Statement of Boarding Principals and Practice

Boarding ethos

Boarding education at West Hill Park will provide a safe, caring, supportive ‘home from home’ environment in which each individual child can develop the confidence and self assurance to achieve his or her full potential.

Boarding practice

The school aims to:

1) Ensure an extremely close partnership between Houseparent, matron, child, parent and school.
2) Provide full boarding; including a full programme at weekends as well as maximum flexibility for the occasional boarders.
3) Ensure that each child’s boarding experience, however short, is a positive and happy one.
4) Instil a strong sense of community.

Boarding policy

To achieve these aims the school will ensure that:

1) Children are valued as individuals and their strengths and weaknesses are considered, understood and appreciated.
2) The school’s relationship with parents is highly valued.
3) Sufficient members of staff are resident on site to provide a well-balanced pastoral care structure.
4) Issues arising in ‘Chat Time’ discussions are considered seriously and, where appropriate, acted upon.
5) Medical care is provided 24 hours a day by the school nurse or matron in her absence and supported regularly by the school doctor and her local practice. There is access to the local minor injuries unit and to the district hospitals of Portsmouth and Southampton.
6) Child protection procedures, anti-bullying protocols and complaint procedures are known to staff, parents and children and are updated and revisited regularly.
7) Regular reporting of each child’s progress is made between school, boarding house and home, and any matters of concern are raised at the earliest opportunity.
8) Overseas children must have a guardian preferably residing in the local area with whom the Houseparent can liaise regularly regarding welfare issues.