Thomas Adams Boarding House
Welcome to Thomas Adams Boarding House. I am delighted that you are interested in finding out more about what we have to offer you, whether you are a parent or a prospective student. As a boarder at Thomas Adams, you will be able to access the education on offer at one of the best schools in the country. Thomas Adams School was judged as ‘Outstanding’ in our last Ofsted inspection and demand for places is consistently high. I believe the popularity of our school springs in part from the examination successes of our students who are able to follow a modern and lively curriculum. This is complemented with a broad range of extra-curricular activities. Importantly, however, I also believe our popularity is based on the fact that parents and students value our commitment to provide a caring ethos which looks to support all of its students. As a parent looking at boarding options for their child, I know that this will be very important to you. Step inside our school and you will instantly see a disciplined but caring community where children feel safe and secure. This caring atmosphere is also very much part of the Adams House boarding experiences and that’s why I feel we can rightly call ourselves the largest family in Shropshire. I do hope you will want to explore further what we at Thomas Adams are able to offer and we look forward to hearing from you. Neil Hemming Head Teacher
Adams House has had a huge impact on me. It has provided a conducive learning environment with staff that I can rely on 24/7 for guidance or a more informal chat. Staff have guided me through my stay here and I will always be grateful to them for their help. Since coming here I have engaged myself in a lot of sporting activities whilst maintaining good academic standards. Adams House really is a home away from home – I highly recommend it!! Oso (Nigeria) Head Prefect
Step into Thomas Adams Boarding House and you’ll instantly feel at home. Catering for boys and girls between 11 and 19, and with up a capacity for 65 boarders, we’ve been welcoming students from the UK and across the world for many years. Thomas Adams Boarding House is located in an attractive rural setting in Wem, North Shropshire. With a proud history dating back to 1650, The Thomas Adams School family includes our lower school, a separate sixth form facility and of course our boarding house. We’re a state boarding house, which means that parents only pay for the accommodation and supervision of their children, with educational costs met by the Local Authority. With support from the government and the trustees, Thomas Adams School offers the quality of education and facilities more often associated with independent schools. The warmth and stability of the boarding house gives our students the opportunity to exceed in their academic studies.
For any teenager, leaving home can be very daunting and I should know! I was just 13 when I arrived at Adams House, moving from Saudi Arabia where my parents still live. I haven’t looked back – I feel very privileged to have been given the chance to meet and live with people from many different cultures. Boarding offers so many opportunities and helps you grow as a person, giving you independence within a structured environment. I strongly recommend it!!’ Siobhan Horder (UK and Saudi Arabia)
We know how daunting it can be to move away from home, and sometimes to a different country, and we have an experienced team on hand to help with the transition. Our students tell us how happy, safe and secure they feel at Adams House and we are proud to have built a caring, multicultural community where there is genuine respect amongst boarders for the values and beliefs of their fellow students. Students are actively encouraged to have a genuine say in how the boarding house is run and we have elected prefects to ensure that the voices of all boarders are heard. For parents, we know what a big step it is to entrust your children into our care, and we promise to keep open lines of communication so that parents remain active partners in their child’s education and development. By the time our boarders leave us, we aim to have nurtured well-rounded individuals with a positive outlook on the world.
We are rightly proud of the academic achievements of our students and by offering a broad, balanced curriculum we offer students the flexibility to follow a traditional or more contemporary route to academic excellence.
We strive to be academically outstanding and do so by having a sharp focus on teaching and learning through the school structure. We have gained a “School Achievement Award” because of our excellent and improving GCSE results. A level results have set new records for the School each year since 1998. The School’s most recent Ofsted inspection report judged us as ‘outstanding’ and we have been designated as a ‘Leading Edge’ school, one of a select group nationally, which shares its outstanding practice with others. From Biology to Media and from History to Applied ICT, there are 35 A level courses on offer at Thomas Adams School. Traditional subjects, such as Chemistry or History cater for those students who may want to go into careers such as Medicine or Law. Less traditional subject areas, often based around new technologies such as Applied ICT, Media, Film and Music Technology, are also popular for those hoping to secure a place on an applied degree course.
Whatever a student’s talents, we believe we will be able to develop them further. As a designated Arts College, with a particular specialism in the Media Arts, our students have access to first class equipment and facilities, including the a dedicated Media Arts Centre. Thomas Adams School is well known for sporting excellence and students can enjoy a joint-use sports centre, with extensive fields boasting extra sports facilities including tennis courts, artificial cricket wicket, basketball courts, hard surface play areas and many pitches for team games.
Adams House is very welcoming. Since coming here I have felt most welcome and able to be myself. All of the staff are very supportive and caring. Adams House is just a home away from home. Fatara (UK)
We recognise that when the school day is over and homework is done, you need time to unwind and relax.
As the majority of our boarders stay with us at weekends, we aim to offer a range of extracurricular activities to broaden the mind and keep our boarders fit and active. So whether you’re into the theatre, football, shopping or just chilling with mates, there’s something for everyone and students have an active say in the types of activities that are organised. No activities are compulsory but we encourage boarders to get involved, not only to make friends but also to develop wellrounded CVs that will be attractive to future employees and higher education institutes.
This year our activities have included:
We also organise ‘in house’ activities which include:
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Cinema Theatre visits Paintballing Bowling Ice skating Football matches Theme Parks Go Karting Shopping Trips
Themed food evenings Inter house sports events Quiz evenings Charity events Talent Shows Movie nights
I’ve been at Adams House for a year now and I have to say it has been one of the most unforgettable experiences. The houseparents are like real parents to me and the boarders are so friendly – I’d be proud to call them my family. John (Nigeria)
Whilst we are confident that your time at Thomas Adams Boarding House will be a happy and fulfilling one, we know that there may be times when you need extra support. You may be feeling vulnerable because of friendship problems or because you are missing your family – or perhaps you are struggling to cope with your homework. We have a dedicated and experienced team of non-teaching houseparents whose sole responsibility is the welfare of the boarders. All issues discussed are dealt with in the strictest confidence and with sensitivity by staff. During the school day, lower school pupils are supported by the school pastoral system and in addition by Mr Cooper, the Assistant Headteacher who will feed any complex issues back to the boarding school. Our older, sixth form boarders are supported by college tutors and boarding house staff, as well as Boarding School Director Mrs Cooper.
Academic support We encourage all boarders, irrespective of age or ability to strive to achieve their very best academically. All lower school students are allocated a mentor who will provide dedicated support in partnership with Assistant Headteacher Mr Cooper and Boarding School Director Mrs Cooper.
Mr Cooper Assistant Headteacher
For our older, 6th form boarders Mrs Cooper will generally be assigned as an individual mentor. However, if a student is intending to apply to Oxford or Cambridge or for a course in medicine, they will follow a mentoring programme specifically tailored to their application. Homework is compulsory and supervised by Adams House staff from Sunday-Thursday. Staff check boarders’ homework diaries and raise any issues as appropriate with teaching staff in school. 6th form boarders are also expected to do several hours of independent study, either in their bedrooms or in the school library. Parents’ Evenings take place each year and whilst a boarder’s Parents will always be invited, we recognise that it may not always be possible to attend and so a member of Adams House staff will attend and will provide written feedback to parents.
Moving on Thomas Adams Boarding School provides an important springboard to higher education or the world of work, so we always have our eyes on your future. However, the choices that lie before you can be complex and confusing – that’s where we come in. From personal advice sessions to attendance at university open days and higher education fairs, we have the expertise to guide you through the whole university admissions process.
Applying Applying for a place at Adams House couldn’t be easier. Please visit our website www.thomasadams.org.uk/adams-house/apply to complete an online application, or alternatively call us on 01939 233311
Mrs Cooper Boarding School Director
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Adams House
Adams House Boarding Adams House 100 High Street Wem Shropshire SY4 5DS Tel: 01939 233311 Fax: 01939 234382 Email: adamshouse@thomasadams.org.uk www.thomasadams.org.uk/adams- house
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