The Boarding and Day Experience

St John’s is a boarding and day School where our community is defined by very strong pastoral care. Pastoral care, or the well being of each boy and girl, is based upon a House system. There are six boys’ Houses, three boarding Houses and three day Houses and a Sixth Form Girls House. Each House has 70 boys with approximately 14 boys per year group. The Sixth Form Girls House contains 60 girls. The house provides the base for pupils during the school day, each having a place in their House where they can keep their belongings. Upper Sixth Formers can use their studies during private study lessons.

A copy of the Pastoral Care Policy Statement can be viewed by clicking here

A copy of our Statement of Boarding Principles and Practice can be viewed by clicking here

The House System

Each House is run by a Housemaster or Housemistress with a team of tutors who are allocated to each year group. Sixth Formers are routinely given the opportunity to help and support younger pupils through the prefect system or through running teams for House competitions. The Housemaster or Housemistress leads and manages the House and he or she is the first point of contact for parents for any advice or guidance. There is a Tutor for each year group and the Tutor sees the boys and girls at the beginning and end of each day.

Daily Life in the House

All pupils register with their Tutors at the start and end of the day. The Tutor will also go through their reports with tutees in order to help them fulfil their potential in their academic work. Tutors are also there for support and advice on a whole range of issues, from subject choices to more personal matters. Sixth Form Tutors (the Housemaster or Housemistress) also fulfil an important role in helping tutees with the university application process.

The strength of the House system is through establishing a very clear identity, a physical place in which the boys and girls feel a sense of belonging and are valued. Throughout their time at the School they will be supported and encouraged within this environment without condition. The House is a place in which the values of the School are communicated and reinforced. The boys and girls represent their Houses in a variety of activities ranging from sport, drama, debating and music, and many others. The House is a place in which the nurture they receive is an extension of that they might experience at home.

The boarding Houses offer a high standard of facilities and residential care in a School which possesses all the advantages of a boarding and day school on the same site. The boarders usually remain at School from Monday until Friday, returning home on a Saturday evening. This means that the boarders are able to benefit from the very full educational experience, whilst sharing their lives with their parents at the weekend. The boarders are able to take advantage of a close knit and vibrant community in which there are many activities and facilities available beyond the formal School day

The girls are part of South House which offers accommodation for boarding and day pupils. There is a Housemistress and a Tutor, who see the girls at the beginning and end of each day. There are approximately 60 girls in the House.

The strength of the House system is evident not just in the care which is offered to each pupil, but in a place where each pupil is valued as an individual. Beyond St John’s the friendships made in each House endure for many years, if not for life.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

All overseas pupils have an EAL provision at St John’s for which they are billed separately. EAL provides language acquisition and study support for pupils in all year groups.St John’s favours the Cambridge Suite of Examinations, including IELTS which can be compulsory for University Entrance.

EAL staff are all highly qualified and provide an extra pastoral provision, helping overseas pupils to settle into our community and play a full part in all aspects of School life. All overseas pupils are also members of the Full Boarders/International Pupils’ Council that meets regularly and offers an opportunity for its members to voice their opinions and suggestions about life at St John’s.

Child Protection at St John’s School

It is the responsibility of every member of staff to ensure that all suspected cases of child abuse – (neglect, physical injury, sexual or emotional abuse) – are recognised and dealt with as quickly as possible. Mr Mortimer, the Deputy Headmaster, and Mrs Arnal, Senior Housemistress of South, are the School’s designated and trained CPLOs (Child Protection Liaison Officers) to whom all suspected cases should be reported. They will take further action if required. The Headmaster will be notified if necessary. Every referral is treated with the strictest confidence.

A member of the Governing Body is designated to take a special interest in this area. The School follows the guidelines of sections 27 and 47 of the Children Act 1989 which states that every school has a duty to assist local authorities and Social Services in matters of Child Protection. A copy of the Child Protection policy can be viewed by clicking here

A copy of the Anti-Bullying policy can be viewed bt clicking here