INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE HOUSE
House History
For the first eighty-five years, Middle was based in the main school buildings (in the area now occupied by the Design Centre). The Headmaster disliked the lack of identity created by the large dormitories and so he ‘artificially’ designated Houses in the dormitory block. In 1980, Middle moved to its current location in Lewsdon. The House had a large extension and refurbishment during the 2015-2016 school year. The House has an interesting history, which is recorded in the House journal, which is written in at the end of each term by the Head of House. The names of every pupil who has been in the House are on a display board in the main hall.
The House shield has an egg in the middle in affectionate memory of a legendary bald Houseparent!
From September 2025, Middle House will consist of 127 pupils, of whom 32 are boarders. There are five year groups in the House (Year 9 through to Year 13).
Middle is paired with a girls’ HouseSummerhill - with whom it shares many events throughout the school year.
Middle House’s colour is green.
House Emblem
House Aims & Ethos
In addition to the general aims of the school, Middle House have their own specific aims.
• to encourage pupils to achieve their potential, academically, and to participate positively in the wider aspects of school life
• to provide a secure, supportive and friendly environment in which the pupils can develophome from home
• to foster a sense of personal and corporate responsibility and a willingness to serve others
• to help individuals acquire the skills needed for working and living with others
• to give pupils the opportunity to develop leadership skills
• to encourage values such as sensitivity, honesty, courtesy and reliability
The House aims to be a place where the pupils can grow a sense of responsibility for themselves and others; learn to co-operate with and support one another, as members of a team. They are encouraged to work hard to achieve their best in a secure, well- ordered home from home. Good manners, good humour and common decency are expected at all times.
Middle prides itself on the good relationships that develop between boys of all ages within the House. These give support to the younger ones and they help the older boys appreciate that they are role models, with a pastoral part to play in the welfare of others. Middle also prides itself on the positive relationships that exist between the House staff and the pupils. As a House we also have a strong sense of fun and know how to enjoy ourselves –wherever possible outdoors and for free!
WELCOME TO MIDDLE HOUSE
Middle House has a proud and long heritage and so I hope those of you that are joining us this year, feel proud to be part of the House and community that occupies a very special place in the history of Kingswood School. I also wish to give you a warm welcome and to reassure new joiners that it will not take long for you to settle in and feel part of the House. Please do contact me if there is anything that I can do to help this process.
I have been in post for 8 years as the Senior Houseparent, although I have been teaching at Kingswood for 13 years. I very much enjoy my Houseparent role, which involves caring and taking responsibility for both boarders and day pupils as well as guiding them and the very able tutor team.
I also teach Geography at the School as well as lead Gold DofE and help out with Football, Rugby and Athletics.
I live at the far end of the House, with my wife, Laura, who is a teacher of Biology (at Kingswood) as well as being the Head of Middle School (Years 9 - 11). We have three young children Harry (11), Poppy (9) and Florence (5). We also have a dog called Mulberry and a cat called Zuma.
In September, Mr John Jackson will take over the role of Deputy Housemaster from Euan Gordon (who will be Head of Year 10).
Mr David Walker (Head of Spanish) and Mr Olly East (DTE and Deputy Head of Upper) will do an evening duty during the week. In addition to these staff, there are eight non-resident tutors attached to Middle House. All staff have a group of tutees and they monitor the academic and general development of those in their care.
There are also two full time non-resident Housekeepers.
Mr Steve Smyth (Senior Houseparent)
Mr Paul Lynch is the Resident Assistant Houseparent, he lives within the new wing of the House with his family.
ADDRESS AND CONTACT DETAILS
House Address:
Middle House (Lewsdon)
College Road
Bath BA1 5RT
Middle House Office: 01225 734452
Middle House Duty Mobile: 07436 152343
Senior Houseparent Mobile: 07561 702751
School Reception: 01225 734200
Senior Houseparent Email: ssmyth@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
There will always be a member of staff in the House between 4.30pm and 5.45pm and again between 8.30pm and 10.30pm.
Duty staff will be available on the House Mobile from 4.30pm to 10.30pm. A member of resident staff will have the House Mobile with them overnight, in case of emergencies.
During the day, it is best to contact the School Reception for any urgent messages.
Senior Houseparents regularly check their emails and will endeavour to respond to them within 24 hours, unless they require more urgent attention.
The first point of contact is usually your child’s tutor. However, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Senior Houseparent over anything with regard to your child. They would rather deal with things as they occur and not let them develop into bigger issues. Senior Houseparents will contact you if they have any concerns or if they feel things are going particularly well. They would also love to hear about your child’s endeavours and successes outside of school.
House Social Media
Middle House has an Instagram account, which records and celebrates the life of the House. This can be found on Instagram as follows: @kws_middlehouse
HOUSE STAFF
Senior Houseparent
Mr Steve Smyth
Year 10 Tutor Geography Teacher ssmyth@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Deputy Houseparent
Mr John Jackson
Year 9 Tutor
PE and Games Teacher jjackson@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Resident Assistant Houseparent
Mr Paul Lynch
Year 13 Tutor Head of RPE plynch@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Evening Duty Staff
Mr Olly East Tutor in Upper Design and Technology Teacher
Mr David Walker Year 9 Tutor Head of Spanish dwalker@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Tutors
Mr Ed Allchorne
Year 13 Tutor Head of Biology eallchorne@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Mr Gareth Edgell Year 12 Tutor
Head of Computer Science gedgell@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Mr Thomas Elliott Year 12 Tutor
Mathematics Teacher telliott@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Mr Euan Gordon
Year 10 Tutor
Geography Teacher and Head of Year 10 egordon@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Mr Garrod Musto
Year 12 Tutor
Computer Science and Mathematics Teacher and Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement gmusto@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Mr Martin Richards Year 11 Tutor
Mathematics Teacher mrichards@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Mr Miles Thompson Year 11 Tutor Science Teacher mthompson@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Mr Craig Woodgate Year 13 Tutor
History Teacher and Head of Sixth Form cwoodgate@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
From 4.30pm each weekday, there is a member of staff on duty in the House. From this time, they supervise the students, sign out the day pupils at 5.30pm, cover prep and are responsible for all the boarders in the evening. There is always a member of staff on duty 24 hours a day, in case of emergencies. At weekends, the boarders are in the care of the Senior Houseparent and/or the Resident Assistant Houseparent.
HOUSE STAFF
All pupils are allocated a tutor who is responsible for their daily academic and pastoral wellbeing. The tutors get to know their tutees extremely well and should be first point of contact in the event that any issues arise. Tutees meet their tutors daily from 8.25am – 9.00am. During these allocated times there are House assemblies, the School Services, Whole School Assemblies and discussion-based tutorials. As well as this, your child will also have individual tutorials. Your child’s tutor will contact you at the start of the term to introduce themselves and ensure you have details of how to contact them should the need arise.
Housekeepers
Mrs Timea Telek
Mrs Monika Tyczynska
The Housekeepers are an integral part of the House team in terms of the day-to-day running and cleaning of the House. They ensure the dormitories and communal areas in the House are kept in excellent condition and help the boarders with domestic issues such as laundry arrangements. They also keep a friendly and watchful eye on all the boarders. The resident staff liaise frequently with them to support all the boarders.
PREFECTS
The school gives positions of responsibility to Upper Sixth pupils. These are chosen from each House at the end of the Lower Sixth. Roles include the Head and Deputy Head of School; Head of House, Deputy Head of House and Head of Boarding; Senior and House Prefects. Pupils are supported in undertaking these roles and training is provided along with regular meetings with senior staff.
In each of the Senior Boarding Houses there is also a team of House Prefects who have duties and responsibilities. All House Prefects will be given written guidelines on how to effectively run a duty.
The Middle House positions of responsibility for 2025/26 are as follows:
PR: Joss A (PR Social Justice)
Head of House: Adam R
Deputy Head of House:
Head of Boarding:
Senior Prefects:
Alfie M and Rory T
Harvey B
Harry B
Tom B
Henry G
Bizen G
Charlie H
Charlie H-B
Ollie M
Jeff T
Darren W
House Prefect positions are allocated in September.
Lower Sixth Prefects
Year 12 pupils can engage in a range of prefect and mentoring roles. These include Westwood Prefects (who work with Year 7 and 8 pupils) Senior School Activities Prefects, Prep School Activities Prefects, Library Prefects, Computer Science Prefects, Careers Prefects and Academic Mentors. Some students are also involved in Mentoring Plus; they work within Kingswood or with local primary schools mentoring younger students.
HOUSE DAILY ROUTINE
Monday – Friday
7.00am Boarders wake up.
7.30am Boarders breakfast
Pupils in Years 9 to 11 must be in breakfast by 7.50am and Sixth Formers by 8.00am. All meals must be cleared by 8.20am.
8.25am Registration followed by School Assembly, Chapel, Tutorial or House Assembly
Pupils in Year 9 – 11 to lock their mobile phones into Yondr pouches
9.00am Lessons begin (School Service for some year groups Period 1 on Fridays)
12.15 - 2.15pm Lunch / Activities / Lesson
4.20pm End of lessons followed by Activities
4.20pm Year 12 day pupils with no further commitments may leave
4.30pm Pupils in Year 9 – 11 may unlock their Yondr pouch in their House
5.30pm End of the school day: Year 9 to 11 day pupils sign out in the House Office
5.30pm Supper
6.30pm Prep begins for all year groups
8.00pm Prep finishes for Year 9
8.30pm Year 9 to be in House
8.30pm Prep finishes for Year 10, 11 and Sixth Form
9.00pm Year 10 and 11 to be in House, Year 9 go to own rooms
9.15pm Year 9 in bed; Year 10 go to own rooms
9.30pm Year 9 lights out, Year 10 in bed, Year 11 go to own rooms
9.45pm Year 10 lights out, Year 11 in bed
10.00pm Sixth Form to be in House; Year 11 lights out
10.15pm Year 12 go to own rooms
10.30pm Year 12 lights out
Friday
6.30pm Registration and House arrangements
In the Summer term, times for being back in the House and going to bed are put forward by quarter of an hour.
HOUSE DAILY ROUTINE
Saturday
10.00am House check by MOD and registration
12.00pm House meeting and registration in Common Room
12.05pm Lunch
5.30pm Supper
6.30pm House meeting and registration in Common Room
9.00pm Year 9 to be back in the House
9.15pm Year 10 to be back in the House
9.30pm Year 11 to be back in the House
10.00pm L6 to be back in the House
10.45pm U6 to be back in the House
11.30pm All lights to be out
Sunday
8.00am Light breakfast available in House
10.00am House check by MOD (No boarder to leave the House before the check without permission from MOD.)
11.00 - 12.00pm Brunch in Dining Hall
12.00pm House meeting and registration in Common Room
5.30pm Supper
6.30pm Weekly House meeting followed by House arrangements
7.30pm Sixth Form may go to Dixon
8.30pm Routine as for Monday-Friday until lights out
HOUSE ROUTINES & ARRANGEMENTS
Registration
The school day starts at 8.25am every weekday. Your help in ensuring your child arrives at school in time for morning registration is much appreciated.
Registration Venues:
Fonthill: Association Café
Hall: Theatre Foyer
Middle: Dining Hall
Summerhill: Sixth Form Dining Room
School: Library
Upper: Upper House
There is a pattern of assemblies, tutor time and services after registration in the mornings all finishing before 9.00am when Period 1 begins. Pupils are then registered at each of their lessons throughout the day.
The School is required by law to keep detailed and accurate registers and evidence is required from parents to cover every period of absence. If your child is going to be late or absent for any reason please email registration@kingswood.bath.sch.uk copying in your child’s tutor and Senior Houseparent. Alternatively, you can call the School Office on 01225 734200.
Arriving Late / Leaving Early
If a pupil arrives late to school they must sign in at the School Office. If their lateness is due to a foreseen circumstance, e.g. medical appointment, written notification from a parent or guardian should be given in advance.
If a pupil has to leave school before lessons end, written notification from a parent or guardian must be given in advance. Pupils should sign out of the School Office.
After 4.20pm students should sign out in their House.
Permission for a regular early leave time (e.g. for an out-of-school club) should be requested from your child’s Senior Houseparent.
Signing Out
For day pupils not staying for prep the earliest time of departure for pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 is 5.30pm. Day pupils may sign out from 4.20pm if prior arrangements have been made with Senior Houseparents. Pupils sign out from their House.
Year 12 day pupils may leave the school at 4.20pm if they have no further school commitments that day.
Year 13 may leave following their last afternoon lesson of the day, if they are leaving before 4.20pm they must sign out from the School Office.
Supper and Prep
Parents of day pupils may opt for their child to stay for supper or supper and prep Mondays to Fridays. This can be either on a regular or ad hoc basis. Bookings are to be made via SCOPAY and paid in advance. Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Pupils should ensure that duty staff are aware of their presence at supper and prep. Prefects doing evening school duties are allowed supper with no charge and do not need to book in advance.
Year 9 prep runs from 6.30pm to 8.00pm
Year 10 -13 prep runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Prep takes place in the following venues for Years 9 to 11 and the Dixon for Sixth Form. Pupils are registered at the start.
Prep Venues
Fonthill: Main School IT Hall: Glasgow Room Middle: Library Summerhill: DT IT
Prep is supervised by a member of staff with help from the House prefects.
The Music School is open during prep Monday to Thursday for students to practise.
Casual Boarding
Casual boarding is usually possible by prior arrangement. Please email your child’s Senior Houseparent if you would like your child to board and they will send you a form to complete.
HOUSE ROUTINES & ARRANGEMENTS
Illness During the School Day
If a pupil is ill during the school day and needs to go home, they must only do this through the Health and Wellbeing Centre. Pupils should not contact parents directly to collect them, the Health and Wellbeing Centre will ring parents if necessary. The Health and Wellbeing Centre will let us know if your child has had to go home.
The Health and Wellbeing Centre must be made aware of any medical conditions and regular medication that is being taken by a pupil. Any medicines of any kind must be given into the care of the Health and Wellbeing Centre staff who will ensure that they are available to the pupil when appropriate.
Support for Pupils
There are a range of services at Kingswood designed to offer students support. Their tutor and Houseparents are the initial points of support, but if a student wants to, they can communicate with any member of staff they feel comfortable speaking with, which could include the Deputy Head Pastoral or Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The Health and Wellbeing Centre can be accessed by pupils during the school day.
Additional support systems in place for pupils include the school counsellors, Off the Record, Childline, Frank, the Riverside Clinic and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. The contact details for these services are displayed in the school and on the boarding house notice boards.
HOUSE RULES
In addition to the school rules, the following rules are specific to the House, or are a reiteration of school rules that are particularly important.
1. Pupils are expected to behave with good sense, good manners and good will at all times.
2. Friendliness, helpfulness and sensitivity to others is expected of all pupils.
3. All members of the House are expected to co-operate with the prefects, housekeepers and duty staff as they carry out their duties.
4. Pupils are expected to support the House ethos, House events and competitions.
5. Pupils are expected to treat the House belongings, furniture, staff and each other with respect and care.
6. During prep, pupils work quietly. The use of personal electronic equipment is only permitted in consultation with duty staff. Nobody is permitted to leave prep unless they have permission from the prefect or member of staff on duty.
7. Visitors from other Houses are welcome in the House at Quarter, Lunchtime, Afternoon Quarter and after lessons. They must be signed in by a member of the House who is then responsible for their guest’s behaviour. Only two guests per House member allowed. Everyone who visits the House must sign in, this includes day pupils from that House.
8. Visitors from other Houses and day pupils are not permitted in bedrooms.
9. Parents, guardians, family members should be introduced to House staff on arrival and signed in. No visitors are allowed in the communal areas or bedrooms (except to help with carrying luggage at the start and end of term). Visitors should not be left alone in the House, you must supervise them yourself or, if you need to go elsewhere, inform a member of staff on duty. You must check the toilet is not occupied before visitors use it.
10. Do not allow unauthorised visitors into the House – you must check who they are and ask them to wait outside until you have found a member of staff.
11. A person who is not part of the Kingswood community can only enter the House with prior permission from the Senior Houseparent. On arrival to the school they must sign in at Reception to obtain a visitors badge. They must also sign in to the House.
12. All of the House are responsible for keeping it clean and tidy. Food should be eaten off a plate and, along with hot drinks, may only be prepared and consumed in the kitchen / common room. Everyone should ensure that rubbish is put in bins and appropriate items put into the recycle bins. Everyone is responsible for doing their own washing up / loading the dishwasher and cleaning the work tops.
13. Food from the House kitchen must not been eaten during the school day, but may be eaten during activity time. This food is for House members, not their guests. Boarders own snacks and food are for the boarders only.
14. Nobody should be in the House during lesson times without specific permission from a member of House Staff. Pupils should notify Housekeepers when they are in the House.
15. Pupils using the television in the Common Room must ensure that their viewing is age appropriate. 18 certificate films and games are not to be shown or played in the House. Other films may be shown but the member of staff on duty must give permission first.
16. No mobile phones should be used at registration or during other communal House gatherings.
17. Smoking or vaping or bringing alcohol or drugs (or any related paraphernalia) into the House or its gardens are considered very serious breaches of trust and will be dealt with according to the school policies.
HOUSE RULES
Boarders
1. Boarders must sign in and out using Orah whenever they enter or leave the House.
2. Everyone should observe the times to be back in the House, in their bedroom and quiet after lights out. Nobody should be out of bed after lights out except to visit the bathroom or in an emergency.
3. Takeaways can only be ordered on one night a week designated by the Senior Houseparent.
4. Beds must be made and curtains opened in the morning and rooms should be kept tidy.
5. Applications for weekend exeats (leave) should be made initially via email to the Senior Houseparent who will then send you a form to fill in. Applications must be made by the Thursday preceding the relevant weekend. The Senior Houseparent must be informed if the plans change.
6. Visits to Bath are allowed at certain times at the weekends. Boarders must sign out and back in. Year 9 and 10 boarders must also seek permission from the member of staff on duty in the House before each visit and must be in a small group of 2-4.
7. All school meals during the week are compulsory. No substitute meals may be prepared or consumed in the House.
8. Years 9-11 must be in breakfast by 7.50am. Sixth Form must be in breakfast by 8.00am. If boarders are late for breakfast, the following sanctions will be applied:
a. First late - a warning will be given by member of staff on duty and/or Houseparent and recorded.
b. Second late within a fortnight - report to member of staff on breakfast duty at 7.30am next morning.
c. Three ‘lates’ within a fortnight – boarder reports to House staff at 7.10am for a week.
d. Repeated offence will follow the School’s Sanction Policy Levels 3 where detention and/or service to the community will be given.
9. Mobile phones should be used sensibly and sensitively at all times. To help encourage a good night’s sleep, crucial in helping to maintain positive mental health, for boarders in Years 9 to 12 all electronic devices are to be handed in half an hour before lights out. Devices can be charged overnight and collected at a time agreed with Houseparents. Year 12 boarders are allowed their devices overnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Sixth Form boarders should not use electronic devices after lights out.
10. Sums of money over £10 along with passports, visas and BRP cards should be deposited with the Senior Houseparent to be kept in the House safe.
11. Boarders must notify their Senior Houseparent when any new electrical items are brought into the House as they will need to be PAT tested by school electricians.
12. Boarders need to make themselves familiar with rules regarding school bounds and times to be in House. No boarder may leave the House after the time they are expected in at night or before 7.00am. Contravention of this will result in a meeting with the Deputy Head / Head of Boarding and an appropriate sanction will be applied.
PUPIL BEHAVIOUR
House Rewards
Houses take great pride in the achievements of all their members. Individual or one-off achievements in specific fields e.g. Academic, Music, Drama or Sport will be recognised in House via assemblies or the House Instagram account, as well as in Whole School Assembly and the School Newsletter.
In addition, the House recognises those whose values, actions or general demeanour consistently go ‘above and beyond’ the normal expectations of House members, in the form of House Colours and House Awards which are given at the end of term or academic year.
The boarders also have the opportunity to be recognised with a Wyvern Award from the Head of Boarding. This is given to boarders who contribute above and beyond to the community.
Discipline
Any behavioural issues will be managed individually, with empathy and with reference to the Pupil and Parent Handbook (which can be found on the Parent Portal). Communication will be maintained with parents throughout.
HOUSE EVENTS AND COMPETITIONS
Competitions
There are several inter-house competitions which take place throughout the year. These include:
• All major school sports: Hockey, Netball, Athletics (Senior Sports Day), Tennis, Swimming, Cross Country
• Debating
• House Reward League - Merits and Commendations
• House Performance
These events often require different year groups within the House to work together and are great for bonding and promoting healthy and friendly competition in the right spirit.
House Entertainment
There is always evening House Entertainment in the final week before the end of each term. All members of the House are invited to attend. Examples of activities that might take place are:
Autumn Term: Ice Skating
Spring Term: Dodgeball / Easter Egg Hunt / Quiz
Summer Term: Outdoor Games / BBQ
For some House competitions and for House Entertainment twinned girls and boys Houses participate together. The Houses are paired as follows:
Fonthill and Hall
Middle and Summerhill School and Upper
GENERAL HOUSE INFORMATION
Personal Property
It is imperative that all clothing and personal possessions are clearly labelled with the pupil’s name so any items that go missing can be returned to their owner through the lost property system. It is recommended that valuable items such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets and musical instruments be privately insured. Every pupil has a lockable space and is encouraged to use it for valuables. Pupils must take full responsibility for valuable items and borrowing/lending is strongly discouraged.
Lockers
Year 9 – 11 Locker Rooms are located in Main School. Each member of the House has a locker.
Pupils are asked to provide their own padlocks for their lockers (a combination lock is best to avoid lost keys). If a padlock with a key is used a spare copy can be kept in the House office.
The lockers should be securely locked, so that personal belongings can be kept safe.
Sixth Form have a study in the Dixon where they keep their belongings, and this also includes a lockable space.
The House Fund
House facilities may include satellite TV, games console, DVD player, games and supplies for the kitchen. These are available for use by anyone in the House, and their guests. A number of House social occasions take place during the year, including end of term ‘entertainment’. The school provides each House with a small allowance to help towards the cost of these facilities and events, but each House also applies a levy of £8.20 for day pupils and £15.20 for boarders per term, which is added to the school bill.
Inviting Boarders Home at Weekends
It is lovely that, on occasions, day parents invite boarders into their homes. Please email the boarder’s Senior Houseparent a request in writing by Thursday. They will then send you and the boarder’s parents/guardian a form to fill in with the details of the exeat. Please let us know exactly what time the boarder will return to the House, and therefore when you relinquish responsibility for them.
BOARDING Evenings and Weekends
Duty Staff
During the week, the Senior Houseparent, Resident Assistant Houseparent or duty staff are on duty from 4.30pm to lights out. When duty staff leave after lights out, the Senior Houseparent or the Resident Assistant will be on call throughout the night.
The duty staff can be contacted on the office phone in the evenings or on the House mobile.
At weekends, it will be either the Senior Houseparent or the Resident Assistant on duty.
Food in House
The kitchen can be used for making snacks in the evenings after prep and at the weekends. There is a fridge where boarders are able to store their own food, which needs to be clearly labelled. Over the weekend, the boarders have breakfast in House and on some Saturday nights the House will have supper. Food should be eaten off a plate and may only be consumed in the common room or kitchen.
Family Groups
Houses are encouraged to create Family Groups which comprise students from across all the year groups. Spending time as a ‘family’ will regularly be encouraged and special events planned.
‘Family time’, is when all the boarders will be in the common room or kitchen. It is a time for catching up with one another, playing games, learning life skills, doing quizzes, arts and crafts or other activities. During this time it is a mobile and computer screen free zone! The activities tend to be organised by the pupils themselves, family groups or the duty staff.
House Activities
We have regular big suppers in the House at weekends, chocolate fondue evenings, play games, go for walks, bake and host International Food Evenings – these are just a few of the activities we do in House. Trips off site for all of our boarders also take place regularly and can include paintballing, zoo visits, shopping trips, team building days at the Mendip Activity Centre, Splashdown and visits to historic sites like Glastonbury Tor to name but a few.
Mid-week Parties
As a boarding community, we do not allow boarders to attend mid-week parties that occur Sunday to Thursday inclusive. This could be counter-productive to the students’ work undertaken the following day, and may have a detrimental impact upon their prep.
Going to Town at the Weekends
Boarders are allowed to visit Bath at the weekends but they must first seek permission from the member of staff on duty. They should report back to the member of staff on duty on their return. They must also sign themselves ‘in and out’ of the House. They are expected to be back in School for supper at 5.30pm followed by House registration at 6.30pm. Permission is required from Senior Houseparents for boarders to have lunch or supper in town.
Town Leave on Friday and Saturday Evenings
For the first half term, we expect all boarders to stay in House on a Friday evening to help settle in and get to know one another. After the first half term, on a Friday night, Sixth Formers may go down to town after prep and should be back in the House by 10.00pm.
On a Saturday night, Sixth Formers may go into town after the 6.30pm registration. Year 12 boarders need to be back in the House by 10.00pm and the Year 13 boarders have to be back by 10.45pm.
Boarders may not go to town alone and must stay and return together.
Weekend Leave
If you are UK based and would like to take your child home for the weekend or if you would like to allow your child to visit a friend’s home, communication must be made with the Senior Houseparent at least twenty-four hours in advance of the exeat. The school will provide a form for those boarders not staying with family, that must be filled in by parents/ guardian of the boarder and the parents of the host family with details of the exeat. If permission is not received from both the boarders’ parents/guardians and the host parents/guardians, then the boarder will be unable to leave.
Team or other school responsibilities must come first, and pupils must ensure that nothing is missed.
Weekend Prefect Duties
The duty prefect must liaise with the House Staff about covering the House and what the evening routine is going to be. On Sunday the prefect must attend the 6.30pm meeting.
Domestic Arrangements
• Boarders’ laundry is washed twice a week and returned to the House two days later.
• The Housekeepers can also arrange for items to be dry-cleaned and this will involve an additional charge.
• All clothing, including casual clothes, may be sent to the laundry and so it is essential that everything is named.
• Please ensure that your child has some spare nametapes, so that any new clothes purchased can be named.
• To make their rooms feel like home, boarders can bring their own bedding. They will need to have two sets of bedding (two single duvet covers, two single sheets and two pillow cases). Bed sheets are changed every fortnight and boarders will be told which night to strip their bedding. They are responsible for putting clean sheets on.
• If boarders bring any extra pillows or bedding, please can they be clearly named.
• The boarders must make their beds in the morning and open their curtains.
• Rooms should be kept tidy.
Holiday and Travel Arrangements
Please indicate your child’s holiday arrangements for the coming year or term, by completing the form that will be sent to you by the School Office. It should contain details of dates and methods of travel. The term dates are pre-published and should be adhered to where possible. If, due to exceptional circumstances, your child needs to miss school to travel home or to a guardian etc. please contact the Senior Deputy Head, Mr Chataway (mchataway@ kingswood.bath.sch.uk), to obtain permission.
Passports, Money and Medication
When the boarders arrive at the start of each term, passports, travel documents and money must be handed into the Senior Houseparent for safekeeping in the House safe.
The Health and Wellbeing Centre must be made aware of any medical conditions and regular medication that is being taken by boarders. All medicines must be given into the care of the Health and Wellbeing Centre staff who will ensure that they are available to the pupil when needed. This may include administration by House staff or self-administration. Where self-administration is deemed appropriate medicines must be kept in the relevant student’s lockable space.
Contact for the Health and Wellbeing Centre: Health&wellbeing@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Personal Property
It is advisable to limit the amount of personal property brought into the House, particularly clothing. All items should be named so that can be returned to the House if they are misplaced.
Please ensure that your child has a sports bag for kit and a laundry bag to store dirty clothing before it is transferred into the house laundry bags.
Electrical Items
Boarders planning to bring portable equipment with them (e.g. laptops, hair-dryers, chargers etc.) must ensure, as far as is practicably possible, that the power supply cable is in good condition; that the plug is not damaged or corroded; that the flex has no signs of tears/breaks; and is either the original cable supplied or a replacement approved by the manufacturer of the equipment to be used. For all equipment, including chargers, you should check that the equipment will function appropriately using the 240 Volt supply in the UK. The power cable should also be fitted with the correct size fuse – 3 amp for equipment below 700 Watts, and a 13-amp fuse for anything over 700 Watts. All adaptors should be UK approved to comply with our safety regulations. Apple plugs and chargers should be bought in the UK for laptops, phones and iPads.
Please do not buy travel adaptors, plugs, chargers and adaptors at the airport as they are not suitable for use in school. Tests will be undertaken on any equipment brought to the school to determine its safety. Should unsafe equipment be found, it will be removed from use.
Boarders can bring in electrical items such as laptops, tablets, games consoles and monitors but they must take full responsibility for looking after them properly. The use of such items is very closely monitored and students must not use these excessively for activities such as gaming. Senior Houseparents encourage reading, board games and table tennis etc. as an alternative to device use in free time.
Every boarder is provided with a lockable space and is expected to use it for the storage of valuables.
Please ensure that expensive items are suitably insured.
Unsuitable Adaptor
Suitable Adaptor
Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5RG T. 01225 734210 | E. admissions@kingswood.bath.sch.uk www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk