I’d like to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the staff and boys of Abbeylands. I’m sure that you are both excited, and maybe slightly apprehensive about starting at the School, but please rest assured that we will do everything we can to support you in settling in, and making the very most of all the opportunities available at Sherborne. This booklet is an incredibly useful starting point in helping you to get to know the House, its staff and its routines, particularly the important timings of the day. I hope that this will go part of the way to answering some of the questions you may have.
As you will no doubt know by now, Abbeylands is a very family orientated House, with a big focus on kindness. This booklet should be a good reminder for you of the key personnel that you will come into contact with, who are here to ensure that you are well-supported during your time.
Charlie Scammell Head of House
Top Tips
• Arrive promptly to all your commitments
• Check your email twice a day
• Keep valuable items locked away – this is a good habit to get into for later life
• Only enter another boy’s room when they are present and if they are happy for you to be there
• Go to all School meals – they have already been paid for
• Eat cooked food (including takeaways) in the communal kitchen areas – this is sociable and more hygienic
• Takeaways are permitted at the weekends only
• When playing outside in the bargeyard or in the garden please be considerate to our neighbours with regard to the noise you make, the language you use and where you kick the balls
• When using kitchen areas, keep them clean and tidy so that they are ready for others
• Keep noise to a minimum in House after 10.00pm
• Keep your room tidy, do your bedding properly each week and stay on top of your laundry
• Dress smartly and appropriately during School hours and for School commitments
• Remember to phone home regularly, even just to say ‘hi’
• Treat boys how they would like to be treated
Housemaster
Housemaster
Mr Buckley
Mr Buckley is in charge of the well-being of all boys in Abbeylands and will keep you informed on all areas of House and School life. You can go to Mr Buckley about any questions or concerns you may have, he is always there to listen and guide you. He is also the first point of contact for your parents and will help bridge home and School life for you as soon as you arrive in September.
Mr Buckley is currently our Director of Cricket Coaching and before moving to Abbeylands was Assistant Housemaster of Harper House. He was a Professional Cricketer for Durham County Cricket Club, winning the County Championship in 2013 and the Royal London Cup in 2014 (alongside England greats such as Ben Stokes, Paul Collingwood and Mark Wood.). He spent six years in Hong Kong, as Director of Cricket of The Hong Kong
Cricket Club before moving back in 2022. He coached at Millfield School before joining Sherborne. You may also find him on the croquet lawn in his spare time. Mr Buckley lives in Abbeylands with his fiancé Kieran and their short-haired German pointer, Billy and Great Dane puppy, Luna.
It is best to speak to Mr Buckley in person, but he can also be contacted via email: ryan.buckley@sherborne.org or call his mobile: 07484 016517. The House office number is 01935 810570. The duty mobile number is 07788 972239. (you should add these to your contacts if you have a phone).
House Staff
Matron Rachel Rachel joined the school in 2015 and this will be her third year as Head matron. She is an ever present kind and caring figure in the House and is always there to listen to any concerns you may have. She is also a really talented cook and loves nothing more than catering for the boys when they have socials or even just snacks to eat whilst watching the rugby or Britain's Got Talent! Rachel is passionate about 'her boys' and will always do everything that she can to help them.
Ness is an integral part of the team at Abbeylands and is involved in all the different areas of House life. She works incredibly hard to make sure that all of us feel a real sense of home throughout our time in the House.
Assistant Matron Ness
Assistant Matron Becca
Becca is joining Abbeylands at the same time as you and is really looking forward to being part of your House team. She has 13 years of SEN experience, is a keen runner and loves endurance events. Becca is also a devoted 'dog mum' to her working cocker spaniel Maverick.
Assistant Housemaster Alistair Kirby
Mr Kirby is also the Director of Drama. He lives in Abbeylands with his wife, two daughters and son. He has a cat named Angel and two tortoises, Fred and Wilma. In his spare time, Mr Kirby loves reading and watching plays, spending time in the outdoors with his family and loves sport, in particular, cricket.
Resident Tutor
Louise Dennis
Ms Dennis is Head of PE and an all-round sport and fitness enthusiast, she enjoys participating in and coaching a wide range of sports and is passionate about helping young people develop confidence, character, and a lifelong love of physical activity. Outside of school, she enjoys staying active and travelling to find the sun!
Tutors, Domestic Staff and Prefects
Tutors
When you join the School you will be assigned a personal tutor who will be there to help and support you.
Domestic Staff
You will learn to appreciate the work of the domestic staff who work hard to keep Abbeylands looking immaculate. Not only do they do a superb job of cleaning the House but they are also on hand at House events such as the Christmas supper and the Commem lunch. Remember to respect the work that they do and that they are not there to clean up after you.
Prefects
These are Upper Sixth boys who you’ll get to know well during your first year in Abbeylands. They are ideally placed to give you advice on all aspects of life at Sherborne.
Charlie Scammell (Head of House)
Freddie Benbow (Head of School)
Henry Curtis
James Hawkins
Zeeshan Mahmud
Kyryl Mykytyuk
Harry Nicholson
House Facilities
Looking out the front window of Abbeylands you are right on the High Street, as well as being just a couple of minutes walk from the School’s main buildings. The House itself is warm and inviting and also has a real sense of history that reminds us of the Old Shirburnians that have lived, worked and played in the House before us.
The Garden
Although Abbeylands is a townhouse, we have a hidden gem of a garden. Based on two levels there is a grass area with a bargeyard where boys of different year groups often play bargeyard cricket or football together. We also have a raised Sixth Form garden which is a quieter space for Upper School boys to have friends round and relax. We use the gardens a lot during the summer for BBQ’s and summer teas.
The Common Room
The Common Room is the hub of the House where we all spend time together. Within it there is a pool table, a wide screen TV, futsal table, small kitchen and seating areas for us to relax and socialise. It’s often a hive of activity and a place where boys congregate and get to know each other.
Sixth Form Common Room
This is a space at the end of the House, housing a flat screen TV, and small kitchenette. It’s often used to host year group socials as it is an intimate and relaxed environment.
The Day Room
This is where you will do your Hall in the evenings, supervised by the House Prefects.
The Oak Room
A traditional part of the House which used to be the original dining room that is now used for House assemblies and other House based events. It’s a room with a real sense of history that reminds us of the steps others have taken before us.
School Timetable
School periods Monday to Friday (Third Form)
Period 1 8.30 – 9.15am
Period 2 9.20 – 10.05am
Period 3 10.10 – 10.55am
Break 10.55 – 11.25am
Period 4 11.25 – 12.10pm
Period 5 12.15 – 1.00pm
Lunch 1.00 – 1.30pm
Q Time (Period 6) 1.35 – 2.30pm
Period 7 2.35 – 3.20pm (Tues & Fri only)
Period 8 3.25 – 4.10pm (Tues & Fri only)
Period 9 4.15 – 5.00pm (Tues & Fri only)
Games 2.35 – 5.00pm (Mon & Thurs)
Abbey Services
Wednesday 6.30 – 7.00pm
Sunday 7.45 – 8.30pm
Saturday
Period 1 8.30 – 9.15am
Period 2 9.20 – 10.05am
Period 3 10.10 – 10.55am
Break 10.55 – 11.25am
Lunch 12.15 – 1.20pm
Games/matches 1.45 – 5.00pm
Assemblies (8.10 – 8.25am)
Monday Whole School Assembly (BSR)
Tuesday Lower School Assembly (Powell Theatre)
Thursday Sixth Form Assembly (Powell Theatre)
Friday Junior Chapel (Chapel)
Meal Times
Breakfast 7.30 – 8.25am
Lunch 1.00 – 1.30pm
Senior Supper 6.00 – 6.25pm
Junior Boys Supper 6.30 – 6.55pm
Your Day
Monday to Friday
7.20am Wake up bell and morning routine check begins
8.00am All up dressed, bed made, bed area tidy. Sign in with resident team in the Oak Room.
10.55am – 11.25am Break – snack by Matron’s office
6.00pm – 6.25pm Senior supper
6.30pm – 6.55pm Junior supper
6.55pm Roll Call in the Common Room
7.00pm – 8.45pm Hall
9.00pm Phones in for Third and Fourth Forms
9.30pm Third Form up to dormitory and lights out at 10.00pm
10.15pm Fourth Form lights out
10.30pm Fifth Form lights out 10.30pm Sixth Form in their studies.
Additional times
Wednesdays: 6.30pm – Abbey Service (Supper from 5.30pm)
Saturdays: 5.00pm – Roll Call; 7:00pm Assembly
Sundays: 10.45am Everyone Up; Roll Call 4:00pm; 7:20pm House Assembly
Careers Department 01935 810545
Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England 0800 528 0731
www.childrenscomissioner.gov.uk
Learning Support 01935 810528
Designated Safeguarding Officers
Lead - Mr Sheffield - 01935 810427
Deputies - Mrs Bowerman - 01935 810432
Mrs Hutchings - 01935 810539
Mr McGuire - 07850 653 394
DSL@sherborne.org
Mrs Kershaw - 01935 8 c
Independent perso
SUPPORT, GUIDANCE
are willing to help you. All boys can use these services, but, in some cases, people to check on availability. School Doctors Drs Nickinson, Armitage and Nickinson 01935 872530
House Activities
During the School week and indeed throughout the course of the year, there are a number of activities and events that are on offer for the boys.
Regular activities include:
• Tuesday evening 5 a side football on the astro-turf
• Movie nights
• Quiz night
• Hot chocolate
• ‘Come dine with me’
• Poker nights
• House pool and chess competitions
• Chess ladders
During their time at Sherborne, boys will have an opportunity to be part of a House play (at least twice). The Abbeylands production of ‘An Incident at Vichy’ was not only an outstanding success, but it showcased the talent and commitment levels of the boys.
A House production is an incredibly special event, made even more so by the support and presence of parents and family members at the performances. All in all they are a real highlight in the House calendar.
House Play
House Charity
This year we have done several sponsored walks for charity.
House Socials and Trips
Most weekends there are social events running for you to take part in. There are year group socials which are run with local girls’ schools, particularly Sherborne Girls that take place across the year at different venues and locations. These range from discos to open mic nights. There are also a range of House based trips that happen on a Sunday including: paint balling, coasteering, shopping trips to Bath and Exeter, sports events and cinema trips.
Abbeylands has a House Council and we’re all encouraged to put forward ideas for trips and excursions.
Sherborne Terminology
Many abbreviations and acronyms are used within the School community. You will find the below useful:
• Hall – Homework and prep time. Hall time is between 7.05 – 8.45pm
• Blues – The uniform worn by the Lower School (Third, Fourth and Fifth Form)
• Lists – Whole School presentation of prizes and awards at the end of each term
• Carey’s – The sports fields south of Horsecastles Road
• The Upper – 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket pitch
• The Lower – 2nd XV Rugby pitch below the Upper
• Upper Astro – Astroturf next to the Upper
• Carrington Building – Geography, Economics and Business Studies
• Hughie Holmes – Astroturf across the road from the Upper and Lower and next to Carey’s
• The Grove – Modern Foreign Languages block and computer rooms (G9 and G11)
• Pilkington Labs – Chemistry and Physics Laboratories
• Turing Block – Biology department
• Health Centre – School medical centre, with full time nurses and visiting doctors
• BSR – Big School Room; function room for whole School assemblies, lectures, lists and musical and drama productions
• OSR – Old School Room; the School’s original school room adjacent to School House
• Courts – The central courtyard of the School containing the English, Classics, Maths and History classrooms as well as the Library and Custos.
• Custos – School Security team based in The Lodge at the main gate to the Courts
• Bow House – Staff Room
• School Shop – You can buy school uniform, sport equipment, stationery, cards and other essential items.
• Abbots Acre – External Relations department and conference room
• Powell Theatre – The majority of School and House plays take place here, also some lectures and year group meetings
• SG – Sherborne Girls
• The Carmen – The School song
• VES – Values, Expectations and Standards: a document that details how we should conduct ourselves
a School House
b Abbey House
c The Green
d Harper House
f Abbeylands
g Lyon House
m The Digby
Frequently Asked Questions
How much homework will I be set in the Third Form?
Usually in the Third Form you will be set one Hall per subject per week. There is a timetable that tells you when Hall should be completed by. It is definitely a good idea to try and complete your Hall on the night they were set in order to avoid getting a backlog of Hall.
Can I bring things from home to make my room feel my own?
Yes — please do. The boarding House is your home, and we'd strongly encourage you to bring along the things that make your space feel comfortable and personal, whether that's posters, photographs or a few favourite belongings from home.
How much money do I need in Third Form?
Generally speaking in Third Form you don’t need that much money at all. You should have a bank account with a debit card attached to it and about £10 will be sufficient as an allowance each week. You shouldn’t have large amounts of money simply in your wallet or in an unsecure place.
When can I phone or message my parents, and how does my phone work in the House?
You'll have your phone for 30 minutes each evening, which gives you a good chance to call or message home. This is the same right through the junior school, from Third to Fifth Form. At weekends you'll have your device for a little longer, within clear, set time frames. Of course, if you ever need to speak to your parents or family outside those times, you'll always be able to — just have a word with a member of the House team. And if your family live in a different time zone, we'll make sure suitable arrangements are in place so that staying in touch is never a problem..
When can I visit friends in other Houses, and at Sherborne Girls?
You can visit friends in other Houses, and over at Sherborne Girls, outside of lesson times — at break, lunch, after School and at weekends. This is something we really encourage and value, and boys from other Houses are just as welcome to come and see you. When you visit, simply sign in and out and make yourself known to the Matron or Housemaster; the same applies when friends come to your House. You'll get to know more of the girls over the course of the year through socials, and you can visit them in their Boarding House Common Room in your free time outside the normal working day. Wherever you go, you're expected to display the highest standard of conduct.
When do I get to go home?
Generally there is an Exeat either side of half term in each of the three School terms, the dates of these are published on the School website. For an Exeat boys are free to go home after their last school commitment on a Friday afternoon and return to the House by 9.00pm on Sunday
night. Boys can also be granted leave to go home on a weekend if they have an important commitment to make or family occasions e.g. birthdays and weddings.
How do I know when my team practices, fixtures and other commitments are?
Everything appears on your School 'Socs' calendar, which you'll have access to in your first week. It brings your whole timetable together in one place — lessons, team practices, fixtures and all your other cocurricular commitments — so you'll always know where you need to be and when.
What is there to do at the weekend?
There's always plenty going on. On Saturday, lessons finish at 11am and the afternoon is given over to a full sporting programme, followed in the evening by a social programme with Sherborne Girls — discos, house swaps and a range of other activities. Sunday is more relaxed: you get a lie-in, and there's usually a trip on offer, whether that's a water park, a sports fixture or somewhere further
afield. The 'Sherborne menu' is available too. You'll also have full access to the Sports Centre, Music and Art, as well as plenty of time to relax and see your friends, either in town or over in another House.
What do I do if I feel homesick, unwell, or I'm finding things hard?
The most important thing to know is that you are never on your own. Our boarding Houses are hugely supportive places, with help on hand 24 hours a day. Whatever you're facing — feeling homesick, feeling unwell, or simply finding something difficult — there is always someone to turn to.
If you're homesick, it's really important not to bottle it up. It's nothing to be embarrassed about and it happens to far more boys than you'd think — and it almost always passes. If you're feeling unwell, go and see Matron, who will give you the care you need or send you on to the Health Centre, where a doctor visits every weekday morning. And if something else is on your mind, however big or small, you can always talk it through.There are
so many people here to look after you and for you to lean on: your Housemaster, Matron, your Tutor, the House Prefects, the staff at the Health Centre and the School Counsellor are all here to support and nurture you.
Whatever it is, please do speak to someone — that is exactly what we are here for.
How do I find out about, and sign up for, clubs, sport, music and drama?
The House staff are there to help you with this and oversee the sign-up process, so you'll always know where to start. There's a huge range on offer — clubs, activities, sport, drama, music and outward-bound opportunities — and you won't be disappointed. The key thing is to get involved and give things a go. Your Tutor is on hand to help you strike the right balance, so that you make the most of everything the School has to offer.
