Boarding

Welcome to Boarding

Our community is friendly and caring, with staff and pupils enjoying positive relations based on mutual respect. The boarding community is small enough to have a distinct family atmosphere, whilst being large and varied enough to allow all to find their niche.

We live by the following key principles:

• The development of the whole person and the communication of values are vital.

• Being an open and trusting school, boarding is based upon mutual respect for all its members.

• Each boarder has the right to be able to work, play and relax free from abuse, intimidation, harassment, teasing and bullying.

• There is equality of opportunity and respect for all boarders, regardless of ethnicity, culture, gender or disability.

• Each boarder and each member of staff is to be treated as an individual and with respect by other pupils and by staff.

• Although living together, staff and boarders acknowledge the right of each other to privacy.

• Each boarder has the right to extend his or her intellectual growth in an atmosphere of positive encouragement and in conditions that are conducive to learning.

• All boarders should be able to develop physically, spiritually, intellectually, morally and socially.

• Despite the distance separating boarders from their families, links with parents are seen as an indispensable part of the support and development of boarders.

• Pupils may only board at Trinity, if certain criteria are met as set out in the School Prospectus under admissions. Pupils are offered a place at Trinity following an interview, an assessment and/or after a satisfactory school report has been received. This is to ensure that Trinity School can cater well for any pupil admitted.

 Boarding Aims

• Develop the whole person, a desire for truth and a respect for others;

• Produce an open and trusting ethos in which each boarder feels able to approach any other member of the community (staff or pupil), confident in the knowledge that he or she will be treated and respected as an individual;

• Create an atmosphere of tolerance, openness and trust in which teasing, harassment and bullying would find great difficulty in developing;

• Provide a range of activities, hobbies and opportunities related to age and maturity that will assist in the personal, social and cultural development of each boarder;

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of each boarder, by providing an environment that is, as far as possible, free from physical hazards and dangers of any sort;

• Provide accommodation that is comfortable and suited to the needs of boarders, according to age and maturity, and which provides adequate levels of privacy;

• Develop boarders’ responsibility for self, for others and for the environment;

• Develop boarders’ qualities of leadership and ability to work as part of a team;

• Encourage boarders to contribute to the needs and welfare of others in the house and school, as well as those in the wider community;

• Provide suitable conditions for boarders to feel able to turn to members of staff to share the good things in their lives, as well as seeking advice, counselling and support during times of difficulty.

Academic Development

A structured evening study programme allows boarders to take full advantage of the teaching staff who are available to assist, as well as giving them full access to the school's ICT facilities. Those boarders who require extra help will receive it as there are regular weekend revision sessions held during the spring and summer terms for those nearing public examinations.

Personal Development

Our pastoral care focuses on building self-confidence and providing the support required to develop both socially and morally. There are always opportunities for students to take part in trips or other activities at the weekends, as well as taking on various levels of responsibility as they progress through the school.

Social events are organised regularly, both on and off-site, designed appropriately for the various age groups. We recognise that it is important for boarders to learn to develop socially with appropriate restrictions in place to ensure their safety and well-being.

Each house votes for their House Captain and Vice House Captain who then assist the boarding staff in the running of the house. The House Captains also meet with the Senior Deputy Head fortnightly to discuss matters as a boarding community.

Evenings & Weekends

Our Junior boarders (up to Year 8) have an organised trip or activity every Saturday and Sunday.

Boarders in Year 9 are allowed to explore Teignmouth, whilst those in Years 10, 11 and Sixth Form can visit Exeter. All must follow correct signing in and out procedures.

Boarders in Years 11 and below attend a local church, or an assembly in chapel, on Sundays.

In the middle of each half term, a weekend is designated as an optional exeat weekend when pupils may go home, stay with their guardians or with friends. 

Boarders are encouraged to join outside groups, clubs and organisations. Written permission in advance will be required from parents or guardians before boarders are allowed to participate in high-risk activities - whether arranged by the school or by external organisations.

House staff cannot authorise overnight stays away from the school. If parents wish to authorise such stays, written permission can be sent by post, fax or e-mail, and the school will then allow the pupil to go - provided that staff are happy that the arrangements are safe and appropriate.