs/ activities/ events/free time
08:00-21:30
(maximum 5 hours at a time—must sign out) Prep (as required)
1-3 hours per day as needed
Lunch
12:00-13:45
Dinner
16:45-18:30
Curfew (all in Orchard House)
21:30
Bedtime (no noise)
23:00 (Friday and Saturday)
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Students aged 17+
Weekdays
Wake up and get ready for College
07:00
Travel to Abbey College
08:15
Breakfast
08:15-08:50
End of day sign out (Dining room)
16:00-17:30
Clubs/prep/free time
16:00-17:45
Dinner
16:45-17:45
Travel to Orchard House
17:30-17:40
Prep/free time (Monday -Thursday)
19:30-21:00
Independent study (Thursday – Sunday)
As required
Curfew (all in Orchard House)
21:30
Bedtime (no noise)
22:30 (Sunday – Thursday)
Students aged 17+
Weekends
Breakfast (all students to be seen and to register at breakfast)
08:00-11:00
Clubs/ activities/ events/free time
08:00– 22:30
(maximum 5 hours at a time—must sign out) Prep (as required)
1-3 hours per day as needed
Lunch
12:00-13:30
Dinner
16:45-18:30
Curfew (all in Orchard House)
22:30
Bedtime (no noise)
23:00 (Friday and Saturday)
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Orchard House facilities Orchard House provides a well-located home for our students, a 15-minute walk from the main teaching building, and a 20-minute walk into Cambridge City Centre. The boarding houses offer you a balance between socialising with other Abbey’s students, and allowing you to have an ideal place to study and relax outside of the classroom. Your individual accommodation is of a very high standard, with your own furnished bedroom and shared bathroom. The staff at Orchard House will offer and run a program of activities to make sure you get the most out of studying and living in the UK. This will include home based study and weekend leisure, sports, and cultural activity programs.
Bedroom Always make sure your bedroom door is locked when you leave. Abbey College Cambridge cannot take responsibility for your personal possessions if you fail to lock your bedroom door. If you damage / break anything in your room, then you must inform a member of the boarding team immediately. They can then ensure that the item is repaired or replaced. (This may be charged to your school account. Please see the charges list.)
Kitchen You will be allocated a cupboard in the kitchen in which to store dry food items. You can store perishable food in the student fridge; any food that has passed its Best before Date will be thrown away by the House Parents. Orchard House is half board, but you will have breakfast, lunch and dinner in the College during the school week. You must be aware of potential burn risks to yourself and other students when using the kitchen, for example steam and hot dishes from the Orchard House, Accommodation Guide
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microwave. You will learn all about the kitchen appliances in your boarding induction. You will be expected to help keep the kitchen clean by ensuring crockery and glassware are washed after use and put away in the cupboards.
Internet Free wireless internet is provided in your room at Orchard House. Please ask a member of the Boarding team for details of how to log on. Sensible internet use is expected; all students must follow the ICT usage agreement. You are not permitted to arrange your own internet/broadband supply.
Transport A shuttle bus for students runs between Orchard House and Abbey College twice a day; Once in the morning at 08:15 to get to school, and once in the evening at 17.30 to get home.
Meals As a boarder at Abbey College, breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided in the school dining room during Monday-Friday but as you are on the half board catering package then you are responsible for preparing your own meals on Saturday and Sunday.
Laundry and cleaning service Your bed linen will be changed once a week at the same time as your room is cleaned; you will have a poster on your noticeboard telling you which day this is. If you wish to use your own bedding you can do so, however only your own duvet cover and pillowcase. All bottom sheets are provided by school and are changed every week by the cleaning team. Towels are provided by school and are changed every week. The towels are white – if you wish to buy your own towels, ensure these are a different colour! There is a laundry room in the Office Block for washing clothing. You will be provided with a laundry card during induction. When your card runs out of credit, you will need to see your House Parents in the Boarding Office. Washing machines take approximately 40 minutes, and driers take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Washing detergent is provided in the laundry room, or you may prefer to buy your own. Please ask a member of the boarding team for help and advice for the right type of washing detergent to buy.
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Health & Safety Security on the Orchard House site You will be given a Student ID card which will give you access to your room and the Orchard site. Please do not share your Student ID card with anyone else including any delivery personnel. You must not allow access through the gate or into your block to anyone, everyone who is allowed on the Orchard House site will have their own ID card. If you are at all unsure, do not let the person in and contact the boarding team immediately. Security in your room Please ensure that your bedroom door is locked at all times. The bedroom doors lock as you leave the room; please remember to always carry your ID card. Do not give the card to anyone else; it is for your own use. If you lose your card you will be charged for a replacement. There is a safe provided in your room, please place your valuables in the safe, such as passports/BRP card. Students are not allowed to keep more than £50 in their safe or on their person. Do not share the code to your safe with anyone.
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Electrical Safety Please ensure that you only use UK plugs for your laptops and any other electrical equipment you use. Please also only use UK power surge protected extension leads. If you are unsure on how to use the sockets, then please speak to a member of your Boarding Team. Overloaded sockets will be removed by the boarding team. Electrical equipment is tested once a year and given a sticker stating it meets the standards set. Any electrical equipment which fails will be removed and given to the Health and Safety Officer—this is known as PAT Testing. You should turn off and unplug all appliances before leaving each morning. Please turn off lights as you leave your room. Fire safety If a fire alarm sounds, you must leave the building immediately, by the nearest fire exit. Do not stop to collect your belongings or finish what you are doing. Please familiarise yourself with all the fire exits in Orchard House. See below for the assembly point:
Misuse or tampering of any detectors or alarms in your room will result in a fine and serious disciplinary action.
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Medical Care & Illness Please contact the Boarding Team day or night if you are feeling unwell. • During induction, the school Matron and the Boarding Team will help you register with a General Practitioner (GP/Doctor) and a dentist • If you are unwell outside of College hours (in the evening, at night and before 8am), you must tell the boarding team in the first instance. They will care for you and arrange medical advice and treatment • If you are unwell during college hours, you must tell your teacher or Reception, and they will refer you to the Matron in the Medical Room • The boarding team and College staff are trained in First Aid, and are the first people to turn to in the case of illness or accident
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These are the times the Medical Centre is open to see the Matron without a pre-arranged appointment: 08:00 – 08:20 08:40 – 08:55 before registration 11:00-11:20 during break 12:30 – 13:30 lunchtime Please report your need to see the Matron to the Reception staff and they will book an appointment and give you a slip to show to your teacher to leave the class.
Medicines • All medicines and homely remedies should be shown and given to the boarding team upon arrival, students will sign a disclaimer to advise they have declared all medicines • Only students who have medicines prescribed and authorised by a doctor with prior parental permission received, will be allowed to keep their medicines after meeting with Matron. All other medicines will be stored by the boarding team and given back to students either at the end of term or at the end of their time studying with Abbey College Cambridge • Medicines not authorised for use in the UK, will be safely stored by the boarding team • Students in need of medicine will have an appointment arranged with the GP as a priority to get a prescription for UK licenced medicines. • Students must not share or lend their medicines to other students • Medicines should be stored safely, locked away and secure
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Term Dates 2021-22 Autumn Term 2021
Start of term
Boarding opens Friday 3rd September
Half Term
Monday 23rd October – Friday 29th October
Last day of term Friday 17th December
Students must leave their rooms by 9.00am Sunday 19th December 2021
Spring Term 2022 Start of term
Monday 10th January Students may move/return into their room from Friday 7th January 2022
Half Term
Monday 14th – Friday 18th February
Last day of term Friday 1st April
Summer Term 2022 Start of term Tuesday 19th April
Half Term
Monday 30th May – Friday 3rd June
Last day of term Wednesday 29th June
Students must leave their rooms by 9.00am Friday 1st July 2022
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Useful Information Emergencies & Health Care Fire, Ambulance, Police
Dial 999
The operator will ask you calmly to say which service you require. You will then be transferred, and you will be asked to state your name, address you are calling from and telephone number BEFORE they ask you about your emergency. Please do not worry about this. The services will have already been sent to your location. Abbey College Cambridge Emergency Phone (24-hour response in the case of emergencies)
07584 705720
Parkside Police Station (Cambridgeshire Constabulary)
Dial 101
General Practice (Local Doctor, Woodlands Surgery)
01223 697600
Emergency Dentist (Out of Hours Dentist)
01223 723093
NHS Direct (telephone health information
111
Regent Street Dental Practice
01223 355923
Emergency services
999
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Pharmacies For advice on common problems, minor illness and over the counter medicines: Numark Cherry Hinton Road
102 Cherry Hinton Road
Boots Petty Cury – City Centre
28 Petty Cury, Cambridge CB2 3ND
GFT Davies
50 Hills Road
Advice and Counselling Choices (Sexual Abuse)
01223 358149
Childline
0800 1111 and www.childline.org.uk
Private Counselling is also available via the pastoral team – this is strictly confidential, please speak to Matron. Independent Listener, Student Support Workers Monday-Friday– 5pm to 8pm Lee Parker, Performance Coach Betty Ko, Performance Coach Students can also contact the following for advice and guidance; The Office of the Children’s Commissioner: 020 7783 8330 www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk The National Children’s Bureau: www.ncb.org.uk Mind: www.mind.org.uk
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Places of Worship • Quakers, Friends Meeting House, 12 Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BA • Baha'I Faith, 27 Worts Causeway, Cambridge CB1 8RJ • Arbury Community Church, 263 Arbury Road, Cambridge CB4 2JL • Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road, Cambridge CB1 1JW • Eden Baptist Chapel, Fitzroy Street, Cambridge CB1 1ER • Wesley Methodist Church, Christ’s Pieces, Cambridge CB1 1LG • Our Lady & The English Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, Catholic Rectory, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JR • Abu Bakr Jamia Mosque, 1a Mawson Road, Cambridge CB1 2DZ • Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue, Auckland Road, Cambridge CB5 8DW • Buddhist Centre, 38 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8DT • Korean Church, 43 St Andrew's Baptist Church, Cambridge CB2 3AR • Cambridge Chinese Christian Church, see website for details, www.cccc.org.uk
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School shop and local amenities Living and learning in Cambridge is a privilege as there are so many things to see and do. Your boarding team will update the noticeboards regularly with information on what’s going on in the local area. For your ease there is a small selection of products available from the school shop based in reception – see price list on following page. The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are all good supermarkets located on the Leisure park at the top of the road, where there is also a cinema, bowling, gym and restaurants. Cambridge has two main shopping centres: The Grand Arcade and the Grafton Centre. If you need any help or advice on the local amenities, please ask a member of the Boarding team.
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Abbey Cambridge Student Shop - Price List Edding Handwriting Pen -
£1.00
HB Pencil -
25p
Sharp Calculator -
£2.70
Casio Scientific Calculator -
£7.20
Highlighter Pen -
35p
Note Pad (small) -
£1.50
Pukka Pad Note Pads (medium) -
£3.00
Pukka A4 punched notepads -
£4.00
5 Star Rubber -
65p
Q-Connect Shatterproof Ruler -
50p
Compass -
50p
Protractor -
50p
Aloe Vera/Kleenex Tissue {pack of 1} -
30p
Always/Lil-Lets Sanitary Towel -
£1.50
Tresemme Shampoo -
£1.30
Head and Shoulders Shampoo -
£1.30
Original Source/Sanex Shower Gel -
£1.20
Milton Travel Anti-bacterial Gel Hand-Wash -
£1.50
Nivea Small Deodorant (Male) -
£1.50
Dove Small Deodorant (Female) -
£1.50
Toothbrush -
50p
Colgate Toothpaste -
£1.20
Water -
25p
Travel Blue UK Travel Adaptor -
£4.00
Duracell Batteries AA {pack of 4} -
£2.50
Duracell Batteries AAA {pack of 4} -
£2.50
Fairy Washing Machine Tablets {pack of 2} -
50p
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