HARRIS HOUSE
BoardingHandbookforYears5-9 2025/2026
StatementofBoardingPrinciplesandPractice
ThisstatementshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeMissionStatementoftheSchool,whichembodiestheoverallaimsandobjectivesof RMS.TheSchoolcatersforgirlsaged2–18andtheresidentialdepartmentmeetstheneedsofgirlsagedfrom8–18.TheSchooltherefore hasEarlyYears,primary,secondaryandpost16phases.PupilsareadmittedaccordingtotheAdmissionsPolicyoftheSchool.ThePreSchoolcatersforgirlsandboysaged2-4.
Full,weeklyandflexi-boardingatRMSofferopportunitiesforgirlsfromtheageofeighttodevelopsocialskillsandpersonal independencewithinacaringandsupportiveresidentialenvironment.
RMSprovidesboarderswithavariedrangeofexperienceswithinastructuredframework,sothatgirlslearntobecomeresponsiblefor themselvesandtheirlearning.Boardersareencouragedtodevelopgoodpatternsofself-studyandthisisbalancedbymanyopportunities forextracurricularactivity,tocaterfortheinterestsofdifferentgirlsofallages.
Outcomesforboarders
1.RMSaimstopromoteboarders’personaldevelopmentbytheirboardingexperienceandthisisapparentinqualitiessuchas confidence,self-reliance,integrityandtolerance
2.RMSaimstoensureboardersenjoybeingpartoftheircommunityandmakeapositivecontributiontoit
3.RMSaimstoensureboardershavepleasantandconstructiverelationshipswithoneanotherandwiththeboardingstaff.
4.RMSaimstosupportboardersacademicallytoenablethemtoreachtheirfullpotential
Qualityoftheboardingprovisionandcare
1.Boardersarewellcaredforandtheboardingprovisioniseffectiveinsupportingtheirindividualneedsandhelpingthemkeepsafe,fit andhealthy
2.Boardersbenefitfromsuitablefacilitiesandopportunitiesforrecreationalanddevelopmentalactivitiesintheeveningandat weekends,includingsufficientself-directedtime
3.Boardingaccommodationiscomfortable,secureandwell-maintained
4.Boardersareabletomaintainregularcontactwiththeirfamilies,andtheschoolcommunicateseffectivelywithparents,carersand guardians
Theeffectivenessofarrangementsforwelfareandsafeguarding
1.ArrangementsareeffectiveinensuringcompliancewiththeNationalMinimumStandardsforBoardingSchools,particularlyinmatters ofsafeguardingboarders’welfare,staffing,managementofbehaviourandpreventionofbullying
Theeffectivenessoftheleadershipandmanagementoftheboardingprovision
1.Boardingprioritiesareclearandhousesarewellrun,inlinewiththeaimsoftheSchool,andwithacommitmenttoself-evaluationand improvement
OrganisationofBoarding
Girlsagedbetween8-14liveinHarrisHouse,girlsfrom14-16liveinZetlandHouseandSixthFormboardersareinConnaughtHouse. BoardersaregivengreaterfreedomastheyreachYears10&11andSixthForm.Thisgradualacknowledgementofapproaching adulthoodenablesgirlstolearnhowtobalancethedifferentaspectsoflife.SixthFormboarderstakegreaterresponsibilityfor themselves,thuspreparingforlifeatuniversity.ZetlandandConnaughtHousesarestaffedbyaHousemistress,AssistantHousemistress, HouseTutorandtwoGAPAssistants.HarrisHouseisstaffedbyaHousemistress,HouseParent,HouseTutorandthreeGAPassistants.
Housestaffplayacentralroleinthelivesofboardersandstaffareencouragedtotreadacarefullinebetweenfirmnessand approachability.Boardersshouldbe“athome”intheirhouse,sothattheyfeelsecureandvalued.RMSiscommittedtotheongoing professionaldevelopmentofallstaffsothatboardingstaffarewelltrainedandsupportedtofulfiltheirroleseffectively.Thereisan inductionpolicyforboardingstaffandappraisalprocedures.AllHousemistressesmeetweeklywiththeDirectorofBoarding.TheDirector ofBoardingmeetsweeklywiththeDeputyHeadPastoral.Readycommunicationbetweenboardingstaff,teachingstaff,medicalstaffand theschoolcounsellorwhereappropriateareessentialforthewellbeingofeachboarder.Thenamesandrelevantqualificationsofthestaff teamaretobefoundonthewebsite.TheHealthCentreisstaffedby2registerednurses.Oneschoolcounselloroffersappointments specificallyforboardersonenightaweek.Boardershaveaccesstoasilentlistener.
TheBoardingDepartmentcatersforapproximately100pupilsoneachnightoftheweek.Accommodationtakestheformofsingle,shared roomsandsmalldormitories.
TheSchool’sDesignatedSafeguardingLeadistheDeputyHead,AlisonDavies.TheSchool’sDeputySafeguardingLeadsareAssistant Head,DesmondCox,HeadofSeniorSchool,RachelBailey,HeadofSixthForm,ClareFreeman,DirectorofBoarding,FionaJones,Deputy HeadofSixthForm,JennieSimmoniteandHeadofCadoganHouse,MelanieHorn.Thesestaffarealwayscontactableoutofhours.
TheSchooliscommittedtoaccommodatingpupilswithaphysicaldisabilitywherepossible.
WelcometoHarrisHouse
HarrisistheboardinghousefortheyoungestboardersatRMS.Providingatrue homefromhomewhereeveryonefeelswelcome,nurturedandsupported.Ithas beenmygreatprivilegeandresponsibilitysinceSeptember2024towelcomeyou intoourcommunity.WhetheryouarejoiningusfromCadoganorSeniorSchool,as afullboarder,flexi-boarder,orweeklyboarder,youareallverywelcome!
ThishandbookwillgiveyouaninsightintohowHarrisHouseworks,whothekey membersofstaffare,andwhatyoucanexpectfromboardingatRMS.Iamhappy toansweranyquestionsyoumaystillhaveafterreadingthis.
Ihavemorethan25yearsteachingexperience,teachingpupilsfromYear5allthe wayuptoYear13.IhavealsospenttimeasaHousemistressandasaHouse Tutor,bothintheUKandoverseas.Forthoseofyoujoiningusfromoverseas,I knowwhatitisliketoliveinanunfamiliarcountry,havingbeenfortunateenough toteachinbothJapanandGermany.Itisbothfrighteningandexcitingatthesame time!
Together,wecanovercomeanyproblemsyoumightexperienceandensureyou loveboardingatRMS.Wewantyoutogetthemostoutofyourtimehere,and wouldurgeyoutotakeasmanyopportunitiesasyoucan.
MsRoughley,theHouseTutors,theGAPAssistantsandmyselfalllookforwardto meetingyouandgettingtoknowyou.
Bestwishes,
MsChristineDoherty HousemistresstoHarrisHouse cdoherty@rmsforgirls.com
HarrisHouseemailandphonenumber: harris@rmsforgirls.com 07841801089
HarrisHouseStaff,AssistantsandPrefects
MsNaomiRoughley
HouseParenttoHarrisHouse nroughley@rmsforgirls.com
GAPAssistants
IamtheHarrisHouseParentandIspecificallylookafter theprepschoolboarders.Iamresidentintheboarding houseandcanoftenbefoundhelpinggirlslearntoknit andsew.Iampassionateaboutflowersandcreateallthe arrangementsforschoolevents.
MsElisaMartinSevilla
HouseTutor
SpanishTeacherandYear7FormTutor
MissNikitaSullivan
HouseTutor
PALSTeacher
Wecurrentlyhave8GAPAssistantswhoworkacrossallthreeboardinghouses.
BoardinginHarrisHouse
OuraiminHarrisHouseistocreateahomefromhomeforallourboarders. Itisimportantthatthegirlsfeelcomfortableandsettledinthehouse,asthiswill betheirtermtimehomeandtheywillbespendingalotoftheirtimehere!The housestaffarehere,dayandnight,forwhatevertheyneed,beitashouldertocry on,someonetoshoutandrantat,someonetolaughandjokewithorjustsitquietly withus.Wedon’tmindandweareheretohelp.
BoardingPrefects
TheDeputyHeadPupilforboardingleadsateamofprefects.Thesestudentsarein Year13,liveinConnaughtandareallexperiencedboarders.Theirroleisto representboardingwithintheschoolandcultivateaspiritofmutualrespectwithin theentireboardingcommunity.Eachprefecthasresponsibilityforaparticular Housewhichtheyvisiteachweek.Prefectsholdregularmeetingsandarealways partofsocialevents.Thesestudentsareincrediblygoodatlistening,advisingand helpingwithhomesickness.
Aisha-DeputyHeadPupil HeadofBoarding
Victoria HeadofHarrisHouse
Sahasra HeadofHarrisHouse
Natalie EventsPrefect
Elene InternationalPrefect
Najma EventsPrefect
Ezro AsstBoardingLead
Nitya MarketingPrefect
Jasmine MarketingPrefect
ImportantInformation
Whatdoyouneedtobringwithyou?
Washitems(includingsanitaryitemsifnecessary)
Pyjamas
Underwear
Dressinggownandslippers
Homeclothesforafterschool,includinganoutfitforformaloccasions
Coat/Jacket
Towels(theseareprovidedbutbringyourownifyouprefer)
Bedsheets,pillowcaseandbottomsheets(theseareprovidedbutbringyour ownifyouprefer)
Cuddlytoy
Picturesoffamilyandthingstodecorateyournoticeboardwith
Bookstoreadbeforebed
Stationeryforschool
Netbagsforunderwearwashing
Uniform
Allclothesbroughtfromhomemustbeclearlymarkedwiththepupil’sname. Theschooluniformcanbepurchasedonlinefromtheschool’sofficialsupplier, Schoolblazer.Theuniformcanbedeliveredtoschoolbeforethestartofterm(the secondhanduniformshopinschoolkeepssamplesoftheuniformtotryonfor size).
AllHarrisHouseboardersshouldhaveatleastfourschoolshirtsasthisallowsfor acleanshirttobeworneverydayandotherstobewashedintheschoollaundry andreturned.Youshouldalsohavetwofullsetsofuniform,onetowearandonein thewash.
two
Electronics
Mobilephones,laptops,andtabletsareallowedintheHouse.InYears5-9these itemsarehandedinatnighttomakesurethatyousleepwell;wealsotalktoyou aboutsensibleuseofsuchdevices.
DailyRoutine-MondaytoThursday
6:50am Wakeup
7:20am Gatherbeforebreakfast
7:30am Breakfast
8:15am LeaveforSchool(senior)
4:00pm ReturntotheHouse,changeandhaveasnack
5:50pm Gatherbeforedinner
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Prep
AlexHouseopenformusicpractice
ActivitiesavailableinHarrisHousecommonroom
8:00-9:45pm HandinALLelectronicdevices,quiettime,lightsout
AfternoonRoutine-Friday
4:00pm ReturntoHarrisHouseafterschool,freetime Weeklyboardersleaveforhome
6:00pm Dinner
6:40pm
8:45pm-10:30pm
DailyRoutine-Saturday
8:30am 9:00am 9:45am 12:30pm 2:00pm 6:00pm 6:40pm
8:45-10:30pm
HandinALLelectrical devices,quiettime, lightsout
DailyRoutine-Sunday
11:00am 11:30am 12:15pm 6:00pm
7:00-8:00pm
8:00-9:00pm
8:00-9:45pm
BedtimeRoutine
HandinALLelectrical devices,quiettime, lightsout
SundaytoThursday
Time Electronics Lightsout Electronics Lightsout
8:00pm Years5-6
8:30pm
8:45pm
9:00pm
HandinginElectronics
Weunderstandtheimportanceofgirlscontactinghomeandencouragethemtodo soasoftenaspossibletokeepincontactwiththeirfamily.However,webelieve thatinordertogetagoodnight’ssleep,allboardersinHarrisHouseshouldhand theirphonesinatleasthalfanhourbeforebed.Thisensuresthatgirlsgetatleast halfanhourofnon-screentimebeforelightsout,whichpromotesbettersleep. Devicesarereturnedafterbreakfastoncethegirlsarereadytogotoschool.
Allelectronicitems(eglaptops,phones,tablets,hairdryers,phonechargersand electronictoothbrushes)arePATtestedeveryyear.Atthebeginningofthe Michaelmasterm,youwillbeaskedtoputalloftheseitemsonyourbed,including extensioncables,tobetested.Ifyoubuyanewelectricalitem,youMUSTtellyour Housemistress.Thiswillthenbetakenandtested.Youwillnotbeallowedtouseit untilthetesthasbeencompleted.Ifanyitemdoesnotpassthetestorisbrokenit willberemovedfromyourroomandgiventoHousestaffwhereitwillbehelduntil youreturnhome.Theywilltellyousoyouareaware.
Weoftenhave'Tech-freeevenings'onWednesdaysfrom7pm.
PersonalPossessions
Mostgirlswillsharearoomwithatleastoneotherpupil.Everyonehastheirown personal,lockablecupboardforvaluablesandpersonalpossessions.However,we askthatlargesumsofcashandspendingmoneyaregiventoboardingstafffor safekeeping.
WakeUp,MealTimesandPrep
BoardersinHarrisHousearewokenupbythestaffsoyoudonothavetobringan alarmclock,butifyouwishtoyoucan.
Weeatallourmealsintheschooldiningroomwiththerestoftheboarding community.
Prep(homework)isdoneinthePrepRoominHarrisHouse.Thisquiettimeis supervisedbyamemberofstaff,aGAPAssistantandSixthFormstudents,who comeintogiveassistancetotheyoungerboarders.Pupilsareencouragedto completetheirhomeworkonthedayitissetsothattheydonotfallbehind.
EveningActivities
Aftersupperthereareplentyofactivitiesforyoutotakepartin. Forexample:gamenights,tiedye,cupcakemaking,scrunchiemaking,decorating mugs,'JustDance'evening,pizzaevening,tabletennistournament,pompomand garlandmaking,paintingactivitiesanddifferentTaskmaster-stylechallenges. Youwillneverbebored!
ContactingHome
Ifyouhaveyourownmobilephoneorotherdeviceyoucancontacthomeanytime afterschool,exceptduringprep.Weencourageyoutocallhomeortextyour parentseverydaytokeepthemupdatedandletthemknowyouareok!
IfyouareinYears5-6,youcancollectyourdevicebeforebreakfast,ifyouhave time,tosendaquickgoodmorningtextbeforeweeattogether.IfyouareinYears 7-9youwillhavetowaittosendthattextuntilafterbreakfast.Callinghomeis easy,howeverifyourdeviceisnotworkingthereisapayphoneintheHouse,or youcanusethephoneintheoffice.
AlexandraHouse(PerformingArtsCentre)
AlexHouseisopenSundaytoThursday evenings,7:00-8:00pmformusicpractice. Boarderswhoplayaninstrumentare encouragedtopracticeasmuchas possibleduringtermandthisis supervisedbyGAPAssistants.
SportsCentreandSwimmingPool
TrampoliningisavailableeveryThursday between7:00-8:00pm.Swimmingis availableeveryMondaybetween 7:00-8:00pm.
WealsohaveaccesstotheSportsCentre atcertaintimesduringthetermtoplaysportsandhavefuntogether.
Meals
Allourmealsareservedinthemainschooldiningroom.Wegouptothedining roomforbreakfastanddinnertogetherasaHouseafteraquickrollcall.
Ourcateringteamisamazingandweworkconstantlywiththemtoprovideyou withtheverybestfood.Eachdayhasadifferentmenuforbreakfastanddinnerand thesemenusarerotatedonathree-weekbasis.Therearetwohotoptions,a vegetarianoption,aveganoption,saladbar,aswellasgluten-freeanddairy-free, massesoffruit,dessertsandyoghurt.Wehavetraditionalroastlunchon Wednesdaysandthemedsuppersthroughouttheyear.
Weekendsareslightlymorerelaxed,onSaturdayswehavebreakfastat9amand onSundayswehaveevenmoreofalieinasbrunchisnotuntil11.30am. OnSundaysbreakfastoptionsarealsoavailableinHarris,suchascerealandtoast, incaseyougethungry.
HarrisHouseKitchen
Thekitcheniswell-stockedwithmilk,bread,cheese,spreadsandbuttersoyoucan makesnacks.
AnyfreshfoodthatyoupurchaseandbringintotheHouseshouldbeplacedinthe fridgebutmustfollowthefollowingrules:
1.Allfoodmustbeinasealedbox,labelledandnamed.
2.Ifafooditemhasbeenopenformorethanthreedaysitwillbethrownaway.
3.Allfoodmustbeplacedontherightshelfaccordingtothefoodsafetyposter.
SnackStorage
Weinsistthatgirlsdonotstoresnack foodintheirbedrooms.
Eachgirlwillbegivenaplasticboxto keeptheirsnacksin,whichiskept nexttothehousekitchen,andcanbe freelyaccessedonrequest.
TuckShop
Snacksareavailabletobuytwiceaweekinschool.InHarrisHouse,wehavea selectionofstationeryandpersonalitemstobuy,suchastoothpaste,showergel, etc.
WhocanItalktoifIhaveaproblem?
TherearemanymembersofstaffinHarriswhoarealwaysavailabletolistento anyconcernsorworriesyoumayhave.OurGAPAssistantsareextremelygoodat listeningandareveryeasytotalkto,aswellasMissDohertyandMissRoughley.
Youwillalsohaveyourboardingbuddyonhandtohelpyouout.TheSixthForm boardingprefectsaregreatlisteners,it’sjustliketalkingtoabigsister. Remember,beingaboardermeansyouarepartofonebigfamily-thereisalways someonetochattoaboutabsolutelyanything!
AfterSchoolandWeekendActivities
Therearelotsofactivityoptionsavailableafterschoolandyoucansignupfor theseonMySchoolPortal.WealsorundifferentactivitiesintheHouseafter dinner.
Weekendsarebusy,Saturdaysarefilledwithtripsoractivities.Sundaysoffera chancetorelaxandrechargethebatteriesandcompleteanyhomework.
WeoftenwalkintoRickmansworthtogetanybitsthatyouneedfortheweek
Previousweekendactivitieshaveincluded:
Iceskating
Mocktailmaking
Theatretrips
VisitingLondonmuseums
Cinematrips
Escaperooms
HamptonCourtPalace
WatchinganIceHockeyMatch
Pyjamamaking
Chocolatemaking
Academicstaffwillsethomeworkaccordingtothetimetable.Thisallowsyouto easilykeepontopofallofyoursubjects.
PupilsinCadoganaresethomeworkonaweeklybasisandareencouragedto spreadtheworkoutovertheweek.Years7and8haveapproximately90minutes, andYear9haveapproximatelytwohours,ofhomeworkeachnight.
HomeworkissetviaGoogleClassroomandthisiseasilyaccessibleonalldevices. Workisalso‘handedin’onGoogleClassroomunlesstoldotherwise.
Whathappensifyouareunwell?
AtRMSwehaveafantasticnursingteam,ledbyNurseBurrows.Thenursingteam isondutythroughouttheschoolday,soifyouarefeelingill,upsetorjustnotquite rightthenyoucanpopupandseethem.
DuringtheeveningeitherMissDohertyorMissRoughleyareondutytohelpwith anyillnessorinjuriesyoumayhave-pleasedocomeandseeus.Whenyouarrive youwillbeshownwheretogoifyouareunwellinthenight.Thereisalwaysa memberofstaffondutyandallyouhavetodoissimplyknockonourdoorandwe willbehappytohelpyou.
Medication
BeforeyouarriveatRMSyourparentsorguardianswillhavecompletedand returnedtheschoolmedicalformtotheMedicalCentre.Thiswillhaveallthe informationaboutyourrequirementsonit.Ifyoudoarrivewithanyvitaminsor medications(includingherbalortraditionalmedicines)ournursingteamwillneed toseethem.Thesewillbecollectedonyourfirstday,andreturnedassoonas NurseBurrowshasseenthem.
Thesewillthenbekepteitherinthemedicalcabinetintheofficeforstafftogive you,orlockedinyourroomforyoutotakesensibly.Tokeepmedicationinyour roomthenursewillassessyouandonlyaftertheyhaveagreedmayyoukeep medicationinyourroom.
Wehaveanarrayofmedicationinthemedicalcabinetincludingparacetamol, ibuprofen,piritonandarnicasoyoudonotneedtobringthesewithyou.
FireAlarms
Donotpanic!Onceyouhavesettledinonyourfirstday,wewillwalkyouthrough thefireexitroutes.Overthecourseofeachyearwedoanumberofpractices,day andnight,tomakesurethatyouknowthefireexitrouteandmeetingpointonThe Garth.
HolidayArrangements
Attheendofeachtermandhalftermyouwillreturnhomewithyourparentsor guardians.
Duringtheholidays,thehouseispackedupfullyasotherpeoplewilluseit.This meansthatallofyourbelongingsmustbetakenhomeifyouliveintheUK.Ifyou areanoverseasboarder,youcanstorethreeboxes,onesuitcaseandoneduvet bagusingSchoolTrunk.Unfortunately,wedonothaveenoughspaceforall boarderstoleavetheirbelongings.
