Ian Graham, Headmaster“I often say that I am not head of one school, but six or seven. There are boys with dyslexia, boys with Asperger’s, boys with attention deficit disorder, some of whom are also hyperactive. They are each vulnerable in different ways, but they each have huge potential. We work with parents to achieve that potential.”
We find that boys, especially those finding adolescence difficult, thrive in our all-boy environment. They can all be boys together. There is no need to cut a figure or make a hit with the girls. Boys need not be highjacked by a laddish culture and are prepared to follow those instincts which are not obviously macho.
Implicit in the ethos of the school is the awareness that as boys enter and pass through puberty, many important and difficult issues will confront them. A Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme appropriate to each year group is run within the curriculum. This programme is extensive and wide ranging. Teaching is delivered through PSHE lessons, RE, the House, assemblies, visiting speakers and extra-curricular discussions.
All boys, both boarders and day boys, are integrated into our House system with the following benefits:
Slindon has a highly successful House system. All boarders are housed in the main building (The Manor House) with junior dormitories and bathroom facilities occupying the south end of the House, and senior dormitories and study bedrooms occupying the north end of the House.
All dormitories are well furnished with modern units and boys are housed in rooms sleeping from 2–6 depending upon several factors – the mix of the group, a preference for a small quiet room or a bigger, livelier environment etc. Because of our size we aim to accommodate all boys happily in their chosen environment. In Year 11 all boys have their own study bedrooms.
All bathroom/WC facilities have recently been refurbished and modernised.
The Boarding House is supervised by dedicated boarding staff, supported by a Matron. Additionally there is an evening tutor on duty in the House to back up this very comprehensive support system. Needless to say, matters rarely go unnoticed.
School uniform is laundered during the week for boarders. Boys who return home at weekends should take their washing home with them. Please note designer items unsuitable for commercial laundering should not be brought to school.
Some boarders go home at weekends. For those that don’t, the routine at weekends is a much more relaxed approach with a late rise on Saturday and Sunday mornings, followed by brunch. On Saturday afternoons, Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons the boys are taken out on trips.
Whilst many activities are laid on at weekends, all boys are permitted to return home for the weekend if they wish. We simply ask parents to advise the boarding staff by Thursday evening (latest) of their son’s plans for that weekend. Parents or relatives wishing to visit pupils during the weekend, may do so by prior arrangement with the boarding staff.
For day boys, the school provides many of the benefits of its boarding life whilst enabling them to return home each evening. The flexibility in our boarding arrangements clearly appeals to a wide range of families and can be tailored to their individual requirements.
We encourage our day boys to participate in all aspects of school life, but at the same time, we do aim to be as flexible as possible in arrangements for day boys.
Each morning pupils should register with their form tutor. Those arriving late, for whatever reason, should report to the school office. Parents are requested to drop their sons at the front of the school on the oval and to enter and exit the school slowly and with care.
If a pupil is going to be absent for any reason please phone the main school office on +44 (0)1243 814320 (there is always an answerphone on this number out of office hours).
There is organised prep at the start of each day enabling our day boys to enjoy the full afternoon activities programme and to return home unencumbered by homework.
We are very happy to accommodate day boys overnight on an occasional, ad-hoc basis by arrangement (24 hours notice is required for housekeeping purposes). There is a nominal charge of £35 per night for occasional boarding and this is charged to the fee account at the end of the term.
Matron oversees the day to day health and well-being of all our pupils. The school doctor is consulted when appropriate and boys are taken by Matron to the local surgery or the doctor will visit the school. You will be contacted at the earliest opportunity in all cases of injury requiring a hospital visit and, for boarders, with any illness lasting more than 48 hours.
If your son is to board, Matron must be provided with National Health Medical Cards (or your country’s equivalent for non-UK residents). Please also ensure that all medical forms in the Parents’ Handbook have been completed and returned to Matron before the beginning of your son’s first term.
All meals are cooked on site by our catering staff and are eaten in the dining room. The staff sit with the boys at meal times which enables us to keep an eye on table manners and to chat informally over the meal. Special dietary requirements for allergies or religious reasons can be met provided we are advised in advance. In such cases Matron should be provided with full details so she can ensure that your son’s needs are met.
Take a look at our menu of upcoming lunch options for the next 1-2 weeks.
The Boarding House has a payphone accepting phone cards and coins for use by pupils, but most pupils have mobile phones (Pay As You Go, please) which they keep in secure lockers. Calls can only be made or received during free time.
If you need to contact your son in an emergency, please contact House staff, Matron or the school office (in office hours). If your son needs to contact you in an emergency he is of course permitted to use the boarding staff members’ phones upon request.
We have a very supportive and active Parents and Teachers Association (PTA). All parents are warmly invited to PTA meetings which usually take place 2 or 3 times each term.
The School Council is made up of representatives from each year group and meets twice a term. Issues raised are then put before the Headmaster for consideration and feedback. The PTA also liaises with the School Council with regards to suitable projects for fundraising events.