BOARDERS’ HANDBOOK
“ W HERE THERE IS BELIEF THERE IS POSSIBILITY”
“ I BELIEVE I CAN BECOME A MITCHELIN STAR CHEF JACOB
Welcome Whether you are joining our boarding community as a full, weekly or flexi-boarder, I would like to wish you a warm welcome. I hope that you will settle in quickly to life at Luckley and that you will see boarding very much as a second home. This booklet will give you the chance to find out about day to day life, with lots of practical information to help you during your first few weeks at Luckley. You will find out about many aspects of boarding life, such as where you will live, when meals are served, when you are allowed to use the WIFI and when you are expected to get up for school in the mornings! You’ll also find out a bit about the Boarding team who will be looking after you. However, I am sure that you will still have lots of questions, which you can ask of any of the boarding staff or other boarders at any time. Combinations of work, relaxation and fun activities are just a few of the qualities that will make boarding such an influential part of your life now and in the years to come. I sincerely hope you will enjoy your time spent here. Mr Hill, Head of Boarding
MEET THE BOARDING STAFF HEAD OF BOARDING: MR HILL
BOARDING HOUSE TUTOR: MRS HILL
Mr Hill and his family are joining Luckley following five years at a full boarding school. As a Housemaster, Head of Professional Development and Head of Psychology, he has a broad understanding of a holistic educational experience and a passion for boarding and pastoral welfare. Outside of the boarding house and classroom, Mr Hill is a DofE leader and keen sportsman.
Mrs Hill joins Luckley along with Mr Hill, their son Ralph and dog, Penny. Having initially taught Business and Economics, Mrs Hill retrained as a SpLD assessor/teacher and SENCo. Alongside these roles, she has worked in both boys’ and girls’ boarding for the last six years. Mrs Hill will be in the boarding house throughout the week and the weekend.
HOUSEMASTER: MR VALLANCE
GRADUATE BOARDING ASSISTANT: MISS HAMMOND
Mr Vallance has been at Luckley since 2015 and as well as looking after the academic curriculum he also teaches Maths. If you happen to have Mr Vallance as your maths teacher he occasionally performs the odd magic trick as, in his spare time, he is a member of the famous Magic Circle in London!
Miss Hammond has recently graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in History. She joins Luckley having previously volunteered with Girlguiding for 4 years, and is really excited to become part of the Luckley community. Outside of work, she enjoys Latin and Ballroom dancing, and climbing – but not both at the same time!
ASSISTANT HOUSEMISTRESS: MISS COWDERY Miss Cowdery has been a part of the boarding house since September 2020 and also supportds the PE Dept. She is very much looking forward to working closely with the pupils to support them and to ensure the boarding house becomes their second home. Miss Cowdery enjoys playing a variety of sports in her spare time including hockey, cricket, tennis and golf.
GRADUATE BOARDING ASSISTANT: MISS HUGHES Miss Hughes has recently completed a postgraduate degree in Music and joins Luckley after teaching Singing privately, she is keen to experience teaching in and outside of the classroom. Miss Hughes has various skills involving musical and art, and in her spare time she enjoys going to the gym. Miss Hughes is excited to meet you all and be a part of life at Luckley.
BOARDING HOUSE TUTOR: MR BOUWER Mr Bouwer has a strong background in both the corporate and education sectors, and joins Luckley House from a school where he was the Head of Digital Learning. Mr Bouwer enjoys being outdoors and is a competitive sportsman; he enjoys rowing, golf, crossfit and cycling and is an amateur beekeeper. On his nights in house, Mr Bouwer will be working with pupils during prep as well as helping develop their ICT skills and running activities.
YOUR TERM-TIME HOME The Boarding House Oak House is our girls’ boarding house and is located on the first floor of the Sixth Form Centre. Lethaby House is our boys’ boarding house and is located in the Main House. The bedrooms have been recently refurbished and are modern and fresh. The Boarding Houses have a vibrant atmosphere that is warm and friendly. Bedrooms You will usually share a room with one other boarder. As a new boarder, you will be introduced to a ‘Buddy’ who will help you to settle in. You can put up posters and photos of family and friends and bring your own bedding to personalise your room. You usually move rooms each term to help you to make new friends.
Common Rooms As with any home, it is important for you to have somewhere to go at the end of a busy day to relax and spend time with your friends. The common rooms are comfortable, homely lounge areas with sofas, cushions and throws, with a TV and DVD player and a selection of board games. There are also kitchen areas for making light snacks.
Bathrooms There are plenty of individual bathrooms throughout the Boarding Houses, and in some rooms have their own sinks.
MEALS
MEAL TIMES
The food at Luckley is delicious! All meals are prepared and cooked in our school kitchens by our own catering team and served in the dining hall.
WEEK DAYS Breakfast: 7:50 – 8:15 You must be at breakfast by 8am. Tea: 16:00 – 16:15 Supper: 18:00 Friday Supper - 17:30
YOUR TUTOR
If you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements, our General Services Manager, Emily, will talk to you and make sure that you are properly catered for at all meal times. Breakfast is served in the main dining room. Make sure you are not late as it is important to get to tutor registration on time! For supper there is always a choice of dishes offered, as well as a ‘help yourself’ salad bar available every evening. There is a choice of yoghurt or fruit for your dessert.
SATURDAY Breakfast: 10:00 *Supper: 18:00 SUNDAY Breakfast: 10:30 *Supper: 17:30 * Subject to change Everyone meets at meal times as it is a good time to plan for the day or weekend ahead.
YOUR SUBJECT TEACHERS
You can make light snacks in the common rooms during the evenings and weekends and can store food in the cupboards and the fridges. Senior Boarders are encouraged and supported to cook some of their own meals at weekends. This is to develop their independent living skills. You may also wish to keep a small tuck box in your room. Mr Hill can help you store any larger items.
DAILY TIMETABLE
LAUNDRY
07:30 - Wake up 07:45 - Breakfast 08:40 School day begins 16:00 Tea & register 16:20 - Enrichment 17:30 - Free time 18:00 - Supper 18:30 - Prep time 19:30 - Year 7-9 finish prep 19:45 - Years 10-13 finish prep 19:45 - Activities 21:00 - Year 7 & 8 bedtime 21:30 - Year 9 bedtime 21:45 - Year 10 bedtime 22:00 - Year 11 bedtime 22:30 - Sixth Form bedtime
You will be given a wash bag for your dirty clothes and bedding. On any weekday morning you can take your bag containing dirty washing to the Laundry or collect your clean washing.
Years 7-11 lights out 15 mins after bedtime.
To make things easier to manage please put your name on the clothes you bring in. This will go a long way to prevent items going astray. All your clothes must be named to ensure they are returned to you after washing. Any clothes that are missing will probably be found in the unnamed box located in the launderette. Each week you will strip your bed, remove your duvet cover, bottom sheet and pillow case(s) and take them to the Laundry for washing.
AFTER SCHOOL TIME As a Boarder, you have the advantage of having the school facilities right on your doorstep! We run an extensive programme of after-school activities, so there is always something for you to do, or take part in and maybe learn a new skill or hobby! There may be clubs outside of school that you wish to attend. Staff will make every effort to make these happen. If you are in Year 7, 8 or 9, you are encouraged to take part in a minimum of three after-school activities a week. Year 10 and 11 pupils also can opt in to these activities and it is hoped that they will participate in at least one a week. In the evenings, once you have finished your work, you can walk to the local town/supermarket in a group. We have a sign in/out book so that we are always aware of who is on or off site at any time.
If you wish to go out, you need to ask for permission from a member of the boarding staff. If you leave the school for any reason during the day you must sign out in the School Office. If you leave the school at other times you must sign out on the Signing in and out sheet, which is located at the entrance to the boarding house. Before you leave the house area, you must also sign out. It is important to sign out so we know where you are in case of a fire or an emergency.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS Please label all your own clothes and belongings in case they get mixed up with others. In your bedroom there is a safe for you to store your personal valuables.
MONEY, PASSPORTS & VALUABLES We aim to be a cash-free environment so would recommend that you set up a bank account. The boarding staff are happy to support you with this in the first few weeks. Passports / BRPs and plane tickets must be handed in for safe keeping during the term. The boarding staff can also look after other valuables for you.
WHAT ITEMS TO BRING You will have received a uniform list with your Joining Pack, which includes additional items for boarders. You can order many items of uniform online from www. thedirectclothing.co.uk before you arrive, but you will also have the opportunity to meet with the uniform coordinator before term starts, when you can try on different items for size. Boarders who stay for one term only are able to borrow a blazer, skirt (girls) and a tie (boys) and will also be provided with a science overall.
THE HEALTH CENTRE If you are unwell, we will make sure that you are well cared for and have time and space needed to get better. We have a Health Centre, which is located in the Main House at the end of the corridor opposite the Uniform Shop. Nurse Doel and Nurse Lan are available during the school day. If you become unwell after 16:00 or at the weekend, you should report to a member of the boarding staff. Any appointments, for example, visits to the dentists, opticians, hospitals, etc, must be arranged by the Health Centre. Visits to the local GP are available by appointment to offer advice, make referrals, and to prescribe any necessary medication. If you have an infectious or more serious condition where you need to be kept away from school, we will liaise with your parents or guardians to arrange for you to go home to a parent/guardian.
WEEKENDS
YOUR UNIFORM
There will be a range of trips/ activities made available at the weekends. Weekend activities are arranged by the boarding staff and all young people take part. There will also be time for rest and recouperation.
WEEKEND LEAVE If you want to go out for the weekend you just need to make sure you have the consent of your parents/guardian who then needs to confirm this with the Head of Boarding. You should be back in the Boarding House by 20:30 on the Sunday evening.
VISITORS
SPORTS
Family members and friends are welcome at any suitable time and can normally meet you in the common room or somewhere else in school. Visitors are not allowed upstairs unless with a member of staff and normally only on the first or last day of term.
PRACTISING FAITH If you would like to attend a church there are many available in Wokingham on a Sunday morning. Please speak to the Head of Boarding if you wish to attend.
YOUR SAFETY
EXPECTATIONS
As with any school there are things in place to ensure your safety while you are with us. Our boarding houses are equipped with video door bells which will link you to a member of the boarding staff when needed. The Head of Boarding will explain this in more detail.
At Luckley House you will be treated with respect and honesty throughout your time here. In return we will expect you to make every effort to do the same. Everyone is treated as equal regardless of their background and we will encourage you all to grow and live by the same values. Academic achievement is regarded as important as your social / emotional growth. We will work hard with you to try and help you to reach your full potential both in and out of school. We believe the boarding experience is a fun and exciting part of your life. All the staff will do their very best to make you feel at home and help you to personalise your bedroom to make that easier. If you ever need to speak to staff, all of us are happy to listen to you and will do all we can to help you feel better.
FIRE PROCEDURES It is essential that you follow the signing in and out rules, as we must know who is in school in the event of a fire or emergency. When the fire alarm sounds, leave by the nearest exit and assemble on the back lawn. Do not stop to collect belongings on your way out of the building. Do not re-enter the building until you are told it is safe to do so.
EMERGENCIES In the case of any other emergency staff would direct you to a safe place and tell you what you need to do next. This may include staying in a classroom or in boarding accommodation until the situation is resolved.
INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS GUARDIANS All international boarders must have a named Guardian in this country. There are EXEAT weekends once per half term when you will go and stay with a friend or your guardian. VISAS & TRAVEL PERMITS The School must hold all half term and end of term travel and accommodation details and contact information to fulfil immigration requirements. We will ask that your parents or guardians provide this information as soon as transport is booked. If you are an overseas boarder, you must make sure you arrive with the correct, up to date travel documentation. For more details, check the UK Government visas and Home Office websites: www.ukvisas.gov.uk and www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) The EAL Department works with teaching and boarding staff to encourage and develop your development of English language to help you to get the most out of your lessons and your social life with your school friends! When you arrive at Luckley, you will have an assessment session with one of our EAL teachers and this will determine how often you will have EAL lessons. You may have sessions on your own with the tutor, or in small groups with other students.
IF YOU NEED TO TALK....... Sometimes you may wish to escape from the hustle and bustle of the boarding house, make a private phone call or indeed just enjoy some peace and quiet. If you need some space, please feel free to find a quiet room within the school premises (but don’t forget to let a member of staff know where you’re going!). Occasionally, you may have a problem that you need support with. Please remember there is always someone who will listen, such as a member of the day, boarding or nursing staff.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Independent Listener Catherine Jinkerson 0118 932 8418 / 07795386638 Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs Gilding-Brant 0118 974 3231
CORE VALUES Luckley House School is built on the Christian foundations of love and service. We enable our pupils to thrive in a secure and encouraging environment, thereby equipping each individual to be resourceful and resilient – ready to take on life’s many challenges and opportunities.
BOARDING MISSION To provide a warm, supportive and encouraging environment in which friendship and social skills can be nurtured.
REMEMBER......... 1. Respect one another’s privacy and property. 2. Be kind to each other. 3. Keep your room clean and tidy and make your bed every day. 4. Food is to be stored and named in the kitchen areas. 5. Music should be played at an acceptable volume with no music before general wake up or after lights out. 6. Keep valuables and money locked away and hand large amounts of money for safe keeping to the boarding staff . 7. Treat others as you wish to be treated and we will all enjoy a happy and friendly home! 8. Try everything, at least once. 9. If you are not sure, ask. 10. Be honest. 11. Take part in activities and trips. 12. Remember, sleep is important.
HOUSE SCHOOL
Luckle
“ I BELIEVE I CAN LIGHT THE STARS OF THE FUTURE” HEIDI
Luckley House School Luckley Road, Wokingham, RG40 3EU T: 0118 978 4175 luckleyhouseschool.org