THINKING thinking OF BOARDING? of boarding?
“I look back on the sense of community and togetherness that the House system fostered in each of us, and appreciate how lucky we were to grow up in such a fun and thriving environment.”
Introduction As a full-boarding school, we are often asked what it is really like to board. In order to help families get a feel for boarding at Fettes before they visit, we have put together this guide featuring the most commonly asked questions.
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What is boarding at Fettes really like? Each boarding House is like a family, a group of staff and students looking after each other: helping, encouraging and simply being there when needed. Our boarding houses are at the heart of Fettes life; lifelong friendships are made, trust is fostered and loyalty forged. We aim to create a real home-from-home. As well as the strong bonds made with fellow housemates, it is the commitment of Houseparents, Tutors and Matrons that leaves a lasting impression. These individuals are dedicated to caring for and encouraging each student. They make it their duty to understand the personality, quirks, talents and aspirations of those in their charge. They regard their role in the students’ development as a privilege. In the College, every member of our full-time teaching staff is connected to a boarding House and does one night of duty in-House per week so all staff are involved in boarding in one way or another. In Scotland, all boarding schools are inspected by The Care Inspectorate and Fettes is proud to be considered sector-leading in our pastoral care. The fact that our care and support has been considered as ‘sector-leading’ is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our staff. All reports are available to view online at www.careinspectorate.com
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Can I see my son/daughter during the week/weekend? Prep School
College
Although visits can take place over the weekend, making the most of what we have on offer over the weekend is a key part of the boarding experience, so you may wish to take them out for tea one night instead.
As befitting their age, there is greater flexibility so it may be that you could pop in to see them for a coffee when their timetable allows. Parents and guardians are also welcome to take their son/daughter out for a "tea-leave" during the week by arrangement with the Houseparent. As a full boarding school, we have lessons on Saturday mornings, matches and other activities on Saturday afternoons and a full schedule of events and outings on Saturday evenings in which students are expected to participate. Sundays are the best time to meet for lunch with family as Sundays in the College have no fixed social activities but instead are set aside for rest and relaxation, starting with a lie-in and brunch.
Wednesday after games usually works best. There are also two Recommended Leave weekends per term, with one in the summer term, giving you a lovely relaxed weekend together.
Parents are very welcome to support their children at sports fixtures as well as attending concerts and drama performances throughout the year. Page 8
As the parents of boarding students, how are we involved in the House? Do you have social events for parents? We welcome parents and guardians at all school events so please do join us at matches, plays, concerts and events. Prep School
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Houseparents are in regular contact with parents throughout the term. You will also be invited to the social events taking place throughout the year at the Prep School.
As both day and boarding students are members of a House, there are numerous occasions for parents to come into House and socialise, whether that be a coffee morning, kitchen supper, drinks or an invitation to a large scale event or charity fund-raiser.
You can keep up to date with events by following Fettes social media accounts or downloading our app. Page 9
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Do boarders get any ‘down time’? What do they do on a Sunday? Prep School
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Throughout the week, once prep and tea are over, pupils head back to House to spend time reading, watching television, playing games and relaxing just as they would at home. After lessons in the morning, Saturday afternoons have activities laid on by staff within the school grounds until tea with Saturday evenings allowing for free time with many children enjoying movie and popcorn night while others play outside. On Sundays, there is an in-House breakfast followed by a House trip; a perfect combination of activity and relaxation.
Life in The College is very busy but throughout the day time is built in for socialising with friends or simply sitting quietly and chilling out. Whilst there are activities and events on a Sunday such as mountain biking, kayaking or hill walking, for most, this is the one full day of the week when students can relax and decide on the pace that best suits them. Many take this opportunity to head in to Edinburgh for some shopping, a meal or cinema/museum/ gallery visit.
No matter what boarding House you are in, there are places where students can go to sit, relax and read a book or take some time for themselves. Page 12
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Do I get to choose which boarding House I join?
How often will I be able to communicate with my son/daughter?
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In the Prep School, there is one boys’ boarding House, Arran, and one girls’ boarding House, Iona, so there is no choice of boarding House within the Prep School, just two very happy families!
In order to ensure that each of our boarding houses has an appropriate mix of talents, interests and previous schools, the College is responsible for House allocation so individual preferences cannot be guaranteed.
As part of the night-time routine, Prep pupils have an opportunity to call home every night using their electronic devices. Sometimes our pupils are so busy having fun that they forget to give family a ring so their Houseparents will give gentle reminders if need be! There is also a phone line into each House on which parents can call and a private space where the call can be taken. Where parents are in a completely different time zone, international pupils may phone home during break time.
Students are not allowed mobile phones with them throughout the school day or during prep time in the evenings. This is because we want our students to look each other in the eye and talk to each other instead of being fixated on a screen. They can access their phones in House at certain times during the day (for international students particularly) but the best times to communicate are between 6-7pm or at the end of the day once prep has been done.
Once a Fettes student has joined their House, we know they will passionately believe theirs is the very best House in the school - for life.
The exception to this rule is if there is an existing family connection to that House e.g. you would like your child to join the same House you attended or one a sibling currently attends. Page 14
All phones and devices are taken in overnight by House staff, so that students get a good night's sleep.
All Prep and senior boarders hand in their phones during prep time and at night.
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How do you ensure boarders can study quietly and effectively?
Do boarders get enough sleep? What are the bedtime routines?
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Homework is always supervised and usually completed before the boarders come back into House. If for any reason there is work to catch up on, boarders can do this at the kitchen table with House tutors and Houseparents available to supervise. During the weekend before the exams in the Summer Term, both boarding houses have revision study days.
For the younger year groups (3rd and sometimes 4th Forms) Houses may sit students together to undertake prep but students often work in their rooms or studies. These sessions are supervised by tutors and 6th Form helpers. As they progress through the school, independent study is encouraged and boarders can complete their work in their bedrooms or use spaces such as the Library.
As with any family, bedtime depends on the age of the child and the same routine is used each night of the week, with Saturday evening being slightly later. Boarders have a short period of time after tea or activities to call home with devices handed back in for the remainder of the evening. The children have time to socialise with each other and all have half an hour of reading in bed to help them unwind.
There are different bedtimes for the different age groups and if a particular dorm doesn’t settle, they may well have an earlier bedtime the following night. All phones and devices are taken in overnight by House staff, so that students get a good night's sleep. We like to ensure that bedtime is a calm, quiet time giving them the opportunity to unwind before sleep.
Prep is what we call homework which is a little confusing when talking about doing prep in the Prep School!
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Boarders regularly receive information about the benefits of a good night’s sleep so they understand and appreciate the importance of these bedtime routines. Page 19
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How many pupils are there in one bedroom? What are the bedrooms like?
How many resident staff are there and what do they do?
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The number of pupils in each bedroom can vary from 2-6. During their time as a Prep boarder, your daughter/son would not be in a room on their own but have friends around them. Each boarder is encouraged to decorate their space with photos from home, favourite pillows and duvet set, cuddly toys and anything to make them feel at home.
The numbers of boarders per bedroom will vary from House to House and is dependent on the number of boarders within that year group. From experience, we know that it is important for younger students to be in a dorm with others as this helps them to forge strong friendships. However, by the time students have reached the Upper Sixth Form, the vast majority of boarders will have their own en-suite study bedroom. We want every boarder to feel at home and walking around our boarding houses reveals the myriad of ways in which boarders express themselves and personalise their space.
Each of the Prep School boarding Houses has a Houseparent who lives in the House, together with their family. In addition, each house also has a resident Assistant Houseparent. There are additional House tutors, chosen from the Prep Staff, who are on duty one night a week, meaning that your child will get to know a variety of staff on a weekly basis. Both houses also have a matron on duty during the day and in the evening, who can help if your child feels poorly, assist with laundry and tidiness or as simply another friendly face to have a chat with.
Every boarding House in the College has a Houseparent who lives in the boarding House with their own family. Their key priority is the care and wellbeing of your child and they are fully involved in the day to day running of the House from morning to night. They are assisted by an Assistant Houseparent as well as a team of tutors assigned to that House. Matron is like another Mum to many boarders and is always there for a pep talk, to listen to any worries or simply remind them to polish their shoes! On top of this, every student is allocated a tutor who will take a key role in their wellbeing and academic education as well as supporting them at matches and concerts.
All Houses are homes with welcoming lounges, well-equipped recreation rooms and pantries/kitchen for snacks. They are homely, inviting and a focal point for our warm and welcoming community. Page 22
One of our Old Fettesians described boarding as ‘having 50 sisters to share everything with.’ A lovely sentiment and still true today.
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What happens if my child gets ill? Prep School
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If your son/daughter feels unwell they will initially be seen by one of our Prep School matrons for assessment. They will then either have some rest time in-House or be taken to the Allardice Centre where the school’s medical and wellbeing teams are based. There are regular GP appointments and the Allardice Centre is staffed every day to deal with any medical issues that may arise. If for any reason your child needed to go to hospital, you would be informed immediately and the matron or a member of the medical staff would accompany them and remain with them for as long as necessary.
Matron will normally be the first person your son/ daughter will go to when they are feeling unwell, and will make an initial assessment. They may either rest in House or be taken to the Allardice Centre where the school’s medical and wellbeing teams are based. There are regular GP appointments and the Allardice Centre is staffed every day to deal with any medical issues that may arise. We also have a team of experts who provide additional support for any student.
All boarders will register with our local doctor’s surgery for their time at Fettes with the majority of GP visits happening within the Medical Centre. Page 26
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Next steps The care and welfare of our students is fundamentally important to us as we know that only a happy, supported child will truly flourish. It is a huge privilege to look after your son/daughter and although it will not always be trouble free and home-sickness may occur in the early days, we know that this is normally short-lived. There is a wealth of experience in the exceptional House staff we employ so you can rest assured that we will take the very best care of them. If you are interested in coming and visiting Fettes to see what boarding is like first-hand, please simply email admissions@fettes.com and the Admissions Team will be able to help arrange a visit or overnight taster stay. If you are a current Fettes family considering converting to boarding, your child can come and board at Fettes (space permitting) for a week in order to experience a weekly cycle within the boarding House.
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Houses Prep School Arran House (boys)
Houseparent: Mr Richard Mill Iona House (girls)
Houseparent: Ms Diane Davidson
College Boys' Houses
Girls' Houses
Carrington
Arniston
Houseparent: Mr Sam Shelley
Houseparent: Ms Tara McDonald
Glencorse
College East
Houseparent: Mr James Pillinger
Houseparent: Mrs Vicki Sutton
Kimmerghame
College West
Houseparent: Mr Ed Boulter-Comer Moredun
Houseparent: Mr Jamie MacKenzie
Houseparent: Mrs Jenna Maguire Dalmeny
Houseparent: Dr Kate Fairbairn
Co-ed Upper Sixth Boarding House Craigleith Houseparent: Mr Charlie du Vivier
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