Boarding at Wellington College Prep offers all pupils a wealth of opportunities. Whether it is developing independence, making long-lasting friendships or simply gaining confidence, boarding can offer something for everyone. Our aim at Wellington College Prep is to “prepare every child for lifelong flourishing and success” and in the Boarding House we are committed to extending this into all parts of our boarders’ lives. This guide has been produced for parents of boarders at Wellington College Prep to give you an idea of what your children do in the House and to make it easier for you to understand how the House is run and organised.
Our overriding aim is to create a supportive, family orientated House in which all children feel happy, valued, cared for and can thrive. With a fully coeducational Boarding House and boarders ranging in age from 7-13 years, they are encouraged to integrate fully with each other, as any child would in their family home. It is heart-warming to watch a senior boarder help a junior boarder, as much as it is refreshing to know that both boys and girls can mix together and choose activities to suit their tastes rather than gender stereotypes, whether it be a lively game of water polo or a more relaxing session in the House card-making and listening to music.
Any Boarding House is indebted to the staff who run it. We have a fantastic team ofdedicated staff comprising of eight full-time resident staff members who are fully supported by a further 9 members of staff living off-site. Each night there is a House Parent, two House Tutors and two Junior Assistants on duty to ensure the children are well supported and cared for. Additionally, the House Parents are always on-call overnight to ensure the children are safe, well and happy 24 hours a day.
After only a few weeks, our House becomes a second home to many of our boarders, and as they find the daily patterns and routines becoming second nature.
Lauren Fisher Head of Boarding
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of the staff and pupils in the Boarding House is to create a well-structured, well-disciplined, warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere for the boarders and their parents. This enables the boarders to thrive socially and academically away from home and learn to be independent. The House Staff are very approachable and make every effort to safeguard the welfare and promote the development of the boarders in all aspects of their lives and help them cultivate good all-round habits that they can take on to senior schools and beyond.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
All members of our House have the right to work, play and relax free from abuse and intimidation, harassment, unkind teasing and bullying.
Based on mutual respect, all members of our House will enjoy equal opportunities regardless of their gender, cultural background or abilities.
Every member of our House will be treated and respected as an individual.
The link between home life and school life will be strong, offering support and guidance at all stages of our children’s lives.
In the Boarding House we aim to:
Produce an open and trusting environment in which every member of our House feels able to approach one another, confident in the knowledge that he or she will be treated and respected as an individual;
Provide a range of activities, hobbies and opportunities related to age and maturity that will assist in the personal and social development of each member of the House;
Safeguard and promote the welfare of every member of our House, by providing an environment that is, as far as possible, free from physical hazards and dangers of any sort;
Provide accommodation that is comfortable and suited to the needs of children, according to age and maturity, and which provides adequate levels of privacy;
Develop the children’s responsibility for self, for others and for the environment;
Develop the children’s qualities of leadership and ability to work as part of a team;
Provide suitable conditions for the children to feel able to turn to members of staff to share the good things in their lives, as well as seeking advice, counselling and support during times of difficulty.
ORGANISATION OF THE BOARDING HOUSE
ACCOMODATION
We have ten dormitories containing a total of 30 boys’ beds and 39 girls’ beds The dormitories are organised according to the age of the children Boarders will be allocated a dorm at the start of the year and from this point all the House Staff monitor the ‘dynamics’ of how everyone is getting along. As the year progresses, obviously friendships develop and change. We try to ensure that everyone is happy and occasionally changes are made when needed.
Children are encouraged to decorate their own area of the dormitory with suitable posters and photographs and for special occasions; for example, at Christmas. This results in a warm and homely atmosphere that helps the boarders to thrive away from home.
Boys
Monkey Puzzle Year 3 - 6
Redwood Year 7 - 8
Spruce Year 7
Cedar Year 7 - 8
Oak Year 8
Girls
Tulip
Sycamore
Larch
Year 6-7
Year 3-6
Year 7-8
Fir Year 8
Willow
Year 8
ORGANISATION OF THE BOARDING HOUSE
DAILY ROUTINE
MORNINGS
7.15am 7.30am
7 45am
Wake up, rise & shine! Boarders change into uniform
Morning registration, messages and breakfast
Brush teeth, tidy dorms, make beds etc and off to school
Boarders now follow the same routine as the day children until 5.30 / 6:00pm
Boarders in Years 3 – 6 complete prep with Junior Assistants and Head of Boarding/ Assistant Head of Boarding in the Common Room (spellings, times tables, reading)
Supper
1st House Meeting in dining room – registration, plan of the evening discussed
Activities
Years 3 - 6 shower, snack and free time
2nd House Meeting
Year 7 & 8 shower and snack Free time for all
Year 3 - 4 to bedrooms and quiet reading time. Lights out at 8.30pm
Year 5 - 6 to bedrooms and quiet reading time. Lights out at 8.45pm
Year 7 - 8 to bedrooms to brush teeth
Year 7 - 8 in bed reading their books. Lights out at 9.00pm for Year 7 and 9 15pm for Year 8
ORGANISATION OF THE BOARDING HOUSE
WEEKEND ARRANGEMENTS
Weekend plans are formalised and sent to parents before the start of the half term. Parents are to finalise plans and inform Lauren Fisher (Head of Boarding) about which weekends their child would like to stay by the Wednesday evening that we have returned to school for that half term so that relevant tickets can be bought and risk assessments can be completed. If your son or daughter’s plans change, we will try our best to get a refund but this may not be possible in some cases as tickets are bought well in advance. Boarders who return on Sunday night are required to sign in with the House Staff on duty up in the common room Please ensure that your child is back between 7pm and 8pm
Full boarders may be invited to a friend’s house for the weekend, but parents need to give the school their permission, please email Lauren Fisher (Head of Boarding) If permission has not been received, your child will not be allowed to leave the school until contact has been made with their parents or guardian.
VISITING THE BOARDING HOUSE
Parents are more than welcome in the Boarding House when they pick up or bring their children to school. If you need to see your child during any other evening and they are in the dormitory area, please wait in the Matron’s area and ask a member of staff to call them. We would ask parents not to enter the dormitory area unannounced as this does not give the other boarders the privacy to which they are entitled.
TAKING YOUR CHILD OUT OF THE BOARDING HOUSE
If you wish to take your child out one evening, they are staying with a friend or if they are staying at home on a night when they would usually be boarding, then the Head of Boarding must be informed by phone or email in advance, and preferably with at least one day’s notice so catering arrangements can be altered. When they leave the school site please sign them out at reception and sign them back in when they return as the duty member of staff must be aware that they are back on site.
REWARDS AND SANCTIONS
Rewards are given to boarders as often as possible. All boarders can earn stars for keeping their dormitories tidy, for settling into bed quickly, for showing compassion and kindness, for reading quietly before lights out, for being helpful around the house, for participating well in an activity or for good citizenship within the House These stars are clearly visible upon entering the boarding house The boarder with the most stars at the end of each term will win a prize Our top 3 girl and boy star earners for each half term will also receive extra tuck These stars tie in directly with the stars that students earn during school time and are added to their section total!
In addition, we also run a ‘Dorm Competition’ with a Pizza Party to be won by the neatest and most organised dorm at the end of the term. We also have 2 weekly ‘Boarders of the Week’ and ‘Dorm of the Week’ for those students who have really stood out for exemplary behaviour. You will find them mentioned on our social media and in the boarding weekly news! Our Boarders of the Week will also receive a boarding commendation for their exemplary behaviour.
We do have a sanctions system, but we like it to be positive. For misdemeanours, boarders will receive two warnings before a minor sanction is put in place. These sanctions could include loss of some social time, or some kind of community service. Should a boarder continue to make unkind choices or for more serious offences then this would lead to you being informed. Misdemeanours are communicated to the student’s form tutor via our ‘flag’ system which is used throughout the school. Flags allow our form tutors and boarding staff to communicate effectively and support our boarders throughout their time at Eagle House.
ORGANISATION OF THE BOARDING HOUSE
STUDY SESSIONS
Boarders are fortunate in having plenty of time available to complete work, carry out extra work and revise for tests and examinations. The Boarders' academic progress is closely monitored by their Form Tutor. If you have any concerns regarding academic matters, please arrange an appointment to speak to your child’s Form Tutor. In addition, the Head of Boarding will meet regularly with each boarder to talk to them about their studies to ensure they are on top of their work and are happy in the classroom. Feedback will be given to the child’s Form Tutor if needed.
Boarders in Years 3-6 have an informal study session with the Junior Assistants and House Parent every day, during which they complete any additional study. A typical session will involve the House Assistants listening to each of the children read, test them on their spellings and help them learn any French or Latin vocab that they might have. The Head of Boarding liaises directly with the Form Tutors of the junior boarders to draw up an individual timetable for each child to ensure they are using this time effectively and constructively.
Boarders in Year 7 and 8 complete their written prep in school as part of the school day during a lunchtime session and an afterschool session. Each evening they can use their quiet reading time (8.30pm - 9.00pm) to complete any small additional tasks, such as learning vocab or preparing for a small test. The majority of their study is completed before they return to the House at 6pm.
In the run up to school examinations, we like to feel that the boarders are well placed to prepare properly for exams. They will all have to prepare exam revision timetables and have to keep to them. They are in the privileged position of being able to seek assistance from academic staff when they need it. The Year 8 pupils will naturally do more revision than the younger members of the House. Sometimes our boarders decide to go to the common room during their activity time and would rather complete some revision – provisions are always made for them if they would rather prepare for a test.
ACTIVITY SESSIONS
The boarders have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of supervised activities in the evening. During the winter months, activities are arranged every evening. Activities on offer range from hockey, benchball, swimming, football and cricket to chess, computing, board games and art activities depending upon demand. In the summer Eagle House really comes into its own on the activity front. We offer swimming challenges, wood games, football, manhunt, bonfires or just free time outside to ensure the children are making the most of the grounds. These activities are organised in addition to the more formal activity programme that runs during the long lunch hour.
We also have a fully equipped Common Room that the children have access to every evening. In this room, they may watch TV, play on the Xbox, play board games/table football/pool, or complete independent craft activities with the resources provided. Whilst we encourage boarders to participate in our evening activities, we also recognise the need for children to have the opportunity for quiet or relaxation time. Time to relax in the Common Room is always available and we also have a ‘Wellbeing Hub’ for children wishing to spend some time alone. House Staff closely monitor the children’s activity choices throughout the week, to ensure they are getting a suitable balance of active games as well as time to relax and unwind and they are integrating well within the community.
ORGANISATION OF THE BOARDING HOUSE
BEDTIMES
Bedtimes are staggered during the evenings according to the age of the boarders. All the dorms have a time when their main light is turned out and they have at least 15 minutes reading time using their individual nightlights. After this time, they are asked to turn off their nightlights and House Staff insist on silence. Disturbing others who are trying to get to sleep is taken seriously in the House and therefore children will complete some community service the next morning if they are caught talking after lights out. Staff remain in the main corridors of the Boarding House for at least 45 minutes after the last dorm have been asked to be silent.
Years 3 - 4 8.15pm 8.30pm
Years 5 - 6 8.30pm 8.45pm
Year 7 8.45pm 9.00pm
Year 8 8.45pm 9.15pm
WHAT TO BRING
IN GENERAL
Please ensure that all items on the list are included and that everything, including casual clothes, towels and bed linen is clearly named. Weekly boarders may like to bring their own bed linen, pillow, duvet cover or mattress topper. Please make sure these are clearly labelled. Flexi boarders use the bedding provided by the Boarding House.
As part of our wind down before bed time all boarders are expected to read a reading book. Please make sure that your son or daughter brings an up-to-date book for this!
Please pack the completed kit list at the top of the bag so that all items can be checked against it when they are repacked at the end of term. Each boarder has a drawer under their bed, which is for their casual clothing. All uniform and sports kit is kept centrally by the Matrons. There is a bedside locker available to each boarder for storing personal possessions. Your child may like to bring their own toys to school, including soft toys. In the first instance it is best if only a few possessions are brought. They can then decide on what they can make use of and care for.
Please note that we do not allow personal handheld games consoles or iPads in the boarding house. There is a wide range of fun and engaging activities offered throughout the week and the success of boarding is highly dependent on boarders joining in with these sociable activities, where they can make new friends and live the boarding life to the full.
Please refer to the full uniform list for what to wear during school hours.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Pairs
gown
Bath towels (looped for hanging)
Duvet covers and pillow cases
Duvet (if bringing in your own please ensure it is labelled)
We do not recommend Boarders bring any valuable items into school. Boarders do not need to have any jewellery in school. Boarders have access to a small personal locker. Please note that there will be a small charge for any lost keys.
MONEY
Boarders do not need to have any money in school. Appropriate amounts of pocket money will be given to Boarders for any excursions and added onto the boarder’s school account
TUCK
Boarders are not allowed sweets and food in school. Not only is food stored in dorms a hygiene risk, we have Wednesday evenings when we provide sweets and treats and this is certainly enough sugar in their diet. We do urge you to support us in this matter as tuck is offered as part of our privilege night, and if children have access to their own supplies then it completely devalues our reward system. Boarders have access to fruit and other healthy snacks after the activity session each evening and therefore shouldn’t ever go hungry.
MOBILE PHONES
Our aim in the boarding house is to teach students how to be responsible technology users. We like them to be able to communicate with their family, but certainly don’t want them to be addicted to their phones! In light of this, we have 2 ‘Tech Free’ nights week where no mobile phones are used
Please see our table below which indicates whether your child is able to bring their mobile phone to boarding. If your child does bring their mobile phone to boarding, they must declare they have one, and they will know that it must be used under our supervision in the Boarders’ Common Room. Mobile phones are securely locked away at all other times.
If your child is a flexi boarder who does not normally bring their phone, please send Lauren Fisher an email if they do happen to have their phone for any reason i.e. it is needed for a school trip that day/the next day.
The school computer network has a sophisticated security system to protect children from accessing unsuitable websites and content. This security cannot be extended to Internet access from mobile phones for example any phone that has the ability to connect via 3G, 4G or 5G. Parents are responsible for monitoring the apps that they allow their children to have on their phones. Please contact the Head of Boarding or Deputy Head Safeguarding if unsure of age restrictions on apps.
CONTACTING YOUR CHILD
There are three handsets in the Common Room Area, which you can call to contact your child: 01344 467207
Boarders will answer these phones and find your child for you! If your son or daughter is in Year 3 - 6 then the best time to call them is from 7.25pm. If they are Year 7 or 8 then 7.45pm onwards is best.
Your child may have their own mobile phone for use in the evenings. They will be able to collect this phone each day and must hand it in before their bedtime each evening.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Any matters of concern should be raised initially with the Head of Boarding or appropriate member of the Senior Management Team (SLT).
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you should let the Head of Boarding or member of SLT know and he/she will refer the matter to the Headmaster.
If you are still not satisfied, you are able to ask for the formal complaints policy.
CONTACTING HOUSE STAFF
There are a number of ways that you can contact members of the House Staff: School Number: 01344 772134
After 6pm this number gets directed around a group of telephones, one of which is in the Boarding House. If it is not answered it then gets directed to the next phone on the list and so on. This means that although the phone is ringing at your end, it may only be ringing in the House for a short time.
Matron’s Surgery: 01344 467219
This is a direct number to the Boarding House and someone is likely to be present between 6.45pm and 8.45pm.
Communication between school and home is essential. Please do:
Let us know of important likes and dislikes, social and medical problems, personality clashes etc. so that they can be avoided.
Let us know of any change of home circumstances that could affect your child.
Contact the Form tutor and House Parents if there is news that may upset or worry your child so that we can look to reassure them.
Make yourself known to members of the House Staff.
Join in with School and House occasions whenever you can.
We want to establish as open a relationship with the parents of the boarders as we can. For this to happen, it is important that information flows both ways - both good and bad things that have happened. It is essential that you feel that you can contact the House Staff at any time if you have a concern or anything you need to discuss - however trivial you may feel it is.
If you wish to discuss your child’s academic performance, please contact your child’s Form Tutor.
PARENTS ABSENCE
If for any reason you have to be away during term, we do need to know what arrangements you have made for your child so that in any emergency we can know the adult to contact. Please e-mail the Head of Boarding the relevant name, address and telephone number. Any change of address (or telephone number) should be notified to the School Office in writing.
LAUNDRY, HEALTH AND HYGIENE
LAUNDRY
The Matrons are responsible for all of the laundry in the House. Boarders wear school uniform but may change into casual clothes after supper. There is a clear laundry rota for school uniform whereby the children put in specific items each evening. Children may choose to hand in their casual clothes when needed or in the case of weekly boarders, take them home at the weekend. We generally expect that no more than three changes of casuals are brought to school. Casual clothes should be reasonably smart. Please be aware that all casual clothing will be machine-washed and tumble-dried.
ALL clothing must be clearly marked using sewn-on name tapes. Please provide a dozen extra name tapes for the Matrons to use during the term.
HEALTH
The Matrons look after the boarders' health. They are responsible for dispensing medication, dealing with injuries and other related matters. If your child feels unwell or has hurt themselves, they are encouraged always to see the matron. If this is in the middle of the night, there is an on call First Aider on duty at all times. There are two sickbays in the Boarding House should a boarder be too unwell to sleep in their dorm.
MEDICINES
ALL medicines that your child requires must be handed to matron, marked clearly with your child’s name and instructions. Matron will then give you a form to sign. We cannot dispense any medication without the required authorisation.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
Your child’s personal hygiene is extremely important. The House Staff do check that the boarders look after themselves, by ensuring that their teeth are cleaned twice a day and that they shower daily. The responsibility for their own cleanliness will move increasingly to the individual boarder as they get older.
Parents should inform us immediately if your child is thought or known, during the holidays, to have been in contact with any infectious disease. This will help us to prevent a possible epidemic and it is therefore sometimes necessary to keep your child away until they get better.
HAIR CUTTING
Please ensure that your child’s hair is cut before they return to school at the start of each term. We encourage the children to take pride in their appearance. Students must bring the appropriate ties and grips to tie back long hair.
HOMESICKNESS
Inevitably, there will be times when a boarder will miss home and their parents. All children feel homesick at some stage during their time boarding. They are kept extremely busy, so rarely have time to think about it. If your child is unhappy or feeling homesick, but has not told a member of staff, please do telephone us and let us know, so that we can talk with them about how they are feeling, whilst discussing the situation with you and the best course of action. Boarders are given advice on how to deal with homesickness.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SECURITY
We appreciate that the security of your child is of paramount importance while they are away from home. The School is locked up and checked by the House Staff every evening. The external doors to the Boarding House are alarmed and should the doors be opened a pager carried by the House Parents on duty will be set off. In addition, the double doors separating the Boys and Girls Houses are also alarmed after lights out. There are security lights all around the School grounds. Your child is told never to approach someone in school that they do not recognise and to inform a member of staff immediately. We hold fire drills at least once a term and at least one of these takes place after the boarders have gone to bed.
BIRTHDAYS
If your child is a weekly boarder and has a birthday during term time we offer them a ‘birthday table’ at supper. The school will provide a cake, crisps and drink for your child to share with the boarders they have selected to be on their table. If your child is a flexi boarder and is going to be in the Boarding House on their birthday, please send us an email the week before so that we can inform the catering department. If you are planning to take your son or daughter out for their birthday or they aren’t going to boarding that evening, please do let us know.
BOARDING PREFECTS
At the end of Year 7, students are invited to apply for a ‘Prefect’ role to begin in September of Year 8. Students express their interest and are then invited to an interview with the Headteacher and Senior Deputy Head. Through deliberation with the Head of Boarding, one student is selected as ‘Head of Boarding’ with a ‘Deputy Head of Boarding’ also being selected. Upon beginning school in Year 8, Lauren Fisher (Head of Boarding) invites other Year 8 students to express their interest in becoming a ‘Boarding Prefect’. After a written application and an interview, a small group of students are selected. All of these students, together, are known as the Boarding Team.
The Head of Boarding and Deputy Head of Boarding are expected to be the face of Wellington College Prep Boarding, epitomising our school values and welcoming boarders of all ages. They attend the School Council, conduct welcome speeches at events such as the Boarders’ Christmas Bash and the Summer Bash and also act as a tour guide for new boarders or parents. They are expecting to lead our Boarding Prefects and liaise with Lauren Fisher (Head of Boarding). The Boarding Team meet weekly with Lauren Fisher to discuss the running of the boarding house. The Boarding Team offer a duty night where they support and assist young boarders with their organisational skills and spend time with them and make them feel welcome in the boarding house. The Boarding Team cannot give sanctions, but are encouraged to give nominations for our 'Boarder of the Week' award. The Boarding Team are expected to report back to the Head of Boarding or Assistant Head of Boarding with any observations or worries they may have about other boarders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BULLYING
“At Wellington College Prep we always treat bullying very seriously. It conflicts sharply with the school’s social and moral principles, and potentially with its policy on equal opportunities, and will not be tolerated. When incidents of bullying do occur, they are dealt with quickly and taken seriously. The school will never dismiss or downplay bullying as banter or horseplay, and all reported incidents of bullying will be dealt with by staff in accordance with this policy. Staff will reassure any victim(s) that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe.”
Wellington College Prep Anti-bullying Policy 2024-2025
There are times when friends do fall out temporarily and it is a fact of life that bullying and teasing goes on in all levels of society. However, we make it clear that it is not tolerated in any way at Wellington College Prep
The policy defines bullying as “… behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally.”
What To Do If You Feel Your Child Is Being Bullied
Do all you can to give them confidence and selfbelief.
Talk to them about the subject. Let them know you will be supportive and encourage them to confide in you.
Support us by informing the Head of Boarding or your child’s Form Tutor so we can act immediately.
START AND END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS
If your child needs to leave School before the end of term, to catch a flight for example, permission MUST be sought in writing. Please give the School plenty of notice, so that arrangements can be made for your child’s holiday work to be set. Please email Lauren Fisher who can orchestrate this for you.
Likewise, email Lauren Fisher for permission if for some reason your child has to be late back for the beginning of term.
