September 2021

Boarders’ HandbookA summary of daily house routines and expectations

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Welcome to Ruthin School

This handbook is designed to help you settle into the schooland help you through your first few days. For those returningstudents, it will serve as a reminder of many things that youmay have forgotten.

Your tutors will go through the school rules with you. Thisbooklet will inform you of those things that are specificallyrelated to boarding.

Sue Morley, Acting Head of Boarding

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Our Mission:

We are a unique school that enables students to succeed through excellence in academic study andpersonal development, within a caring, nurturing and secure environment, equipping them to thrivein the modern world.

We do this by utilising a strong pastoral care system, which provides the framework and structure toensure every individual is given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, develop their strengths andtherefore thrive in every aspect of their lives. Through our mentoring programme we also aim to equipour young people with the skills required to be successful beyond Ruthin School and empower themto make a positive contribution to the lives of others.

Boarding at Ruthin School is overseen by a Deputy Head and Head of Boarding. Each house has ahouseparent who acts in loco parentis for all students residing in the boarding house. They provideadvice, information and counselling and the enforcement of the school’s code of conduct. Inaddition, each house has a team of house staff made up of a housekeeper, boarding assistants,graduate assistants, night wardens, teachers and cleaners. The team works together to ensure eachboarder is supported and monitored both academically and pastorally. Each house accommodateseither boys or girls and they are arranged into sections of similar aged young people. Each househas a common room, and kitchen.

Older boarders are supervised during prep time in the evenings in their boarding houses, whilst theyounger boarders are supported in a classroom with a dedicated boarding assistant. Teaching staffare on hand to help develop study skills. In addition, each evening there are activities organised withinthe boarding house and on the school grounds. Weekend activities are provided on a Sunday for allboarders if they so wish. Saturday activities are for the younger boarders who do not take part in theSaturday testing rotas.

We liaise closely with the parents and guardians of all our students. Each boarder is required to havea nominated person (guardian) in the UK whom we can contact. This information is placed in thestudent’s personal file and also recorded on the database. Parents and guardians are encouraged totelephone or call the school at any time for a general discussion regarding any concerns. Boarders mayraise concerns with a range of school staff, (the Head, their tutor, their house staff, the DesignatedSafeguarding Person and other student services staff). There is also an Independent Listener availableto boarding students. The Independent Listener is a person outside the staff and those responsiblefor the leadership and governance of the school, who boarders may contact directly about personalproblems or concerns at school.

Boarding Statement - Ruthin School

Vision - Study: Thrive: Succeed

Statement of principles

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Being an open and trusting school, boarding is based upon mutual respect for all.

Each boarder has the right to be able to work, play and relax free from abuse,intimidation, harassment, teasing and bullying.

There is equality of opportunity and respect for all boarders, regardless of ethnicity,culture, gender or disability.

Each boarder has the right to extend their intellectual growth in an atmosphere ofpositive encouragement and in conditions that are conducive to work.

Despite the often great distance separating boarders from their families, links withparents are seen as an indispensable part of the support and development ofboarders in this school.

The following are the five principles upon which boarding at Ruthin Schoolis based:

The many nationalities of students at Ruthin School

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“The boarding staffmake a place so faraway from home feelhomely and welcoming.”

“Being open to meeting different people helped mesettle in, and also learn more about other cultures.Don’t be scared to say “hi” to people in your boardingat the start (trust me, everyone is as nervous as you)and explore the town too. Best of luck on your stay, you got this!!” - Somtochukwu (Nigeria)

“Ruthin School is a welcoming and cheerful community that tolerates people from all around the world. Pupils andstaff are extremely affable, friendly to others, and they arealso willing to provide any support that is needed.”- Linh (Vietnam)

“Boarders feel vulnerable being

so far away from home and in my

case, I’m glad I had a wonderful

houseparent to look up to

for all my boarding concerns”

Everyone has a bad day sometimes.Everyone is lonely at some point in their life.Moving to a new school, or returning andleaving your family is stressful for everyone.It is important to remember that there arepeople who can help. House staff havehelped many students cope with their firstdays away from home and will listen to yourconcerns. They understand homesickness,missing your family and friends - or even yourpets! They will help you to understand new cultures and routines that may at first seemstrange, but you will get used to them.

We are all here to help...

Make a big effort to get to know other people in school - and your teachers.

Join in as many activities and trips as you can. There are regular boarding trips. Find out howto request a place. You can suggest a venue fora trip to your house parent.

Find out what sporting activities are availableafter school. Many of our students use theschool’s sports hall and the local swimming pool. Have a look at your house noticeboard forinformation on activities and daily routines.

Some advice to help our students settle into the school...

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Daily routines: School days

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Daily routines: Saturdays

Daily routines: Sundays

Internet access is restricted from 22.30 to 07.00 for all students.

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Food and drinks

If you require a special diet because of a foodallergy/sensitivity, religion or personal preference(vegetarian/vegan), you should inform your houseparent. All meals are compulsory for Forms 1-5.

CaféThe café is situated above the dining hall and may bereached via the stairs as you enter through the maindoors.

House kitchensThe house kitchen will be opened at 17.00 each day(Monday - Friday) for you to prepare a quick snackbefore prep. It is also open during the evening and atweekends. Kitchens will be locked before bedtime.

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You are always expected to dress appropriately and respectably.For school, you will wear your full school uniform. Forms 1-5 mustwear the school activity kit during school-time activity sessions.During free time in boarding, you may wear your own clothes. Atnight you must wear clothing suitable for bed - e.g. pyjamas or lightweight shorts and a t-shirt (not the same clothing you havebeen wearing all day!)

Clothing

Hygiene

Sleep

Many students live in your boarding house and it is important thateveryone has a good hygiene routine.

It is important that you get enough sleep to be able to perform atyour best during the school day and in the evenings. All age groupshave a published bedtime, e.g. Form 1: 21.30 and U6: 22.45.

You will be provided with a laundry bag. Dirty laundry must beplaced into your laundry bag and taken to the pick-up point inyour boarding house. You will be given a designated laundry dayand your clean laundry will be delivered back to the boardinghouse 36 hours later. It is your responsibility to ensure that allthe items in the laundry bag are washable and do not requiredry cleaning.

Laundry

Medicines and healthFor your safety (and for others’), you may not keep any medicinein your room or in school unless authorised by the school nurses.The school nurses, or your doctor, will provide medicines if they areneeded. If you are unwell, the boarding staff and nursing team arethere to look after you. During induction week, you will be invitedto attend a health check with the school nurses and you will havethe opportunity to discuss any concerns regarding your physical or mental health. Talking about your concerns with us, honestlyand openly, will allow us to support you and ensure you reachyour potential.

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Items you cannot keep in your room

Decorating your roomYou may bring posters and photographs to decorate your room.Please use blu-tac, as other products may mark or damage the walls.

House meetingsYou will have a weekly house meeting, where you will be giveninformation and you can also raise issues and concerns.

Signing in and out when leaving schoolIt is very important that we know your whereabouts at all times.You must sign out when leaving the boarding house and sign backin on your return. Should you wish to leave site, to attend a localfacility, we have other requirements that must be adhered to,depending on your age.

SecurityYou are responsible for looking after your own personal property. All bedrooms have a lockable door and you will be provided witha key. Also, you’ll be provided with a safe or a lockable cupboard.During induction week, Barclays Bank will visit school to help youto open a bank account. For younger students, the accounts officewill issue pocket money during morning break on a Wednesday andFriday.

Laptops, tablets and mobile phonesForms 1-5: You may use your laptops, tablets and phones freely upuntil 30 minutes before your bedtime - when they must be placedin the secure cupboard, in the presence of the boarding staff.You may collect your items in the morning, between 07.00 – 07.30.

During induction week you will be given a list of items you cannot keep in your room and an explanation for the reason. This is foryour (and your housemates’) health and safety.

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Recommended inventory items - guidelines for what to pack

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There is a small stock of scientific calculators to purchase at school, however, if you wish to purchase one in advance, please ensure you buy the UK versionand not the Chinese version:

CASIO FX-991EX Advanced Engineering/Scientific Calculator (UK VERSION)

NOT CASIO FX-991CN

Scientific Calculator

https://www.ruthinschool.co.uk/school-information/-school-uniform/

https://www.ruthinschool.co.uk/school-information/-school-uniform/

https://www.ruthinschool.co.uk/school-information/-school-uniform/

https://www.ruthinschool.co.uk/school-information/-school-uniform/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FX-991EX-Advanced-Scientific-Calcula-tor-VERSION/dp/B0719FWP3X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=classwiz+calculator&qid=1610971853&sr=8-1

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW): 0300 7900126

You can speak to any of your Ruthin School staff and they will listen to your concern.In your house, you will have a house parent, as well as:Housekeeper, boarding assistant, graduate assistant and teachers assigned to your house.

Designated SafeguardingPerson (DSP) Miss Kate Tipton(Deputy Head - Pastoral)

You can also contact the School’sIndependent Listener - Matt Weedall,the basketball coach:

IndependentListener@ruthinschool.co.uk

There are also external agencies youcan talk to:

All international students are required to have an EducationGuardian whilst studying at Ruthin School. Guardianshipprovides an additional means of support for internationalstudents whilst they are in the UK. It allows them to haveanother adult outside the school, who they can turn to forassistance or advice, and who will provide accommodationwhen school is closed, but it is impractical to travel home.

During half term holidays you will either stay with yourguardian or return home. If you are not using schooltransport, your guardian should collect you on the lastteaching day between 17.00 and 18.00. Boarders shouldreturn the day before teaching resumes, at 18.30, in timefor supper, or at 19.00.

If you have a concern and want to speak to someone...

Guardians

If you have serious safeguarding concern and don’t feel you can talk to your house parent,you can approach:

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Deputy DSPMr Matthew Orchard

Deputy DSP Dr Nikki Fairbank

Deputy DSPMrs Elaine Brown

Deputy DSPMrs Cassandra Peters

Belgravia Guardianswww.bg-london.com

Childline: www.childline.org.uk0800 1111

Brightworld Guardianshipwww.brightworld.co.uk

Cambridge Angel Guardianswww.cambridgeangels.com

Study Links Internationalwww.studylinks.com

Elite Anglo Chinese Serviceswww.eliteacs.com

Global Education Guardianswww.geg-edu.co.uk

Pippa's Guardians Ltdwww.pippasguardians.co.uk

Quest Guardianswww.questguardians.co.uk

White House Guardianswww.whitehouseguardians.co.uk

Guardian companiesappointed by current parents