PARENTS’ GUIDE TO BOARDING AT BEACHBOROUGH
THE BOARDING ADVENTURE...
Welcome to Kites
We are delighted you are considering boarding for your child and welcome you warmly to the Kites’ family. We want your child to feel as though Kites is a home from home, and they can look forward to lots of good times here with their boarding friends.
All of our boarders, both weekly and flexi-boarders, tell us how much they enjoy boarding. In fact, there is a general belief among our boarders that the non-boarders miss out on all the fun!
Boarding at Kites is where all pupils can study, play and rest. All children are encouraged to develop responsibility for themselves and others, and have the opportunity to express their individuality, whilst learning respect and consideration towards the immediate and wider community, in which they live. This is what makes Kites such a happy place for all of our boarders to be.
We hope that this booklet will give you a good understanding of what boarding life in Kites is like, introducing you to our routines, timings, traditions, guidelines and our top tips to help your child ‘hit the ground running’. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to discuss anything in more detail.
Tel: 01280 709448
Susi: s.blithe@beachborough.com
Nick: n.blithe@beachborough.com
Nick and Susi Blithe
Kites’ Houseparents and family Oliver and Imogen, along with our Norfolk Terrier Arnie.
BOARDING PRINCIPLES
Boarding at Kites should be a ‘home from home’ where all pupils can study, play and rest. They should develop responsibility for themselves and others, and have the opportunity to express their individuality, whilst learning respect and consideration towards the immediate and wider community in which they live.
WHAT TO EXPECT
All new boarders will be given an induction session and a ‘boarding buddy’ who will help and support them with settling into boarding life. The evening routine in Kites starts after tea, at 6pm for Forms III and IV and 6.45pm for Forms V - VIII. The Houseparents, Resident Tutors, Miss Baldry, and Gap Students look after our boarders during their evening activities until bedtime.
We organise an array of outings and activities for you to enjoy each evening during the week. We also offer boarding on Friday evenings twice a term, where the routine differs to allow later bedtimes and ‘special’ activities to take place.
Monday - Thursday: Evening Boarding Routine
6.00pm Form III and IV Boarders’ Prep and Activity time
6.45pm House meeting in the Boarders’ Common Room for all boarders
6.50pm Boarders’ Activity time
7.20pm Form III & IV Boarders’ Shower and Supper
7.30pm Form V & VI Boarders’ Shower and Supper
8.00pm Form VII & VIII Boarders’ Shower and Supper
8.00pm Form III & IV Boarders in bed / Story time / Lights out
8.15pm Form V & VI Boarders in bed / Reading in dorms / Lights out
8.50pm Form VII & VIII Boarders in bed / Reading in dorms / Lights out
7.15am Wake up
7.30am Breakfast
8.00am Teeth cleaning and bed making
8.25am School starts
Laser Tag
Cookery fun in the kitchen
Themed
Board
Hide and Seek (in the dark) Summer BBQs Crazy Golf or Yoga Swim
Film and Pizza Night
The Big Water Fight
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Staff organise a variety of optional fun activities for the boarders to get involved in each evening.
The children are also welcome to use the schools’ sports and music facilities - or to simply enjoy relaxing and catching up with their friends.
OUR BOARDING CODE
We strive to make Kites a place where people can feel safe and where people are thoughtful and courteous towards others. Members of the Kites community will make sure that words, actions and behaviour show respect for the feelings and wellbeing of others.
• We are respectful and kind to others, our environment and respect each other’s property.
• We challenge and speak out against discrimination, bullying or abuse of any kind.
• We are an active and thoughtful contributor to our community and are honest, empathetic, and understanding in all our interactions.
• We accept that we are all different but of equal importance. We avoid using language or behaviour, which might offend.
• Folkestone do not enter the Westbury dorm floor and Westbury do not enter the Folkestone dorm floor.
• We do not enter Miss Baldry’s or Boarding House Parents’ accommodation.
• We do not take food or drink into the dormitory.
• We respect our dorm mates’ right to a good night’s sleep and we do not talk after lights out.
• We respect the privacy of everyone in Kites.
• We respect the Boarding House rules and appreciate they are there to keep myself and others safe.
POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
At Beachborough, through our pupil code of conduct, wellbeing lessons, PSHE and RSE curriculum, our children learn about the importance of positive and healthy relationships, including sexual relationships. To support our children and to keep them safe, our pupils learn about the ‘age of consent’ and the law in terms of building and developing healthy relationships. Our pupils are taught to understand what healthy physical contact is (e.g. a friendly handshake / preparing a scrum in rugby / working with a partner in a PE lesson) and what is inappropriate physical contact (e.g. sexual contact below the age of consent etc). This allows them to make healthy, appropriate and informed decisions, which in turn, keeps them and others safe.
ADDITIONAL HELP
Within Beachborough’s boarding community , we are committed to meeting the needs of all children in our care. We have a whole school approach to supporting pupils with SEN and disabilities, this is in line with our duties under the Children and Families Act 2014, and the Equalities Act 2010. In the Boarding House, we liaise closely with the SENDCo and recognise that our boarders with additional needs may require additional attention. Because of their needs, boarding staff may spend further one-to-one time with them to assist with their daily learning and living.
Areas of focus for these Boarders include:
• Additional supervision, both in dorms and around the boarding house.
• Organized and supervised age-appropriate activities.
• Supporting children with their personal hygiene and self-care.
• Developmental support (social and emotional).
• Developing their organisational skills.
• Individual academic support. (linked closely to the needs outlined on their IPP)
• Supervision of technology use.
• Healthy lifestyle choices (friendships, food, exercise, etc.)
There is always someone to talk to and who will help
Houseparents
Mr Nick Blithe n.blithe@beachborough.com
Mrs Susi Blithe s.blithe@beachborough.com
Assistant HP Miss Sophie Baldry s.baldry@beachborough.com
Gap Students Freya, Lowri, Frankie and Tom
Resident Staff
Senior Boarders
Mrs Simone Mitchell, Mr Simon Preece and Mr Dan Gross
Miller, Spencer, Bella, and Grace
Each year the Houseparents appoint Senior Boarders from Form VIII who serve for a year. They are chosen for their commitment to boarding at Kites and its values of community, selflessness and respect for others. They are expected to act as leaders in the Kites community, to set an example to their fellow boarders and to help support younger children when they first start boarding.
Any Worries?
If a child has a problem or is concerned or worried about anything, they are encouraged to talk to someone about it, either a member of their family or close friends or someone at school. If they wish to speak to someone not formally connected with the school, the school has an Independent Person who is:
CATHY KNOTT: her telephone number is 01280 313139
The children also have access to a confidential counselling service and can contact the Children’s Commissioner for England on:
• free phone number 0800 528 0731
• or email help.team@ childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk
• or contact Childline 0800 1111
The confidentiality and rights of the boarders are respected at all times.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Our happy, caring home away from home is based upon establishing and nurturing the closest partnerships between children, home and Boarding Houseparents. We consider our relationship with you extremely valuable. Please do not hesitate to telephone, email or drop in for a chat; our kettle is always on!
Communication
Phones
All Boarders have access to a landline telephone in Kites at any time prior to their bedtime. Children can receive incoming calls from their parents on the Kites’ phone, 01280 709448. Mobile phones are not permitted at school.
Emails
Email is a great way for children and parents to keep in touch. All children have their own email address provided by Beachborough. Boarders are able to access their email accounts during free time if they request.
One of the best ways you can keep up-todate with day-to-day life in Kites and check in on what your child is doing is by following us on Twitter @BBPrepBoarding.
Technology
Audio-visual entertainment is an integral part of the modern lifestyle and provides an opportunity for relaxation and entertainment. Any electrical items brought into boarding that are used in the school day are to be handed in to a Houseparent for the night.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Bedtimes
Bedtimes vary depending on the age of your child; for further details of the timings, please refer to the Evening Routines section. The bedtime routine includes: collecting and handing in laundry, showering, cleaning teeth and story time for the younger boarders. Silent reading time just before lights out allows a period of calm before children go to sleep. Talking after lights out is considered unacceptable and is taken very seriously.
Birthdays
It is a Kites’ tradition that boarders have a birthday cake on their birthday if it falls in term time.
Complaints
If a boarder feels they have been treated unfairly or feels there is a problem which has not been dealt with satisfactorily, the child should speak to the Houseparent, a member of the Boarding Team, their Tutor or Form Teacher.
If the boarder feels their complaint is still not satisfactorily dealt with, the matter will be recorded in the Complaints Book and will be fully investigated by the Head, who will arrange to see the boarder as often as is necessary to discuss the complaint fully. Every effort will be made to make sure the boarder does not feel either embarrassment or that their problems are being trivialised.
If a parent feels that they have a complaint they should contact the Houseparents or the Head in the first instance and further guidance can be found in the School’s Complaints policy.
Food Welfare
Arrangements are made for boarders to meet special religious, cultural, racial and linguistic needs:
• Beachborough ensures that suitable arrangements for food and drink are met at appropriate times in the year
• Pupils are encouraged to celebrate religious and cultural holidays
• Special cultural evenings take place throughout the year, to give other pupils and staff an insight into different cultures and to celebrate differences.
Clothing
Regular boarders keep their ‘boarding kit’ at school, so your child will not need to bring an overnight bag every time they stay. Bedding and towels are laundered regularly by the school. Children’s underwear and shirt will also be laundered when they board. Laundry bags are provided. When your child starts boarding and at the start of every term please bring the following items, clearly named, in an overnight bag:
Pillow and pillow case
Duvet and cover
Towel with loop
1 x school shirt
2 x pairs of pants
2 x pairs of socks or tights
Pyjamas/nightwear
Dressing gown
Slippers (traditional style)
Washbag with toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo and hairbrush or comb
School jumper (optional)
School trousers/kilt (optional)
Home Clothes (optional for after school)
PLEASE ENSURE ALL ITEMS ARE CLEARLY NAMED.
Insurance
The School Insurance Policy does not cover pupils’ personal belongings. Therefore, you are advised to include your child’s belongings in your own personal insurance to ensure that you are adequately covered.
Fire Drills
Fire drills happen every term and are good practice in case there is ever a real one. If children hear a fire alarm and they are in bed, or in the shower, they are asked to put on their dressing gown and slippers and then move sensibly out of the Boarding House as quickly as they can. If other people are asleep in their room, then they can wake them up before leaving. After they leave the Boarding House, they go and meet everybody outside and line up with their housemates in the area that they have been told to go to. Staff will always check that everyone is out of bed and safe before they leave the Boarding House.
Medicine
Children’s safety, happiness and well-being are our top priority in boarding. We keep a record of boarders’ specific medical needs and their GP’s details. First Aid Training for staff takes place regularly. Parents are asked to give their consent for the administration of First Aid and the dispensing of prescriptions and nonprescription medication. Boarders are not permitted to store their own medicines. Upon arrival at school, all medication must be handed to the Medical Room with the pharmacist’s instructions. The Boarding Team will administer them as and when required.
Music Practice
Extra music practice is encouraged in free time, for those learning an instrument and all boarders can practice in our music rooms.
Prep
We take the academic performance of our boarders very seriously and take great pride in ensuring that each child works hard, enjoys the academic side of school life and achieves his or her full potential. If any of the boarders have unfinished prep when they come into boarding they should make the Houseparents aware so time can be found to help them catch up. Forms III and IV will have supervised reading and spellings in the routine.
Safety and Welfare
• A whole school anti bullying policy, designed to eradicate bullying is available to pupils, staff and parents via the website.
• All school staff attend Child Protection training in accordance with Local Children’s Safeguarding Board guidelines.
• Mr Simon Preece (Designated Safeguarding Lead) keeps staff regularly updated with Child Protection guidelines via email, in staff meetings and training. His deputy is Mrs Susi Blithe.
• New staff have Child Protection training online, delivered by EduCare.
• All staff have read the Department of Education’s ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education: information for all school and college staff’, and are aware of the obligations which this places on them.
• The Head of Pastoral, Mr Simon Preece, is responsible for the implementation of the whole school pastoral care policy.
• The Bursar is the school’s Health and Safety Officer. Our external consultant has helped in formulating a full risk policy for the Boarding House.
• The Boarding Rooms are regularly
inspected by Fire Safety Officers and fire drills are held which form part of an active Health and Safety programme.
• All visitors must report to the Houseparents before admission to the Boarding Rooms.
• If a boarder needs to visit the Boarding Rooms outside of term time, they must report their presence either to the Head or the Houseparents. Ideally, they should make their arrangements beforehand.
• The doors to the boarding corridors are secured with pushbutton locks.
• The Boarding Rooms are out of bounds to all day pupils.
Simon Preece (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Suggestions
Mr and Mrs Blithe will actively ask the children for thoughts as to how they might improve things in Kites. There is a suggestion box in the Boarding House where they can drop a note giving their views, in case they don’t want to bring it up at a house meeting.
Supper
This is a light snack and drink that all boarders may choose to have before they go to bed; it often consists of a sandwich, soup or piece of fruit and a glass of milk.
Television
Children have so many exciting activities on offer here that it is rare that they choose to watch TV. However, we understand that everyone has a favourite programme they enjoy or a big sports match they would like to watch. We encourage children to watch TV in moderation and allow them to watch suitable programmes on selected evenings with permission from the Boarding House staff. Your child should let Mr and Mrs Blithe know if there is something suitable that he or she would like to watch. Mr and Mrs Blithe are always very happy to record it for viewing later if clubs or activities clash.
Dormitories
Dormitories vary in size and number of beds. The Houseparents allocate children to their dorms, taking into account age and friendship groups. We encourage children to transform their dorms into their bedrooms and bring in their own knick-knacks, such as teddies and decorations. Photos and pictures of their family are a great way to help children to feel at home.
Valuables
We strongly advise not to bring valuable items to school unless they are required for school use. Such items may be deposited with the Houseparents for safekeeping.
Boarding Cancellation
The school offers a flexible system, designed to meet the needs of parents. However, in order to avoid children on waiting lists missing out on a boarding experience, the school operates a two school days cancellation policy. This means that parents will be charged if insufficient notice of less than two school days cancellation is received.
The school will use its discretion if the cancellation is due to sickness which could not have been foreseen.
OUR HOUSE RULES
During the school day, the same code of conduct applies to both day and boarding pupils. In addition, it is necessary to have rules and a list of sanctions for Kites. Incidents reaching level 2 and above in the ‘Rewards and Consequences’ policy involving boarders are logged on iSams. This ensures a holistic approach and does not separate those who board from the whole school pastoral care policy.
Boarding Sanctions
The purpose of sanctions is to demonstrate that certain behaviours are not acceptable; to express the disapproval of our community; to reinforce the difference between right and wrong; to deter other pupils from similar behaviour. It is hoped that pupils who have received a boarding sanction will be genuinely sorry for their behaviour, and ensure that there is no repetition. Any punishment will match the severity of the behaviour with consideration where possible of the pupil’s previous record.
Examples of boarding Sanctions:
• Verbal reprimand
• Loss of free time
• Withdrawal of privileges
• Confiscation of property that is being used inappropriately or without consideration
• Assistance with domestic tasks, such as hoovering, clearing, washing up, for the benefit of the Kites community
• Withdrawal from an activity
• For the most serious offences a boarder will sent to the Head, who may decide that he or she should be suspended from boarding for a night or number of nights.
Boarding Rewards
Rewarding pupils for positive achievements is extremely important in developing a positive ethos within Kites. Beachborough very much believes in the importance of a culture of praise.
Examples of boarding rewards:
• Verbal praise
• Public recognition in house meetings, in the newsletter, school assemblies and ‘Boarder of the Week’ on the notice board
• Boarding Credits can be given for a job or for an act of kindness or consideration
• Boarding Prizes are given when a pupil has gained the appropriate number of Boarding Credits. This reward system is displayed in the Boarding house
• Houseparents’ cup and Matron’s cup are awarded in the summer term
• Boarding ties for Form VIII Boarders
