Hatton House Boarders’ Guide
Welcome to Hatton House
Welcome to Hatton House! We hope you are feeling excited about your move to Monkton, but realise you may also be feeling nervous about what to expect. We hope that this guide will help you to feel more prepared and excited about the friendships and adventures that you will have here!
Some things may be a little bit different this year as we continue to develop Hatton. This booklet reflects how Hatton House usually runs so that you can see all that we usually get up to!
Meet the Team
Houseparents
Mrs Winfield Mr Winfield
Assistant Houseparents
Residential Boarding Assistant
Ms Gould
We also have a team of brilliant GTAs (Graduate Teaching Assistants)
Mrs Hurdle
Mr Hurdle
Creating a family atmosphere and a home from home is at the heart of our boarding ethos. As staff we want to be good Christian role models for the boarders in our everyday lives, treating others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
The size of the House, and the number of boarders that we have, makes it possible for us to have a deep knowledge and understanding of each individual child - what makes them tick, who they are as a person, what their dreams and aspirations are. This helps us as we communicate with them, encourage them and empower them to be the best that they can be in all areas of Monkton life. It is a huge privilege to see a child develop over the time they are in our care.
“Hatton house is a warm, loving and caring environment” Tia, year 5
Our Values
Humility
Our Vision
Monkton inspires young people to become confident, kind and ambitious adults who live fulfilling lives
Our Mission
Monkton thinks differently. We start with a proactive pastoral environment to develop academically strong enthusiastic learners within a living Christian ethos.
Dormitories
The dormitories (dorms) are all different shapes and sizes. The girls’ and boys’ dorms are on separate corridors. Boarders find out which dorm and bed they are allocated ready for the beginning of each academic year and they remain in that dorm for the remainder of it. Every boarder has the opportunity of a lockable space within their dorm. If they have any other valuable items, these can be stored in a locked filing cabinet within the Deputy Head’s Office.
If you are joining Hatton for the first time, you will be allocated a ‘Buddy’ in your dorm, who will reach out to you in the summer before you arrive. They will help you find your way around the boarding house and will help you settle in to your dorm.
“Dorm friends are best friends for life” Rebecca and Grace, Year 7
Common Rooms
There are several Common Rooms where the boarders can play games and socialise as well as a ‘quiet room’ for some reading and down time. These rooms double up as ‘cinema rooms’ for Friday film and tuck evenings. All our communal areas are downstairs - our dining rooms, medical room, common room and snug.
“Hatton is a home away from home” Hannah, Year 8
Hatton Kitchen
The Hatton Kitchen is a multi purpose space at the heart of the Boarding House. In the evenings the Year 8 boarders use it to make hot drinks, bake and socialise. They learn how to use a dishwasher and make good balanced choices about what they eat. During the daytimes and weekends, the kitchen is bustling with people. From 1-2-1 catch ups, hot chocolate with a friend rewards, Heads of House planning meetings or just an extra social space to spend time with friends.
The year 8s have clear boundaries about what they allowed to use this space for. We ask that any snacks are never used as meal replacements, that the food is balanced and nutritious and that they show care and respect for themselves, each other and the space.
What to bring - PLEASE LABEL
Girls’Uniform
1x Blazer (All years - from Year 7 pupils can change into boy/girl style)
Yr 3 - 5
2 x pinafores / summer dress
2 x School cardigans
4 / 5 x white revere shirts (they can be short or long sleeved all year round)
5x navy tights or navy knee highs socks
Yr 6 - 8 (all year round)
2 x skirts/trousers
4 / 5 x white revere shirts Yr 3 - 8
(they can be short or long sleeved all year round)
2x School v neck jumper
5x Navy tights or navy knee highs socks
NO tie required
Boys’Uniform
1x Blazer (All years - from Year 7 pupils can change into boy/girl style)
Yr 3 - 5
2x navy school shorts (optional charcoal trousers when Winter uniform announced)
6 x pairs navy banded school socks
4 / 5 x white shirts
(they can be short or long sleeved all year round)
2x School v neck jumper
1 x School tie
Yr 6 - 8
3x charcoal trousers
7 x pairs black or grey socks
4 / 5 x white shirts (they can be short or long sleeved all year round)
2x School v neck jumpers
1 x School tie
School coat optional - any listed style (see website, but must be one of the School styles)
1x School backpack (there are two sizes - the larger recommended for Yr 6 - 8, although the younger years could have this as well )
1x black school shoes
What to bring - PLEASE LABEL
What to bring - PLEASE LABEL
Girls’ Uniform
1x Soft shell red Jacket
1x School training pant
2x Fitness T-shirts
2x Navy hockey shirts
1 x Navy skort
1 x Navy school running short
1x Fitness leggings (optional)
1x Base layer leggings
1x School base layer top
1x Red mid layer
2x Navy games socks
2x White PE socks
1x Games bag
1x Navy swimming costume
1x swimming hat navy or white
1x Goggles
1 x Wide brimmed hat
Boys’ Uniform
1x Soft shell red Jacket
1x School training pant
2x Fitness T-shirts
2x Navy rugby shirts
2 x Navy rugby shorts
1x Red mid layer
2x Navy games socks
2x White PE socks
1x School base layer top
1x Navy base layer leggings
1x Games bag
1x Navy swimming costume
1x swimming hat navy or white
1x Goggles
1 x Wide brimmed hat
Please see Sports Guidance for accessories
What to bring - PLEASE LABEL
Bed
- Single duvet
- 2 x duvet covers
- Pillow
- 2 x pillow case (Sheets and mattress protectors provided)
- 3 x pyjamas
- Dressing gown
- Cuddly toy
- Photos
- (Bedside clock/light)
Wash - Washbag with all essentials (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo etc)
- Please don’t bring any aerosols.
- 2x bath towels with loops.
Medical
- Any medication (including over-the-counter medicines) MUST be handed into the Houseparents.
Home - Slippers
- 2x trainers
- 6 sets x casual clothes
- 7x casual socks and pants
Other - Casual hat & gloves
- Light waterproof
- Coat
- 1x swimming towel
- 1x set of casual swimwear
- 1x small overnight bag
- 1x large suitcase
- 1x small rucksack
- Electronics (named including chargers and wires and CE mark) Hair dryers are allowed but not hair straighteners please.
- Please provide labelled batteries for any devices (To be stored in the Office)
- Optional 1 x tuck box (approx. 19”x14”x12”) for extra storage of belongings in dorm - not for tuck! ...for toys etc.
- Blutac/drawing pins
- Photos/posters/cards for your pin board
- Shoe polish
- 2 x laundry zip mesh bags named
All items must be clearly labelled with your child’s name!
Daily Rhythms
7:00 Wake up, get dressed and make your bed
7:30 Breakfast in the dining room
8:00 Take any medication from Nurses, brush teeth and get ready to go to school
8:10 Go to school, head to your Tutor or Class Teacher
Morning
Daily Rhythms
Dinner - In the dining hall every evening at 17:30.
Phoning home - There will be a chance to call home at some point each evening but the times will vary depending on the activity.
Prep - Boarders will be asked to signupfor1 prepsessionduringtheafter-school activity slot. We will then offer 2 further 1 hour prep slots in the evenings per week. 1 x Juniors, 2x Seniors (Mon and Thurs).
Activity - pancakes, outdoor game, swimming, family meeting, film & tuck from 19:00 onwards.
Afternoon
Daily Rhythms
At the end of the day the boarders are in bed 15 minutes before lights out for quiet time and reading.
Juniors (Y3-6)
Quiet time in bed
19:45 Y3-4
20:00 Y5-6
Lights out
20:00 Y3-4
20:15 Y5-6
Seniors (Y7&8)
20:45 Quiet time in bed
Lights out
21:00 Y7-8
Evening
Weekly Rhythms
We recognise our boarders’ need for a balance of quiet down time and fun bonding opportunities. We therefore combine regular weekly routines with diverse and exciting activities at the weekends.
Belowisoureveningprogramme.PleaseCLICKONTHELINKtoseeadetailed timetableofouractivitieseachevening.Thesearesubjecttochangebutwillbe updatedregularly.
HattonEveningProgramme
Weekly Rhythms
Tuck
Friday and Saturday nights are Film and Tuck nights. Boarders have the opportunity to buy various treats from a selection of chocolate, crisps and drinks which are 50p each. There are then three or four age-appropriate films playing for the juniors and seniors.
At the beginning of each term, Houseparents set a maximum limit of £40 per child for tuck. Whatever is spent will be added to your termly bill. If you would like this limit to be different, please just let the Houseparents know.
As we have our own supply of tuck please do not send your child with extra from home as it is difficult to store.
Year 8s are allowed to bring a small amount of their own tuck in a sealed container with their name on it, to keep in their room (NO NUTS PLEASE!). Any tuck outside of this container will be removed.
Contacting Home - Electronics
During the evening, boarders are given plenty of time to contact family or friends. Boarders can bring their own mobile or tablet to call/Facetime home. We ask that ALL tech is registered via the following form
All boarders who have a mobile phone, tablet or computer must keep them in the locked cupboard in the common room. Please make sure all devices are labelled, including wires, chargers and headphones. We have a strict policy on mobile phone and tablet use which ensures phones and devices are only used to contact home and not for playing games or using social media except during the allocated ‘tech time’. Boarders are not allowed to take them to their dormitories or to use them without permission. Please note that internet enabled ‘Smart Watches’ are not permitted.
All electronic devices MUST hold a CE euro-mark suitable for a British 240V or European 230V plug. Please do not provide 110V equipment as it will not operate safely here in the UK and, therefore, is not permitted.
IMPORTANT:
Parents are responsible for putting age appropriate filters and restrictions on all devices.
PLEASE email your child’s mobile number to Hatton house before the beginning of term.
PLEASE also save the Hatton mobile number on your child’s phone:
Tech and Phone Guidelines
● All phones and tech must be registered with the boarding staff via our online form
● Remember to call your family/guardian, they always love to hear from you!
● You must always ask permission from a member of the boarding staff before using any tech.
● All phone calls, texts, skype/facetime calls must be made in common room areas.
● Mobile phones or tablets must only be used for calls or texts and should not be used for connecting to the internet or playing games.
● You may play games on your phone or tablet at a designated time given by the boarding staff, this is usually during tech time on a Sunday morning.
● You are not allowed to use anyone else's mobile phone or tablet.
● Your phone and tech must be clearly labelled with your name.
● No phones or tech allowed in dormitories.
● All tech is stored in the tech cupboard in the Common Room.
● Please only use your own chargers.
● If you break any of the above rules then your tech privileges will be removed for a set period of time.
Weekends - Saturday
On Saturday mornings years 5-8 have creative, project-based, lessons. Year 3 and 4 pupils have separate activities organised for them. In normal times, sports fixtures against other schools take place on most Saturday afternoons. Currently, the boarders have the option of a sporting or creative activity or ‘home time’ which can range from playing games in the Common Rooms, spending time in their dorms, doing prep or music practice.
In the evenings the Boarding House gets together for a bit of tuck and a fun activity, ranging from a fire pit, to laser tag, wide-games, pizza making and camping.
Weekends - Sunday
Sundays are a chance for us to adventure together both off-site and in Bath’s beautiful surroundings. This could include experiencing all that the World Heritage Site on our doorstep has to offer, utilising the expansive facilities of the Senior School or venturing further afield to popular attractions such as Longleat, New Forest Water Park, indoor trampolining and National Trust properties.
Every Sunday one of the Chaplaincy team comes in to run the ‘Hub’, an informal time to explore the Christian faith. Some Sundays when possible, we attend the local church to join in with our local community.
Short films of our weekends are sent to families on Mondays.
Please click on the link below to see our Sunday activity plan for the year ahead. Sunday activity programme
“One word - awesome” Toby, Year 8
Weekends for Weekly Boarders
Our weekend activities are often a highlight of our boarders time here at Hatton. If your child is a weekly boarder and would like to join in with our weekend activities then we ask that wherever possible you request this with half a term’s notice. All weekend activities are found on the link in the Boarders’ Handbook, under weekends. The waterpark and boarders’ camp are two of the most popular weekends that we offer. We recommend you take a look with your child and choose the ones they would like to try.
Extra nights are added to your termly bill at £68 per night, along with the cost of the activity. Due to travel arrangements and advanced booking of activities, we are not always able to accommodate your request but we will always do our best.
To request a weekend, please fill in our flexi boarding booking form.
Leadership and Responsibilities
We believe that leadership and responsibility are crucial aspects for children as they grow and develop. As in many families, our boarders have opportunities throughout their time here to take on roles and responsibilities.
From helping serve food and clearing tables, to supporting younger boarders with reading time, prep or preparing for the week ahead,. There are plenty of moments throughout the week for our boarders to serve each other and contribute to the community.
As a senior boarder these opportunities increase, preparing them for Senior School and allowing them to use their own experiences to help others.
Our Heads of House and Deputy Heads of House are key roles in the life of Hatton. They plan and run events throughout the year, such as the Hatton Family Quiz and the Hatton Easter Egg Hunt, as well as nominate dorm of the week at our family meetings and contribute ideas and suggestions as to how we can improve not only the pupil experience but also support our wider community.
Exeats and Half Terms
Exeat Weekends and Half Terms allow boarders to have a rest from the busy pace of school. These are compulsory at the Prep School. Where boarders are unable to go home to their parents for the break, they spend it with Guardians. Please note we are unable to receive boarders back to Hatton earlier than the times stated on the website.
Exeat timings
Departure - Friday between 4.15pm and 5pm
Return - Sunday between 5.30pm and 7.00pm
A light buffet meal is provided for boarders on their return.
Half Term timings
Departure - Friday between 4.15pm and 5pm
Return - Sunday between 5.30pm and 7.00pm
Dinner is provided for boarders on their return.
A google doc form is circulated to parents prior to each Exeat and Half Term in order to finalise individual travel plans (ie. whether a boarder is being picked up by car or travelling by train etc).
Pocket Money- CASHLESS
Monkton Prep and Senior school have a cashless system in order to avoid money being lost and fall in-line with our insurance policy.
Boarders therefore need to arrive at Hatton with a gohenry/Rooster (or equivalent) card for occasions where they wish to spend money, such as trips to Bath. If boarders wish to partake in School organised events, namely charity events, purchasing poppies etc, then this will be added to the termly bill by the organising member of staff.
Birthdays
Birthdays
We celebrate boarders’ birthdays as a family. Boarders may open any presents they are sent by family or friends in their dorms and call home before heading down to breakfast. Birthday messages are written up on the landing in Hatton and ‘Happy Birthday’ is sung by all in the dining hall.
In addition to this, every boarder who is at Hatton on their birthday has a delicious cake made by the catering team that they can share with their friends.
External Clubs
External Clubs
We have a brilliant array of external clubs on offer in the surrounding area which some of our boarders have been enjoying. We are very happy to support any boarders in Years 5 - 8 with co-curricular involvement externally, but to allow us to staff this well we ask that parents manage travel arrangements themselves. If you child is in Years 3 - 4 and is interested in an external club, we require their travel arrangements to be made with a trusted adult and not a taxi company. Below is a short form that we would like you to complete if your child is participating in an external club. On the form is the details of the taxi company used by Monkton School which you would be welcome to use. We will ensure your child is assisted to the taxi, has their mobile phone with them and is met on return to School. Please note that this form must be completed prior to any offsite clubs being attended. Please do fill out the form below to let us know the details.
Hatton Family Socials
A very special part of boarding at Monkton Prep School is that you get to be part of an incredible community of Hatton families. We understand that arrivals and departures are a busy time for parents and often full of mixed emotions and so we offer 3 family socials across the year.
MICHAELMAS:
Hatton Family Quiz run by our year 8s and Heads of House.
LENT: Hatton Parent Meeting to share any updates and an opportunity to ask questions.
SUMMER: Hatton Afternoon Tea following Sports Day.
Hatton Kitchen
We have an exciting new space for our boarders to use. The kitchen is a multipurpose space. The Houseparents will be based there in the daytime, so they are easily accessible to pupils, it will be used for small group gatherings and a homely kitchen for hot chocolates, parent meetings, socials and more.
In the evenings, the year 8s will be allowed to use this space to cook food, helping them to develop the skills in preparation for Senior School life. Loading the dishwasher, preparing and storing food safely, making healthy choices are just some of the benefits for our pupils.
Medical - Registration & Daytime Care
The Medical Team and Hatton staff ensure any medication is administered to boarders, including prescriptions, vitamins etc. Medication must not be kept by pupils without the Medical Centre’s knowledge. If a boarder is unwell during the day they will be looked after by the Medical Team in sick bay. Parents will be notified by the Medical Team when necessary.
Registration
All boarders will automatically be registered with the School Medical Officers, Dr Sean Martin and Dr Louise Paterson and will have a medical in the first half of their first term. Please make sure you provide the medical centre with your child’s NHS Number on the Medical Form if your child has been registered previously with a doctor in the UK. It is vital that any important information concerning a student’s past or present health is fully disclosed in order that he/she may be given the best possible care while in the School. This includes mental and emotional as well as physical health.
The online Medical History form must be completed by all new pupils with dates of illnesses and vaccinations, students cannot start at the School until this information has been received.
Medical - Nighttime Care
All Hatton staff members are first aid trained. In case of a medical emergency in the night, a night bell is available for boarders to swiftly reach the Houseparents or Residential Boarding Assistant. We also have access to a Night Matron who is based at the Senior School.
If a pupil requires serious treatment, parents will be contacted to obtain any necessary consent. If parents are not available, the School will contact the pupil’s Guardian. If parents are unable to be contacted and the pupil is under 16 then the Head of Prep and the Houseparents will act in loco parentis and give valid consent to the necessary treatment, including the administration of an anaesthetic or an operation.
Medical - dental care
It is advised that children attend a dentist at least every six months. Please arrange dental appointments for the holidays as this is not something the Medical Centre arranges as absences in term-time are inconvenient and also cause unnecessary disruption to pupils' classes. If an emergency dental appointment is required during term time, a visit to a private dentist can be arranged, however, this will incur a charge.
