CHILDRENS’ BOARDING HANDBOOK
What we believe about boarding
At Sherborne Prep, boarding should feel like a home from home. It is a place where you can feel safe, happy and cared for. Everyone is welcome and everyone is important.
Here’s what we promise:
• We will get to know you as an individual and celebrate who you are.
• We will treat each other with kindness and respect.
• You will be supported to grow in confidence and feel part of a friendly, caring community.
• There is no place for bullying, teasing or unkindness.
• Everyone has equal opportunities, no matter where they are from, what they believe or how they learn.
• If you have special dietary, cultural, language or religious needs, we will help with that too.
• You will have your own space and time to be yourself.
• You will be encouraged to do your best in class, in clubs and in life.
• We will work closely with your family to make sure you feel happy, safe and supported.
Boarding is an adventure. It is where you will make great friends, learn new things and enjoy life beyond the classroom.
Who looks after you
Boarding is co-ed, which means both boys and girls board here. You will live in separate areas of the boarding house, but the expectations and routines are the same for everyone. Here is your boarding team:
Head of Boarding
Mr Daniel Chiappa-Patching
Assistant Housemistress
Mrs
Jo Pepper
Resident GAP Assistant
Miss
Gracie Forster
Matron
Miss Sian Brant
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Mr
Alastair Bowden
They are here to support you, keep you safe and make sure boarding life runs smoothly. Our GAPs are young adults who live in the boarding houses. They help with activities, games and lots of other things around school. You will get to know them well.
Everyone belongs
Boarding at Sherborne Prep is a place for everyone.
No matter where you are from, what you believe or what you need, you are welcome here. We celebrate our differences and learn from each other.
You might meet children from other countries or with different customs, and we will all help each other feel included.
If you need help with language, diet, faith or anything else, just let someone know. We are here to support you.
Your dorm and your things
Dormitories
Boys and girls sleep in separate dorm areas. You will share a dorm with a few other children your age. Each area is kept safe with key card access. At night, alarms keep everything secure, and during the day the boarding area is locked.
Food in dorms
Please do not keep food in your dorm. It helps keep everything clean and tidy, and avoids any unwanted visitors.
Looking after your belongings
Matron will look after any valuables for you. This means things such as phones, passports or anything really special should be handed in for safekeeping. Try not to bring anything expensive unless you really need it.
Birthdays
If your birthday is during term time, we love to celebrate. You can bring a cake to share, or your parents can ask us to organise one.
All your meals are in the dining hall – breakfast, lunch and supper. If you are off site for a match or trip, you will have a packed lunch.
If you have food allergies or special dietary needs, the catering team will make sure there is something for you.
On Wednesday evenings there is a tuck shop, and on Saturdays you might buy a treat in town. Every weekday evening, there is toast and milk before bedtime.
Drinking fountains are around school, and taps not for drinking are clearly labelled.
Feeling well and staying healthy
There is always someone nearby to look after you if you feel unwell.
Sick Bay
We have a special medical room called the Sick Bay, where you can rest or be looked after if you are feeling poorly.
Medicines
If you need to take medicine at school, give it to Matron. She will keep it safe and make sure you take the right amount at the right time. We also have things such as paracetamol or cough medicine. These can be given if you are feeling unwell, but only with permission and following the school’s rules.
If needed, we can take you to the Senior School Medical Centre nearby.
There is always a trained first aider in school – even at night and weekends. In an emergency, we can go to the Yeatman Hospital just up the road or to Yeovil Hospital.
Other help
You can speak to a counsellor or another trusted adult if you are feeling upset.
You can speak to our Independent Person
Your parents usually organise dentist or optician appointments, unless it is an emergency.
If you feel poorly at night, just tell a member of staff – they will look after you and call home if needed.
Settling in and support
Your first few days
When you join as a boarder, we will help you settle in gently. You will:
• Meet the friendly boarding staff who look after you
• See your Form Teacher (if you have not already)
• Get to know other new pupils and returning boarders
• Learn your way around the boarding house and school
• Sort out anything you might still need, such as pocket money or uniform
Your Buddy
You will be given a Buddy – someone who has been here longer and can help you settle in. Your Buddy will:
• Show you around and help with your timetable
• Sit with you at meals and check in with you at break times
• Help answer questions or find someone who can
• Make sure you are not feeling lost or unsure
Your Buddy will look out for you during the first few weeks and will still be there for you if something feels tricky later on.
Welcoming everyone
Sherborne Prep is proud to welcome children from many different countries and backgrounds. Everyone is treated with kindness, fairness and respect, no matter what language they speak, where they come from or what they believe.
We make sure that:
• Everyone gets the same chances and support
• Food is provided for different dietary needs
• We learn about and celebrate different cultures and festivals
• Help is available if you need support with language, faith or culture
• We work closely with your family so you feel comfortable and safe
You will meet children who may speak a different language or have different traditions – and that is what makes our school so special. We learn from each other and grow together.
Keeping in touch and sharing your thoughts
Talking to your family
We know staying in touch with home is important. You will be able to:
• Use the phone or send messages when needed
• Write letters, emails or postcards
• Talk to a trusted adult if you are missing someone – we are always here to help
Your family can also contact the boarding staff whenever they have questions or want to know how you are doing.
Your opinion matters
We want boarding to feel like your home, and your voice is important. You can:
• Share ideas or news at breakfast or supper
• Join in with boarding meetings every few weeks
• Leave notes about food in the catering suggestion box in the Dining Hall
• Post a message in the Worry Box if something is worrying you
You can also talk to your Buddy, Form Teacher or any adult you trust. There is always someone ready to listen.
If something is wrong If something feels upsetting or is not being sorted properly, we want to know. You will never get in trouble for sharing a worry – we will always listen and help make things better.
If you are worried or need help
Who you can talk to
If something is worrying you, making you upset, or just feels a bit too much, there are lots of kind adults at Sherborne Prep who are here to help. You can talk to:
• Someone from the boarding team
• Your Form Teacher
• Any teacher you trust
• The school nurse or Matron
• The Deputy Head (Pastoral)
• The Head of Boarding
You can also speak to your Buddy or a friend first, and they can help you find the right person to talk to.
Worry boxes
There are Worry Boxes in school – one is near the Deputy Head’s office, one is in the Junior Wing and one is in the boarding house. If you do not feel ready to talk, you can write your worry down and post it in the box. A teacher will read it and check in with you.
Your safety matters most
Our biggest job is to help you feel safe, happy and cared for. That means if something is wrong, even if it is outside school, we will listen and try to help.
Big or small – tell someone
It could be a big worry or a little one. It might be about school, home, friendships or just something that feels off. Whatever it is, we will take it seriously. Talking is brave – and it is the best way to start making things better.