Thinking of Boarding

thinking of boarding?

“I look back on the sense of community and togetherness that the House system fostered in each of us, and appreciate how lucky we were to grow up in such a fun and thriving environment.”

As a full-boarding school, we are often asked what it is really like to board. In order to help families get a feel for boarding at Fettes before they visit, we have put together this guide featuring the most commonly asked questions.

What is boarding at Fettes really like?

Each boarding House is like a family, a group of staff and students looking after each other: helping, encouraging and simply being there when needed. Our boarding houses are at the heart of Fettes life; lifelong friendships are made, trust is fostered and loyalty forged. We aim to create a real home-from-home.

As well as the strong bonds made with fellow housemates, it is the commitment of Houseparents, Tutors and Matrons that leaves a lasting impression. These individuals are dedicated to caring for and encouraging each student. They make it their duty to understand the personality, quirks, talents and aspirations of those in their charge. They regard their role in the students’ development as a privilege.

In the College, every member of our full-time teaching staff is connected to a boarding House and does one night of duty in-House per week so all staff are involved in boarding in one way or another.

In Scotland, all boarding schools are inspected by The Care Inspectorate and Fettes is proud to be considered sector-leading in our pastoral care. The fact that our care and support has been considered as ‘sector-leading’ is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our staff. All reports are available to view online at www.careinspectorate.com

Can I see my son/daughter during the week/weekend?

Prep School

Although visits can take place over the weekend, making the most of what we have on offer over the weekend is a key part of the boarding experience, so you may wish to take them out for tea one night instead

Wednesday after games usually works best. There are also two Recommended Leave weekends per term, giving you a lovely relaxed weekend together.

College

As befitting their age, there is greater flexibility so it may be that you could pop in to see them for a coffee when their timetable allows. Parents and guardians are also welcome to take their son/ daughter out for a "tea-leave" during the week by arrangement with the Houseparent. As a full boarding school, we have lessons on Saturday mornings, matches and other activities on Saturday afternoons and a full schedule of events and outings on Saturday evenings in which students are expected to participate. Sundays are the best time to meet for lunch with family as Sundays in the College have no fixed social activities but instead are set aside for rest and relaxation, starting with a lie-in and brunch.

Parents are very welcome to support their children at sports fixtures as well as attending concerts and drama performances throughout the year.

As the parents of boarding students, how are we involved in the House? Do you have social events for parents?

We welcome parents and guardians at all school events so please do join us at matches, plays, concerts and events.

Prep School

Houseparents are in regular contact with parents throughout the term but we also make sure that at each Recommended Leave or Half-Term, we will often have afternoon tea waiting for you so you can meet other boarding parents. You will also be invited to the social events taking place throughout the year at the Prep School.

College

As both day and boarding students are members of a House, there are numerous occasions for parents to come into House and socialise, whether that be a coffee morning, kitchen supper, drinks or an invitation to a large scale event or charity fund-raiser.

You can keep up to date with events by following Fettes social media accounts or downloading our app.

Do boarders get any ‘down time’?

What do they do on a Sunday?

Prep School

Throughout the week, once prep and tea are over, pupils head back to House to spend time reading, watching television, playing games and relaxing just as they would at home. After lessons in the morning, Saturday afternoons allow for free time with many children enjoying movie and popcorn night. On Sundays, there is an in-House breakfast followed by a House trip; a perfect combination of activity and relaxation.

College

Life in The College is very busy but throughout the day time is built in for socialising with friends or simply sitting quietly and chilling out. Whilst there are activities and events on a Sunday such as mountain biking, kayaking or hill walking, for most, this is the one full day of the week when students can relax and decide on the pace that best suits them. Many take this opportunity to head in to Edinburgh for some shopping, a meal or cinema/museum/ gallery visit.

No matter what boarding House you are in, there are places where students can go to sit, relax and read a book or take some time for themselves.

Do I get to choose which boarding House I join?

Prep School

In the Prep School, there is one boys’ boarding House, Arran, and one girls’ boarding House, Iona, so there is no choice of boarding House within the Prep School, just two very happy families!

College

In order to ensure that each of our boarding houses has an appropriate mix of talents, interests and previous schools, the College is responsible for House allocation so individual preferences cannot be guaranteed.

Once a Fettes student has joined their House, we know they will passionately believe theirs is the very best House in the school - for life.

The exception to this rule is if there is an existing family connection to that House e.g. you would like your child to join the same House you attended or one a sibling currently attends.

How often will I be able to communicate with my son/daughter?

Prep School

As part of the night-time routine, Prep pupils have an hour to use their electronic devices and they are encouraged to use this time to call home. Sometimes our pupils are so busy having fun that they forget to give family a ring so their Houseparents will give gentle reminders if need be! There is also a phone line into each House on which parents can call and a private space where the call can be taken.

College

Although students are allowed mobile phones with them throughout the school day (as they are used as part of our digital learning strategy), they are not allowed when walking round campus or in the Dining Hall. This is because we want our students to look each other in the eye and talk to each other instead of being fixated on a screen. Therefore, although they will have their phones on them, the best times to communicate are at the end of the day once prep has been done.

All phones and devices are taken in overnight by House staff, so that students get a good night's sleep.

All Prep boarders and those in 3rd and 4th Form hand in their phones during prep time and at night.

How do you ensure boarders can study quietly and effectively?

Prep School

Homework is always supervised and usually completed before the boarders come back into House. If for any reason there is work to catch up on, boarders can do this at the kitchen table with House tutors and Houseparents available to supervise. During the weekend before the exams in the Autumn and Summer Terms, both boarding houses have revision study days.

College

For the younger year groups (3rd and sometimes 4th Forms) Houses may sit students together to undertake prep but students often work in their rooms or studies. These sessions are supervised by tutors and 6th Form helpers. As they progress through the school, independent study is encouraged and boarders can complete their work in their bedrooms or use spaces such as the Library.

Prep is what we call homework which is a little confusing when talking about doing prep in the Prep School!

Do boarders get enough sleep?

What are the bedtime routines?

Prep School

As with any family, bedtime depends on the age of the child and the same routine is used each night of the week, with Saturday evening being slightly later. A full hour without electronics before lights out aids a good night’s sleep so electronic devices are handed in and the children then have half an hour of reading in bed to help them unwind.

College

There are different bedtimes for the different age groups and if a particular dorm doesn’t settle, they may well have an earlier bedtime the following night. All phones and devices are taken in overnight by House staff, so that students get a good night's sleep. We like to ensure that bedtime is a calm, quiet time giving them the opportunity to unwind before sleep.

Boarders regularly receive information about the benefits of a good night’s sleep so they understand and appreciate the importance of these bedtime routines.

How many pupils are there in one bedroom?

What are the bedrooms like? College

Prep School

The number of pupils in each bedroom can vary from 2-6. During their time as a Prep boarder, your daughter/son would not be in a room on their own but have friends around them. Each boarder is encouraged to decorate their space with photos from home, favourite pillows and duvet set, cuddly toys and anything to make them feel at home.

The numbers of boarders per bedroom will vary from House to House and is dependent on the number of boarders within that year group. From experience, we know that it is important for younger students to be in a dorm with others as this helps them to forge strong friendships. However, by the time students have reached the Upper Sixth Form, the vast majority of boarders will have their own en-suite study bedroom. We want every boarder to feel at home and walking around our boarding houses reveals the myriad of ways in which boarders express themselves and personalise their space.

All Houses are homes with welcoming lounges, well-equipped recreation rooms and pantries/ kitchen for snacks. They are homely, inviting and a focal point for our warm and welcoming community.

Prep School

How many resident staff are there and what do they do? College

Each of the Prep School boarding Houses has a Houseparent who lives in the House, together with their family. In addition, each house also has a resident Assistant Houseparent. There are additional House tutors, chosen from the Prep Staff, who are on duty one night a week, meaning that your child will get to know a variety of staff on a weekly basis. Both houses also have a matron on duty during the day and in the evening, who can help if your child feels poorly, assist with laundry and tidiness or as simply another friendly face to have a chat with.

Every boarding House in the College has a Houseparent who lives in the boarding House with their own family. Their key priority is the care and wellbeing of your child and they are fully involved in the day to day running of the House from morning to night. They are assisted by an Assistant Houseparent as well as a team of tutors assigned to that House. Matron is like another Mum to many boarders and is always there for a pep talk, to listen to any worries or simply remind them to polish their shoes! On top of this, every student is allocated a tutor who will take a key role in their wellbeing and academic education as well as supporting them at matches and concerts.

One of our Old Fettesians described boarding as ‘having 50 sisters to share everything with.’ A lovely sentiment and still true today.

Prep School

What happens if my child gets ill? College

If your son/daughter feels unwell they will initially be seen by one of our Prep School matrons for assessment. They will then either have some rest time in-House or be taken to the Medical Centre (which is on-site with qualified nurses) where they can stay until they are feeling better. If for any reason your child needed to go to hospital, you would be informed immediately and the matron or a member of the medical staff would accompany them and remain with them for as long as necessary.

Matron will normally be the first person your son/daughter will go to when they are feeling unwell, and will make an initial assessment. They may either rest in House or be taken to the Medical Centre. There are regular GP appointments and the Medical Centre is staffed every day to deal with any medical issues that may arise.

We also have a team of experts who provide additional support for any student.

All boarders will register with our local doctor’s surgery for their time at Fettes with the majority of GP visits happening within the Medical Centre.

next steps

The care and welfare of our students is fundamentally important to us as we know that only a happy, supported child will truly flourish. It is a huge privilege to look after your son/ daughter and although it will not always be trouble free and home-sickness may occur in the early days, we know that this is normally shortlived. There is a wealth of experience in the exceptional House staff we employ so you can rest assured that we will take the very best care of them.

If you are interested in coming and visiting Fettes to see what boarding is like first-hand, please simply email admissions@fettes.com and the Admissions Team will be able to help arrange a visit or overnight taster stay. If you are a current Fettes family considering converting to boarding, your child can come and board at Fettes (space permitting) for a week in order to experience a weekly cycle within the boarding House.

houses

Prep School

Arran House (boys)

Houseparent: Richard Mill

Iona House (girls)

Houseparent: Diane Davidson

College

Boys' Houses

Carrington

Houseparent: Sam Shelley

Glencorse

Houseparent: James Pillinger

Kimmerghame

Houseparent: Ed Boulter-Comer

Moredun

Houseparent: Henry McCowan Hill

Co-ed Upper Sixth Boarding House

Craigleith

Houseparent: Charlie du Vivier

Houseparent: Kirsty du Vivier

Girls' Houses

Arniston

Houseparent: Rachel Nicol

College East

Houseparent: Maggie Rait

College West

Houseparent:JennaMaguire

Dalmeny

Houseparent: Kate Fairbairn