Welcome to Boarding
Kimbolton House (boys)
Kimbolton House (or “Kim House”) is at the School end of the High Street, opposite Oliver’s, the local shop. There is access to the house from the High Street and around the back near the Health Centre.
Houseparents: The Lawless Family
Mr Lawless is Head of Boys’ Games and has been Housemaster of Kim House for six years, prior to that he was Housemaster of Gibbard’s (one of our senior day houses) for five years. He has been at the school for over twenty years.
Mrs Lawless is Housemistress of Balyes House, prior to that she was Head of Girls’ Games. They have twin boys: James and Benjamin who are 17 and in 6th Form, Elizabeth who is fourteen and in Fourth Form and, Louise is turning five this October. As a family they spend a lot of time outdoors; camping, mountain biking and playing sports.
Meet the House staff
The Resident House Tutor: Mr Savage teaches Physics and lives in the Kim House, Resident Tutor’s flat. He supports Mr Lawless and our Kim House boarders across the house. Mr Savage brings a wealth of experience into our boarding culture, having been heavily involved in boarding at both Blundell’s and Sevenoaks schools.
Prior to teaching, Mr Savage had exciting careers in both the British Army and City of London. He has an active interest in hockey, sailing and cricket; helping out on Saturdays with sport and Physics Masterclasses – so he will be a friendly face to our boarders throughout their activities across the school.
Auxiliary Housemaster(s): Mr Holden (History) and Mr Whiteley (Geography).
Resident Duty Staff: Our Tutors are on duty most afternoons and evenings and are always interested in getting to know the boarders and to hear about what has happened at school or over the weekend. Mr Whiteley (Geography), Mr Holden (History), Mr Scott (Business and Economics) and Mr Lodhia (Business and Economics).
Domestic staff: Mandy Jenkinson (Matron) has been House Matron for many years, she makes sure everyone is organised, has everything they need and, feel welcome and looked after in the house. There are also two cleaners, Heidi and Mel who you’ll get to know around the house.
White House (girls)
White House is at the far end of the High Street, opposite St Andrew’s Church. Access is through the large black gate, which will be open and the start and end of term but is normally kept closed, with the smaller door available for access.
Houseparents: The Hadden Family
Mrs Hadden has been at the School for 25 years and is Assistant Head (Designated Safeguarding Lead). She teaches Geography. Previously Resident House Tutor, Housemistress of Balyes, and the CCF’s Contingent Commander.
Mr Hadden likes to get involved with boarders’ activities, especially if they involve a BBQ! They have two children, Charlie and James.
Charlie is 18 and recently completed Upper Sixth at Kimbolton, this year he’s taking a gap year and earning some money for University. James is in the 4th Form and 14. They also have a “Patterjack” dog called Monty who loves the attention he gets from the girls in White House and is always available for walks.
The Hadden family like being outdoors, walking in the beautiful local countryside, spending time with family and splitting their holiday time between Norfolk and France.
Meet the House staff
The Resident House Tutor: Mrs Neale is a member of the French and Spanish Departments and is also an officer in the Army Section of the CCF. Previously a Prep School teacher, she has had a brief stay on Ascension Island and has returned to live in the “attic” flat with her husband.
Auxiliary Housemistress: Mrs Holden is married to Mr Holden (who teaches History), and has three young children. Within the house Mrs Holden organises fun activities and trips for the girls and also carries out evening duties.
Resident Duty Staff: We have several staff from the Senior School who do duties in White House who are always willing to help or lend an ear throughout the week. These include Mrs Lace (Drama and DSP) and Miss Stewart (Music Graduate).
Domestic Staff: Louise Bower is our wonderful Matron. She is in the House throughout the day and knows how everything works. She will take you to the doctors if you are ill and looks after your washing and wellbeing. She is also a great person to talk to about your day when you come in after school. We also have two cleaners, Tracy and Denise who you will soon get to know.
House locations
🟣 White House (girls)
🟢 Kimbolton House (boys)
Welfare
Pupil support is provided through pastoral teams in the boarding houses, the nurses and counsellors at the Health Centre and, spiritual guidance can be sort from the school Chaplain. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Mrs Garratt. All other designated safeguarding persons can be found on the school website.
There are Matrons, Houseparents and Duty Staff in the boarding house throughout the day and in the evenings. They can often be found in Matron’s room or the common room, and are always happy to help and have a chat.
Facilities
Both Houses have a kitchen and common rooms, with a variety of entertainment on offer. It is your responsibility to respect those rooms and the equipment within them.
Boarders also have access to the school grounds at all appropriate times, to enjoy a walk or run or just some time to sit an enjoy the space. Sports facilities including the sports hall, gym, swimming pool and tennis courts are also available at designated times over the evenings and weekends.
Statement of principles
It is our belief that we have a responsibility to produce a safe, healthy environment where those pupils who board may feel that they have a good alternative and complement to being at home. One of our chief aims is to allow the boarding pupils to feel that they are part of an enlarged family with the enjoyment and responsibility that it brings.
Living in a community brings with it a need to develop social awareness and consideration for others and therefore it is necessary that certain ground rules are observed. These rules are simple and made clear to all pupils.
We are keen to ensure that:
- we achieve consistency,
- we employ ‘reasonableness’ and appropriateness in given situations.
Senior pupils have both responsibilities and privileges. Bullying is not tolerated in any form, whether physical or mental. It is important for pupils to understand this so that older pupils can be encouraged to support and show concern for the welfare of younger pupils.
If rules are broken, any punishment is decided upon by the Housparent who will discuss the offence with the pupil and then decide upon the appropriate punishment. Punishment usually takes the form of some sort of community chore or withdrawal of privileges.
It is important that each pupil who boards knows and understands that there is someone to whom they may turn in times of difficulty or distress. Boarders should feel that there is a way in which they can bring a complaint and that their actions will be dealt with confidentially but in a formal, effective manner. The Houses are always ‘manned’ at the times when boarders are likely to be around.
They may approach the Houseparent, Resident Tutor, Head of House, a friend or the House Matron; this is made clear in the Handbook.
In short, we aim to produce a healthy and safe environment which is underpinned by family values and encourages a sense of respect for others, regardless of race, creed, age, gender or religion.
