SCHOOL INFORMATION
WHERE TO GO IN SCHOOL FOR SUPPORT
There are many different ways to access help during your time at Oundle You can visit the Health Centre for advice and you can also book in to see one of the Emotional Wellbeing Team in the Clayton Rooms You will be introduced to the people in the Health Centre and the Clayton Rooms as part of your introduction to the School
HEALTH CENTRE
If you feel unwell when you are in House then you should go to see Matron during surgery time Of course if it is an emergency then you can speak to one of the House staff at any time If you are feeling ill during the School day you should not go straight back to House, you should go to the Health Centre and they will look after you It’s important that you seek permission from your teacher before missing lessons to visit the Health Centre If you are injured in sport you should go straight to the Health Centre before going back to House; once back in House, you should inform Matron at the next surgery. If you are unable to do sport due to illness or injury then you will be put on the off games list. In these cases (and Matron will guide you), do ensure that you communicate with your coach.
CLAYTON ROOMS
The Emotional Wellbeing Team can be found in the Clayton Rooms above the Health Centre. It is led by Mrs Natalie Jarvis whose team is available to see you, under conditions of medical confidentiality, on any subject of concern. You can make an appointment to see one of her team anonymously by using the link on the front page of the intranet which will take you to the form and full instructions. You will be shown how to do this.
THE CHAPLAINCY
The Chaplaincy is in St Wilfred’s which can be found behind the Common Room on Milton Road. You are welcome to contact members of the Chaplaincy for support and advice. They are the Chaplain, Revd Coulter (meac@oundleschool.org.uk) and; the Assistant Chaplain, Revd Foot (jpwf@oundleschool.org.uk)
THE HEAD
The Head is available to see pupils between 7.50am and 8.20am on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. You do not need an appointment.
USEFUL SUPPORT CONTACT NUMBERS
HEALTH CENTRE
01832 277200
HEAD’S OFFICE
01832 277142
CHAPLAIN (REVD COULTER)
07734 962673
DEPUTY HEADS’ OFFICES
01832 277112 / 277113 / 277221
DIRECTOR OF SAFEGUARDING
01832 277154
INDEPENDENT PERSON
Gill Kissane
07870 821036
gill kissane@googlemail com
CHILDLINE
0800 1111
OFFICE OF CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER (HELP AT HAND)
0800 528 0731
www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
MOBILE PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
We have various rules and guidelines in place to ensure that you make best use of any devices you may have and to help keep you in control of them and not the other way round. It is important to engage with the people with whom you live and work; we want to help you do this
Our policy is that pupils in First Form through to Fourth Form are only allowed to have a mobile phone that is not internet enabled, meaning that you should not have a smartphone with you in School This is to ensure you still have the ability to contact family and friends via phone and text but the other distractions that come with smartphones are not there Some people need to have their smartphones for travelling to and from School If this is the case then you must hand it in to your Hsm as soon as you get back to School The Hsm will put it away for safekeeping and will return it to you when you are departing from School and need it for travelling
We also have a policy that there are no mobile phones for Third formers for the first three weeks until the Exeat After this, there are School Rules that state when and where you can have your phone; you will certainly be expected to hand it in overnight Often people find they are very busy and do not really miss their phone If you want to contact home you can always do so via email or via your Hsm’s phone or you can ask your parents to set up a Zoom call Please ask your Hsm, Matron or Tutor if you want some help finding a quiet space where you can speak to your family
You will also all have a School issue Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 device that you can use for work, to access emails and for receiving video calls via Zoom from your family. There will be guidance given about where you should keep this and how to set it up. You will not be allowed another laptop or an iPad in the Third and Fourth Form, nor should you have any other internet enabled device. If you are not sure, then please do speak to your Hsm who will explain.
ENERGENCIES AND FIRE DRILLS
In the event of an emergency, contact either your Hsm, Deputy Hsm, Duty Tutor or Matron. If you are unable to find help and it is a medical emergency dial 999. You can also contact the Health Centre by phoning 01832 277200 or go there immediately.
If you are suspicious that criminal activity is taking place, then it is vital you alert your Hsm or another member of staff as quickly as possible so they can contact the police. Northamptonshire Police’s telephone number is 101. If really serious, ring 999.
EXEATS AND TRAVEL
Your parents will be asked to fill in a form from a company called GTM before each Exeat, Half Term or end of Term to confirm who you will be staying with and how you will get there If you are flying, then this company will provide people to look after you at the airport and assist you if you need some help dealing with immigration
If you need coach or taxi travel, then they will be able to book it for you on the same form
If you need a taxi at another time, then we will show you how to book one via an online system
APPENDICES
Countering Bullying
Statement of Boarding Principles and Practice
The Oundle Code
You will find the School Rules and a fuller list of those electrical items that are not allowed displayed on noticeboards in House Please remember to ask if you are unsure, there is always someone to help
COUNTERING BULLYING AND CYBERBULLYING
September 2022, reviewed and updated in September 2023
At Oundle we aim to provide a safe and stimulating environment, including within the electronic network, in which every pupil can reach his or her full potential in all areas. The essence of this experience is that each person will gain self-esteem and be uniquely valued by others.
Bullying behaviour includes cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying and child-on-child abuse It is demeaning and frightening and can cause psychological damage and even suicide We operate a zero tolerance policy on bullying which must never be passed off as “banter”, “just having a laugh” or “part of growing up”
All pupils are made aware of what bullying isas part of their induction process
Pupils should
Speak up and out against inappropriate behaviours
Commit to being active bystanders
Get help if people are struggling
Speaking to a trusted adult or senior pupil is a good first step Hsms, Tutors and Matrons are often the first port of call but there are other avenues published on House Noticeboards All concerns will be treated sensitively with the welfare of all involved prioritised The full version of our Countering Bullying Policy is available on the School Website
OUR APPROACH DEFINITION OF BULLYING
All pupils have a right to live at ease with other members of the School Bullying is defined as any behaviour by an individual or group - spoken, psychological, electronic or physical –that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally
It might take the form of:
name calling or making fun of someone in an unpleasant way using discriminatory and derogatory language (for example racist, homophobic or disability discriminatory language) stealing, breaking or hiding someone’s possessions. invading their personal space in such a way as to make them feel uncomfortable/unhappy. physical abuse eg pushing or hitting someone.
frightening someone into doing things they do not want to do. intimidation to prevent someone doing something they want to do. excluding another from a game, conversation or information, knowing that it will cause that person distress.
storing, posting, requesting or sending inappropriate material or messages electronically (this includes social websites, mobile ‘phones, text messages, photographs and email)
initiation type rituals which cause humiliation or harm any form of sexual harassment or assault including sexual comments, jokes or harassment whether online or in person This includes the sharing of nude or seminude images and/or videos
It is not bullying, for example, when:
two people have the occasional dispute senior pupils are given responsibilities to supervise others, carrying out daily routines to ensure the smooth running of House and School when senior pupils award sanctions fairly and appropriately, with approval from the Hsm or Tutor on duty
STATEMENT OF BOARDING PRINCIPLES
AND
PRACTICE
September 2022, reviewed and updated in September 2023
AIMS AND ORGANISATION
Oundle School exists to provide the best possible education to boys and girls. The entire ethos of the School is based on the idea of a twenty-four hour day and seven day week. Much of the pupil development and enrichment stems from this and from the fact that a large majority of the staff and their families live in the town of Oundle.
Almost every member of the teaching staff is involved in the life of a House. New pupils arrive at the School aged eleven in the case of The Berrystead and Scott House but predominantly at the age of thirteen All these pupils, and additionally those joining at other stages, find themselves in a safe and stimulating environment, with a highly experienced, enthusiastic pastoral team on hand to encourage, supervise and protect As they progress through their Houses pupils are challenged to take on increasing responsibility for the care and leadership of others In all Houses there are excellent arrangements for study with designated ‘quiet times’ and supervised Private Reading time
There is a weekend programme and social events for all ages from discos to formal dinners and from ‘paintballing’ expeditions to day trips away Pupils are allowed home at times other than official Exeats if parents and Housemasters or Housemistresses (Hsms) think it wise Despite this flexibility, as a School with a full boarding ethos, pupils are expected to be in School except when there are specific family celebrations or special events Parental involvement is welcomed and encouraged Parents’ Receptions are held for all year groups on an annual basis These occasions allow formal discussion of academic progress but also provide an opportunity for invaluable contact between parents, pupils and tutors and the chance to assess all aspects of each pupil’s life at Oundle. Email and telephone allow parents to be in frequent contact with their children and those who look after them. Tutors are asked to contact parents of their tutees shortly after the beginning of each academic year and as appropriate thereafter.
FACILITIES
Each Boarding House has the normal capacity to accommodate between 58 and 65 pupils All except the junior boarding house, The Berrystead, are single sex Pupils are largely accommodated in study bedrooms and the majority are in single or double rooms Almost all boarding pupils have single rooms by the time they enter the Upper Sixth Each House has its own range of public/ recreational facilities
PUPIL WELFARE AND SUPPORT
The School is committed to promoting and safeguarding the physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing of its pupils, with a strong commitment to individualised care and early intervention if pupils are struggling for any reason The pastoral care of pupils is the responsibility of the Hsm He or she will have a Deputy Hsm (resident or otherwise) and a resident Matron to assist with the care of pupils, and a further six or seven Tutors who assist in duties and in the tutoring of pupils The broader pastoral team includes staff in the Health Centre, the Chaplaincy, the Emotional Wellbeing Team and an Independent Person Wyatt also has a “House Friend” who visits weekly in the evenings Hsms, Tutors and Matrons have considerable experience and are able to deal sympathetically and confidently with any temporary difficulties a pupil may meet Alternatively pupils may choose to turn for support from other pupils or staff and this is the advantage and strength of the Oundle School community
The School is committed to upholding the place of Christian worship within the community while respecting members of other faiths; and offering a high quality education to children from a diverse range of social, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds
THE OUNDLE CODE
September 2023
1. CONDUCT
Pupils represent Oundle School at all times They should show good manners, respect and courtesy to others in the school and wider community They are expected to be honest, display personal and academic integrity, and respect all property
2. WORK
Every pupil is expected to take part conscientiously in classes and tutorials. This involves politely and promptly obeying all directions of Staff and Prefects Assigned tasks such as prep must be carried out as required
3. GAMES AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR
All pupils are expected to make a significant contribution to the sporting and cocurricular life of the School
4. APPEARANCE
The uniform, games kit, and smart change must be worn correctly and tidily, and pupils must look presentable at all times
5. DISCIPLINE
All pupils are expected to understand and follow the School Rules and IT Acceptable Use Policy, Rules and Guidance at all times
6. PERSONAL SAFETY
All pupils should take responsibility for their own personal safety and possessions.
