SANDERSON’S Living at
Sanderson’s House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Above: Sanderson’s Housemaster, Mr and Mrs Midgley
Left: Assistant Housemaster, Miss Grace Spong
Contacts
Houseparents: Mr Richard Midgley and Mrs Jo Midgley
T: 07876 244549
E: rmidgley@bedfordschool.org.uk
Assistant Housemaster (AHM): Miss Grace Spong
E: gspong@bedfordschool.org.uk
Visiting Tutors
Miss Michelle Fleming E: mfleming@bedfordschool.org.uk
Mr Mark Huddlestone E: mhuddlestone@bedfordschool.org.uk
Matrons
Joanne O’Neill, Angela Saint and Alison Stuart
Tel: 01234 267661 (between 08:00 and 18:30)
Mobile: 07741 645213
Email: sandersonsmatron@bedfordschool.org.uk
Staff
A member of staff is on duty at all times in the house. The evening duties for visiting staff run from 18:30 until 22:30, when the Houseparents or AHM then take over the house. Mr Midgley’s and Miss Spong’s duties run from 18:30 until 08:00 the following morning:
Monday: Mr Huddlestone
Tuesday: Miss Spong
Wednesday: Miss Fleming
Thursday: Miss Spong
Friday: Mr Midgley
Weekend: Housemaster or AHM
Sanderson’s House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Great community: boys enjoying Boarders’ Games, go-karting and enjoying the snow.
House Ethos
The most important thing about Sanderson’s is that it is a home for all the boys who live here and it is no coincidence that lifelong friendships are created in their time in the house. Acceptance, friendship, support, honesty and respect are integral to the ethos of the house and it is through the strong relationships between the house staff, parents and boys that we aim to instil these values.
Every boy in the house will be treated as an individual who has something different to offer and we want no-one to leave with regrets about missed opportunities, but rather with a wealth of happy memories. We all have our strengths and weaknesses but as members of a community we respect each other’s differences and by working together we aim to help every member of the house to feel secure, understood and valued and to feel that they have got all they could out of their time in Sanderson’s and at Bedford School.
All the boys in the house are guided and supported by a house team that is made up of Houseparents, Assistant Housemaster, Tutors, Matrons
and support staff. The house staff represents a full spectrum of personalities and talent but all of them are there to care for the boys’ emotional and practical needs and there is always someone around for the boys to talk to.
Competition between the houses is strong and healthy and the boys in Sanderson’s represent it proudly, be it on the sports field, on the stage, in a debate or in any one of a vast number of competitions throughout the year. Our connection with our day house, Ashburnham, is strong; there is something for everyone and this is the time to try something new, even when it seems daunting, as this is where confidence grows because you know that you have the whole house behind you.
When a boy leaves Sanderson’s we hope he will have learnt to relate to others from a wide range of backgrounds, that he feels physically and emotionally strong and that for the time that he was in the house that he was shown respect, was listened to and provided with the most effective springboard for success possible.
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Daily Routines
We do not rely on bells at Sanderson’s. Boys are expected to organise themselves to meet the timings in daily routines.
Weekdays
07:30 Wake-up.
07:55 (07:45 on Friday) Roll call and Housemaster’s Business. Surgery with Matron. Hand-over from Housemaster/AHM to Matron, passing on any relevant info regarding boys’ health issues.
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 Sanderson’s.
13:15 - 13:45 Boys in the house to relax (if desired) at lunchtime.
13:50 - 16:15 School assembly followed by afternoon activities (lessons or sport). Some boys will be in the house during this time, depending upon games timings. Matron is present.
16:15 - 18:00 After school activities. Boys enjoy free time.
17:30 All boys go to dinner in the dining hall.
18:15 - 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.
22:45 - 07:15 Housemaster / AHM ensure the house is quiet and secure and that all is well before retiring.
Saturdays
07:30 Wake-up.
08:00 Roll call and Housemaster’s Business. Matron on duty.
08:00 Boys leave house.
08:00 - 18:00 House manned by Matron.
08:20 - 12:20 Breakfast and boys at school for Saturday lessons.
12:20 - 13:00 Free time / Lunch at school.
13:00 - 18:00 Most boys are involved in sport.
17.30 Dinner in the dining hall.
18:00 - 00.00 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 must visually check in with the Houseparents on their return. All must also sign 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. (If AHM is on duty, they are responsible for the boys throughout the night).
Sundays
08:30 Wake-up.
09:00 Roll call.
09:20 Boys leave for breakfast.
11:00 - 13:00 Free time in the house.
12:30 All boys go to lunch in the dining hall.
13:00 - 19:00 Free time. Boys may sign out to visit friends, watch a film, etc.
17:30 Dinner in the dining hall.
18:15 Chapel.
19:00 - 21:00 Free time.
21:00 House meeting.
21:05 - 21:30 Free time.
21:30 - 22:30 Bedtimes, as per weekdays.
22:45 Houseparent / AHM retire once house is quiet.
22:45 - 07:30 Houseparent or AHM ensure the house is secure and that all is well before retiring. (If AHM is on duty, they are responsible for the boys throughout the night).
Sanderson’s 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 duvet covers. 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 boarders’ hymn practice on Friday mornings at 08:35.
Clothing
At the beginning of each term please ensure that all property is clearly and permanently marked including shoes and all clothes. Please name all new clothes purchased during school holidays before the boys return at the start of each term. We can provide nametapes throughout the term, for which parents will be bluebilled. We hold ‘name and claim’ sessions periodically and any unclaimed property is given to charity if unclaimed at the end of term.
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.
Common Room
The common room is available to all boys and houses a book collection. There is a TV with Sky+ and a full sports and movies package, there is also a blu-ray/DVD player. All boys are encouraged
BEDFORD SCHOOL
to relax and enjoy the company of others.
Computers
The house provides several computers 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).
All boys need their own laptop or tablet. The school’s WiFi connection is closely monitored. All boys in Fourth Form and Remove Form are expected to hand in their devices overnight.
Days Out
If boys are invited out by local parents of day boys, we will confirm the arrangements with whoever has invited them 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 concerning 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, shower daily and remain clean-shaven.
Duties
Boys are expected to perform various duties such as tidying and cleaning their kitchen, taking out rubbish and handing in their laundry each day. This follows a rota system that is organised by the Houseparents at the start of each term.
Electrical Items
All electrical products must conform to UK safety standards. 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 adapters are not allowed owing to the danger of overloading: only strip style adapters with two plugs can be used.
BEDFORD SCHOOL
The
Owing to limitations on the electrical supply, boys are not allowed to bring items such as PCs, televisions, fridges and cooking appliances (including kettles), etc. The house provides these items for communal use.
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. The only exception to this rule is for Upper Sixth boys who are attending both the Leavers’ Ball and the Leavers’ Service at the end of the Summer Term.
Boys do not have to take all of 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 school items here (e.g. books or uniform) if they are boxed up, 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
common room
Sanderson’s House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
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: PS5, pool table, table tennis and table football.
House Activities
There are four very important dates, near the end of each term in the Sanderson’s House calendar: House Singing, Christmas Dinner, House Quiz and House BBQ. In House Singing, all boarding house members practise songs for an adrenaline-filled night where house pride is at stake. Our Christmas dinner is a lovely occasion where we go out for dinner together as a whole house. Following the dinner we return to the House for what is usually a very entertaining Secret Santa!
The House Quiz is another popular event at the end of Easter term. This is run completely by the boys and they pit their wits against each other in teams with big prizes at stake. Finally, House BBQ is at the end of summer term when boys may finally relax after a hard year’s work. These events are very popular and boys take part enthusiastically.
House Business
A member of staff is available for House Business at 07:45. Any paperwork (for example, signing leave of absence forms) can be done at this time.
BEDFORD SCHOOL
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 Saturdays.
House Trips
We organise house trips from time to time. Possible activities include going to the theatre, go-karting, paint-balling, clay pigeon shooting and segway polo.
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 the House, 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 at Housemaster’s Business each morning. This is especially important when boys are away for a sports fixture
• If boys are going to be late for whatever reason, they should phone the Houseparents or Matron on 01234 267661 or 07741 645213 to inform them. Boys are expected to know these telephone numbers and store them in their mobile phones
• Boys should sign out on the iPad (which is located in the entrance hall) when they are to be out of the house between school activities and 18:.45 and at any time on Saturdays and Sundays. A clear destination must be stated. If the Assistant Housemaster is on duty, boys must inform them when they
BEDFORD SCHOOL
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 fifteen 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 must 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 boys’ kitchen. Provisions such as bread, butter, ham, cheese, jam, chocolate spread, fruit, cordials 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 in the kitchen and eaten in the common room. All leftover food and packaging is 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.
BEDFORD SCHOOL
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 18:30 Monday to Saturday, 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 the year and inform us of any subsequent number changes.
Noise
In keeping with our desire to create a positive working environment in the house, noise should be kept to a minimum, particularly in the evening when others will want to study.
Out of Bounds
The attic, boiler room, stable block, all roofs and the fire escapes are normally all out of bounds.
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Parents/Guardians who are away from home during term time
If parents/guardians intend to be away from home on holiday or business during term time, we ask for a contact number and address for use in case of emergency.
Passports and Tickets
Although some older boys prefer to keep their own tickets and passports, 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 in the house safe. 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. There are local branches of HSBC, Santander, Barclays, Natwest, Nationwide, RBS, Lloyds and TSB in town.
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, and lock it away for safe keeping. 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 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 house meeting and roll call at 07:55 (07:45 on Fridays) and 21:00 each weekday (with a head count at 18:45) 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
Sanderson’s 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 07:55, regardless of whether or not they have exams. When they do not have exams, they are expected to study at their desks in the House following the usual school timetable timings. Visitors to the house are not allowed in this time. Boys must attend lunch in uniform.
Study Periods
Fourths, Removes and Fifth Formers may take their study periods in the
Sanderson’s House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Fun days out: climbing, watersports and Daytona Racing
BEDFORD SCHOOL
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 may use these at the weekend only and should ask for the food to be delivered to their entrance door and wait nearby until it is delivered.
Telephone
Boys’ mobile phones may not be used during prep. All boys will hand their phone in during evening prep.
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 will have the mobile phone number for their
Housemaster saved in their mobile phone and can also communicate via the House chat group on MS Teams.
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 go 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 are encouraged to put up posters in their dorms and study areas to personalise their space. These should only be stuck to walls with blue-tack. Drawing pins are only allowed on notice boards.
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
Sanderson’s House
BEDFORD SCHOOL
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 changing room or boot cubbies. Suitcases and trunks must be kept in the Attic. All clothes should be kept in wardrobes or drawers. Boys are to make their beds and take their laundry baskets downstairs each morning.
Valuables
Each boy has a designated locker. 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. Perishable food should not be stored in the lockers.
Visiting
Parents and guardians are very 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 if they are visiting or picking up their son. If a private meeting is needed with parents, our sitting room is always available and we encourage you to speak to us if there are ever any concerns
regarding your son.
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 Sanderson’s 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 the last weekend of the Christmas Term.
Full boarders can go home or visit friends at weekends other than exeats if parental permission is given in writing by the preceding Thursday evening. If the boy is going
BEDFORD SCHOOL
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
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: SANDERSONSDELIVERY. Orders placed by 1.00pm will be delivered next 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.
Sunday service in chapel. They are very welcome to call in when they collect or return their son to the house, should time permit.
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’
