House Handbook Beaconfield House - Junior Boarding 2023/2024
Information For Parents And Guardians
CONTENTS Page 3
Welcome from Mr Newbould - Junior Boarding Houseparent, Beaconfield House
Page 4
Contact Informa?on
Page 5
House Staff and Westwood Prefects
Page 6
House Rou?nes
Page 8
Junior Boarding Rules
Page 8
Pupil Behaviour
Page 9
Key Informa?on
2
Welcome from Mr Newbould I am delighted you have chosen to send your child to join the Beaconfield boarding family at Kingswood School as a Junior Boarder and entrusted us with their care. As Houseparent I'm looking forward to geCng to know you and your child. Alongside my wife and our resident assistant, our boarders can look forward to receiving the very best start to their Kingswood journey. We are commi*ed to provide the very best pastoral care for your child as they board in Beaconfield. There is a real focus on family with resident staff living in the house and all boarders will have plenty of interac>on with these staff and their families. We work closely with your child’s tutor and Heads of Lower School to ensure that your child receives the very best care. I hope this handbook will answer many of the ques>ons you will have and serve to reassure you and your child. Mr George Newbould (Junior Boarding Houseparent)
3
Contact Informa9on House Address Beaconfield House College Road Lansdown Bath BA1 5RT
Beaconfield Phone Numbers Beaconfield House Office Beaconfield mobile
01225 734291 07436 152347
If you wish to contact me there will always be a member of staff on duty between 4:30pm and 5:30pm and again between 6:20pm and 9:30pm who can take a message if I am not in. You can also leave a message on the house phone. I check my emails every morning and evening and will respond within 24 hours unless they require more urgent aOenPon. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding your child. In the event of an urgent ma:er, please contact the school office 01225 734200 who will make contact with me. Westwood Contact informaIon During the school day (8:25am to 5:30pm), Junior Boarders are under the care of the Lower School staff in Westwood. Mr Stephen Pentreath, Head of Lower School – responsibility for pupils in Westwood during the school day (8.00am5.30pm). He can be contacted via SPentreath@kingswood.bath.sch.uk or 01225 734486. Mrs CurPs, Deputy Head of Lower School – responsibility for girls in Westwood during the school day (8.00am-5.30pm). She can be contacted via NCurPs@kingswood.bath.sch.uk or 01225 734486. You will be sent your child’s tutor’s contact details in the first week of term.
4
House Staff and Westwood Prefects Mr George Newbould
Assistant House Staff Evening and Weekend Duties
Junior Boarding Houseparent I live in Beaconfield with my wife and two children. As Houseparent, I am responsible for the pastoral welfare of all Junior Boarders and the boarding house, including during evenings and weekends. I am a History and PoliPcs teacher and unPl recently have been Head of Life Skills. I am your first point of contact regarding all maOers relaPng to Junior Boarding and am available via email (gnewbould@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) or using the telephone numbers on the previous page.
The staff below support Junior boarders through evening and weekend duPes. Mr Harding Head of Boarding Mrs Elaine Francis Music Teacher Ms Helen Worrall Deputy Head of Kingswood Prep School
Housekeepers Our housekeepers ensure the dormitories and communal areas in Beaconfield are kept in excellent condiPon. They also always keep a friendly and watchful eye on all the boarders. The resident staff liaise frequently with them to support all the boarders.
Miss Emily Becconsall Resident Assistant Houseparent Miss Becconsall is a former Kingswood boarding alumna and Geography and Games teacher. As Resident Assistant, Miss Becconsall supports me in pastoral welfare and supervises boarders during evenings and weekends. Her email is ebecconsall@kingswood.bath.sch.uk.
Westwood Prefects To support the boarders and day students, about thirty Year 12 prefects are carefully selected to help ensure Junior Boarding runs smoothly. These older pupils act as role models and support all Junior Boarders on weekday evenings and during weekends.
Mrs Stephanie Newbould Teacher of RPE
Mrs Newbould supports the smooth running of Beaconfield and provides addiPonal pastoral support to our boarders. Her email is snewbould@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
5
House Rou9nes MONDAY – FRIDAY 7.00am 7.25am 8.25am 9:00am 4:30am 5.30pm 6.10pm 6.15pm 7.15pm 7.30pm 8.30pm 9.00pm 9.15pm
Boarders wake up Boarders leave Beaconfield and go to breakfast RegistraPon for all pupils in tutor groups Lessons begin Boarders can return to Beaconfield if they do not have an acPvity Supper RegistraPon in Beaconfield Prep begins Music PracPce accompanied by prefect (return at 7.45pm to Westwood) End of prep, free Pme and allowed electronic devices RegistraPon All boarders in rooms Lights-out (9.30pm on Fridays)
In the Summer term, times for being back in the House and going to bed are put forward by quarter of an hour.
6
SATURDAY 8:30am 9:30am 10.00am 12.00pm 1.00pm 5:00pm 5.30pm 6.30pm 6:30pm 8.30pm 9.30pm
Breakfast in House House meePng and registraPon Free Pme in house and/or matches Lunch RegistraPon and acPviPes in House or town with Westwood prefects All boarders back in House. Supper Evening registraPon Whole House AcPvity Free Pme Lights out
SUNDAY 8:30am 9:30am 10.00am 11.00am 12:00pm 5.00pm 5.30pm 6.10pm 7:00pm 7.25pm 8.30pm 9.00pm 9.15pm
Breakfast in House House meePng and registraPon Morning acPvity/free Pme Brunch RegistraPon in House and depart on trip Approximate return from trip Boarders go to supper with prefects House MeePng and registraPon House Pdying/free Pme Boarders’ Swimming RegistraPon All boarders in rooms Lights-out
To help encourage a good night’s sleep, crucial in helping to maintain posiPve mental health, all electronic devices will be handed in half an hour before lights out. Devices can be charged overnight and collected at a Pme agreed with Houseparents.
7
Beaconfield – Junior Boarding Rules In addiEon to the School Community Code and Westwood Day House ethos, the following are rules specific to Junior boarding, or are a reiteraEon of School rules that are parEcularly important. 1.
Kindness, good manners and helpfulness are expected.
2.
Boarders must sign in and out whenever they enter or leave the house.
3.
The boarders are expected to fully co-operate with prefects and staff.
4.
During prep, boarders work silently.
5.
All boarders should be punctual, especially Pmes to be back in the House, handing in devices and in their bedrooms.
6.
All boarders are responsible for doing their own washing up.
7.
Food may only be consumed in the kitchen.
8.
Boarders are not allowed in each others’ rooms without permission.
9.
Male and female boarders are only permiOed in their respecPve zones of the House.
13. Boarders are expected to be sensiPve in their use of the House phone. Nobody should get calls aher 8.30pm. 14. All electronic devices such as mobile phones/tablets/laptops must be handed in as indicated. 15. DocumentaPon, items of value and sums of money over £5 should be deposited in the safe. 16. All medicaPon must be handed in upon arrival. 17. Boarders must noPfy house staff when any new
electrical items are brought into the house, as they will need to be PAT tested by school electricians. It is advisable for students to only buy authenPc items, for example genuine Apple chargers with UK plugs, rather than cheaper alternaPves with adaptors. These are more likely to pass PAT tesPng and be allowed within the boarding house.
18. Smoking, vaping or bringing alcohol into the House are considered very serious breaches of trust and will be dealt in line with school policy.
10. Everyone is responsible for making their own bed in the morning and keeping their room Pdy. 11. Only 12 cerIficate films and games are to be watched/played in the House. 12. ApplicaPons for leave, together with an accompanying email, must be made by the Tuesday preceding the relevant weekend.
Pupil Behaviour Rewards
Discipline
To encourage considerate, posiPve and good behaviour there is a ‘Best of Beaconfield’ Award that is given out weekly. A small edible prize is given and the winner has the choice of the snack for the week. Winners are menPoned in the regular boarding update which goes to all boarders’ parents and guardians. A record of weekly winners is kept to encourage praise to be spread widely.
We understand that the relaPonship between boarding and discipline can be complicated. During term Pme we act in loco parenPs, any behavioural issues will be managed individually, with empathy and with reference to the Pupil and Parent Handbook (which can be found on the Parent Portal). CommunicaPon will be maintained with parents throughout.
Each half term, two Year 8s are awarded the Ptle of Boarding Champion. Boarding champions are given addiPonal responsibiliPes in the house and are role models and a point of support for our more junior boarders.
8
Key informa9on
Health and Medicine Boarders are not permiOed to keep any medicines or supplements in the dormitories. All medicaPon must be handed in upon arrival. It is stored in the house office and dispensed by staff. If boarders feel unwell (including overnight) they should seek out the member of staff on duty.
Holiday and Travel Arrangements Please indicate your child’s holiday arrangements for the coming year or term, by complePng the pro-forma that will be sent to you by the School Office. If, due to excepPonal circumstances, your child needs to miss School to travel home or to a guardian etc. please contact Mr J M Davies, Senior Deputy Head, to obtain permission via jmdavies@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Boarders Visiting Day Pupils If you would like to allow your child to visit a friend’s home, please email Mr Newbould by the Tuesday morning preceding the weekend to confirm arrangements. We will also need an email from the host parents if your child is visiPng a friend. A reminder that team or other school responsibiliPes must come first.
Signing In and Out of the House Pupils must sign in and out when entering or leaving Beaconfield and must seek the permission of the member of staff on duty if leaving for any reason.
Dormitory and Bathroom Areas Dormitories are for the sole use of boarders who reside within. Boarders are not allowed into each others’ rooms. Boys and girls have their own dormitories and bathroom areas. On NO occasion should boys visit the girls’ areas or girls visit the boys’ areas.
Visitors Parents and/or guardians are welcome to visit Beaconfield. Any visitor must sign in with the member of staff on duty upon their arrival. Parents may only enter dormitories under guidance from boarding staff on first and final days of the school year.
Each boarder has a pin board by their bed. They are encouraged to personalise their areas with photographs and suitable posters.
Weekend Arrangements Weekend arrangements should be confirmed by email by Tuesday morning preceding the weekend if boarders are not going to be in the House at the weekend. All boarders are expected to represent the School in weekend matches if selected.
The use of other rooms in the house The common room is available for socialising, playing board games and watching television in free Pme. It has a Nintendo Switch and PS4 consoles which are always very popular. There are desktop computers and books that boarders are free to use.
Boarders’ Trips Most boarder trips take place on a Sunday ahernoon and might typically include: professional sports matches, the cinema, laser tag, outdoor pursuits, the theatre, Segway, ten pin bowling, Outlet shopping, Crazy Golf etc. Once a term we go on a whole day trip to a theme park or an outdoor acPviPes centre. Please note there are somePmes extra consent forms required by outdoor acPvity centres which must be completed and signed by parents or guardians. All the Sunday trips are heavily subsidised by the school but do have cost implicaPons for parents. The cost of all trips throughout the year should not exceed £300 in total. To help us plan efficiently, we do need advance noPce if any boarders will be away from School for the weekend. Any late noPficaPon may result in costs being incurred.
The conservatory features a pool/table tennis table and is available for boarders to use. Boarders may need to ask house staff for the equipment such as pool cues and table tennis bats.
Clothing and Shoes A full list of required clothing is provided. In addiPon, all boarders need a wash bag and a pair of slippers. Boarders will also need casual clothing but, as space is limited, boarders should not bring too many items to School. Please use sew-in labels for all clothing as marker pen wears off. Beaconfield has a ‘no shoe’ policy and shoes will be stored in racks by the House entrance, with slippers worn indoors instead. Boarders should have black polish and the necessary equipment to clean their school shoes.
9
PE and Games
Electrical Devices
Boarders have many opportuniPes during the week for physical exercise. This can be done either within the school curriculum or during acPvity sessions, some of which will take place early in the morning e.g. cricket coaching, swimming and tennis in the summer term. They must not leave bags lying around the school and have storage in Westwood as well as Beaconfield.
Boarders are allowed to bring electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Laptops and tablets are useful for complePng prep but if a boarder does not have one then the school will provide internet access for complePng prep if required. Electronic devices must be handed in at the Pmes specified in the House RouPne. They must be turned off and will be locked in the office. Misuse or late handing in of devices can lead to access being restricted.
There are sports fixtures every weekend and boarders are ohen involved. If you live quite close to school, please do come and support your son or daughter. The team sheets are put up in Westwood and, along with the school calendar, an updated fixture list is in the weekly school newsleOer. Please contact the PE staff if there are any problems with availability or general queries.
Electrical equipment can be dangerous and must be checked by the School Maintenance Department. Overseas boarders, please ensure devices comply with the BSA safety regulaPons for electrical appliances. Make sure to have plugs, not adaptors and label them.
Swimming and Wet Clothing Over the weekend there are ohen opportuniPes to swim. Wet clothes should be placed in the basket in Beaconfield. Boarders must also do this aher swimming in games lessons.
Music Practice Boarders who receive individual music tuiPon must go to the Music School on the allocated days to pracPce. Pupils are escorted there and back by a prefect. Musical instruments are stored in the Music School. Please note there is a piano in Beaconfield which boarders are encouraged to use.
Laundry Bed linen is changed once a fortnight (usually on a Tuesday). Boarders change their own beds and put the dirty linen in the large white bags outside the dormitories.
Use of Beaconfield during the school day
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, dirty laundry must be placed in the big white laundry bags. It is important that all dirty clothes are handed in and that clothes are changed daily. Beaconfield House does have spare items if sports kit gets very dirty.
Boarders must ensure that they take all of their books and other equipment as they are not allowed to return to the house between 7:30am and 4:30pm from Monday to Friday. If boarders do not have an acPvity, they may return to the house from 4:30pm unPl supper at 5:30pm.
Possessions Personal monies and arPcles of considerable value pose security problems. Boarders are free to bring electronic devices. Laptop computers and tablets are a major part of ‘everyday’ equipment, as are mobile phones; boarders are free to bring the above equipment with them, borrowing and lending is strongly discouraged, and the owner must be enPrely responsible for their own property.
Storage of Equipment in Westwood
All electronic devices are locked in the office overnight. Money, passports, biometric cards, important documents and air Pckets MUST BE KEPT in the House safe. These will be signed in and out by pupils. Money should be broken into £5 and £10 notes. It is helpful if parents specify how much a child should be allowed to spend each weekend. £10 a week ought to be enough. Most pupils may have their own bank account with a cash card; these cards should be kept in a locked place.
Lost Property
During the school day, boarders have their own locker in Westwood for storing books. Games kit should be kept in a single named sports bag and stored on the bag racks on the ground floor. All equipment must be named. Boarders can store books in their rooms.
All property and clothing must be named clearly. Lost property (if lost in Westwood) can be found in the lost property box on the ground floor. This should be checked first if property goes missing or is mislaid. There is also a central lost property office in the main school. All pupils are discouraged from bringing in valuable items. Lost property in Beaconfield will be collected in the office.
Due to this provision, the School is not liable if items go missing.
10
Damage to Property
Tuck
We hope that all of our boarders will respect the building and faciliPes, which enrich their experience as a boarder. In the event of something being broken or damaged it must be reported to the member of staff on duty who will add the repair to the online maintenance system and if necessary, name the child to be charged. If appropriate, a sancPon may also be applied.
Boarders are allowed to purchase some addiPonal food and snacks which are allowed to be eaten on Fridays. Any purchased items should be stored in their tuck box. There is a strict NO NUTS policy. There is NO EXTRA SPACE to store excess food.
Birthdays We celebrate all term Pme birthdays in the House. Boarders with term-Pme birthdays will receive a card and a modest edible gih. Some parents send cakes on the occasion of the pupil’s birthday so your child can celebrate with friends. Some parents have arranged for pizzas to be delivered for 7.30pm on the day of a birthday. If you are sending a cake or pizzas, please liaise with house staff in advance and ensure that they are nut free.
Mail Post for boarders is delivered to the boarding office. If pupils wish to send leOers, they should have stamps.
Food Kingswood provides regular, balanced meals for all boarders. Staff are vigilant at mealPmes ensuring pupils eat healthily and in a balanced fashion. At the weekend, breakfast is taken in the House between 8.30 am - 9.30 am. Please note given the proximity of breakfast to brunch on a Sunday, breakfast is not compulsory on Sundays (unless on a long day trip), but brunch, like all other meals, is.
House Funds
The House faciliPes include a pool/table football table, games consoles, computers and a well-equipped kitchen. The School provides each House with a small allowance to help towards the upkeep of these. A small annual House levy is also applied, which helps to fund House entertainment. This is added to the School account: £11.00 per Boarder per term.
On Saturday evening snacks are provided. Each evening aher prep, food for boarders (e.g. Toast, spreads etc.) is available. Food should only be consumed in the kitchen unless boarders are given permission otherwise. In no circumstances is food to be taken into dormitories.
11