Junior House | Pupil Handbook

WELCOME TO JUNIOR HOUSE

Welcome to Junior House!

Junior House is a really fantastic place to start your life at Lord Wandsworth College, we will offer you the very best of Senior School, whilst at the same time giving you your own identity and home for your first two years here.

Junior House is a great big warren of a house, full of different rooms for different activities, somewhere for everyone to feel at home. Whether you love playing sport, watching TV, practising music, being creative or just chilling out on the PS5 we have a space just for you. We are really fortunate to have our own sports pitches (acres and acres of them) so you can make the most of kicking a ball about or practising in the cricket nets, bouncing on the trampoline or just lolling about on the grass catching up with your friends.

Junior is a great community, all of the boarders eat breakfast together in the mornings with lots of the staff who live in the house joining us for that lovely family feel, and we finish each day sitting down together once again with a bowl of cereal and the chance to wind down before bed.

We’re Junior by name, but not by nature; our Juniors are active in every aspect of College life, we’re represented on all of the student led committees and are leaders in all kinds of social awareness – whether it’s championing green issues, LGTQ+ or neurodiversity, we really do take the lead.

For those of you coming back to the house for your second year –welcome back! We can’t wait to see you take leadership roles within the house and empathetically caring for our new first formers. For those of you joining us for the first time – welcome, we think you’ll love it!

Pete Maidment House Parent

maidmentp@lordwandsworth.org

Junior Matron: junmatron@lordwandsworth.org

Junior House Landline: 01256 860235

Junior House Mobile: 07437 012304

Our Five Pillars

+1 DO ONE MORE THING

What one more thing can you do to make a conversation or interaction with someone that little bit better? It may be helping a friend with a piece of homework they are struggling with, or looking after them if they have hurt themselves or supporting them when they perform at a concert. On the other hand, it could just be making a cup of tea for mum or dad. It is these small acts of kindness that we challenge all our community to make part of their daily lives.

+2 BE TWO YEARS AHEAD

+2 is a phrase that is well-used at LWC. It is an aspiration and a mind-set that we ask our pupils to stretch themselves two years beyond where they currently are academically in each and every year. At the heart of this lies our own A2RH vision for education, supported by inspirational teaching, teaching which causes our pupils to ask that extra question, to risk linking two concepts together and discover new interrelationships, and above all sees them wanting to share their knowledge with others.

The academic curriculum at Lord Wandsworth College is underpinned by the four principles of A2RH: attitudes, approaches, routines and habits. Through these principles we aim to enable all pupils to find and develop a passion for learning that inspires them to improve and that will stay with them beyond their time with us.

+3 WELLBEING & HAPPINESS

Happy children are successful children in whatever guise that takes and this is underpinned by our school’s relentless focus on welfare, wellbeing and good mental health; the triumvirate of our +3 philosophy.

We aspire for LWC to be the most incredible place to live and work for both pupils and staff alike, and whether transforming the built environment or enhancing the emotional one, our appetite to get the balance right remains undiminished.

4 PUPIL VOICE

Schools flourish when pupils have a meaningful, positive input and impact within their environment, and we aspire to be the leading school in the UK, by genuinely listening to our pupils and working with them to help run our school.

Our Five Pillars

Within the past few years they have been integral in campus master-planning, exterior and interior building design, staff appraisal, academic feedback and most importantly, providing a clear stance to enhance the thriving culture within LWC. Their desire to make a positive difference and leave a legacy for the years to come is inspiring.

5 CHARACTER EDUCATION

Cognitive ability is not the only thing that determines a child’s life chances. It makes a considerable difference, and intelligence can change considerably through a person’s lifetime if stimulated appropriately, it is one’s character and application that can really shape one’s destiny.

This is an empowering message for children and their families. Character is not inherent; it is born of positive experiences and it can be taught. Character attributes of Fairness, Generosity, Empathy, Loyalty, Gratitude, Courage, Engagement, Creativity, Perseverance, Optimism, Self-control, and Curiosity are taught deliberately and with forethought in every lesson, in tutorial encounters and throughout our co-curriculum.

It is not enough to have an assembly once a week in which pupils are encouraged to be nice to each other. Instead, our rewards and sanctions, the way we praise and encourage day to day, and the way we respond to poor behaviour or attitude are underpinned by a Character Education philosophy. We work hard to enable our pupils to know that their thoughts inform their actions, their actions their habits, their habits their character, and that their character will ultimately determine their fortune.

In 2020, we were delighted to be awarded a School of Character Kitemark from the Association for Character Education (ACE). This prestigious accolade is presented to schools that can demonstrate an explicit, planned and reflective approach to the cultivation of positive character attributes in their pupils in the interests of human flourishing. As one of only 17 schools worldwide to have achieved this recognition, we are suitably proud. Our thanks to our incredible staff for all their work embedding Character as the corner stone of our culture at Lord Wandsworth College.

Daily Routine | Monday to Friday

07.00

07.30

08.35

Wakey, wakey, rise and shine! Get up, get dressed and get yourself downstairs by…

…for BREAKFAST at Junior House

On Monday, we gather together for House Assembly, Tuesday – Thursday you will be with your Tutor and on Friday, it’s all together in Sutton Hall for our whole school assembly

09.00 Period 1

09.55 Period 2

10.45

BREAK TIME (fruit & biscuit and a glass of squash) at Julyans

11.05 Period 3

12.00 Period 4

12.35

LUNCH at Julyans and then free time to play on the Astro or relax in the Junior Hub (Hendersons)

14.00 Period 5

14.55

6 15.45

17.10

DINNER at Julyans and then return to Junior House

Day pupils and flexi-boarders can be dropped off at Junior before 8.25am or at main school after 8.25am and can be picked up before or after prep, and before 8.30pm. Students must sign in with their tutor at 8.35am each morning, and must sign out with Matron when they leave.

WHAT TO WEAR

Students must wear full school uniform throughout the school day, except on Wednesdays, when Juniors are permitted to wear full LWC sports kit (tracksuits not shorts/skorts).

Please wear clean tracksuit trousers over your shorts or skorts to evening meals.

House Life

EVENING ROUTINE

18.00 Prep

19.00 Free Time

During Free Time pupils are permitted to use their mobile phones, and boarders may have tuck, at the discretion of the evening

Tutor and Matron

20.15

20.30

21.00

SUPPER, please return your phone to Matron before attending supper

Duties & showers

In bed for quiet reading

21.15 Lights out

Daily Routine | Weekends

SATURDAYS

08.00 Wake-up

08.30 Leave for BREAKFAST in Julyans

09.30 Saturday morning activities

11.00

Early LUNCH followed by: Sports matches or training

Free time in house or in the Junior Hub (Hendersons)

Day pupils and weekly or flexi boarders depart for home once matches or training have finished

17.00 DINNER in Julyans followed by Free time and Host House

21.40 Get ready for bed

22.00 Lights out

SUNDAYS

Wake up and free time in house before:

10.30 BRUNCH in Julyans

11.00 Full boarders depart for Sunday Trip

17.00 DINNER in Julyans

From 18.00 Weekly boarders return

20.15 SUPPER followed by duties and showers

21.00 In bed for quiet reading

House Life

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

If you will not be in school for any reason, your parents/guardians should email Matron and your tutor (junmatron@lordwandsworth.org) or ’phone the boarding house (01256 860235) by 08.15am to let us know.

Apart from special occasions (e.g. a family wedding), you are expected to be in school throughout the term.

Requests for leave of absence from lessons must be put in writing by your parents/guardians to the Headmaster. The exception to this is an appointment to the dentist, physio, etc. where an email/telephone call to Mr Maidment is acceptable.

Requests to miss Saturday morning activities should be addressed to Mr Maidment. Requests to miss a Saturday fixture should be made to the Headmaster two weeks in advance.

If the request involves missing an afternoon activity/sport it is YOUR responsibility to obtain permission from the member of staff who runs the activity that will be missed.

If you have been ill and are going to be ‘off games’ on your return, please provide an explanatory note for your coach.

House Life

COMPUTERS/EMAIL

You will do a lot of work on your Windows Surface, remember to protect it with a decent case and keep it safe in your bag – don’t leave it out in the rain! Remember to charge your Surface each night and to bring your charger with you to school.

DAY PUPILS

There are a few things which are relevant just to day pupils:

1. Remember to sign out in person before you go home each day. This is so important, and saves Matron lots of time in the evening. Whoever picks you up can text the house mobile to say you have been collected if that’s easier.

2. Make the most of the boarding house – it’s yours too. The more activities you take part in, the more you will get out of life at LWC. However, we do ask that day pupils don’t go up to the dorms, unless with explicit permission from a member of staff.

3. Keep your belongings nice and tidy, either in your locker or in your bag. This will save you lots of time when you’re trying to find things.

4. If you are going home with someone other than your parents/guardians, you need to let Matron know. There are evening events which we would love you to attend, check the calendar regularly so that you know when these are.

DORMITORIES & OCCASIONAL BOARDING

If you are a boarder, you will have a bed with drawers for your clothes and a bedside locker. Please decorate your area with posters and photographs to make it feel more like home. You can also bring in your favourite teddy or soft toy. There is a Dorm Captain who is responsible for the dormitory, who will look after you and help if you need it.

DRESS AND UNIFORM

All the information about uniform and dress guidelines can be found in the College’s Uniform and Equipment Guide.

House Life

Here are a few key points:

You should wear your uniform from 7.45am until the end of the working day.

You must wear College games kit for all sports and activities.

You may only attend lessons in casual clothes or in games kit if you have a specific reason and, even then, only with the permission of the person in charge of the outing or the teacher concerned.

Dress for outings and events will often be ‘smart casual’ - you need to make sure you have some suitable clothes in school for such events. Ripped trousers, for instance, are not considered smart casual!

WHEN YOU HEAR THE FIRE ALARM IN JUNIOR HOUSE

• Stop what you are doing immediately

• Leave the house quickly and quietly by the nearest fire exit and go to the assembly point which is out on the back field of Junior House

• Do not stop to pick up any personal belongings

• At night put on your dressing gown and shoes, or wrap yourself in your duvet; do not stop to dress fully; ensure that others in your dorm are awake

• Please ensure you know where your fire exits and assembly point(s) are

• You should line up in SILENCE in your dorm groups. A roll call will be taken and you should stay there to await further instructions from the member of staff present

• Do not re-enter the house until told to do so by the member of staff present

• Formal fire drills are carried out at least twice a term

FRIDAY NIGHTS

Friday nights are a bit different from other nights and are open to all pupils, with those staying but not boarding, getting collected at 8:30pm. The routine is the same as other weekday nights until 7.15pm then there are a range of fun activities, culminating in a “special treat” supper.

Bedtimes are later than usual so that you have time for the activities in the house, on the fields, or in the sports hall, watching a movie or chilling out.

House Life

It is important that late stay pupils are collected at 8:30pm so house staff can get boarders ready for bed. A schedule of Friday activities will be published at the start of each term so that you can plan your term.

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL

You should attend all school games and activity sessions as these are part of your official timetable.

Unless your teacher tells you otherwise, you should wear College sports kit for all games and activities.

If you are selected to play the major sport of the term or represent the College in a team then you must fulfil your commitment

JUNIOR HOUSE COUNCIL

The idea of the House Council is that you can modify the house routines, make suggestions for house events or facilities, and prompt changes for the better, regarding school rules.

The Council meets twice a term. It consists of one pupil per tutor group. You will vote for your year group representative(s) at the start of term. The Council is chaired by the Junior House 2nd Form Prefects.

The minutes are submitted to your Houseparent whose responses will be published on the house notice board. Items regarding the College in general will be brought up by the Junior prefects when they have lunch with the Headmaster.

House Life

HOUSES AND HOUSE POINTS

You will belong to one of the four houses in Junior which are called:

Hyde Hesters Handcroft Sheephouse

You will be able to represent your house in the inter-house events and competitions which happen throughout the year. All competitions count towards a Junior Interhouse League.

You will also be able to gain house points from Merits. Points can be given for:

• good work

• being helpful

• participation in any school teams / concerts / productions

• taking part in a concert

• gaining good AtoLs (Attitude to Learning grades)

ILLNESS & MEDICINES

IF YOU FEEL UNWELL OR HAVE HURT YOURSELF:

IN THE DAYTIME: Tell any member of staff.

IN LESSONS: Tell your teacher.

AT NIGHTTIME: Wake up your dorm captain who will take you to the House Tutor on duty.

If you have been away and have missed work, find out what you have missed and make sure you catch up accordingly.

MEDICINES

• If you have any medicines, inhalers, creams, etc. please hand them in to Matron to lock away for safe keeping.

• If you need any tablets, inhalers or medication for the day, Matron will follow up accordingly.

• If you take regular medication and need a tablet at lunchtime, you need to organise this with Matron.

• At bedtime, Matron will dispense any medications at 8.45pm.

House Life

DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS

Boarders’ appointments can be arranged via Matron, or directly through the Health Centre. Doctors’ surgeries are held every Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Day pupils and flexi boarders should see their own doctor at home unless they are registered with one of the College doctors.

HEALTH CENTRE OPENING TIMES

9.00am—6.00pm (Monday to Friday) and 9.30am —5.00pm (Saturday)

JEWELLERY AND MAKE-UP

We request that students in Junior House do not wear any make up, please.

All students may wear one discreet necklace, one ring and one discreet bracelet on their wrist. Girls may wear one pair of sleepers or studs in their ear lobes.

Any hair that sits below the shoulders must be worn tied up.

Haircuts must be sensible and smart - instructions on sensible haircuts can be provided on request.

We subscribe to the Halo code for students, which explicitly protects students who come to school with natural hair and protective hair styles associated with their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities.

LAUNDRY (APPLIES TO BOARDERS)

Matrons LOOK AFTER ALL THE LAUNDRY IN THE HOUSE

• Please put your dirty clothes in the laundry baskets in the laundry

• Please follow the laundry guidelines posters closely

• Matron will return your clean clothes when you hand in your dirty ones

• Hand your sports kit in for washing every Wednesday and Saturday. You can collect a clean set for Saturday games from the laundry room

House Life

• You are expected to change your bed linen every fortnight and towels every week

• Day pupils’ laundry should be done at home

LOSING THINGS

If you think you have lost something, first have a good look around the place where it should be.

Most things which go missing at Junior have normally been put down in the wrong place! If it is named properly with your name and house it usually finds its way back to you.

After you have had a good search (look in the house lost property and the lost property box in the centre of the campus) report it to a member of staff. Make sure you say that the item is ‘missing’ rather than ‘stolen’.

If you find something which you think somebody else may have lost, please return it to them straight away. If it is not named, hand it in to Matron.

Most importantly—use your lockers and padlocks!

MONEY AND HOUSE BANK

This is only relevant to full boarders, who require cash for boarders’ Sunday trips.

Full boarders should deposit £50 with Mr Maidment at the start of each half term.

All other pupils should not bring money into school.

PREP (Homework)

During the week you will be given work by teachers which has to be done in the evenings. There is a timetable for this which will be provided to you by your Tutor at the start of the year. You will usually have two different subjects to do each evening.

Time is allocated for this work every evening between 6.00pm and 7.00pm.

All pupils are welcome to stay at school to complete their preps in the Junior House prep rooms which are

House Life

supervised by duty members of staff. Work is completed under ‘library conditions’.

Prep will be allocated on the VLE (your tutor will let you know how this works).

It is important that prep is completed on time and to suitable standard.

SAFETY

Here are some important things which we ask you to do so that you stay safe:

Before you go home each day you must sign out with Matron or your tutor so that we know that you are leaving. Do not walk along the Cinder Track on your own. If you need to return to Junior at any time during the day, seek permission from your Tutor or the staff member in the Hub and they will phone the Matron to tell them you are on your way.

Always use the footpaths and do not accept lifts from anyone.

Access to Junior House is through the Junior House green double doors only. Upon arrival or leaving, you must always update the ‘T card’ on the wall (this will be explained). All visitors and guests must sign in with Matron.

HENDERSONS (JUNIOR HUB)

This is a place to socialise, relax, work, read etc. during the day at main campus as well as using the wonderful outdoor space.

The Hub is staffed and only available to 1st & 2nd Form.

It is also a venue to go to if you need support during the day or are feeling poorly and it is also a place to look for lost property items!

SATURDAYS

It is the expectation that all pupils take part in a Saturday morning activity. Pupils with external commitments, who need to miss Saturday morning activity, can stay at home and will be logged as ‘staying at home’ on the system. However, you will still need to come in for their Saturday sports fixture / training.

House Life

Day pupils who choose to come in on Saturdays need to arrive for registration with Matron at Junior House by 9.00am.

You will sign up for different activities each term; some of the fun things usually on offer are cookery, trampolining, climbing, dance, football, golf, STEM, music, drama and many more. Once you have signed up for an activity, we expect you to commit to the whole term. If you need to miss a Saturday morning activity, please email Matron.

Lunch is from 11.30am in Julyans.

There are usually matches each Saturday morning or afternoon, either at home or away. Matches are compulsory for all those selected. If you have elected to stay at home on a Saturday morning, you must still come in for your match. If you are unable to play for some reason, then permission needs to be granted by the Headmaster at least two weeks in advance.

If you are in a match, you can go home after the match tea.

You should always stay and host our visitors when matches are at home.

If you are not involved in a match, you can go home after your activity/sports training. Don’t forget to sign out with Matron!

Mobile Phones

Juniors are welcome to bring a mobile phone into the boarding house for use after prep and before supper. All mobile phones must be signed in with Matron.

You won’t need your phone during the school day, and if you are found to be in possession of your phone, it will be confiscated from you. Phones must never be taken upstairs to the dormitories, please.

Occasionally, students might need to bring a phone to take to a school match or on a trip. Please let Matron know if this is your intention, and we will make sure that your phone is kept safe. Sensible use of your mobile phone is your responsibility, and whoever looks after you. The College network is very well protected, but the College can’t manage what you use your phone for when using your own data. We strongly recommend that parents and guardians manage apps and data use carefully.

House Life

TUCK AND FOOD

Boarders are welcome to bring tuck into school and tuck is available after prep at the discretion of the Tutor on duty and Matron. Tuck must be stored in a lockable box, partly for security and partly to discourage pests. Tuck and other food should not be taken into the dorms, students found with tuck in the dorm will face a house sanction.

No chewing gum or nut based products should ever be brought in to school please.

There is a Junior tuck shop which is opened periodically during the week. It is a merit-based economy. No cash is required.

Students may use the staff kitchen, but only under the supervision of a member of staff.

Boarding Principles & Aims

At LWC, we focus on the needs of each of you as an individual, ensuring that people look out for you and that you look out for others.  LWC is an environment in which you’ll be encouraged to push yourself by going beyond where you are comfortable in and out of the classroom, knowing you have the support and guidance of your friends and the staff. We will encourage you to work on a range of skills, such as sharing your strengths, keeping going even when things are tough, being curious about your world. Our boarding houses are one of the most important places for you to thrive and develop, and it is our aim to provide an environment in which each of you can do this.

• I will be courageous in doing what is right

The community will maintain an atmosphere where positive behaviour and relationships are promoted by ensuring all voices have the chance to be heard.

• I will respect myself, others and the environment

The community will provide a safe, supportive environment in which all individuals are able to thrive; by fostering one of trust and mutual support which is relaxing, comfortable and suits the needs of all the boarders.

• I will encourage others to be who they are

The community will support and encourage choices  and diversity of others. We will preserve the environment where people trust and help one another to become better people by promoting a spirit of teamwork and communal responsibility within the house.

• I will be aware of and inclusive of others

The community will promote openness and equal opportunities by celebrating the cultural diversity of the boarding community at LWC and by providing appropriate opportunities and activities to support this.

College Rules & Pupils’ Complaints Procedure

The College Rules and Pupils’ Complaints Procedure

These two documents are very important and pupils should take the time to read them thoroughly. The documents are updated from time to time and the most recent versions are available.

College Rules: https://lwc.link/policies

Pupils’ Complaints Procedure: https://lwc.link/pupils-complaints

Counselling & Youth Work