WELCOME TO DALE HOUSE

For DAY BOYS at DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL

Information for Parents

2018-2019 Dale House, Shelburne Road, , Glos. GL51 6HE. Telephone: (01242) 258034 Email: [email protected]

CONTACT DETAILS HOUSEMASTER – Ben Price Keep up to date on the latest in Dale by following @daledeanclose Please make a note of these contact numbers:- on Instagram. You can also follow 01242 258000 Front Office on Twitter (but all the boys are on 01242 258034 Housemaster’s Study Instagram so I tend to post much 07584356954 Dale Mobile more on there!). Front Office Email [email protected] Dale House Email [email protected]

 Emergencies, absence or lateness to school: contact the Front Office by phone or email (copying in the Housemaster).  Academic or pastoral issues: contact your son’s tutor by email (copying in the Housemaster). Tutor groups will be confirmed in September.  However, you may wish to speak the Housemaster directly – you are more than welcome to make contact by email or phone at any time. Responses will typically be within 24 hours.

TUTORS Each year group and individual sixth former* will have an academic Tutor who will also be involved in their pastoral care. The pupils meet formally with their Tutor at least once a week and more often in House on an informal basis. Roughly twice a term an assessment ‘grade card’ is prepared for each junior pupil giving two grades, one for academic achievement and one for effort. The results are discussed on a one-to-one basis between the Tutor and pupil to ensure a consistent standard is achieved and that progress is being made. Each sixth former will have individual sessions with their Tutor once a week. *Sixth formers choose Tutors from the whole staff common room so may not have a Tutor from Dale House.

Housemaster Mr Price I completed my degree in Geology at the University of Bristol in 2002 before moving to Cheltenham in 2005 to begin teaching at Dean Close School. My roles here have included resident tutor of Tower House, Master I/C Cricket, Geography teacher and most recently, Director of Studies for the Middle Years. I am married to Rachael and we have two energetic children: Kiki aged 6 and Barney 8. During the holidays we like to spend time in Cornwall, where I grew up. I am a keen sportsman, playing a great deal of rugby and cricket until my mid-twenties. In more recent times, I have taken up running and cycling, regularly competing in endurance races, in particular duathlon. In May 2018 I represented Great Britain at elite level in the European Middle Distance Duathlon Championships in Denmark and came 8th. In September 2018 I will be defending my title at the Cheltenham Half Marathon! This will be my third year in post as Housemaster of Dale House. Assistant Housemaster Mr. Allington Lloyd is Director of Drama and has taught here since 1987. He has a degree in English Literature from University College, Durham, and has directed around 85 productions at School. He has been a tutor in Dale for the last 15 years, and before that was Housemaster of Field House for 9 years. When not directing plays at DCS, and tutoring 6th formers for Oxbridge entrance, his big enthusiasms are opera and reading. Tutor Mr. Stott Jonathan is in his second stint of teaching at Dean Close. He taught here for 7 years in the 90s and has now completed another 9 years. He teaches Maths, coaches hockey, and is a member of the chaplaincy team. He loves all ball sports, and plays hockey regularly for Cheltenham Wednesdays, and the West Masters. Jonathan is married to Helen and they have 4 boys, all of whom have been eductaed at Dean Close.

Tutor Mr. Mears James has taught at Dean Close since 2006, after completing his PGCE at the University of . He really enjoys teaching in the Economics and Business department and coaching lots of sport, as well as helping out in the chaplaincy team and running the junior Christian union. Away from school, James likes taking his family on adventures and surfing when he can find the time. Tutor Mr. McKechnie Mr McKechnie joined the Dean Close community in September 2015 as a Physics teacher. He supports the theatre backstage team for MAA, coached various rugby teams and is a regular – and popular - speaker in Chapel. Prior to joining Dean Close he and his wife (Hermione – who teaches Maths at DCS) lived in India, teaching at a Christian International School. Tutor Mr. Sheldon Mr Sheldon is in his second year as Head of History and Politics Department. He started teaching at Dean Close two and a half years ago, having previously been working at a school in Bedford, and his wife teaches in the Prep School. He is an avid football fan and a long suffering but unfailingly optimistic Liverpool supporter. He has just recently taken up playing the piano, with what he would describe as great enthusiasm, but somewhat limited ability. His wife, Jo, gave birth to their first child, Ben, in March 2018. Tutor Mrs Claire Bourne Mrs Bourne starts as Head of Geography in September. She has taught here since January 2016, having previously taught at Ribston Hall in Gloucester for 16 years. She loves to challenge herself and competes in a sprint triathlon and half marathon a year. Rugby is a passion of hers (watching not playing) and most Sunday mornings she will be found supporting her eldest son on the touchline (whatever the weather) or running on Hill! Any other spare time she spends in Trevone, Cornwall with her family.

THE SCHOOL DAY Dale House is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm and on Saturdays until 4.00pm. If boys require the use of the House outside these times then permission must be sought from the Housemaster and the necessary arrangements will be made. ALL ROLL CALLS ARE COMPULSORY. ARRIVE IN SCHOOL BY 8.15am MORNING ROLL CALL 8.25am Followed by: Chapel – Monday/Wednesday/Thursday House Assembly/House Time – Tuesday/Thursday

LESSONS - PERIODS 1 & 2 8.55am (8.35am SATURDAY) BREAKTIME 10.25am (10.10am SATURDAY) LESSONS - PERIODS 3, 4 & 5 10.45am (10.35am SATURDAY – 2 periods) LUNCHTIME 1.10pm (12.10pm SATURDAY) AFTERNOON ROLL CALL 2.15pm LESSONS – PERIODS 6 & 7 2.25-4.00pm AFTER LESSON ACTIVITIES 4.15pm ** FINISH TIMES: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: 5.15pm (unless doing extra activities) Thursday Various (Match afternoon) Friday 5.15pm Saturday Various (Match afternoon) ** Finish times depend on whether your son is involved in games, matches or other activities. Permission to go home earlier than the above times can only be granted by the Housemaster or House Tutor on duty in Dale House.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ALL BOYS MUST SIGN OUT AT THE END OF EACH DAY. ABSENCE Please let the Front Office know by email (copying in the Housemaster) before 8.20am if your son will not be present in school for any reason or if he is going to be delayed getting to school. Pupils that miss morning roll call must go to the Front Office to sign in. Wherever possible, please let the Housemaster know well in advance of any forthcoming absence so that permission can be sought and the necessary school arrangements can be made in advance. CALENDARS You are invited to all calendar events. Please make a particular note of Parent/Teacher Meetings and Term Dates. CHAPEL All pupils must attend compulsory services on Friday at 4.30pm. There is also one Sunday Chapel for Remembrance. Permission must be sought in writing prior to the service if your son needs to miss Chapel. HOLIDAYS, END OF TERM, EXEATS AND HALF TERMS Please ensure you know the dates of school holidays which are given well in advance in the School Calendar. Parents are asked not to make holiday arrangements or routine health appointments during the school term. LEAVE OUT At set times during the week, when school commitments are completed, the boys are free to go into town for up to two hours with permission from the Housemaster or Tutor on duty in Dale House. Juniors may not go into town on their own and must be with two or more friends and ALL pupils must sign out and sign back into School. MOBILE PHONES The boys are allowed to have mobile phones but these are strictly for use during their free time and are their responsibility to look after. They are discouraged from using them in public areas such as the Quad and the Common Room in House. MOTOR VEHICLES Sixth Form who wish to drive to school may do so only with prior permission from the Deputy Headmaster and written permission from parents. Those who wish to have lifts from others must also fill in the correct parental consent form which is available from the Housemaster prior to accepting a lift. UNIFORM AND GAMES KIT We would ask for your support in ensuring that the correct uniform is bought for your son. It is essential that all clothes are clearly marked with nametapes. VALUABLES Please do not allow your son to bring in goods of value unnecessarily. Anything they bring into school is done so at their own risk. The Housemaster must be informed of all electrical equipment brought into school as this needs to be checked by a school technician to comply with safety regulations. This equipment is your son’s responsibility to look after and should not be left unattended. Lockers are provided and a key padlock should be used with the spare key given to the Housemaster. (Please do not use combination locks).

We wish your son’s stay at Dean Close School to be both successful and enjoyable and I look forward to welcoming him to Dale House.