Accommodation and Staffing
Exeter Cathedral School has one boarding house, accommodating approximately 30 boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 13. The Houseparents, Andrew and Debbie Pennington have day-to-day responsibility for the care of the boarders and they are supported by the Assistant Houseparent, Mandy Bennett, Resident House Tutor Polly Salter, together with four Gap Year Assistant Teachers. During some evening and weekend duties this team is assisted, on a rota basis, by members of the school teaching staff. The Houseparents have regular meetings with other members of boarding staff and the Headmaster to discuss any areas of concern and to ensure that continuity of care is achieved.
The School recognises the importance of boarding house / home communication and contact is made with parents quickly if a problem arises. A close relationship between the boarding house and the home is vital in order to provide the best care for all concerned.
Admissions
The School’s policy regarding admissions to the School is available in the prospectus.
Boarding Pupils
A large number of ECS pupils who are Cathedral Choristers choose to board at the School, although this is not a requirement. Even those children who live within easy travelling distance sometimes find that boarding suits the pattern of commitment asked of choristers. There are also a smaller number of non-Chorister boarders. Boarding at ECS is very flexible, the aim being to serve the needs of the families who are at the heart of it. For some pupils who live a good distance from the school this will be a full seven nights, whilst for others it may be just one or two nights per week. Subject to the availability of space, day pupils are also welcome to spend occasional nights in our boarding house. A range of activities and trips are arranged for the weekends, arrangements are made according to the time available and the number of children involved and the particular enthusiasms and skills of the duty member of staff.
Pastoral Care
The pastoral care of all pupils is a priority. Boarders receive a high level of support from a committed team of staff in the boarding house and during the school day. ECS recognises that a boarding house cannot fully replace a child’s home but tries hard to make it as warm and relaxed as possible. It is important that the children feel cared for and valued. Rules are kept to a minimum, but, living in such close proximity to others means that certain guidelines need to be followed. It is expected that everyone should be treated with respect and courtesy and that boarders and staff alike should develop an increasing awareness of, and tolerance for, people of different views, beliefs or cultures.
The school has a Christian foundation and Cathedral and School Services play an important part in the moral and spiritual guidance the children receive. The School aims to develop a sense of personal fulfilment, responsibility, independence, confidence and the social skills necessary to prepare each boarder for their future lives.
The Deputy Headmaster (Keith Burt) is the school’s Child Protection Officer and all members of school staff are issued with a copy of the School’s Child Protection Policy. This is also available to parents on request. All boarders and their parents are issued with the School’s Concerns and Complaints Procedure booklet which contains useful information, contacts and telephone numbers. Telephone numbers are also provided by the boarding house pay-phone.
Sanctions
The boarding community is an extended family and, therefore, as far as possible, boarding staff try to apply acceptable family sanctions such as the temporary loss of a privilege, undertaking a useful and necessary household task or an earlier bed time for a night or two. Staff are expected to use their discretion when applying sanctions and treat each child as an individual whilst also trying to ensure that a sense of fairness and equality is maintained. The Houseparents, Deputy Headmaster and Headmaster are available should help and advice be required from other colleagues. A record book is kept in which minor misconduct and sanctions are recorded. Major incidents requiring more formal sanctions, such as suspension or exclusion are recorded by the Headmaster in the school records.
Privacy
Communal living places some limitations on personal privacy. It is expected that staff and boarders respect the privacy and dignity of others as far as possible. Staff knock on doors before entering dormitories and the children are allowed to dress, undress and wash free from unnecessary staff intrusion, although washroom areas are discreetly monitored for health and safety reasons. There is a private pay-phone for pupils’ use.
Meals
Our catering staff are happy to provide special diets for vegetarians or medical requirements and we aim to provide a healthy and well-balanced menu to suit all our boarders. The School has a policy of “Healthy Snacks” and boarders are provided with fruit during morning breaks.
Contact with home
Apart from the restrictions laid down by bedtimes, lessons and other school or choral commitments, there are no (reasonable) limits on the times or frequencies that pupils may telephone parents or vice versa. Parents are encouraged to visit whenever possible – for example to take their child out for tea etc - and as the majority of our boarders are from within a fairly short distance of Exeter this is easily achieved. Pupils have use of a private pay-‘phone in the boarding house (most pupils also have own mobile telephones which they are allowed to use at certain times after school, up until bedtime and also at weekends. Boarders also have computer access in the boarders’ common room and are encouraged to email or write letters home.
Inspection
The Boarding House has a full three-day inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection every three years and the opinions of school staff, boarders and their parents are sought as part of the inspection process.
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