Boarding Policy

The purpose of boarding at Burleigh is:

· To offer the option of state comprehensive education to children whose parents work or live abroad.

· To provide a stable home and schooling for children whose parents live in England but who may be constantly travelling or have been relocated or be unable to house their children appropriately.

· To enhance the educational choices available to parents in Leicestershire and from outside the county boundaries.

Field House, being the responsibility of Burleigh Governors, should conform to the overall aims, principles and regulations set for the College and the Burleigh Statement of Values. Within these parameters, the aim is to ensure that each boarder experiences:

· A happy and stable ‘family’ environment.

· Freedom from bullying and any form of abuse.

· A structured daily routine in keeping with the demands of school work and the need for time to relax.

· The opportunity to take part in activities either as an individual or member of the community, organised by the House.

· The opportunity to be alone within the confines of the House and grounds.

· Encouragement and support in meeting the requirements of the College curriculum.

· Regular monitoring of progress and communication with parent(s).

· The support of an adult for counselling and advice whenever needed.

· The opportunity to grow and develop as an independent and self-reliant adult, expecting when appropriate to take part in the full life of the House.

· Equal opportunities in ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religion, gender and disability matters.

· A healthy lifestyle, particularly with respect to alcohol and drug abuse, smoking and health eating.

· The opportunity to make formal complaints appropriate to age and circumstances.

· A careful and supported induction to boarding.

· An environment which has been assessed for risk and care has been taken to reduce/minimise those risks.

Our ethos at Field House is based upon a family approach to boarding where all members of the community should feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. The staff at Field House maintain a supportive and safe environment where young people can grow and develop into independent, responsible adults. In return it is expected that boarders make the most of the opportunities available to them.

ACTIVITIES AND FREE TIME

All activities in boarders’ free time must be pre arranged with a member of staff and written into the diary. This must then be signed by a member of staff to show other staff that this has been discussed and sanctioned. Permission to stay out must be given by parents but it is essential that the procedures are followed using the green form. Students are expected to give 24 hours notice to allow all the procedures to be followed.

At other times staff should use their judgement as parents and consider the risks of the request, an example would be that shopping unsupervised in Nottingham or Leicester should be a privilege for the sixth form. Students should have registered their mobile phone number with the office and make contact with the House at an agreed time.

An activity programme is put together for each term. This should provide a variety of activities, cultural, spiritual and physical. As boarders are required to pay for these activities they are encouraged but it should not always be compulsory. There are only a few occasions during the year where the House closes and all boarders are expected to go, for example, Alton Towers, day trip to a city, lower house camp (8 – 10).

All activities are risk assessed either by us or the provider.

Refer to Risk Assessment

BEHAVIOUR

Positive behaviour is critical for the smooth running of the House, especially in our environment. A culture of mutual respect for all members of the community is encouraged. Students are treated as young adults and are consulted on house practices when appropriate. This involvement, we believe, should foster a sense of belonging, students should feel valued and positive relationships develop.

It is our policy to challenge anti-social behaviour and if this persists, then sanctions are appropriate. Our policy is to correct such behaviour by coaching and seeking the support of parents.

A stepped approach to managing negative behaviour is used; this should show that all reasonable steps had been taken to help students settle. Ultimately it is our policy to exclude those who do not conform; this is highlighted on our contract for residence.

A typical stepped approach could include:

· Negative behaviour reported in the duty book

· House staff decide appropriate action, warning, coaching, sanction.

If behaviour persists:

· Head of House involved by speaking to student, decides whether to involve parents, reports behaviour to management meeting.

If behaviour persists:

· Sanctions, may involve suspension and letter to parents, coaching student as well.

If behaviour persists:

· Parents called in to discuss problems and behaviour targets are written down, student must meet and sustain these targets.

If behaviour persists:

If all the above steps have been taken and the student has not responded by correcting their behaviour then exclusion may be necessary. This will always involve the Principal and be used as a last resort.

The Principal will make the final decision.

Refer to Discipline and Sanctions

BULLYING

Countering bullying is approached in different ways:

· Our positive behaviour policy encourages respect for each other.

· The curriculum at school and College deals with bullying and advice for young people being bullied through the PHSE programme.

· Support systems at home and at College aim to provide advice and support for those reporting bullying, or showing signs of being bullied for example, withdrawn, loss of appetite, truancy, bruises, stealing, changing behaviour.

· Tutors or teachers should contact Field House staff if they believe a boarder is being bullied.

If a teacher, parent or student reports bullying:

· Assess the situation, define bullying with the student, student to make a statement, write this down and file it in their confidential file.

· Meanwhile investigate the circumstances, talk to those involved and other students, and be conscious of the fact that we should try not to make the situation worse.

· Interview those accused of bullying, write a report to be filed in their confidential file.

· Assess whether bullying is the case.

· Bully may need support either in house or through the counsellor as well as those being bullied but clearly warn that it will not be tolerated.

· Log all concerns and outcomes in the duty log book, Head of House should be involved at this stage.

· Report to the Management Meeting.

· Continue to monitor the situation by using the duty log book.

If bullying persists:

· Contact parents to make them aware of the conversations about the behaviour of their child.

· Explain in writing concerns and outcomes to parents, file this in both students’ confidential files and also give a copy to the Principal.

· A stepped approach again is necessary after the warning and the letter.

· A period of suspension should follow if bullying persists.

· Permanent exclusion will be the last resort if the behaviour does not alter.

· The Principal will always be involved in this decision.

The staff at Field House will support both the bully and the bullied but our policy is one of zero tolerance. Every child has the right to feel safe in their home and at College. Should the bullying be happening at College then the House will act as parent and the College bullying policy will be followed. Should an adult feel bullied then they should follow the Complaints Procedure.

Refer to Behaviour, Discipline and Sanctions and Complaints.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints can be made in person, by appointment at the House, or in writing. These can be from a student, parent, member of staff or by any agency that we work with. Complaints can be both informal and formal. Those dealing with the complaint initially must clarify this at the point of the complaint being made. Our policy is to offer support to the complainant in an attempt to resolve the situation or inform them of the other avenues available.

For student related complaints:

· Contact the Head of House who should try to resolve the problem in house. They will then involve the Principal if necessary.

· Contact the Principal directly.

· A Governors hearing can be arranged for serious complaints.

· Alternatively contact the Commission for Social Care Inspection Telephone Number 0116 281 5900, who can act as mediator between complainant and the College.

DISCIPLINE AND SANCTIONS

Students must not be disciplined twice for the same offence. If the need for discipline stems from a problem at College then boarders should be dealt with in line with College policy and treated as any other day pupil. The House will act as parent in the first instance and then inform parents when it is deemed appropriate and necessary. The Head of House would usually contact parents. Students are made aware of College sanctions in their planners and this is essential if they are to avoid getting into trouble.

Discipline and Sanctions at Field House

Consistency and fairness are our aims. To encourage these there is an agreed set of sanctions listed in the duty office and on the student notice board in the computer room. These are house sanctions and are given for minor offences such as lateness at mealtimes, not following house procedures as outlined in the student guide.

For more serious offences then students are grounded for a period of time. This is typical for rudeness to staff, or having consumed alcohol where one or two weeks is suitable depending on the circumstances.

Being found in out of bounds areas or swearing at staff, suspension from the House is the sanction, depending on the circumstances usually for one week or two in the most serious cases. Parents and the Principal are always informed in these cases. Students must go to their guardians if parents are not in this country and arrangements are made by them for travelling and care of the student away from the House.

Permanent exclusion will be used in the most serious of cases. Typically for assault on another member of the House and for those students who have been suspended at least twice and do not appear to learn from their mistakes. Immediate suspension or exclusion could occur if an enquiry needs to take place.

A stepped approach is again the case with discipline and the House should show that it has made reasonable attempts to manage and support the students who need to change their behaviour. Students have the opportunity to have a support person with them at any hearing, typically parents or guardians.

The House will allow the police to deal with any case of a student who breaks the law. The staff will act as a responsible parent in these cases and for offences such as stealing a period of grounding will be necessary to monitor the student. In all these cases parents will be contacted.

However the College and the House cannot accommodate students who repeatedly disobey or disregard the rules and expectations. They reserve the right to make judgements on each case and treat students as individuals within a given set of circumstances. The Boarding Management team will have considered all serious cases of rule breaking and the Governors are informed of all suspensions and exclusions.

It is appreciated that some situations will be common for which there will be a clear response. However, because others will be unique, professional judgement will be used by the Head of House and the Principal to discipline and sanction students whose behaviour threatens the community or members of that community.

The Contract for Residence sets out our right to suspend or exclude students who do not conform.

Refer to Behaviour and Complaints

DRUGS AND BANNED SUBSTANCES

Drug awareness is covered by the curriculum through the PHSE programme.

The House will not tolerate the possession or use of banned substances. The staff will carry out a search of dormitories to check for banned substances. The House will act within the law and the police will be informed in the law has been broken.

A period of two week suspension is given for the possession or use of class B drugs. Should this happen again with the same student then expulsion will follow.

Exclusion will always be the case for class A drugs.

Parents are informed and the Principal will always be involved in the decision.

Refer to Burleigh Community College Drugs policy*, Discipline and Sanctions.

FOOD AND DINING

Students with special dietary needs will be catered for both at home and at College. These could be for health, fitness or religious, cultural reasons. Those requiring a vegetarian diet are also catered for daily. The House should provide an adequate quantity and quality of food which is properly and hygienically prepared, wholesome and nutritious, promoting healthy eating. Mealtime is an important social occasion and boarders have their own position in the dining room which should be kept. This helps when accounting for all boarders and ensures that meals are saved.

Meal times are set although some flexibility is required to allow boarders to follow extra curricular activities either at College or for local clubs. Packed meals and saved meals can be arranged by speaking to the duty staff or Matron before writing arrangements in the duty diary, 24 hours notice must be given for this.

A high standard of behaviour, good manners and appropriate dress are expected in the dining room to allow all to enjoy their meal. Boarders have their own kitchen to prepare snacks and drinks in their free time; students are expected to keep this clean and tidy.

A small tuck shop is provided by the House and this is organised by a senior student. The tuck shop is self-funding and students decide what stock should be carried.

Refer to Missing Students

GUARDIANS

Parents appoint guardians for all boarders. This is an essential part of the recruitment process and those appointing must take every opportunity to highlight the role of the guardian for boarders at Field House. Guardians must be active in the care of the boarders during term time, particularly when parents are overseas. This includes the arrangements for travel and residence during holiday times. Guardians must also be available and willing to accommodate boarders in the event of a crisis at the House or for a period of suspension, in extreme cases immediate exclusion will also require them to accommodate boarders if parents are overseas.

The College does not appoint guardians for boarders at Field House. Guardians sign the contract for residence and receive notes on their role. Details are kept both at College and the House. Copies of contracts are filed in boarders’ confidential files.

Refer to Admissions for Boarders, Crisis Management, Discipline and Sanctions, Health and Medication

HEALTH AND MEDICATION

Matron and Assistant Matron take responsibility for all aspects of student welfare during the hours of 8 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday, during term time. This includes arranging appointments with doctors, dentists, orthodontists, hospitals, opticians, and counselling services. Matron and Assistant Matron are responsible for the collection, administration and security of prescribed drugs during their hours of work. The duty member of staff is responsible at other times.

· Within the first two weeks of arrival all students will have a Well Person consultation at the doctor’s surgery and an initial registration and dental check. Any conditions highlighted on boarder’s health questionnaire and consent for medical treatment forms should be raised appropriately at this stage.

· Boarders are registered with a local GP.

· Boarders will be able to attend a GP of either sex via Matron and Assistant Matron. They will be able to see a GP in private or accompanied and permission to see a GP should not be withheld.

· All prescription and non-prescription medication is kept in a locked cabinet in a locked room.

· Boarders will be given medication according to their prescription. Household drugs will be issued by the duty member of staff. House staff in this case act as any responsible parent. Labels on packaging should always be read and advice is also available from NGS direct telephone service. House staff will be aware of any allergies to medication which is made available for Health and Safety reasons in confidential medical notes, staff should also check the medication log to allow for timings between drugs to be sufficient. These notes are kept in the duty office.

· There will be a record of drugs received and disposed of kept by the House.

· Unused prescribed medication will be disposed of safely.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

If a boarder is diagnosed with an infectious disease whilst at Field House then the member of staff should take the advice of those diagnosing the condition. Parents should be contacted at the earliest possible time and support given to them and guardians to arrange for the boarder to stay until the condition has been treated. There is one ground floor bedroom where boarders can be isolated from the rest of the community but this is only a short term response to a condition and those with parental responsibility should take over the care of their children at the earliest possible time.

If a boarder is diagnosed with an infectious disease away from Field House, at home for example whilst on holiday, then parents must contact the Head of House. The boarder must remain at home under their care until the condition has been treated.

For outbreaks of diseases in particular countries where boarders live or have visited then the Head of House should contact parents to explain the policy. They should take responsibility for their child until the condition has been treated. Where travel has already taken place and a boarder shows the signs and symptoms of a known infectious disease then guardians must be informed by the Head of House to allow them to take responsibility for their charge.

As with any unknown and unforeseeable health matter, the Head of House should seek the advice and guidance of the County Medical Officer for Leicestershire LEA. There is usually a bulletin sent from county offering advice and guidance in unusual circumstances. The BSA also keeps the House informed of unusual situations likely to affect those living in a boarding environment.

Refer to Admissions for Boarders, Burleigh Community College Health and Safety and Field House*, Guardians.

INDUCTION OF NEW BOARDERS

A supported induction period for new boarders should take place in the first half term. This will include a house meeting on their first day where practices, expectations and guidance for boarders are laid out by the Head of House. Where practical and possible, new boarders are attached to returning boarders for guidance and support. This will also come from the dormitory arrangements where if possible new boarders will share with returning boarders. All boarders are put into teams with a member of staff leading that team. This helps with the organisation of the House and provides a contact member of staff for new boarders.

New students are taken to College on their first day and introduced to their tutor, usually a tutor who is experienced in having boarders as tutees. Boarders are usually grouped together in tutor groups to allow for mutual support. The Head of Boarding and the tutor are responsible for the smooth induction of new boarders at College. This will include sharing any significant information on welfare issues that may be relevant to learning for example EAL support, making sure that boarders are on registers, timetables are correct, lunch passes are available, planners are issued and that boarders are aware of the expectations of students at Burleigh Community College.

Whole house activities are arranged for example basketball or volleyball matches to encourage team building in the first weeks. The House trip to Alton Towers usually takes place in the first half term again to encourage the community spirit and promote friendships within the House. Staff should be briefed in recognising and supporting those students who are homesick and regular contact with home should be encouraged. Visitors to the House should be encouraged and suggestions for activities put to students who are struggling. Support from fellow boarders is also sought as they can empathise with those that are new.

Staff should record any successes or concerns and monitor new boarders closely. If problems arise and persist then parents should be informed and agreed strategies put in place.

POCKET MONEY

Boarders should be able to manage their own pocket money as far as is practicable. The House does have pocket money accounts for younger boarders and this is issued on Friday evening. Amounts are set and agreed by parents, pocket money is signed for by the student and a copy of this log is sent to parents at the end of each term. Students need to order extra money for travelling one week in advance to ensure that there is enough in the funds to cover more expensive costs. If a student requires extra pocket money then parents must authorise this with the duty member of staff. All money should be kept secure and out of sight, lockers are issued for personal belongings and money.

PREP TIME AND HOMEWORK

The House formally monitors prep for one hour in the evening, Monday to Thursday and for one hour on Sunday morning. Students are expected to work quietly and constructively during this time and to seek advice and help from staff on duty. Students in the sixth form are allowed to work in their rooms; all others are monitored on the ground floor.

Staff should check student planners and report quantity of prep being set. Any concerns over amounts of prep should be raised at the Boarding Management Meeting by the Head of House. Prep remains an important part of the working day and should be taken seriously by all students.

SOCIAL FUNDS

Social funds are paid by students termly, an invoice is sent with the fees at the beginning of each term. Students and staff decide how this money is spent for example subsidising trips, treats and videos, birthday cards and balloons at formal dinners. Staff keep accounts for social funds and this book and locked tin are kept in the duty office. All students benefit from social funds in some way throughout the year.

VISITORS TO FIELD HOUSE

Visitors and friends are encouraged to come to the House, provided that the duty staff are informed of this. This policy is extended to family members as well. All visitors are asked to sign the visitors’ book which is located in the window by the back door. This book must also be signed to say that visitors have left. Visitors are requested to remain on the ground floor, unless otherwise instructed, and males should not be in female areas.

Staff should supervise any visitors to Field House in an appropriate way as they have a duty of care to maintain for boarders.

Refer to Health and Safety, Security, Fire Precautions, Child Protection.

Boarding Policy

* Can be found at the Duty Office in Field House