Boarding Handbook for Students
Introduction
Welcome to Thomas’s College! We trust you will very much enjoy your time here.
This handbook is intended to help you to become familiar with the routines for boarders at Thomas’s College.
It is designed to answer most of your questions, but cannot provide the answer to every question you might have. Ask Mr Ralphs or another member of the boarding team if you are not clear on any of the information covered.
You should also make certain that you are familiar with the College Behaviour Policy.
Another important document is the Statement of Boarding Principles and Practice at Thomas’s College. This is available at the end of this document as well as on the College website, together with other key policies.
The boarding House is contactable on wesley@thomas-s.co.uk
Who’s who in Wesley House
Mr Ralphs Director of Boarding
In his role as Director of Boarding, Mr Ralphs is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of boarders, whether weekly or flexi, in Wesley House and it is his job to support you throughout your time at Thomas’s College.
Mr Ralphs lives with his family on the Thomas’s College site.
During the day he teaches Geography and has an office in College S05.
Miss Higgins Resident Tutors
Our resident tutors assist the house parent in the smooth running of Wesley House and make the place feel like home. Living on the south wing of the boarding house, Miss Higgins is always nearby to offer support when needed. During the school day, you will find her working hard on her psychology and counselling degree before getting fully involved with the (sometimes competitive!) after-school boarding activities of an evening.
Miss Ford-Senior House Parent
Our House Parent, Miss Ford-Senior, plays a central role in the pastoral life of Wesley House and is committed to creating a warm, safe and happy home away from home. She provides consistent care and guidance, supporting students as they grow in confidence, independence and resilience, while celebrating their individual strengths and successes. Miss Ford-Senior offers both practical and emotional support with the day-to-day aspects of boarding life, whether helping to resolve a concern that comes from communal living, caring for a student who is feeling unwell, or simply being available to chat. She takes an active role in planning and supporting House activities, helping to foster a strong sense of community and belonging. During the day, you will find her in and around the Wesley House Boarding Office. Miss Ford-Senior lives on Wesley Upper with her partner, Mr Tuckwell, and their bunny, Gus, ensuring she is always close at hand and readily available when support is needed.
Wesley House Captains
The House Captain will work alongside the Boarding Team. They help to ensure the smooth running of Wesley, organise social events for the boarders and represent the views of the boarders in meetings with the Boarding team.
Duty rota
Monday N/A
In addition to the boarding house team, there is a member of SLT on call each evening. Wake Ups Morning Registration 07:30 16:15 - 22:30 Overnight
Miss Ford Senior (from 08:00)
Miss Ford-Senior (until 5:30pm), Miss Higgins & Mr Ralphs
Tuesday Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior Miss Ford-Senior & Wesley North Teacher
Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior Wesley North Teacher
Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior Wesley North Teacher
Wednesday Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior
Miss Ford-Senior (until 5:30pm), Miss Higgins & Mr Ralphs
Thursday Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior Miss Ford-Senior & Wesley North Teacher
Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior Wesley North Teacher
Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior Wesley North Teacher
Friday Miss Higgins Miss Ford-Senior
Miss Ford-Senior (until 16:45) N/A
Daily routine
Time
07:10 Wake Up
07:30 Registration at breakfast (in the Refectory)
08:00
Return to the House, tidy up your room and get ready for School
08:45 Leave the house and go to your Tutor Room for registration
Wesley House is now closed for the day
14:45 Middle and Upper Sixth students can return to Wesley House if they have no P6 or 7 lesson
16:15 - 17:30
16:15
Clubs, free time in Wesley House, or Village Leave You can now change into home clothes
Registration (in the Common Room)
For those who attend a Club , they should still register at 16:15
17:30 - 18:30 Prep time Boarders will study in the library
18:30 - 19:00 Dinner in the Refectory
19:00 Free time (Gym and MUGA open for use)
20:00 - 21:30 Registration in the Common Room & Evening Activity
21:00
21:10
Bedtime
All boarders must be back in Wesley House Doors close
Bedtime routine and registration starts See section ‘Bedtime’ below for details
All tech should be handed in at your year groups’ ‘start getting ready’ time
General information
Arrival and Departure
Weekly Boarders
For weekly boarders, each term you will be assigned a permanent dorm in Wesley where you will be able to store your belongings. When you arrive on a Monday morning, you will be able to visit your dorm between 07:45 and 08:45 to drop off your bag for the week.
On Friday, Wesley will be open until 17:00 for you to collect any belongings you want to take home for the weekend.
Parents are responsible for the collection and transport of boarders to and from school when they are not boarding overnight.
Start and End of Term
Parents will be notified in advance of arrival times for each start of term.
School Holidays
You will need to empty your dorm of your belongings for the school holidays.
Flexi Boarders
Flexi boarders will indicate their selected boarding nights before the end of the previous term. Additional nights can be booked directly with Miss Ford-Senior.
Requests should be submitted by 14:00 the day before boarding. Bookings for a Monday should arrive by 14:00 on the previous Friday.
Bookings will be confirmed by 18:30 on the day the booking has been requested.
Flexi boarders will be allocated a dorm each time a booking is made. Where you stay for multiple consecutive nights, you will remain in the same dorm, when possible.
When you arrive in the morning, you will be able to drop your bag into the Boarding Common Room between 08:00 and 08:45. It can then be collected at 16:15 when you register with the duty member of staff. In the morning following your stay, you will be able to store your bag in the Boarding Common Room and collect it at the end of the school day.
On your first time boarding, Miss Ford-Senior will speak with you about what to expect in Welsey, what to do in the event of an emergency etc.
Ad hoc Boarding
Ad hoc boarding can be booked through the Boarding Booking Form
Requests should be submitted by 14:00 the day before boarding. Bookings for a Monday should arrive by 14:00 on the previous Friday.
Induction
Weekly boarders will receive an induction at the start of their first term and then annually thereafter.
For flexi-boarders, they will receive an induction on their first evening and then refreshers when necessary.
Information is displayed throughout the boarding house wings and in the Common Room.
Boarding Activities
Marvellous Mondays
Ease into the week. After a busy Monday at school, this evening is all about recharging your batteries and setting ourselves up for a marvellous week ahead. The vibe is lowkey, the lights are low, and the choice is yours. Whether you want to curl up with a book, chat with friends in the common room, catch up on prep, or simply relax in your PJs, this is your designated ‘me-time’ to start the week with a sense of calm. There will, of course, be hot chocolate at 8 pm for everyone to gather around and enjoy together.
Tasty Tuesdays
Aprons on, air fryer ready! The house smells delicious on Tuesdays! Join us in the common room to whip up something wonderful. From gooey brownies and cookies to mocktails, this is a hands-on session where we master new recipes and enjoy the fruits of our labour. It’s the perfect way to bond over a mixing bowl and enjoy a midweek treat.
Wild Card Wednesdays
Expect the unexpected. Wednesday nights are never the same twice! This is our high-energy “hump day” activity where anything goes. It might be a giant game of hide-andseek, a karaoke showdown, a retro board game tournament, or a surprise scavenger hunt. It’s all about breaking up the week with a bit of spontaneity and a lot of laughter.
Theatre Thursdays
The big screen experience. We bring the cinema to the boarding house! Every Thursday, we transform the common room into our very own movie theatre. We curate a lineup of films - from old-school classics to new favourites - and pair them with themed treats to match the movie (think Pink Popcorn for Mean Girls or blueberry flavoured treats for The Hunger Games). It’s the ultimate way to get cosy and get lost in a film before Friday arrives.
Spare Time
There are lots of things to do in your free time and you are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities provided.
Each evening between 20:00-21:30 there will be different activities for boarders to get involved with. You will be fully involved in coming up with the activities each week.
Full details of all activities arranged for boarders are found on the noticeboard in the Boarding Common Room.
Boarding Common Room
The Boarding Common Room is shared by all wings of Wesley House.
The Sports Dome
The MUGA can be used in the evening for a variety of sporty activities.
Library
Boarders will work in the Library while under supervision during prep.
College Lawn (seasonal)
Boarders can use the college lawn after Dinner in line with the In School times.
Fitness Centre and Dance Studio
Supervised sessions are arranged for boarders with the timetable available on the Boarding House noticeboards.
Boarders must receive an induction before they are allowed to use the facilities.
Music Practice Rooms
Boarders will be able to access music practice rooms during the evening.
Bringing visitors to Wesley
Day students are not permitted to visit Wesley, unless through prior arrangements and approval from Miss Ford Senior or Mr Ralphs.
Communal Living
If you are new to boarding it is likely that you will never have lived with anyone other than your immediate family. Living alongside other boarders can be a fun, sociable and enriching experience, but it can also have its challenges. Here are a few tips to help you to live in harmony with your fellow boarders:
• Be sociable in the house. Get to know as many of the other boarders as possible, not just those in your own year group.
• Get involved in as many sporting and social activities as possible. Try new things. This is a great way to get to know people.
• Try to keep your dorm as tidy and clean as possible. In particular please do not keep piles of dirty clothes in your dorm as they will start to smell!
• Do not enter other wings of the boarding house. Those on Wesley South must not enter Wesley North or Wesley Upper and vice versa.
• Only enter another dorm if invited in.
• Be mindful of your dorm mates and neighbours at bedtime.
• Be respectful of your fellow boarders’ possessions. Label your belongings, and do not touch, move or borrow things that belong to other people.
• Remember that there will be times of the year when some boarders will feel academic pressure. Try to support your fellow boarders if they are finding work difficult.
• Be considerate of cultural differences. Try to find out about your fellow boarders’ lives at home and remember that misunderstandings often arise out of a lack of cultural understanding.
• Be considerate when you play music, remembering that other boarders may not share your taste in music and that they may be trying to work or sleep.
Your Dorm
Dorms are cleaned on a daily basis (Tuesday to Friday), but you are expected to keep your dorm tidy and to make your bed each morning. There is space for storing your empty suitcases.
You are welcome to put up any posters on the noticeboards, but nothing should be stuck to the walls.
A room check will be carried out each morning by Miss Ford-Senior. If your dorm is tidy for half a term you will win a prize e.g. Trip to Pizza Express.
Clothing, Bedding and Laundry Uniform
During the school day, all boarders will wear school uniform as per the Uniform Guide.
Each week, please bring enough uniform to allow for clean shirts each day. Uniforms should be taken home for washing over the weekend.
All items of uniform, sports clothing and equipment should be labelled with First name and Surname.
Clothing for Boarding
Boarders will also require additional casual clothing. Refer to the Kit List at the end of this handbook for details.
Clothes should be taken home for washing over the weekend.
All clothes should be labelled with First name and Surname.
Bedding
Boarders will be provided with:
• One pillow
• Duvet
• Bed linen (duvet cover, pillow case and base sheet)
• One hand towel and one bath towel
• Bedding and towels will be changed weekly
Boarders are able to bring their own duvet cover and pillow case if they wish to but these will need to be taken home for washing.
Laundry facilities
A washing machine and dryer is available in the Boarding House for ad-hoc requirements during the week. Where boarders require for clothes to be washed they should speak to Miss Ford-Senior.
Valuables
All boarders have a lockable drawer in their desk in which to keep valuables. It is also possible to ask Miss FordSenior to keep any valuables safe in the Boarding Office.
You should not keep large amounts of money on you at any time. Small amounts of money can be kept in your locked drawer.
Returning to Wesley House During the School Day
There is no access to Wesley House during the school day.
You must ensure you have everything you need for your lessons and clubs before you leave in the morning.
Kitchen
A small kitchen is available in the Common Room for you to make drinks and snacks. This is fully equipped and you should not bring any additional kitchen appliances.
Boarders must request permission from the Boarding duty staff before using the kitchen and are responsible for clearing and tidying up after use.
Please report any faulty equipment to Miss Ford-Senior immediately.
Make sure that you read the food safety notices displayed in the kitchen.
Food
Dinner is served for all boarders at 18:30 in the Big Refectory, and snacks are provided throughout the evening in the Boarding Common Room.
Boarders are permitted to bring a small amount of snack food with them.
Perishable food must be stored in the kitchen or fridge in the Boarding Common Room and clearly labelled.
Boarders are permitted to store a small amount of snacks in the dorm.
No hot food or drinks are allowed in the dorms. These should only be consumed in the Big Refectory or Boarding Common Room.
Boarders are not permitted to order takeaway or deliveries, however there are regular treat nights linked to room tidiness.
Thomas’s College is a nut-free school, so please refrain from bringing any such items into the boarding house.
Fire and Emergency Procedures
Upon hearing an alarm, you should immediately stop what you are doing and leave the building via the nearest fire exits, assembling at the Wesley House muster point outside Red House. Instructions are displayed in your dorm and the Boarding Common Room. Do not take anything with you and listen carefully to all instructions. You should ensure that you are always wearing footwear when travelling around Wesley, so you do not need to return to your room in the event of an emergency.
At the start of every term, boarders will have one daytime (4:15pm - 11:00pm) and one evening (11:00pm - 7:00am) fire drill.
Mobile Phones and Personal Devices
Mobile phones will remain secured in Wesley during the school day.
Boarders in Middle 6th may keep their phones until 21:45. Upper 6th will have access to their phone at all times, however phones should not be visible during prep and supper.
Boarders are not permitted to bring in personal devices such as laptops or tablets. Boarders will however be able to access popular streaming websites (e.g. Netflix) on their school devices after lessons and outside of prep.
All tech must be locked up in the common room overnight.
Mobile phone times
Lower Fifth Phones from 8-8:45am
Contact with Home
Boarders have access to their mobile phone during the times listed above and are able to contact their parents and family.
There is also a landline available in the Boarding Office, which can be used on request.
The Boarding team will provide a private space for phone calls if requested by a boarder.
Internet Access and Electronic Communication
There is access to computer facilities in the College and all boarders have access to the College WiFi system.
Communication with family and friends at home is important to boarders. If you have any problems with using the College IT network or communicating with home, please speak to a member of the Boarding Team or to the IT department directly.
The College has a responsibility to keep its boarders safe online. In the interests of the safety and welfare of all boarders, access to various websites has been blocked on the College network system. This is to ensure that boarders are not put at potential risk. Access to the College WiFi is also time-limited, with access blocked overnight to encourage healthy sleeping routines.
All boarders should be aware of the dangers of risky or unacceptable behaviour online, particularly the use of social media in a way that is upsetting to others.
from 4:15-5:25pm
from 7pm-8pm All tech at 8pm Upper Fifth
from 8-8:45am
in locker, iPad in school
from 4:15-5:25pm Phones from 7pm-8pm All tech at 8pm
Lower Sixth Phones from 8-8:45am Phone in locker, iPad in schoolPhones from 7pm-8pm All tech at 8pm
Middle Sixth Phones from 8am Phone and Macbook in school - - Phones at 9:45pm
Boarders’ Voice
Please bring to the attention of any member of the Boarding Team any issues connected with boarding –you can do this at any time via email or in person.
Boarders can use the suggestion box found in the Boarding Common Room to express their views on boarding life.
Boarders are also able to report concerns anonymously via the Worry Box app on their iPad.
Wesley House Captains
One of the functions of the Wesley House Captains is to represent the views of the boarding community and they meet with Miss Ford-Senior on a weekly basis. If you have any requests or comments about boarding life you can share them with the House Captains, who will bring them to Miss Ford-Senior.
House Council
There is a House Council that meets once a term. There will be representatives from the different year groups. The meeting is chaired by Miss Ford-Seniorr Ralphs. This is a termly opportunity to comment on boarding facilities, activities and trips and to make requests directly to the boarding staff. Miss Ford-Senior will also report back on the progress made since the last meeting.
Medical Matters
All medication must be in the original box and handed over to the School Nurse.
Non prescribed medication should not be kept by boarders in their dorms. We do not encourage boarders to bring vitamins as they have a well-balanced diet in school.
Any medication administered in the evening will be overseen by one of the boarding house team.
If you feel ill in the evening or during the night speak to the duty member of staff. If necessary they will call home so that you can be collected.
All boarders must have a parent or guardian who is available to collect them in case of an emergency. If parents are due to be away overnight an emergency contact must be provided.
Where a boarder requires an emergency or routine medical appointment, parents are responsible for arranging these. Absence requests should be sent to Miss Ford Senior.
Going Offsite During Boarding Hours
School Trips
If you are going out on an official school trip or fixture which returns after the end of the school day, you must let the Boarding Team know well in advance.
Please report to the duty member of staff in the House when you return.
Village Leave
Boarders in Middle and Upper Sixth are permitted to leave campus at the end of the school day until 17:25. You must register in Wesley before leaving campus.
Younger boarders are permitted to leave campus in groups, with permission, or under the supervision of a member of the Boarding Team.
Leave/going off site (whole evening)
We do not expect boarders to be leaving the campus for the whole evening.
In exceptional circumstances, parents should submit a request to Miss Ford-Senior 24 hours in advance detailing the plans.
Any boarder off-site for the evening must be back by 21:00.
Whenever you leave Wesley, you should speak with the member of staff on duty and sign out and back in.
Overnight stays
If you wish to stay away from Wesley during the week, your parents must send in a request 24hrs in advance.
Weekly boarders are generally expected to board at least 3 out of 4 nights a week.
Transport
Bicycles
There is bike storage across the campus where you can securely lock your bicycle.
Cars
Boarders are not permitted to keep a car at the College.
If parents or guardians wish to arrange driving lessons for Sixth Form boarders, then they should first contact Mr Ralphs for permission. The school does not arrange driving lessons for boarders.
Complaints
If you are unhappy about something, you should speak first to Mr Ralphs. If this doesn’t help, then go and see or write to Mrs Kings, Head of Pastoral. If you are still not satisfied, go and see or write to the Master, Mr le Fleming.
You do not have to be on your own when you talk to someone: you can always have a friend with you, or an older boarder or a member of staff. Your complaint will be recorded and investigated as promptly as possible. You will be updated on the progress of the investigation of the complaint.
Academic Monitoring and Support
Boarders’ academic progress is closely monitored by their Form Tutor and Assistant/Director of Stage to ensure that they are working to their full potential. The Director of Stage will liaise with Mr Ralphs to ensure that targets set are supported in the boarding house.
All boarders have a dedicated hour slot for prep between 5:30-6:30 pm each day. This is silent work which is monitored by a member of staff. In addition, Boarders are encouraged to use some of their free time in the evening for independent study, especially during exam periods.
Strong communication exists between all areas of school life, so a boarder facing any type of language challenge, long or short term, curricular or not, is swiftly recognised and assisted. Where boarders have a need for additional support, they will be referred to the Learning Enrichment Department or the EAL department for assessment, learning strategies or additional lessons.
Personal Electrical Equipment
All electrical equipment will be Portable Appliance Tested (PAT) by the College each year (in the first week) to ensure that it meets fire safety regulations.
Flexi boarders should place any untested electronic equipment in the box in the Boarding Common Room when they arrive, and Maintenance will complete PAT testing during the school day.
Any new equipment should be tested when brought into Wesley, and reminders should be sent at the start of the term.
What to Do If You Have a Problem
If something is making you unhappy or worried, it is always best to talk to someone.
Do not forget that the Boarding team is always there. Do go and talk to them if you have problems.
Alternatively you could talk to:
• Your Tutor
• Your Director or Assistant Director of Stage
• The Medical Centre team
• A member of the Safeguarding Team, or
• Any member of staff
The Counsellors are on-site several times a week. You can speak to any member of staff listed above, who will support you with this.
You might also want to talk to:
• Your parents
Telephone one of the special helplines
These people are specially trained to deal with your concerns:
• Childline – 0800 1111
• NSPCC Helpline – 0808 800 500
• The Children’s Commissioner for England 0800 528 0731
• Email: help.team@childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
• Online Counselling service: www.kooth.com
• Police: 999 for immediate danger or urgent attendance, 101 for non-emergencies
The Independent Person
• Annie Graham – 07776 340369
School policies and procedures
Details of all the School policies can be found on My School Portal (MSP). These include:
• Admissions Policy
• Aims and Ethos Statement
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Behaviour Policy
• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• Complaints Policy
• E-Safety Policy
• Exclusion Policy
• English as an Additional Language Policy
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• First Aid Policy
• Medical Care Policy
• Medications Protocol
• Health and Safety Policy
• Student ICT Acceptable Use Policy
• Parents Handbook
• Standard Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Notices
• Standard Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Notices
For further information on the most recent school inspections, please visit our website.
Kit list
Boarders are recommended to bring the following items: Please do not bring the following items:
• Enough school dress for the number of nights they are boarding each week
• Sports kit and equipment
• Casual clothing for evenings
• Underwear, including plenty of socks
• At least two sets of pyjamas
• A pair of slippers for indoor wear
• Sliders or flip flops for the showers
• Hair brush and toiletries
• Clothes hangers
• When notified in advance, smart casual clothing for more formal occasions
• Alarm Clock (you will not have your phone)
• Hairdryer and/or straighteners
• Posters or pictures to decorate your dorm’s pinboard
• Additional towel if desired
• Irons
• Kettles
• Any cooking equipment, both electrical and non-electrical
• Gaming consoles
• Tvs
• Refrigerators
• Heaters
FAQs
What kind of electronic devices can you have?
As you have a school-issued Apple device there shouldn’t be any need for additional devices. All electronic devices will need to be locked up overnight.
Is all my stuff safe?
It is as safe as possible, given that we are all sharing a living space. All your personal items should be labelled. You have a lockable bedside cabinet in your dorm which you should use to keep any valuables safe. Any large sums of cash should be kept with Miss Ford-Senior, locked in the house safe. Be sensible with wallets and cash – lock it away. If you look after your belongings and keep your dorm tidy, then you keep potential problems to a minimum.
What time do you have to go to bed?
Each year group has a particular time that they must start getting ready for bed. 20 minutes before lights out is quiet time. By this point you should be in your dorm and be reading or quietly getting ready for bed. By lights out you shouldn’t be leaving your dorm unless going to the toilet. It’s important to get plenty of sleep and not disturb others.
Are we allowed into Wesley North South and Upper?
No – You must only enter into your assigned wing of the boarding house. All boarders are allowed to use the Common Room.
Can you order takeaways?
No. The Catering team provides amazing food for boarders. On occasions the staff members on duty may allow particular years groups get a takeaway as a reward for positively adding to the boarding house.
Can we go to town in our free time?
For students in Middle and Upper Sixth, you can go into Richmond between 16:15-17:25 each day, but must register at Wesley first before signing out and leaving campus. For other year groups, with permission, you may also go into Richmond in groups or under the supervision of a member of the Boarding Team. Students must remain within the Richmond bounds as displayed in the boarding house.
When do we find out who is in our dorm?
Do we get to choose?
You will find out who is in your dorm when you arrive at the start of each term. Boarding is about learning to get on well with all sorts of different types of people. You are likely to change dorms each term and that way you will get to know lots of the other boarders. Each term you will be given the opportunity to write a list of students you would like to share a dorm with. The Boarding Team will take these choices into account when deciding which dorms you go into. Flexi boarders will be assigned a dorm based on availability.
Can you do work outside normal prep time?
Yes. Between 19:00 - 21:00 each evening you can decide how you spend your time. It is important, particularly as you go up through the College, that you learn to work outside organised times. It is also important that you don’t work all the time as you will be missing out on other parts of boarding life.
How much free time do we get?
Between 16:30-17:30 each day you have free time if you are not attending a club. Between 19:30 - 21:00 each evening there are optional activities or the opportunity to use some of the College’s facilities. Some boarders may want to spend the time carrying out independent study or just hanging out with the other boarders in the Common Room.
Appendices
Appendix 1:
Induction checklist
Boarder will be aware of the following once their induction is complete:
• Emergency contact details for the Boarding Team
• Signing in and out of the house
• House Values
• College bounds
• Richmond bounds
• Evening activities
• In House time (9pm) & In School times (seasonal)
• Bed time routine
• Fire Alarms and evacuation procedures
• Medicines
• What to do if I am unwell or need help in the night
• Timings of the boarding day and evening
• Boarding meals
• Expectations during prep
• Access to teach and tech lockers
• Laundry and bedding
• Support in the boarding house
• House Council
• Worry Box
• Suggestion Box
• Boarding House Team
• Independent Listener
• House Captain(s)
Appendix 2:
House Council Minutes Template
Wesley House Council Minutes Date
Common Room
Chair:
Minutes:
In attendance:
Staff:
Students:
Apologies:
Agenda Item
Action who/when
Date of next meeting: