PHILLPOTTS Living at
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Top: Phillpotts Houseparents, Mr and Mrs Bury
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Contacts
Houseparents: Mr and Mrs Bury
T: 01234 267088 M: 07904 307481
E: cbury@bedfordschool.org.uk
Assistant Housemaster (AHM): Mr Keith Thomson
E: kthomson@bedfordschool.org.uk
Visiting Tutors
Miss Abbott
Mr Tonge
Matrons
E: aabbott@bedfordschool.org.uk
E: atonge@bedfordschool.org.uk
Nancy DiGennaro, Zina Stanley, Sharon Turner and Sarah Bury
T: 01234 267088 (between 08:00 and 18:30)
E: phillpottsmatron@bedfordschool.org.uk
Staff
When the AHM is on duty, he is responsible for the boys between 22:30 and 08:00. Otherwise, the Houseparents have responsibility for the boys between 22:30 and 08:00. The Houseparents are on duty two out of every three weekends and the Assistant Housemaster is on for the remainder of the weekends:
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
The boys
BEDFORD SCHOOL
House Ethos
Welcome to Phillpotts! All staff in Phillpotts are committed to promoting the highest levels of student welfare in a warm and friendly environment.
Our community must:
• Be open and trusting
• Be based upon mutual respect for all its members
• Be respectful of other people’s privacy, feelings and belongings
• Encourage communication
• Allow all boarders to develop physically, spiritually, intellectually, morally and socially
• Encourage every student to reach his full potential
• Have close links with boarders’ families and guardians
Most importantly, however, it must be a place that everybody feels is their term time home.
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Daily Routines
We do not rely on bells at Phillpotts. Boys are expected to organise themselves to meet the timings in daily routines.
Weekdays
07:30 Wake-up.
07:45 Roll call. Hand-over from Housemaster to Matron, passing on any relevant information on particular boys if they are ill.
08:00 Boys leave house to go to breakfast and then school.
08:20 - 13:10 Boys at school. Any boys who are unwell are taken care of in-house. Boys taken ill while at school are fielded by the medical centre first, before returning to Phillpotts.
13:15 - 13:.40 Boys often in the house over lunchtime.
14:00 - 16:15 Afternoon activities (lessons or sport); ill boys will be in the house during this time, cared for by Matron.
16:15 - 18:00 After school activities. Boys enjoy free time.
17:45 All boys go to dinner in the dining hall.
18:30 Official hand-over by Matron to Houseparents when issues from the day are covered.
18:.45 House Roll call and meeting.
19:00 Prep. Prep and other activities are supervised by Tutor/Housemaster.
20:00 - 20:15 Break. Suppers are given out.
20:15 - 21:00 Prep.
21:.00 Free time.
21:45 - 22:30 Bedtimes are staggered as per house rules. All boys have fair access to bathrooms. Staff are responsible for ensuring boys go to bed on time.
22:30 Visiting tutors hand over to Housemaster / AHM who is responsible throughout the night.
22:30 - 07:15 Housemaster / AHM ensure the house is quiet and secure and that all is well before retiring.
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Saturdays
07:30 Wake-up.
07:45 Roll call.
08:00 Matron on duty. Boys leave house.
08:20 - 12:20 Breakfast and boys at school for Saturday lessons.
08:00 - 18:00 House manned by Matron.
12:20 - 13:00 Lunch at school.
13:00 - 18:00 Most boys are involved in sport. Weekly boarders picked up by parents.
17:30 Dinner in the dining hall.
18:00 Boys in the house are cared for by Houseparents or AHM. There are two roll calls at 19:00 and 21:00. Boys going out for the evening return through the Houseparents’ front door. All are checked in and out carefully.
21:00 House meeting.
22:30 - 23:00 Bedtimes.
23:00 - 08:30 Boys asleep; Houseparents or AHM ensure the house is secure and that all is well before retiring.
Sundays
08:30 Wake-up.
08:45 Roll call.
09:00 Boys leave for breakfast and chapel.
10:00 Chapel (or 18:15).
11:00 - 12:45 Free time in the house.
12:45 All boys go to lunch in the dining hall.
14:00 - 19:00 Free time. Boys may sign out to visit friends, watch a film, etc.
17:30 Dinner in the dining hall.
19:00 Roll call.
19:00 - 21:00 Free time.
21:00 House meeting. Suppers are given out.
21:05 - 21:30 Free time.
21:30 - 22:30 Bedtimes, as per weekdays.
22:45 Sixth Form lights out. Houseparents / AHM retire once house is quiet.
22:45 - 07:30 Houseparents or AHM ensure the house is secure and that all is well before retiring.
Phillpotts A to Z
Bed Linen
We provide mattress protectors, fitted sheets, pillows, pillowcases and duvets. The boys need to bring two duvet covers, which should be named. If a boy does not bring two duvet covers at the beginning of the year, we will provide him with them. Boys are encouraged to make their own beds every morning and strip their bedding for cleaning once a week.
Bicycles
These should be named, in good working order and boys must bring a good bicycle lock with them. All bicycles should be kept locked up in the house bike shed and not left unattended. All boys must wear cycle helmets and have lights fitted to their bicycles in accordance with the school bicycle policy.
Chapel
All full boarders and any weekly or flexi boarders staying in the house at weekends attend chapel. We also have boarder’s hymn practice on Fridays at 08:35.
Clothing
At the beginning of each term, please ensure that all property is clearly and permanently marked including: casual clothes, shoes and all clothes. All new clothes purchased during school holidays should be named before the boys return at the start of each term. If this is not possible, we may be able to do this back in the house but it is a burden on matron’s limited time. We can provide name tapes throughout the term, for which parents will be blue-billed. We hold ‘name and claim’ sessions periodically and any unclaimed property is given to charity. The boys wear casual/home clothes (jeans, sweaters and t-shirts, etc.) in the evenings and at weekends. Please ensure that all items can be washed on a normal 40° wash cycle and dried in tumble dryers. We can send blazers to the dry cleaners during holidays and the costs are blue-billed.
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Common Room
The common room is available to all boys. There is a TV with Sky+ and a DVD player and Wii available for general use. All boys are encouraged to relax and enjoy the company of others. There is also a piano for the talented.
Computers
The house provides several computers and printers to which everyone has access and these are linked to the school network. All boys are expected to use ICT facilities appropriately for school work and are bound by the school’s acceptable use policy (AUP).
Boys can connect their own devices (laptops, tablets) to the school network via WiFi connection. Unfortunately, desktop PCs and large screens are not allowed in the house due to limitations on the electrical supply.
Days Out
If boys are invited out by local parents of day boys, we will confirm the arrangements with whoever has invited them out and
we require written confirmation from both boys’ parents/guardians. Unless we have these written consents, the boys will not be allowed to leave the house. Full boarders who stay out on a Saturday night must return in time for chapel on Sunday.
Dress and Personal Hygiene
Boys are expected to follow the school rules applying to uniform and general appearance. Boys should not leave the house in home clothes before 16:15 on any weekdays, even during exam leave. Boys are expected to pay attention to their personal hygiene and shower or bathe daily. We provide hand wash.
Duties
Boys are expected to perform various duties, following a rota system that is organised by the senior team at the start of each term.
Electrical Items
All electrical products must conform to UK safety standards.
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Parents are asked to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe. The house has an annual electrical safety check and any items that do not meet these standards are removed. Two pin and three pin adaptors are not allowed, owing to the danger of overloading: only strip-style adapters with two plugs can be used. We can provide these and blue bill parents if required.
Owing to limitations on the electrical supply, boys are not allowed to bring items such as PCs, televisions, DVD players, fridges and cooking appliances (including kettles), etc. The house provides these items for communal use.
Stereos may be brought into the
house, although we like to limit the number within each particular age group/dorm. Boys may use phones to listen to in their free time in their rooms, but walking around the house with headphones on is discouraged. A boy must take responsibility for the safe-keeping of items and we would discourage boys from bringing any very valuable items into the house so that there will be no great distress if things are lost or damaged.
End of Term
The house is closed during the school holidays. Boys should leave the house before 18:00 on the last day of term.
Daytona Racing
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Boys do not have to take their belongings home at the end of the Christmas term and the Easter term. However, at the end of the summer term, they may only leave small quantities of personal belongings here if they are boxed up and named and put into an area designated by the houseparents.
Exeats and Half Terms
Houses will remain open over Exeat weekends for full boarders. Weekly and flexi boarders can board over Exeat weekends and an additional charge will be made for this. There is of course no compulsion for full boarders to stay at school over Exeat weekends – they may return home to parents or stay with guardians.
Houses close at 18:00 on the last day of a half term and the end of term. Boys should return between 18:00 and 21:00 on the last day of a holiday.
In advance of the Exeat weekends, a half term and the end of a term, you will receive a request to complete an online Microsoft Form to confirm your son’s travel arrangements. It is essential that all overseas boys have a guardian who is based locally.
Fire Drill
We hold practice fire evacuations at least once a term, test the emergency lighting system monthly and fire detection system weekly.
Games Room
The games room offers relaxation after a hard day of work and sports. There is a variety of activities including: a keyboard, pool table, table tennis, table football and a PS5.
House Activities
There are four very important dates, near the end of each term in the Phillpotts’ House calendar: House Singing, Christmas Dinner, House Quiz and House Barbecue. During House Singing, all boarding house members practise songs for an adrenaline-filled night where house pride is at stake.
In the recent past, we have had a clean sweep and won all three cups in the singing competition: the best group song, the best unaccompanied song and the overall best house; such a feat comes once in a school generation and is very highly regarded.
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
The House Quiz is another popular event at the end of Easter term. Boys are put up to the task of pitting their brainpower against each other in teams and the winning team is given a prize; we might instead have a games evening which is equally popular. Finally, the House Barbecue at the end of summer term is when boys finally relax after a hard year’s work. House colours will often be awarded to outstanding boys during this end-of-the-school-year celebration and we will have the chance to formally say our farewells to members of the Upper Sixth who are going on to university and perhaps meet new members of the house, if they can make it, to what is an enjoyable summer’s afternoon.
House Inspection
We inspect the house regularly and it is expected that all rooms are kept tidy, clothes are put away neatly and beds are made. Weekly boarders are expected to tidy their areas before leaving the house on Saturday.
House Trips
The house organises trips from time
to time. Possible activities include going to the cinema, go-karting or paint-balling. We also usually have a trip to the theme park Alton Towers every other year.
Internet Access
Internet activity is actively monitored and boys are expected to adhere to the school’s acceptable use policy.
Late Teas
If boys are away from school and miss school dinner due to a school fixture/event and return late to Phillpotts, the Houseparents will provide a meal.
Leave of Absence
The Housemaster’s permission is required for the following:
• To be absent from any school meal
• To leave Bedford for any reason
• To be out of the house after 18:45 on any day. Boys must sign out so that their absence is recorded on the sign out system. This is especially important when boys are away for a sports fixture
• If boys are going to be late for
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
whatever reason, they should phone the Houseparents or Matron on 01234 267088 to inform them or use the House Teams chat facility.
• Boys should sign out on the iPad whenever they are to be out of the house between school activities and 18:45 and at any time on Saturday and Sundays. A clear destination must be stated. If the assistant house master is on duty, boys must inform him when they leave and return. Boys require the permission of whoever is on duty to leave the house between 18:45 and bed time. Only Sixth Formers may leave the house after 21:00 and this is normally just for ten minute trips to the local shop. On Sundays all boys must return to the house by 21:00, except by prior agreement.
Lights Out
Year Group Upstairs Lights Out
Fourth Form 21:45 22:00
Remove Form 22:00 22:15
Fifth Form 22:15 22:30
Sixth Form 22:30 22:45
Boys in different year groups are expected to go upstairs to their room at the correct time. They have 15 minutes to have a shower and brush their teeth so that they are ready by ‘Lights Out’ time. Boys may work late for half an hour with permission from the duty member of staff. On Saturdays, ‘Lights Out’ is half an hour later.
Boys are expected to be asleep in bed after Lights Out and are not allowed to use mobile phones, laptops, or any other device that may stop them or others from sleeping.
Meals and Kitchen
All boys should eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at school and they are expected to be on time for meals in the dining hall. There are facilities for making tea, coffee and snacks in the house kitchen. Provisions such as bread, butter, ham, jam, chocolate spread, fruit, juice and milk are available and we provide a supper every evening at 21:00. Boys are required to wash up after themselves and keep their kitchen area clean and tidy. There is space in the boys’ fridge/freezer for storing food.
For health and safety reasons, all cooked food is to be prepared
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
in the kitchen and eaten in the common room. As well as this, all leftover food and packaging is to be disposed of in the kitchen bin. Out-of-date food is thrown away daily. We hold occasional barbecues and provide hot snacks on a weekly basis.
Medical Matters
Medical Cards are to be brought in by all boys who possess them. The De Parys Medical Centre is the school’s medical practice and all boys are added to their patient list. All new boys are then given a medical examination during their first term. Matron should be notified of any allergies or medical conditions at the start of term.
Pupils must not bring medication or drugs into school for their personal use unless prescribed by a Doctor (and labelled in English) or with the knowledge of the medical centre. All medicines must be given to the house Matron who will discuss them with the medical centre and Housemaster. Pupils must not hold a supply of their own medication without an assessment of safety by the school Doctor or Senior Nurse. The surgery is open between
08:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday, and can be opened on request at other times. Matrons are available throughout the day and boys are encouraged to visit surgery for a chat if they have any concerns at all. If a boy feels ill during school time, he must report to the medical centre in the first instance and should never simply return to the house.
If you do not wish your son to be given non-prescription medicines, please contact the Housemaster directly to discuss this with him.
Mobile Phones
Boys in the Fourth, Remove and Fifth Form hand their mobile phone and all other electronic devices in overnight, every night of the week. These are returned to boys in the morning.
All boys with mobile phones need to register them with us at the start of year and inform us of any subsequent number changes. The payment scheme is between the boy and his parents.
Noise
Noise should be kept to a
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
minimum, particularly in evenings when others will want to study. This applies especially to music.
Out of Bounds
The boiler room, all roofs and the fire escapes (except during a fire practice and in an emergency) are all out of bounds.
Parents/Guardians who are away from home during term time
If parents/guardians intend to be away from home, either on holiday or business, during term time, we ask for a contact number and address for use in case of emergency.
Passports and Tickets
We ask all boys who have return air tickets and passports to give them to us at the start of term and we safeguard these. We return them to the boys at the end of term.
Pocket Money
Each boy should have a personal bank account. Parents and guardians can therefore pay any
pocket money into this personal bank account so the boy can withdraw his money as required. Spending money is only available from the house in exceptional circumstances. Lloyds bank has been easy to deal with most recently.
All cash and debit cards must be locked away in the boy’s locker. Staff will remove any money left lying around in dorms and bedrooms; lock it away and make a note in the day book. The boy can then claim it later.
Rewards and Sanctions
Rewards in boarding houses
Houses have weekly meeting where positive behaviour and outcomes are awarded and recognised.
This may include:
• Helpfulness
• Kindness to others
• Community spirit
• Supporting others with their learning
• Assistance at House events
Boarding merits should be awarded
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
in boarding houses to recognise good behaviour and conduct in boarding settings.
Boarding houses may operate additional and appropriate rewards to recognise good conduct by groups and/or individuals.
Sanctions in boarding houses
Sanctions will be imposed for misdemeanours within the boarding community.
Misdemeanours may include:
• Being disrespectful of each other’s personal living space
• Failing to meet house timings and lateness to roll call/ meetings.
• Inappropriate use of communication devices
• Failure to complete duties
• Inappropriate language
• Failing to sign in/out.
Sanctions may include
• Additional duties – similar to other house duties
• Confiscation of devices
• Loss of permission to go to town
• Early bedtime
Boardings concerns do not automatically convert a Warning.
Repeated poor behaviour or conduct will be escalated using the school rewards and sanctions system.
Roll Call
There is a roll call and house meeting at 07:45 and 21:00 each weekday and at 19:00 and 21:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. All boys are expected to attend these house meetings unless they have permission from the housemaster to be absent.
School Policies
Phillpotts House follows the school’s major policies which can be found on the school website.
Study Leave during Public Examinations
Boys register with the Housemaster each morning at 07:45, regardless of whether or not they have exams. When they do not have exams,
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
they are expected to study at their desks in the house for the following revision sessions. Sixth Formers and Fifth Formers must work quietly in their rooms. Visitors to the house are not allowed in this time. Boys attend lunch in school uniform.
Study Periods
Fourths, Removes and Fifth Formers may take their study periods in the school library. Sixth Form boys are allowed back in the house to study, but only when they have a double study period. They can of
course study at school if they wish. Each time sixth formers return to the house, they are expected to inform the matron on duty of their presence and should study quietly in their own room. Visitors are not allowed at the house during these study periods.
Takeaways
There is a variety of choice ranging from Chinese, Indian and Italian to Mongolian or Thai. Boys should ask for the food to be delivered to their entrance door and wait nearby until
Phillpotts House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
it is delivered. Takeaways are only allowed at the weekend.
Telephone
Boys’ mobile phones may not be used during prep. All boys will hand their phone in during evening prep.
Boys’ mobile phones may not be used during prep. Incoming calls on our private line should be restricted to calls from parents and guardians and for emergency calls by boys only. Boys should memorise our numbers or save them to their mobile phones: 01234 267088 / 07904 307481, and use them in emergency.
Town
Apart from when they go to and from school, boys may not go out of the house without permission from the member of staff on duty. Fourths and Removes must not go out alone and must travel in pairs or groups.
Use of Rooms
All rooms should be kept tidy and clean at all times. Boys should respect the space, feelings and belongings of fellow boarders. Boys
may put up posters in their dorms and study areas; these should only be stuck onto walls with blue-tack; drawing pins are allowed on notice boards only.
Dormitories and Sixth-Form bedrooms are not extra common rooms and boys may only enter a dorm or Sixth-Form bedroom at the invitation of the inhabitants. Boys may sleep, read or play music here individually. Food is not allowed in dorms/bedrooms. Belongings should not be left lying around and only bags and shoes will be allowed on the floor. Boots and trainers are to be kept downstairs in the boot room. Suitcases and trunks must be kept in the Eyrie. All clothes should be kept in wardrobes or drawers. Boys are encouraged to make their beds and take their laundry baskets downstairs each morning.
Valuables
Each boy has a designated cash box and a lockable locker, to which he has the key. These should be used to store any valuable items including wallets, money and mobile phones. Each boy is responsible for the care and safe storage of their personal effects;
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
valuables must be treated with care at all times. Perishable food should not be stored in the lockers.
Visiting
Parents and guardians are obviously welcome to visit whenever they happen to be in Bedford. We would appreciate it if parents and guardians could let us know when they are in the house and ask that they use our front door, not the boys’ entrance, unless they are simply picking their son up.
Our sitting room is always available for private meetings if desired.
Parents are not allowed upstairs to the boys’ dorms.
Boys are welcome to have their friends visit the house during their free time. All visitors must sign in and out of the house and are only allowed in the public areas such as the common room and games room. They are not allowed in dorms or bedrooms.
Weekends
Weekly boarders are expected to leave Phillpotts each weekend after Saturday school. Please could
parents inform us if their son is staying anywhere other than home. Weekly and flexi boarders may stay in the house at weekends in exceptional circumstances, but their parents should contact the Housemaster in advance for permission.
There are one or two exceptions when we expect all weekly and flexi boarders to stay in the house; for example when we take the boys on various group activities and for those involved in the Christmas play during the last weekend of the Christmas term.
Full boarders can go home or visit friends at weekends other than exeats from time to time if parental permission is given in writing by the Thursday evening. If the boy is going somewhere other than home, we expect the host family to contact us in writing as well. Permission is rarely refused for any reasonable request.
We would be delighted if parents and guardians join the house for the Sunday service in chapel. They are very welcome to call in when they collect or return their son to the house, should time permit.
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Finance
Accounts and Disbursements
Termly accounts are issued by the Harpur Trust. They include tuition and boarding fees plus the various disbursement amounts. Disbursements represent spending over and above the boarding fee and are placed on the termly accounts within various categories, including the following:
• School Shop - Boys and parents can order uniform items to be delivered to the boarding house via the No Limitz website. For free delivery, simply enter the following discount code: PHILLPOTTSDELIVERY. Orders placed by 1.00pm will be delivered next day, sometimes even the same day.
• House Trips - We organise recreational trips from time to time for members of the house. The cost of these trips are added to the disbursements bill.
Near the end of term, the disbursement total is given to the Harpur Trust Office and this figure is added in with the rest of the fees. If you are ever unsure about any item, please get in touch with us.
Insurance
The school has a group insurance scheme covering boys’ personal property in the house. The total sum insured is £5,000, with a single item limit of £2,000. Bicycles are covered up to £250 if they are kept securely in the bicycle shed. Items are replaced on a new for old basis if they are less than one year old. The policy excess is £25.
Boarders’ Code of Conduct
The purpose of this code of conduct is to outline how we expect boarders to behave and how they can expect to be treated to promote an inclusive, happy and supportive boarding community.
It reflects the school values of responsibility, integrity, curiosity and endeavour – these are all underpinned by kindness.
It has been created based on pupil voice through feedback from the Boarding Council and input from boarding staff.
• Boys will be respectful of the views and beliefs of others
• Boys should challenge inappropriate behaviour and comments
• Boys will support other boys with their academic studies
• English should be spoken in communal settings to promote inclusivity
• Boys will participate in house events
• Boys will involve themselves in and support house competitions
• Boys will respect the personal area of dormitories, never interfere with another boy’s belongings and never take other boys belongings without their permission – this includes ‘borrowing’
