contents

INTRODUCTION 2 AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 20

MANAGEMENT 3 P ASTORAL CARE 22

CONTACTS 4 SCHOOL RULES FOR PUPILS 24

PARENT SCHOOL LIAISON GROUP 6 HEALTH 26

SCHOOL WEBSITE 7 UNIFORM 27

ADMISSIONS POLICY 8 SCHOOL EVENTS 29

THE PRE-PREP DEPARTMENT 9 WEEKLY AND OCCASIONAL BOARDING 30

THE JUNIOR DEPARTMENT 11 OTHER INFORMATION 31

MAIN SCHOOL – SCHOOL DAY AND ROUTINES 13 OWNERSHIP OF THE SCHOOL 32

ACADEMIC 15 FEE RATES 2005/2006 & FEE REGULATIONS 33

LEARNING SUPPORT 17 TERM DATES 36

A W ARDS GAINED BY LEAVERS 18 LOCATION 37

This booklet is intended to provide current and prospective parents with useful details about life at Holmewood House. Please remember that if you are in doubt about anything, the Headmaster and his staff will be only too happy to answer your questions. Further information is available on our website - www.holmewood.kent.sch.uk - including an excellent Inspection Report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (February 2001).This was our most recent full inspection. We shall have our next full inspection in 2007.The March 2005 Ofsted Nursery and Reception Inspection Report is available on request.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK IS CORRECT TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRINT. (AUGUST 2005). HOWEVER, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES WHEN REQUIRED DURING THE COURSE OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR. HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL introduction

THE HEADMASTER REGISTRATION AND ENTRY Andrew Corbett was brought up in Surrey and Dorset. He was educated at Marlborough We hope that you will choose to register your child(ren) for Holmewood and, at this College and Edinburgh University, where he obtained an honours degree in the History stage, a completed Registration Form should be returned to the Registrar with a of Western Art and Architecture. He also has a PGCE from London University. He was registration fee for each child. Once registered, if a place is available, prospective pupils Head of History and coached sport at The Hall, Hampstead, for 13 years before moving are invited for a visit and an assessment at an appropriate time. A report is requested to Port Regis in Dorset to become Director of Studies and Houseparent of the girls’ from current schools for pupils aged 5+. boarding house with his wife, Julie. In 1993 he became Headmaster of King’s College Entry to the Pre-Prep is generally non-selective. However, entry to the Main School (Year 3) Choir School, Cambridge, and from there was appointed to Holmewood House in 1998. is subject to an academic screening process. Please see the section on our Admissions He has wide-ranging interests in history and literature, and is a keen golfer. He is a member Policy. Pupils are invited to visit the school for a taster morning prior to entry. of The Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools. Julie Corbett is also a teacher and takes a Year 3 form at Holmewood in addition to other duties. The Corbetts have A deposit is payable to secure a place and this is credited to parents’ accounts when two daughters.They were pupils at Holmewood and are now boarding at King’s School, pupils leave, provided they take up the place, that all financial commitments are met, and Canterbury. one full term’s notice is given.

PROSPECTIVE PARENTS Details of current fees and fee regulations will be found at the back of this guide. We are always delighted to welcome prospective parents, with or without their children, for an exploratory visit and to see the School in action. Parents can meet the Headmaster ENTRY SCHOLARSHIPS Entry Scholarships for promising pupils are awarded annually to pupils for entry to Years and be shown round the School. A full visit lasts about two hours but can be tailored to 3 – 5, if places are available.We hold a formal assessment in February or early March, but suit individual needs. awards may be made to pupils from Maintained schools at other times, funds permitting. If you would like to visit the school, please call our registrar, Mrs Karen Gwinnett, Awards are based on academic promise and are all means tested, so that we can help on 01892 860006. the maximum number of pupils to attend the school.

2 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL management

Holmewood is a charitable trust, managed by a Board of Governors, founded to provide education for boys and girls. It prepares pupils primarily for scholarship or Common Entrance examinations to independent senior schools.

The Governing body consists of a number of Headmasters of other independent schools together with a number of professional people with strong local connections, most of whom are former parents.

THE GOVERNING BODY THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM Chairman The Senior Management Team meets regularly and includes the following: M.A. Evans, F.C.A. Former Holmewood parent Headmaster: Andrew Corbett J.R. Bowden Former Holmewood parent Deputy Headmaster: Simon Etchell S.P. Davies, M.A. Headmaster, Eastbourne College Bursar: Cdr David Stanesby B. Cook Former Holmewood parent Director of Studies: Dr Alan Towey Chairman of Finance Sub-Committee Head of Pre-Prep: Mrs Angela Greensmyth-Jones H. Davies Jones, M.A. Ex-Headmaster, St. Andrew’s School Eastbourne, Chairman Independent Schools Inspectorate Head of the Junior Department: Mrs Ann Hill T.H.P.Haynes, B.A. Headmaster,Tonbridge School Head of Year 5: Peter Cook Mrs S. Marshall Former Holmewood parent Senior Tutor (Academic): Ian Soutar Lady Newman Former Holmewood parent Headmaster’s wife: Mrs Julie Corbett M.N. Sanderson Former Holmewood parent Chairman of Premises Sub-Committee A full staff list is included in the Fixture Card issued to each child at the beginning of each The Bursar, Commander David Stanesby, is Clerk to the Governors. term. The Fixture Card also contains a full school list and a school calendar for the term. The Governors, who are Trustees of the School, hold a plenary meeting each term, as Every child in the school has a Fixture Card for his or her own use, and one copy is also do the Financial and Premises Committees.The Staff Committee meets annually. sent home for each family.

3 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL contacts

e-mail: [email protected] F INANCIAL B URSAR: Mrs Suzanne Preston 01892 860015 (Wednesdays only) To contact a member of staff by e-mail, use first initial plus for all fee related enquiries [email protected] T HE B URSAR’ S SECRETARY: e.g. acorbett@ ……… Mrs Jane Blyth & bursary staff 01892 860015 THE SCHOOL OFFICE for all financial matters The school office is open and the telephones manned Monday - Friday from 8am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. Detailed times for the office staff are as follows:

T HE H EADMASTER’ S S ECRETARY: PRE-PREP & THEATRE Mrs Anne Woodruff 01892 860001 Pre-Prep Secretary & Assistant Theatre Manager: for all Headmaster’s appointments with current parents, future schools, scholarship and Mrs Nichola Napleton 01892 860005 Common Entrance enquiries. for all Pre-Prep & Theatre enquiries 8am – 3.30pm (not Saturdays) 8am – 5pm Mon,Tues,Wed, Fri. 8am – 12 noon Thursdays Internal extensions can now be dialled into the School’s telephone system. An internal 8am – 1pm Saturdays extensions telephone directory is available upon request from the Main Office T HE S CHOOL S ECRETARY: Mrs Jane Blyth 01892 860000 for all general enquiries PARENTS’ CONTACT LIST 8am – 5pm Mon,Wed,Thurs, Fri. 8am – 12 noon Tuesdays A contact list of parents’ addresses and telephone numbers is available to all current 8am – 1pm Saturdays parents upon request. Parents may ask not to be included on it if they so wish. REGISTRAR Mrs Karen Gwinnett 01892 860006 for all admission enquiries 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday

BURSARY T HE B URSAR: Cdr David Stanesby 01892 860015

4 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

APPOINTMENTS THE FRIENDS OF HOLMEWOOD Parents may easily make appointments via the School Office to see the Headmaster, their Membership of the Friends of Holmewood is automatic for all parents/guardians of current children’s form teacher or subject teachers at a mutually agreeable time. In addition, there pupils in the school, current staff and Governors. There is no subscription. The object of are regular formal parent/teacher meetings when progress may be discussed. Dates of the Friends is to organise social events with the intention of fostering good relations parents’ meetings will be found in the Fixture Card, and prior to each meeting a letter will be sent out to parents concerned asking them to return a slip indicating those members of amongst parents and staff, and thereby to raise funds to purchase items for the school for staff they wish to see. It is helpful if these are returned promptly. the direct benefit of the children.

SENIOR SCHOOLS The Friends of Holmewood Committee consists of an Honorary Chairman (currently, The Headmaster’s Secretary is happy to make appointments with the Headmaster for Mrs Joanna Bartley), Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary, plus up to 12 current parents to discuss the choice of future senior schools. Peter Cook co-ordinates 11+ parents, elected each year at the Annual General Meeting, and, ex officio, the Headmaster grammar school entry arrangements and Ian Soutar, 11+ and 13+ Common Entrance and and his wife, and two other members of staff. Scholarship arrangements. It is stressed that the Friends of Holmewood is not a form of PTA and is NEWSLETTER & NOTICES not a lobbying committee. The Newsletter contains any recent news about the School or its pupils, and also a timetable of events for the following week. If your child has achieved something notable outside School, please inform the Headmaster so he can include it in the Newsletter. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT The Newsletter is now sent to parents at the end of the week by e-mail. Printed copies Parental involvement is warmly welcomed. If any parent feels that they could and would will be available from the front entrance hall and from the Pre-Prep. like to contribute to the School in any particular or general way then they should speak There is a large notice board situated towards the end of the School drive, for ‘stop press’ to the Headmaster. or reminder notices to parents, and there is also a parents’ notice board in the passage leading to the dining room. CONTACT WITH CHILDREN End of Term Notes are issued with reports at the end of each term. The Phonecard telephone in the corridor between the front hall and the tuck shop is open to children for their private use at any time, although they are not allowed to use THE HOLMEWOODIAN it during lesson times. A phone card can be purchased for £5 from the Tuck Shop. An annual school record and magazine,The Holmewoodian is published at the end of the Autumn term. Children are not allowed to have mobile phones in School.

5 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL parent school liaison group

A IMS • Be present at relevant form coffee mornings when possible and make themselves • To promote good relations and communication between parents and the school, and known to the group. between parents and other parents • Organise a social get together to welcome new parents apart from the coffee mornings • To provide a warm welcome to new parents and access for them to a willing organised by the Friends of Holmewood. experienced parent for information and advice. • Be a two-way conduit for matters of general interest. Members of the group must be • To provide an avenue for parents to the Senior Management Team for matters of willing to be contacted by other parents at reasonable times. general interest or concern, and an opportunity to offer constructive suggestions. • Advise parents as to whom best to approach about a particular issue or problem if it M EMBERSHIP O F T HE G ROUP is not appropriate for this liaison group. There will be one member for each form.The Headmaster will ask for names of those • Advise members of the S.M.T about any information that they feel should be made willing to take on the role initially for one year, but a maximum of two years if no other • more readily available to parents. parent is willing to do the job. Names will be published in the Newsletter and given to new parents. Parents involved will probably be known as ‘reps’, but this is not a • There will sometimes be an introductory talk at the Open Forum by a member of constitutional representative body within the School. staff and participation in any ensuing discussion will be welcome • The Head of Pre-Prep will meet once a term with the Pre-Prep members and the • Act as a link between the parents in their respective classes and the Friends of Headmaster because points raised are likely to be relevant particularly to the Holmewood, and encourage parents to support events organised by the Friends. Pre-Prep.The Headmaster and some other members of the S.M.T. will do the same W HAT T HE G ROUP I S N OT F OR with Main school reps at the termly Open Forum. No formal minutes or feedback to It is not designed to provide a platform for personal ‘political’, social, school or parents will be given, but key points that have relevance for others are likely to be • educational views to be aired by those with a particular agenda. included in the Newsletter.There will be a meeting of all reps early in September. • Members of the group will not be able to speak of individual children.The main avenue HAT E HOULD IKE ND XPECT EMBERS F W W S L A E M O for parents with concerns about aspects of their children’s education or care continues T HE G ROUP TO D O to be direct individual contact with the appropriate member of staff. • Make themselves known to parents new to the school and be willing to be approached by them with questions that can be most readily answered by a parent. Andrew Corbett May 2005

6 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL school website www.holmewood.kent.sch.uk

The school website aims to provide information for both prospective and current parents. Curriculum details are available, both as overviews and in greater detail by year group for each term. Prospective parents can get an overview of the school by browsing through the website, viewing the large number of 360º panoramas and the photo gallery, and can also examine Full directions to other schools in the area are provided for our match spectators. the detailed curriculum and overview of each subject. Full academic records are included. The photo gallery is frequently updated and there is a secure passworded gallery for Detailed maps are available to guide visitors to the school, as well as e-mail and telephone the display of photographs which are available only to the Holmewood community. details, and there is also an online telephone enquiry form. The photographs can be viewed as thumbnails, as individual photographs in larger format

Current parents are encouraged to watch the site for important announcements, which or as a slideshow.

appear as a scrolling headline on the index page.This has been particularly useful in recent Links on the Library page can be used to visit other sites for reading or research online months when the school was closed due to heavy snow and very icy conditions and again and the school reading lists are also available online. when the school suffered a major power failure. It is also used regularly for changes in fixture dates and arrangements. School contact details are included, with e-mail links for the Headmaster, the Deputy Head, Heads of Departments and the Bursar. The school calendar, the weekly newsletter and other school documents and policies are published on the website and parents are prompted by e-mail to view the newsletter at There are links to the websites of senior independent schools, as well as the local the end of the week. maintained schools.

The Stop Press page keeps parents reminded of school news and forthcoming events. Our site is updated often and parents are encouraged to tell us what they would like to see on the website. Children’s activities, achievements, outings, participation in concerts and productions etc. are all reflected in the weekly newsletters, in the photo gallery and in the termly We have recently launched a new website, www.holmewoodians.co.uk, to enable Old publication ‘News from Holmewood’. Holmewoodians to register their details and keep in contact with old friends.

7 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL admissions policy

This policy may be amended at any meeting of the governing body, in which case the • An informal interview. revised policy would operate from the start of the following academic year. We explore the candidate’s intellectual curiosity, to discover extra-curricular (Revised 8 March 2005) interests and talents, to evaluate interpersonal skills and the candidate’s potential to H OLMEWOOD H OUSE P RE-PREPARATORY D EPARTMENT take advantage of all that the school offers. (NURSERY TO YEAR 2) C URRENT P UPILS AT H OLMEWOOD H OUSE Entry to the Pre-Prep is generally non selective. Nursery pupils are admitted at three P REPARATORY D EPARTMENT plus and to a Reception class at the beginning of the academic year following their It is anticipated that Year 2 pupils will automatically transfer to the Main School, provided fourth birthday and from then on at any stage up to Year 2, subject to vacancies and a they do sufficiently well in the standardised and teacher assessments, which form part of successful informal assessment. the school’s annual screening programme, and can demonstrate that they will benefit H OLMEWOOD H OUSE P REPARATORY D EPARTMENT from a place in the school. is an academically selective, independent, co-educational school that welcomes S PECIAL E DUCATIONAL N EEDS applications from pupils from all social or cultural backgrounds, who will profit from an During the assessment process, every step will be taken to accommodate the needs of academic education and, who will contribute fully and enthusiastically to the wider life of those with physical or learning disabilities. Extra time, use of a word processor or special the school. Pupils are admitted to Year 3 at the beginning of the academic year following support equipment may be used during assessments (subject to the written recommen- their seventh birthday and from then on at any stage up to Year 8, subject to vacancies dation of an educational psychologist and the approval of the school’s Learning Support and entrance assessment. Co-ordinator). We welcome applications for admission from academically able candidates ENTRY TO HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL – YEAR 3 TO YEAR 8 with mild physical or learning disabilities and aim to make reasonable adjustments to promote Entrance assessment consists of standardised tests in mathematics, reading and spelling access to our curriculum and associated services. which form part of the school’s annual screening process. The criteria by which the S IBLINGS AND S TAFF C HILDREN P OLICY candidates will be offered a place in the Preparatory Department are: In keeping with the school’s family ethos, in cases of candidates with relatively similar • The results of standardised assessments. academic merit and interview performance, priority will, where possible, be given to It is expected that successful candidates will fare well in all aspects of the exam, siblings of current Holmewood House School pupils and to those with a family connection but a candidate who fares poorly in one paper but outstandingly in another will be with the school. Such priority assumes that the sibling candidate has done sufficiently well considered. in the assessments and interview that in our view, he or she shows the potential to take • Reports from the candidate’s current school. advantage of all that the school offers. Sons and daughters of members of staff at Of particular interest will be the assessment of pupil progress and teachers’ Holmewood House School are subject to the same selection process as the siblings of identification of innate potential. school pupils.

8 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL the pre-prep department

Mrs.Greensmyth-Jones is the Head of the Pre-Prep Department and may be reached by giving children individual attention. Good manners, courtesy and respect for others are telephone on (01892) 860005. promoted in the two inviting and friendly classrooms. CONTACT WITH STAFF We follow the Foundation Stage curriculum with weekly projects, including letters, numbers, colours and shapes.The morning starts with a short assembly followed by free play in Parents of children in the Nursery, Receptions and Year 1 are welcome to bring their carefully set out rooms where children have the opportunity to paint, colour, use children into the form rooms at the beginning of the day, and then are asked to say construction toys, sand or water, role play and dress up.There is usually supervised craft, their goodbyes quickly. painting, sticking or model-making, and the book corner is available at all times. The In Year 2, we prefer the children to come into the classrooms unaccompanied unless morning continues with group work. The children have the opportunity to play in the parents need to talk to the form teachers. playground, meeting together with the other class. Afternoon projects include musical movement, stories, singing and country walks to familiarise the children with school. Once Parents are encouraged to make appointments with form teachers or Mrs.Greensmyth- a week, the Nursery classes go to the Pre-Prep department for a music lesson, to the Jones, rather than have discussions in front of the children. Regular communication Sports Hall for a P.E. lesson and swim from the start of the Spring term. between parents and form teachers is maintained through a parents’ contact book. During the course of the year we have form assemblies for parents to attend usually T HE P RE-PREP followed by coffee and a visit to the classroom. We also have parents’ meetings, run on The Pre-Prep is open from 8.15am onwards, and assembly takes place at 8.40am every an appointment system with form teachers, for discussion about your child’s progress. day. The Headmaster takes assembly in the Pre-Prep on Wednesdays (8.30am). In the Summer term, parents of children in Year 2 are invited to an open morning in Lessons start at 9am and continue until morning break at 10.30am for Receptions and the main school, where they have the opportunity to meet Junior Department teachers Year 1 and 11am for Year 2. There is then another teaching period before lunch. On and are shown round the main school site. All other children in the Pre-Prep have a Wednesday and Thursdays, Break is at 10.30am for all classes.Year 2 are taken to the Main transition morning where they move up a class to meet their new teachers. School for their break. THE SCHOOL DAY There are three sittings for lunch. Reception and Nursery have first lunch, followed by T HE N URSERY Year 1 at 12.30pm and Year 2 at 1pm. The children are welcome at the Nursery from 8.15am although the morning session There is a short break after lunch and then afternoon lessons. On one afternoon per begins at 8.45am. The morning session ends at midday. In the autumn and spring term, week the children play sport. Each year group has its own designated sports afternoon. parents can choose five mornings or five full days.The full-day session ends at 3.15pm. All Swimming and P.E. also take place on a weekly basis. children stay for five full days in the summer term to prepare them for Reception entry Reception classes check out at 3.15pm (3pm on Wednesdays),Year 1 at 3.30pm (3.10pm the following September. on Wednesdays) and Year 2 at 3.35pm (3.15pm on Wednesdays). Parents are requested Great emphasis is placed on enthusiasm, developing positive attitudes to learning and to collect their children promptly to help the flow of traffic.

9 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

We like to invite parents to participate in afternoon activities and to help with visits to solo music concert includes everyone who plays an instrument, even if it is a Reception place sof interest. year recorder player. All these events take place in the Jubilee Theatre.The Pre-Prep are At present, we offer Spanish in Year 2.The children enjoy the experience of fun and games always very welcome at the many concerts and plays produced by the Main School. The through Spanish and this introduces them to the concept of a foreign language. children must be accompanied by an adult and wear best school uniform.

OWLS S PEECH/SPORTS DAYS There is an after-school club called ‘Owls’ which is run by the school staff for Pre-Prep The Pre-Prep have a Sports Day which takes place on the South Lawn at Main School children whose parents cannot pick them up at the correct time. Owls starts at 3.15pm towards the end of the Summer term. Every child competes in his or her age group. and ends promptly at 4.45pm (4pm on Wednesdays).There is a charge for this facility, which Each year group, including the Nursery, have a swimming gala during the summer term. is currently £3 a session. Children must be booked into Owls through the Pre-Prep office. All children in the Main School attend Speech/Sports Day but it is voluntary for those in A FTER S CHOOL C LUBS Nursery, Receptions,Years 1 and 2 unless they have been awarded a prize. Speeches and We have a range of after-school activities and clubs on offer to children. These are Prize-giving take place in the Sports Hall at 11am. Pre-Prep children sit with their parents, additional extras and are run by qualified independent coaches. Please see the separate unless they are prize-winners. section on after-school activities. T RAFFIC AND PARKING T HE H OUSE S Y STEM If there is not a parking space available on the roadside near the Pre-Prep, the tennis Every child (including those in the Nursery) is a member of a House. There are six courts provide extra parking. It is not far to walk along the path (which leads down the Houses, with a Housemaster or Housemistress for each. In the Pre-Prep, the side of the Sports Hall to the swimming pool), which emerges next to the Nursery Housemasters are invited to come to lunch with their children, so that they get to know entrance opposite the Pre-Prep. Please try to park for the minimum time possible to ease each other from an early age. congestion. Stars for good work or behaviour are collected every week and go towards the House H EALTH totals for the House Cup which is presented weekly to the House with the most stars. Mrs Napleton, Pre-Prep Secretary, is a fully qualified first-aider and handles any minor (Please see separate section on House System under Pastoral care) injuries in the Pre-Prep and administers any required medication. All medicines must be P LAYS AND C ONCERTS taken to the Pre-Prep office with a signed letter of instruction. Children are escorted to the School Nurse, Mrs Hazell-Smith, in Sickbay, if they are taken ill during the day or if In the Autumn term, the Nursery and Receptions entertain with a Nativity Play. In the their injury is more serious. Parents will then be contacted. Spring term, there is usually a Year 2 play, in which all children participate), and in the Summer term the whole Pre-Prep, including Nursery, finish the year with a concert. The Please see separate section on Health.

10 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL the junior department

Mrs Ann Hill is Head of the Junior Department (01892 860000 ext. 226) ACTIVITIES

T RANSFER TO T HE J UNIOR D EPARTMENT Children in the Junior Department have two afternoons of sport per week, Monday and Thursday, and on the remaining afternoons they may choose further sport or non- At the beginning of Year 3 pupils enter the Junior Department, where they remain for sporting activities. two years. Year 3 boys play touch rugby for half a term but they will not require a gum shield. The most significant change is in the length of the school day. The children adapt very However it is compulsory that they have a gum shield from Year 4 upwards.Shin pads are quickly and they soon settle into the new routine. needed for football. Each form has a form teacher who is responsible for their educational and social All girls in Years 3 and 4 must have gum shields and shin pads for hockey. development.Years 3 and 4 are taught mainly by their form teacher, but specialist staff teach French, Music, Art and PE. If pupils are selected for a team, the list is posted on the games board outside the dining room.This list also gives details of match times and collection times. There are four classes in each year group and the average class size is 18. Pupils are separated into accelerated and normal bands to allow for the individual needs of pupils. The aim is to encourage the children to enjoy new skills and experiences. Once these There is some movement between bands if the form teacher feels that a pupil would choices have been made, the children stay with the activity for a term. benefit from a different pace of work. However, children do need time to settle and C HECKOUT develop before judgements are made. After games or activities pupils in Years 3 and 4 must check out.This takes place in the R EGISTRATION Theatre Foyer from 4.30 to 5pm daily, apart from Wednesdays, when checkout is at 3.35pm. Members of staff are on duty in their classrooms from 8.15am. It is, therefore, important Pupils are expected to wear a blazer at this time. When parents arrive to collect their that pupils should not arrive too early. child, the child tells the member of staff on duty his or her name and form.The pupil is then ticked off as having left the school. Children staying late for activities such as judo, Between 8.15 and 8.25am pupils have the opportunity to read quietly, finish off work or ballet and cricket are still expected to check out, but the register is marked indicating that do their workbooks.Teachers also use this valuable time to talk with the form, so it would they are still on the school premises. be much appreciated if parents who wish to discuss their child’s progress would make an appointment with the form teacher at a mutually convenient time. If children have not been collected by 5pm, they will be taken to junior boarders.There is no junior boarders on Wednesdays, and children are expected to be collected at 3.45pm. Registration takes place at 8.25am followed by assembly. Any latecomers must go immediately to the front office to register. The school office should be notified before normal checkout if, for any reason, there are unforeseen delays, so that the message can be delivered to the duty staff. Parents are

11 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

requested to collect their children promptly at checkout times, both to help with traffic flow and to enable staff to perform further duties at 5pm.

M USIC Music plays an important role at Holmewood House, and pupils are encouraged to pursue individual lessons. The weekly timetables are posted upstairs in the Music Block, and pupils should get into the habit of checking the times of their lessons at the beginning of each week. These are arranged on a rotational basis so that children do not continually miss the same academic lesson. It is expected that if they undertake music lessons they should incorporate regular practice into their weekly routine. Equally, if they miss an academic lesson it is their responsibility to catch up, either during a lunch break or at home. A regular informal concert is held every Friday from 1.20 until 2 pm, where pupils perform individually and in small groups. Parents are always welcome to attend. Pupils have the opportunity to join Junior Choir from Year 2 and choir practice takes place weekly during Monday lunch break. There are concerts throughout the year, which are always very popular with parents.These events are listed in the Fixture card.

12 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL main school

THE SCHOOL DAY AND ROUTINES Children in Years 3 and 4 must check out with the duty member of staff before going home each day. Checkout takes place at the Jubilee Theatre at the times detailed in the Children are expected to arrive for registration which takes place between 8.20am and Fixture Card.When parents arrive to collect their child, the child tells the member of staff 8.25am, as school or a house assembly takes place at 8.30am every day except Saturday, on duty his or her name and form, and is then ticked off on the list as having left the when the same period is used as a form period or for choir practice. If, for some reason, school.The collecting parent should make themselves visible to the teacher doing check children in the main school must be left before 8am, they must go to the dining room. A out. Children staying late for activities such as judo or ballet still check out, but the register teacher is on supervisory duty from 8am. is marked indicating that they are staying late and are still on school premises. Year 5 Children are given their subject timetable on the first day of each term, and this should children who stay for Prep do not check out, and it is a parent’s responsibility to see that be written by them on the back of their Fixture Card. their child is collected and taken home at the appropriate time. Morning break is at 11am.A drink of squash is provided, and also biscuits or other snacks Parents are requested to collect their children promptly at checkout times, both to (including fruit). Children should not bring their own food for break. help with the flow of traffic and to enable staff on duty to perform other duties. There are two sittings for lunch. First lunch is a fairly formal affair with children in Years There is a range of after-school activities available. For Years 3-5 these take place from 3 & 4 being seated by class with their form teachers, and tables being served in turn. 5pm – 6pm on Mondays,Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. A programme for each term Second lunch is run on a cafeteria system and children, who are seated on most days by will be sent out, and children who sign up will be expected to attend for the term. House with Housemaster and House Tutors, may leave the dining room when they have Occasional late stayers may join a non-chargeable activity with the permission of the finished their meal.Vegetarians and children with food allergies or who are on special diets member of staff taking the activity. Senior activities, which include Year 5 pupils (in the are fully catered for. Sickbay and our Head of Catering need to know of any special summer term only) take place from 6.10pm – 7pm. Activities taken by members of staff requirements. are not charged for.There is a pro-rata charge for activities when an outside specialist is ‘Sort-out’ takes place on Wednesdays after second lunch. All children attend sort-out. hired. (See also section on ‘Sort Out’.) Children are expected to participate in games or From the Summer term in Year 5 until the end of Year 8,children are required to stay for activities each afternoon unless specifically put ‘off games’ by their parents.This must be Prep. Tea is provided for these children before Prep. In addition, there may occasionally authorised by a letter from home which should be handed in to the school office first be some work to finish off at home, there will be revision prior to exams and weekly thing in the morning. Children who turn up for ‘off games’ without having brought a note spelling lists and tables to learn at home. are sent out to do games, or, if there is genuine cause to think that they may be unfit, they Prep is done in school on Mondays,Tuesdays,Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm – 6pm and are sent to Sickbay. If the School Sister considers that they are not fit for games she will a Religious Studies prep is taken home and may be done on Wednesday evenings. supply them with a note and they are returned to the ‘off games’ room. If a child is really ill, Sister (not the child) will telephone home and ask parents to collect the child from Saturday morning school starts in Year 5, although those in Years 3 and 4 may on School early. occasion be required for Saturday fixtures.

13 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

Saturday morning school ends at 12.50pm and there are often School or House matches A wide range of afternoon activities and some after school activities are available and the in the afternoons with match teas for parents after all School matches, but not House choice expands as pupils move up the School. Parents are given information about the matches. choice available towards the end of the previous term.A list of those responsible for each activity is published in the Fixture card each term. ‘SORT-OUT’ XTRAS There is a full sports and activities programme. All children in the Main School have two E afternoons of compulsory games each week. If they are in a team, they may be required For new children wishing to take up an extra activity, including a musical instrument for matches on Wednesday afternoons. The remaining two afternoons (or three if they (see below), parents should indicate this on the Extras sheet issued with the Joining are not in a match), the children can choose from a vast range of sporting and non-sporting Instructions. For children already in the School, a letter should be written to the Head activities. of that department, or to the School Secretary, who will pass it on to the department ‘Sort-out’ is a meeting, which takes place at the start of term to enable children to choose concerned. their activities for the term. Children may put their names down for the games and activities M USIC in which they would like to participate during the term. Children in Year 3 are given help and advice from their form teachers about the choice available and guided into making In the case of music lessons, it should be noted that whereas children in the Pre-Prep are appropriate choices. collected for lessons by their music teachers, once children are in the Main School it is their responsibility to check the timetables posted up in the corridor of the music block We also have ‘sort-out’ after lunch on Wednesday afternoons, to sort-out what each child to find out their lesson times, to excuse themselves from whatever academic lesson they is doing that afternoon for games or activities. are missing, and to turn up for their music lessons at the correct time. S PORTS Children who learn an instrument are encouraged to become part of one or more of The main team sports for boys are soccer, rugby, hockey and cricket. Girls play netball, the many varied small instrumental groups, which take place through the week.The hockey and rounders.Athletics, gymnastics, shooting, squash, swimming and tennis are also music teachers will invite children to take part.We have five choirs in the Main School. available.We arrange many matches against other schools and also have inter-house tour- J UNIOR B OARDERS naments. We enter competitions in many sports and, where possible, all children are involved. Children are expected to play in matches when selected. Junior Boarders is an after-school care facility for Juniors, available on Mondays,Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The children go to tea after check-out and then are supervised ACTIVITIES from 5pm – 6pm.This can be useful for parents if they have an older child in the School, Other sporting and arts activities take place on the other weekday afternoons and pupils who does Prep until 6pm.There is no charge for this facility. can opt for a mixture of activities depending on their particular strengths and interests.

14 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL academic

The majority of pupils stay to take Common Entrance or Scholarship entry exams to ACCELERATED & NORMAL B ANDS AND S ETTING senior Independent Schools at 13+. Some, however, take the 11+ entry to Grammar We currently have an Accelerated Band (sometimes two Accelerated Bands in each year Schools or the 11+ entry to girls’ Independent Schools in Year 6 and leave at the end of group depending on the ability of the year group) from Year 3 and two or three Normal the Summer term in Year 6.There is not a separate class for 11+ candidates but a teacher Bands. The more able children in the year group are accelerated in order to give them oversees preparation for Grammar School entry and tutors help ensure that girls are the opportunity of taking a Scholarship if they reach the appropriate standard for the prepared for the11+ Common Entrance. School for which they are entered. T HE C URRICULUM Many of those in the Normal Band take Common Entrance to very academic schools, Further detailed information about the curriculum and the syllabus for each subject is including Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, while others go to those catering for a wider ability available on our web site – www.holmewood.kent.sch.uk. range.

G R O G S Setting occurs in major subjects starting with Maths in Year 5. From Year 7,Maths, French, E S r H M c F p e e G / n i r t r e is P g a e e i m k t e S l t n n o o o H Science and other subjects as required are all set within the bands. is h c c n a / r g P h s e h s n y . E E J UNIOR D EPARTMENT Year 8 Acc. 6 6 6 5 5 1+1sp 2 2 1 Mrs Ann Hill is Head of the Junior Department (01892 860000 ext. 226) Year 8 N 6 6 6 4 4 3 3 2 The Junior Department comprises four Year 3 and four Year 4 classes, who are taught Year 7 Acc. 6 6 6 4 4 1+1sp 2 2 2 1 several subjects by their form teachers. They have most of their lessons in their form Year 7 N 6 6 6 4 3 3 3 2 1 rooms but go to specialist teachers for Music, Art and Sport.They also use the science laboratories for practical work. Year 6 Acc. 6 6 6 4 4 1+1sp 2 2 2 1 S PECIAL T EACHERS Year 6 N 6 6 6 43 33 2 1 From Year 5, children start to move around the School more, going to specialist teachers Year 5 Acc. 6 6 4 4 4 2 2 2+1 1 in the teachers’ classrooms for their lessons. We have specialist teachers in all subjects. Year 5 N 7 7 4 4 2 2 2+1 1 I NFORMATION AND C OMMUNICATION T ECHNOLOGY (ICT) Year 4 7 7 4 3 2 2 1+1 1 ICT is taught as part of the curriculum in Years 3, 4 & 5 and is delivered as a cross- s w 1 / i

2 curricular subject in Years 6 – 8 i.e. the children will improve their computer skills in the Year 3 7 7 3 2 2 2 1+1 m various subject lessons. Children have access to the Internet and email via the School’s

Acc. = Accelerated Band N = Normal Band PSHE = Personal Social & Health Education sp = Accelerated forms have one teaching prep in Greek or German network of 250 Pentium III & IV PCs. There are two computer rooms each with 20 Options = Latin, Spanish, German or Extra English for Normal Band classes Lessons are 40 minutes in length.. See above for details of ICT,DT,Art and Music & Drama. computers (+ the Reference Library – see below), which can be booked by members of

15 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

the teaching staff for lessons. We have thirty interactive whiteboards; every department lesson for half the year. Seniors have the chance to audition for the Senior production if has one and most classrooms. they choose.Various Music and Drama activities are available for Juniors and Seniors.

D ESIGN T ECHNOLOGY (DT) T HE L IBRARY DT is taught as part of the curriculum from Year 3.Years 3 & 4 have a double lesson of Mrs Judy Everist is our full time librarian (01892 860000 ext. 214) DT every week for one term of the year and two terms of ICT.Year 5 Normal bands have a double lesson of DT every week all year.Year 5 Accelerated Band(s) have a double The Library is divided into two sections – the borrowing and the reference sections. All lesson every week for half the year.Years 6, 7 and 8 have a double lesson every week for books in the Reference Library must remain in the Library. The Library is completely two terms of the year. DT, Music and Art are timetabled the same way – see below. computerized, operating on both barcode and fingerprint systems, and is open all day. There are approximately 8000 books in the Library.The school provides a generous book DT can also be chosen as an afternoon activity – there are two afternoons for Juniors and two afternoons for Seniors. budget and new books are continually being added to the collection. The Reference Library also has 20 computers and can be booked by members of the teaching staff for A RT lessons.There is an interactive whiteboard in the Reference Library. Art is taught as part of the curriculum from Year 3.Years 3 & 4 have a double lesson of XAMS Art every week all year.Year 5 Normal bands also have a double lesson of Art every week E all year.Year 5 Accelerated Band(s) have a double lesson every week for half the year. There are School exams in November and June for Years 5 to 8. Common Entrance Years 6, 7 and 8 have a double lesson for two terms of the year. DT, Music and Art are candidates have three practice exams before taking the exam in early June in Year 8. timetabled the same way. Scholarship candidates also have plenty of exam practice, but they normally sit these Art can also be chosen as an afternoon activity. exams earlier in the Year (February to May, depending on the school).

M USIC AND D RAMA O RDERS AND R EPORTS Music is part of the curriculum all through the School.There is a full time Music teacher Children in Year 3 upwards have full reports on each subject at the end of the Autumn in the Pre-Prep and there are two full time Music teachers in the Main School. Years 3 term and at the end of the Summer term. and 4 have a double lesson of Music every week all year.Year 5 Normal bands have a double lesson of Music every week all year.Year 5 Accelerated Band(s) have a double lesson At the end of the Spring term, which is shorter, a brief report is given, consisting of term every week for half the year.Years 6, 7 and 8 have a double lesson every week for two marks and the form teacher or tutor’s report. terms of the year. DT, Music and Art are timetabled the same way. In addition to these end of term reports, order slips are sent home in the middle of each Years 3 and 4 all take part in the Junior production in the Spring term. Year 5 Normal term. The order slip consists of a set of marks and effort grades for each subject, with a Bands have one lesson of drama each week and Year 5 Accelerated Band(s) have a double brief comment from the form teacher or tutor.

16 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL learning support

Mrs Therese Hemming is Head of Learning Support (01892 860024) S UCCESSM AKER - “EARLY B IRDS” Our Learning Support Department with three specialist teachers and three learning The Learning Support Department runs SuccessMaker “Early Bird” sessions every morning support assistants provides monitoring, evaluation and specific teaching for children in Computer Room 2 between 8am and 8.30am. throughout the school. SuccessMaker Enterprise is an integrated learning system proven to improve maths, In order to ensure that every child reaches his or her academic potential, the Learning spelling and reading for pupils aged between 5 and 14 years.This sophisticated computer Support Department administers nationally standardized assessment tests to all pupils. programme considers the differing abilities and levels of every pupil and then provides This screening process starts in Reception and continues until Year 8. each one with a personalised course of work that is continuously updated.The result is There is considerable input from the Learning Support Department in the Pre-Prep. that everyone works at their own pace and on the most suitable material for their needs, A problem diagnosed early may often be remedied before entry to the Main School. therefore optimising their achievements. Learning support is all-inclusive in the Pre-Prep unless a specialist tutor or individual learning SuccessMaker Enterprise offers a flexible range of courses, which enable us to support support assistant is specifically required. Where possible, learning support in given in the many different pupils from Year 1 to Year 8. It has a management system that enables the classroom in the Pre-Prep. Learning Support Department to customise courses to meet each child’s needs and also In the Main School, small group and one-to-one learning support lessons are given. Pupils provides teachers with simple reports so we can track each pupil’s performance. are charged pro rata for learning support and detailed assessments. Please see the current fee schedule for charges. Regular feedback is given to parents. We our proud of the achievements of our pupils who have experienced problems in their early years. These children usually succeed in gaining places at Common Entrance to a variety of good schools.

17 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL awards and passes

AWARDS G AINED BY L EAVERS PASSED ON S CHOLARSHIP PAPERS

1999 8 Eastbourne 1 (Music) 2003 13 Eastbourne 3 (including 2 Music) 1998 9 Eton, Marlborough King’s Canterbury 3 (including 1 Music) King’s Canterbury 3 (including 1 Sport) Sevenoaks (2) Sevenoaks 2 Oakham St. Leonards-Mayfield St. Leonards-Mayfield St. Leonard’s, Mayfield (Top) Tonbridge (3) Tonbridge Sevenoaks 2 (including 1 Music) Worth. Tonbridge 3 (including 2 Music) 1999 3 2000 14 Eastbourne 1 (Top) King’s Canterbury Tonbridge King’s Canterbury 2004 15 Eastbourne 3 (including 2 Music) St. Leonards-Mayfield 3 Kent College 1 Sevenoaks (including Top Scholarship) King’s Canterbury 3 (including 1 Sport) 2000 4 Tonbridge Sevenoaks 5 (including Top 3 & 2 Music) St. Leonard’s, Mayfield (Top) Sevenoaks Tonbridge 4 (1 Music) Sevenoaks 3 (including 1 Music) King’s Canterbury Tonbridge 4 (including 1 DT and 1 Music) Kent College 2001 18 Benenden (Sport) 2001 6 St. Leonards-Mayfield Bethany (Sports & drama) 2005 17 Kent College (Top Scholarship) Epsom 2 (Sport) Sevenoaks (3) King’s Canterbury Tonbridge (2) Kent College 2 St. Bede’s (Sport) (including Top Scholarship & 1 Music) St. Leonard’s, Mayfield (Top Scholarship) 2002 14 King’s Canterbury St. Bede’s (Sport) Sevenoaks 6 Sevenoaks (5) St. Leonards-Mayfield 2 Tonbridge (8) (including Top Scholarship) (including Top Scholarship,1 Music and 2 Foundation Music) Sevenoaks 5 (including 1 Art & 1 Music) 2003 9 Eastbourne Tonbridge 7 Sevenoaks (4) Tonbridge 4 (including 2nd Scholarship, Knightley, (including Top Scholarship & 3 Music) Cowdrey (Sport) and 1 Music) Tonbridge (4) 2004 8 Eastbourne 2002 13 Bethany (Sport) Sevenoaks (4) Epsom (All-rounder) Tonbridge (3) Kent College (Major) King’s Canterbury 2005 12 Eton St. Leonards-Mayfield 2 St. Leonard’s-Mayfield Sevenoaks 5 (including 2 Music and 1 Art) Sevenoaks (7) Tonbridge 5 (including 1 Music) Tonbridge (3)

18 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

13+ COMMON E NTRANCE PASSES S INCE 1990

Ampleforth 4 Oundle 2 One pupil only entered each of the following schools: Ardingly 6 Queen’s Taunton 2 Abingdon, City of London, Fettes, Gordonstoun, Benenden 3 Radley 2 Highgate, Hurstpierpoint, Merchant Taylors, Milton Abbey, Bethany 6 Sackville 2 Rannoch, Reed’s, St. Bede’s, St. Christopher’s Letchworth, Charterhouse 8 St. Leonards-Mayfield 20 St. Edward’s Oxford, St. Joseph’s Ipswich, Sherborne, Talbot Heath,Taunton,Winchester (Entrance) & Cranbrook 15 St. Bede’s 2 Woodbridge. Eastbourne 54 Sevenoaks 52 Eton 4 Stowe 5 It is very much the exception for pupils not to pass Harrow 2 Sutton Valence 3 into the appropriate first choice school. Kent College, Pembury 2 Tonbridge 112 King’s Canterbury 46 Wellington 2 Lancing 17 Woldingham 2 Marlborough 9 Worth 4 Millfield 3

19 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL after school activities

After-school activities are run by independent instructors, who will charge parents termly DAY CLUB TIME INSTRUCTOR TEL. NO. CURRENT in advance. All the following after-school activities are available to children in Year 3 and COST (per term) above. Numbers for these activities are restricted and your child may have to go on a waiting list until a space becomes available.Your child’s name will be passed on to the activ- MONDAY TENNIS 5.00 – 6.00 pm £60.00 TUESDAY 6.15 – 7.15 pm Pat Braam 01892 526770 (10 weeks) ity instructor, who will make direct contact with you. THURSDAY FRIDAY MONDAY SWIMMING As per £50.00 WEDNESDAY Swimming Sue Cackett 01892 860035 (10 week THURSDAY Programme course) FRIDAY SATURDAY TUESDAY CRICKET Years 3, 4, 5.00 – 6.00 pm Blake Sargeant 01892 863826 £35.00 Years 5, 6, 7, 8, 6.00 – 7.00 pm TUESDAY MODERN 4.45 – 5.30 pm Sarah Haffenden 01435 862880 £4.75 DANCE 5.30 – 6.15 pm per session (Classes are 6.15 – 7.00 pm graded) 7.00 – 7.45 pm WEDNESDAY GYM 5.00 – 6.00 pm Stephanie Grugeon 860000 ext.233 £40.00* THURSDAY JUDO Years 3, 4 & 5 5.10 – 5.55 pm Vic Court 01892 549950 £58.00 Years 5, 6, 7, 8, 6.05 – 6.50 pm THURSDAY BALLET 4.30 – 5.15 pm Sarah Haffenden 01435 862880 £4.75 5.15 – 6.00 pm per session FRIDAY BROWNIES 5.00 – 6.00 pm Sue Taylor 01892 542735 £20.00*

* Added to school bill

20 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

RE REP FTER CHOOL CTIVITIES P -P A -S A DAY CLUB TIME INSTRUCTOR TEL. NO. CURRENT COST After-school activities are run by independent instructors, who will charge parents termly (per term) in advance. All the following after-school activities are available to children in Years 1 & 2. MONDAY CRICKET 3.40 – 4.30 pm Blake Sargeant 01892 863826 £35.00 Reception children may apply to do Ballet, Cricket, Modern Dance and Swimming. Numbers for these activities are restricted and your child may have to go on a waiting list MONDAY SWIMMING As per £50.00 WEDNESDAY Swimming Sue Cackett 01892 860035 (10 week until a space becomes available.Your child’s name will be passed on to the activity instructor, THURSDAY Programme course) who will make direct contact with you. FRIDAY SATURDAY M USIC TUESDAY CRICKET Children can start music lessons from Year 1, and Mrs. Johnson will arrange these. Please Year 2 3.45 – 4.45 pm Blake Sargeant 01892 863826 £35.00 state your preference for a particular instrument and Mrs. Johnson will make room for your TUESDAY MODERN 3.30 – 4.15 pm Sarah Haffenden 01435 862880 £4.75 child in the music timetable.Although every effort is made, it is not always possible for new DANCE 5.30 – 6.15 pm per session pupils to start individual music lessons during the first term because teachers may not have WEDNESDAY GYM 4.00 – 5.00 pm Stephanie Grugeon 860000 ext.233 £40.00* a space, but as soon as there is a vacancy, you will be notified. Music lessons will be given during normal school hours.Where the instructor is a member of staff, charges will be billed THURSDAY JUDO Year 1 3.30 – 4.15 pm Vic Court 01892 549950 £58.00 by the school at the end of term. All other bills will be raised by the peripatetic teachers Year 2 4.20 – 5.05 pm and must be paid termly in advance. The charges are currently £9.00 for a 20-minute THURSDAY BALLET 3.15 – 4.00 pm Sarah Haffenden 01435 862880 £4.75 lesson and £18.00 for a 40-minute lesson. 4.00 – 4.45 pm per session 4.45 – 5.30 pm SATURDAY TENNIS 9.00 – 10.00 am Pat Braam 01892 526770 £60.00

* Added to school bill

21 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL pastoral care

Pastoral care is an extremely important part of School life, for which the Headmaster is R ED AND B LUE S TAR S YSTEM responsible. Children are encouraged to feel confident and free to speak to anyone on All children in Main School are issued with a Prep Card where red and blue stars are the staff should they have any problems and the Holmewood ‘Happiness Charter’ is recorded. issued to all boarding pupils.This contains suggestions of whom to approach if there is a problem.The School has a Pastoral Care Policy handbook, which may be referred to on Red stars are given for particularly good work, for some duties, for exceptionally courteous request. behaviour, etc. The School has a strong anti-bullying policy and pupils are encouraged to tell someone if Blue stars are given for bad behaviour. Blue stars are also recorded in a Blue Star Register they are being bullied so that any problem can be sorted out quickly and effectively. kept in the staff room, and three blue stars received in one week automatically mean a detention. Children on detention are usually required to work for one or two hours after The happiness of your child is paramount. If your child is unhappy for any reason, especially Saturday lunch. Parents are always notified of a detention in good time, and detentions in cases of bullying and teasing, please inform his or her form teacher, Housemaster or are not postponed because of prior engagements. Tutor as soon as possible. Most problems can be easily solved, but only if we know about them! Children who constantly collect blue stars or whose work is consistently below an acceptable standard are issued with a report card. This must be signed by the teacher H OUSE S YSTEM after each lesson certifying that behaviour and work have been acceptable.This is not a Every child is a member of a House. The six Houses are Ash, Beech, Cedar, Cob, Oak punishment but rather an opportunity for encouragement and recognition of improved and Yew. There is a Housemaster/mistress for each House, and each House also has two effort. Report cards are countersigned by either the Head of Junior School, the Head of House tutors. Boys and girls are assigned to a House according to numbers in each age Year 5, the Senior Tutor, the Director of Studies, the Deputy Headmaster or the group. Siblings are allocated to the same House. Children of Holmewood Old Boys can Headmaster, and after a satisfactory period the need for them will be removed. be assigned to their father’s old House. Red and blue stars go towards the totals for the House Cup, which is presented weekly The house colours are used for House ties, and polo shirts in the Summer term. The and at the end of each term to the House with the most red stars. House colours are as follows: If a Prep Card is lost, with the form teacher’s permission, a replacement may be obtained, Ash – purple Beech – yellow at a cost of 10p, from the Tuck Shop during morning break. It is not the ‘end of the world’ Cedar – green Cob – dark blue if a Prep Card goes in the washing machine! Oak – light blue Yew – red H OUSE AND S CHOOL L EADERS A House meeting is held after assembly and before the start of lessons each Tuesday and Pupils in Year 8 may be chosen to become House Leaders and to receive their House Thursday morning.There are various House competitons, sporting and academic, junior Leader ties.To be eligible, pupils must maintain a good track record in Year 7,avoiding blue and senior, throughout the school year. Red and blue stars collected by the children go stars and gaining a large number of red stars. Being a House Leader carries a towards totals for their House and a House Cup for red stars is awarded each week and certain amount of responsibility as well as certain privileges. at the end of each term to the House with most red stars. School Leaders are appointed from members of Year 8 by the Headmaster, following 22 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

consultation with teachers. Appointments are made throughout the year. Their ties are • Be modest. dark blue with the school crest in gold. • Work hard. Don’t waste time.Take pride in doing things well – A Head Boy and Head Girl are usually appointed each year.Their ties are purple with the finish the job. school crest in gold. • Show gratitude to those who have done things for you. T HE M AGIC B OX • Be unselfish with your friendship. Have friends not a best friend. Holmewood House cares greatly about the moral qualities and character of its pupils. • Do look after property – Don’t waste or damage things. Pupils are advised:Throughout your time at school, and particularly by the time you leave • Be of good cheer and glad – don’t try to bring people down. us, we should like you to adhere out of habit to the following moral code. If mastered, it will guide you and stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. Responding in the best People get stuck in the position of making negative responses rather than positive ones. way, by following the code, will make you and others feel good! This is true of adults as well as children. Reinforcement by parents at home of these • Do be kind and helpful. Don’t hurt people’s feelings. points would be greatly appreciated. • Do be gentle. Don’t hurt anyone. F IRE P RACTICES • Do be honest – Don’t cove up the truth. The Deputy Head and a member of staff, Paul Morgan-Jones, are responsible for fire procedures, and routine practices are carried out each term. • If you are in the wrong accept blame gracefully. Don’t pass it on to others to get them into trouble. H EALTH AND S AFETY • Do listen and don’t interrupt. The Health and Safety Committee meets regularly under the Chairmanship of the Bursar • Care for yourself - show responsibility for your own safety and that and our Health and Safety Policy is available on requests. Any Health and Safety concerns of others should be brought to the attention of the Headmaster or Bursar. • Be a good winner and a good loser. S UGGESTIONS AND C OMPLAINTS • Forgive others readily, and forgive gracefully when others Complaints from parents and children are dealt with in a helpful and responsive way and apologise to you. a Complaints Procedure for Parents is available from the School Office if you wish to make a formal complaint. Constructive suggestions as to how the School might be • Do not tolerate teasing and bullying – intervene and tell. improved are always welcome and, where practical, these are taken up and implemented. • Accept and appreciate differences. E QUAL O PPORTUNITIES • Use good language – avoid bad language. Holmewood House operates an equal opportunities policy for all pupils regardless of • Think what is the best response before responding to a age, sex, colour, creed or status. Each child will be dealt with the same consideration setback or an unkindness. and care.

23 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL school rules for pupils

A sense of responsibility, good manners, kindness and consideration, and a willing c. The following areas are out of bounds: response to teachers’ instructions all contribute towards a happy school.The following • The kitchen area, including storerooms rules are considered necessary for the safe and the smooth running of the School. • Roofs 1. GENERAL • Girls’ dormitory areas to boys (except if there is a fire) a. Your Prep Card is important. Look after it. If you lose it, report the loss to your • Boys’ dormitory areas to girls (except if there is a fire) form teacher and obtain a note for a replacement from him/her.You can obtain a replacement from the tuck shop by presenting the note and 10p. • Staff rooms b. Mobile phones are not allowed. d. The front door of the main building is not for general use c. Lighters, matches and knives are not allowed. e. School property must be respected and any damage reported immediately. The cost of the damage is likely to be charged to the account(s) of the d. Swapping and selling of personal belongings is not generally allowed. Permission person(s) responsible. must be sought for any such transaction. f. Changing rooms are for changing and not for playing in. e. Day children are not allowed to bring food into school without permission. Chewing and bubble gum are expressly forbidden. g. There are teachers on duty from 8am. If you arrive earlier you should wait in the dining room. Junior form teachers arrive at 8.15am. f. Tippex is not allowed. h. You must enter and exit from Assembly in silence. g. Only one person is allowed in the phone booth at one time and calls home may only be made in breaks. i. Special rules apply to the library, theatre, swimming pool, sports hall, science labs, computer and DT rooms and art rooms. h. Those in Years 3 & 4 must check out before leaving. j. Fire regulations are displayed in all classrooms. Anyone who detects a fire should i. All pupils must register between 8.20am and 8.25am with his/her form teacher raise the alarm immediately by reporting it to the nearest adult. in form rooms or, if late, at the school office on arrival. Any absence during the Fire extinguishers are not for children’s use. school day, other than one due to sickness (which will be reported by Sickbay), must be notified to the School office by parents in advance. A second register k. Games boots, roller blades and Wellingtons are not to be worn indoors. will be taken at 2pm. on Mondays,Tuesdays,Thursdays and Fridays. l. No ball games are allowed in classrooms or passageways. 3. THE G ROUNDS 2. THE B UILDINGS a. The School boundaries must be observed at all times.The fences and hedges a. Running in or around School buildings is not allowed. around the school boundary are the boundaries but the maintenance area, the b. You may not enter the Jubilee Theatre or the wardrobe area below unless land around Phantoms Corner and the area behind the sports hall/swimming supervised. pool and the pond (unless supervised) are out of bounds. 24 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

b. No ball games are allowed close to school buildings. d. Shoes or trainers must be worn to and from the swimming pool. c. Throwing sticks, stones or other objects is not allowed. e. The wearing of another person’s clothing is not allowed. d. Climbing of trees is not allowed and trees, lawns and flowers are to be respected. f. Dyeing or bleaching of hair is not allowed and will result in a child being sent home from school until it is washed out. e. Skateboards, snakeboards, scooters and roller blades may only be used by boarders. Helmets must be worn.This equipment should not be used on roads g. No jewellery should be worn except for watches. Girls are allowed stud and must be keep away from parked cars. No jumps or stunts are allowed. earrings if their ears are pierced. f. The groundsmens’ notices must be respected. Football goalmouths must not be 5. STARS used except with permission. a. Red stars may be awarded for anything worthy of merit. A maximum of five g. Black shoes may not be worn on the grass if it is wet.Trainers must be worn for should be given at any one time. Red star sheets must be handed in at the end break time games on tennis courts. of Friday break. h. Cricket helmets and pads must be worn by batsmen in nets, except those using b. Blue stars are given for poor conduct, leaving property lying around, or poor soft balls under supervision, and by batsmen and wicket keepers during games. work. In most instances a warning will be given. Details of blue stars are put in the ‘Blue Star’ book in the Common Room. 4. T HE D INING H ALL c. On receiving three blue stars in any one week you must report to the Deputy a. No pupil may enter the dining-hall except for early arrival at school, and meal Head.Three blue stars in a week will usually result in a Wednesday afternoon or and break times. Saturday afternoon detention.Your parents will be informed and 24 hours b. All pupils must attend all meals, except first tea, which is voluntary, and you are warning given. encouraged to eat all that you ask for and not to leave unnecessary waste. The School’s disciplinary procedure is available upon request from the Main School Office. c. Day pupils may not bring food into school. d. Civilised manners are expected at all times. 5. CLOTHING a. All must wear school uniform (as per the clothing list) during working hours. b. Blazers, black shoes and ties (when appropriate) should be worn by pupils travelling to and from school. Best uniform is needed for outings and external exams. c. Ankle boots and high heels are not allowed. Conventional black shoes should be worn.

25 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL health

The main aim of the members of the school health team is to ensure that children are administration of medicine to school pupils. physically and emotionally fit in order to benefit fully from their education and achieve In order to comply with guidelines from the Department of Health, we are required to their potential to grow and develop in a healthy environment. obtain a signed parental consent for children to be given first aid treatment and for the We have a fully qualified School Nurse backed by an assistant , who is a fully qualified First Aider.They share the duty hours between them ensuring that our fully-equipped administration of over the counter medication (Calpol etc.) by the Sickbay staff. If a day Sickbay is open 8am – 7pm weekdays (8am – 6.30pm on Wednesdays) and 8am – pupil requires medication to be administered during the school day, the medication must 4.30pm on Saturdays (8am – 7pm during the summer term). Sickbay will seek advice be brought to Sickbay on arrival at school or handed to Mrs Napleton (a fully qualified from Rusthall Medical Centre in cases of real emergency. First Aider), Pre-Prep Secretary, in the case of a Pre-Prep child. With the exception of Sister Margaret Hazell-Smith RGN (01892 860019) inhalers and epipens, children may not carry medicines on them. Mrs Pennie Court We have other First Aiders in the school (holding 4 day First Aid and Safety at Work I LLNESS OR I NJURY D URING T HE S CHOOL DAY Certificates as required under the Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981) and Children who are taken ill during the day must report to Sickbay or if in the Pre-Prep to Appointed Persons (1 day First Aid Certificates) Mrs Napleton (who will them seek advice from Sickbay). Children are not allowed to Sickbay fulfills the following functions: phone home to ask to be collected if they are not well.We will then contact the parent • The care of children taken ill during the school day. should the child need to return home and the office will be informed.

• The administration of any first aid or medical treatment to children, staff It is most important that the school is provided with emergency telephone numbers so and visitors. that parents may be contacted if a child is ill and needs to be taken home. • Sickbay staff will contact and liaise with the school doctor as necessary. O FF G AMES • The measurement of growth (height and weight) and development of the If a child is deemed unfit for games, an ‘off games’ note must be supplied by a parent to children at age 5, with screening of vision, colour vision and hearing. Appropriate referrals are then arranged. the office (Main School or Pre-Prep). Supervision is provided for children who are ‘off games. A further note should be sent to the office when a child is fit enough to return to • A school counselling service is provided by Mrs Sonja Jenkins MA PGCE games. Occasionally, Sickbay will provide an ‘off games’ note if they consider this appropriate. • Mouth guard fitting by Mrs Sally Atkinson (a local dentist) In accordance with Department of Health guidelines, we ask that children who have M EDICINES suffered from either vomiting and / or diarrhoea be kept at home for 24 hours after The School Nurse (in her absence, her assistant) is responsible for the safe storage and the last incidence. 26 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL uniform

The relevant uniform list is sent out to all parents before their children join the School. wear School ties with their everyday uniform and blazers unless otherwise instructed by A Main School uniform list will be sent to parents prior to their child’s move to Year 3. their teacher. Replacement copies may be obtained from the School Office. This information is intended House ties are provided at school on a pupil’s first morning. A string bag will also be only to explain and supplement the uniform list. provided for games kit. String bags are kept in the changing rooms. Replacements can Please remember that unless items are CLEARLY MARKED, we have no means of be obtained from the School Office and will be charged to the child’s account. identification.This applies also to pens, watches and any other personal items brought in Sports colours may be awarded for individual sports. If a pupil is awarded colours in to School. Shoes marked with pens need re-marking every few weeks. three different sports, he or she may wear the special ‘triple colours’ tie, which is dark There is an everyday uniform and a best uniform. Best uniform must be worn for School blue with stripes in yellow, blue and green. concerts and plays, Speech Day, music exams, most school outings, and for other major The gold scholarship tie with the school crest in dark blue is awarded to pupils who gain School occasions as notified to parents from time to time. scholarships, academic, music, art or sporting, to senior independent schools. School tracksuits are sometimes worn by the younger children on casual school outings, L OST P ROPERTY e.g. to farms, etc. Clothing which is named is put into House boxes in the Tuck Shop area. Watches, spec- Everyday uniform for boys consists of grey corduroy shorts for those below Year 6, grey tacles and other valuables are handed in to the School Office or to the Deputy Head. charcoal long trousers for those above, grey shirts, house ties, navy school sweaters, school socks and black shoes. In severe weather conditions, the younger boys may wear Children (or parents!) should look in these places first before reporting lost items to their long grey corduroy trousers instead of shorts. In summer, boys wear short-sleeved polo form teachers and the duty Housemaster, who will make an announcement in assembly. shirts in house colours instead of the grey shirt. No ties are worn in summer. Please do not send your child to School with money unless it is essential, for example if For girls, everyday uniform consists of the school kilt, pale blue blouse and house ties, navy they are going straight out after School with another parent or child, or need to make a sweaters, navy socks or tights, black or navy shoes. In summer, girls wear a navy skirt, a purchase from the School Tuck Shop. The School cannot be held responsible for any short-sleeved polo shirt in house colours, and a navy cardigan or the School sweater. money left in coat pockets or desks. Best uniform for boys consists of a white shirt and the School tie or School Leader’s/ T HE H OLMEWOOD H OUSE S CHOOL S HOP House Leader’s/triple colours/scholarship tie if appropriate, grey flannel shorts for the The shop operates to sell second-hand uniform in good condition. It is run by parents on boys below Year 6, and the normal grey charcoal trousers for the older boys. a voluntary basis and all profits are used to purchase items for the School. For girls the best uniform is the school kilt with white shirt, and the School tie or School The School shop opens on the first afternoon of each term and then alternates between Leader’s/House Leader’s/triple colours/scholarship tie as appropriate. the first Saturday (12noon – 1pm) or Wednesday (2.30pm – 4pm) of each month, holidays The school blazer should be worn by boys and girls as part of everyday and best uniform. permitting. Dates are always advertised a week in advance in the school newsletters and in the fixture card for each term.The shop also opens once during the Easter and summer A navy cagoule is an essential part of the uniform. holidays and these times are given in the end of term notes. Access to the shop at other When children are selected to play for the School in matches against other schools, they times, for new parents and in emergency situations, can be gained by contacting one of 27 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

the helpers, a list of whom is available from the School Office. Uniform for sale must be in good condition, clean and ironed. Items such as blazers and coats should be dry cleaned before being brought in for sale. When bringing in items for sale, please put them in a bag clearly marked with your name and address and leave it in the school office. Unfortunately, due to lack of space, we are unable to accept any sports equipment or footwear. The School shop is currently located in the ‘Pink Palace’ located behind the library. T HE T UCK S HOP The Tuck Shop is open during every morning break for the exchange of exercise books and the purchase of pencils, rubbers, rulers, protractors, calculators, kitbags, mouthguards, football studs, ties etc. On Wednesday evenings, the Tuck Shop is opened for boarders to buy tuck. If completed exercise books are shown, there is no charge for the replacement, but the cost of other stationery will be added to child’s school account. Children must produce written permission from a parent or cash, if they want to buy any of the more expensive items. Phonecards may be purchased at a cost of £5, which will be added to the child’s school account. B OOKS There is a single one-off payment (please see current fee schedule) added to the child’s school account when a child joins the School for textbooks. Most books needed for teaching are supplied on loan by the school but there are occasional workbooks required (eg for Science), which will be added to the child’s school account. An Atlas can be pur- chased from the Tuck Shop and will be added to the child’s school account.

28 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL school events

M ATCHES O UTINGS School matches start at 2.30pm unless otherwise noted in the Fixture Card or weekly A variety of outings is arranged each term. Some are linked to topic work in the class- newsletter. room, others are recreational. Lists of teams are posted on the sports notice boards outside the dining room. Children Parents are informed well in advance and these outings are generally listed in the are told in Games if they are going to be in a match but are also told to check the team Fixture Card. The School Office or the department will send consent forms to parents lists. for outings, and it would be very helpful if these could be signed and returned to the Estimated return times from away matches are also noted on the team lists. Children School Office as soon as possible. selected for any School team are expected to be available to play. Parents are encouraged The charge is worked out on a pro rata basis and will be added to the child’s school to attend home and away matches to support their children and the School, but are account. asked to refrain from coaching from the sidelines. Parents supporting their children at away matches may take their child home with them at the end of the match if this is S PEECH DAY cleared with the team coach. All Main School children attend Speech/Sports Day, which is held on the last Saturday of Match teas for players on Wednesdays and Saturdays are provided in the school dining the Summer term. room, or outside in the summer term, after home matches, and in the Theatre foyer Speeches and Prize Giving take place in the morning in the Sports Hall. Prizewinners sit (for parents and younger siblings) on Wednesdays and in the dining room on Saturdays. together in front of the dais; other children in the Main School sit all together on one side All players must attend match tea, which is part of the fixture. of the hall, and Pre-Prep children sit with their parents. All children wear best uniform. P LAY S AND C ONCERTS After speeches parents are welcome to picnic in the grounds with their children. House Athletics finals begin at 2pm.We strongly encourage all children to stay and support their School plays and concerts take place regularly throughout the school year. Children House. Term officially ends after the presentations at about 6pm, when all children are attending these events with their parents must wear best uniform. free to go home and reports may then be collected from Housemasters. This may be Parents will be allocated seats for most events taking place in the theatre, and are brought forward to an earlier time in the case of inclement weather.Any reports not col- requested to take their seats when asked to do so by staff on duty. lected will be posted. In order to comply with fire regulations, it is not permitted to allow standing or sitting in the aisles or at the rear of the theatre. Parents are also requested to consider that such events may be boring for very young children and babes in arms and to take them out of the theatre if they are upset or noisy, so that our young performers are not distracted. Food and drink are not permitted in the theatre

29 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL weekly and occasional boarding

School matches start at 2.30pm unless otherwise noted in the Fixture Card or weekly T UCK The School strongly encourages the use of its excellent boarding facilities, especially Only tuck from the school Tuck Shop is allowed. The Tuck Shop opens on Wednesdays for those in Years 7 and 8 where the experience helps to develop greater maturity, at 7pm for the sale of tuck, and boarders are able to spend up to a specified amount, independence and confidence. which will be added to the child’s school account. The boys’ and girls’ dormitories are in the main building on the first floor. Children are placed in their dormitories in year groups. H OMELY E XTRAS Our Boarding Houseparents, Kevin and Mary O’Riordan (01892 860011) live in a flat Boarders are free to bring in photos, toys, small games and posters to decorate their adjacent to the dormitories. rooms, radios and ‘walkmans’. F LEXI-BOARDING L INEN In addition to regular weekly boarding, we operate a flexible boarding system, Monday to All linen is provided, including a duvet, but pupils may bring their own duvet covers. Friday, subject to beds being available. Notice is required; please enquire in the School T ELEPHONE Office.This can be on a regular night each week or on a totally ad hoc basis. All boarding rules apply to temporary boarders (clothes labelling, bedtimes, etc.). A temporary boarders’ Parents may telephone in to speak to their children during the evenings at the following clothes list is available. times: F IRE P RACTICES between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on 01892 860017 (boys) and 01892 860016 (girls) In addition to routine fire practices taking place during the school day, boarders take part As for day children, the Phone card telephone in the corridor between the front door in one or two nighttime practices each term, and are made fully aware of procedures. and the Tuck Shop area is available at all times for boarders’ use.

B EDTIMES A Boarding Care Standards inspection report is available in the School Office. Bedtimes for boarders are: Year 5 (9 year olds) 7.45pm lights out by 8.30pm Year 6 (10 year olds) 8.00pm lights out by 8.45pm Year 7 (11 year olds) 8.15pm lights out by 9pm Year 8 (12-13 year olds) 8.30pm lights out by 9.15pm Prefects (12-13 year olds) 8.45pm lights out by 9.30pm We strongly recommend that day children follow the boarders’ bedtimes.

30 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL other information

T RAFFIC AND ROAD S AFETY IN T HE S CHOOL G ROUNDS do so have specific training. Pupils are always required to have their seatbelts fastened and we have a code of conduct for behaviour on buses and coaches.Those who repeatedly We cannot emphasize strongly enough that the School drive is a potential danger spot, abuse this code may be denied use of minibuses. as are the parking areas. It is vital that parents slow down as soon as they enter the school grounds, and maintain slow speeds at all times. C HARITY E VENTS There is an established one-way system which is in force at all peak times of setting down We raise money from time to time for charity e.g. Great Ormond Street, Pembury and collection, i.e. cars come down Barrow Lane and leave the school via Hither Special Care Baby Unit and British Heart Foundation.All children, and sometimes parents, Chantlers. Please bear in mind that this does not apply to local residents, who may be are encouraged to participate and contribute generously. Suggestions for good causes are going in the opposite direction to school traffic. Please do not use Holmewood Ridge always welcome.The School particularly favours children’s charities. (East), which is a private road. Please do not park in the staff car park, on double yellow lines, or in the ‘narrows’, or negate the purpose of the ‘sleeping policemen’ by driving around them. Very small children may be on the drive or forecourt at any time of the day, there is always the risk that a child will dart from behind or in front of a stationary car, and all too frequently traffic is seen travelling far too fast through the school grounds. At peak times, parents are asked to move on as soon as possible after dropping off or picking up their children, in order to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic through the School. Children should cross the road only at the prescribed crossings.

M INIBUSES There are several minibus routes to and from School, and parents are strongly encour- aged to make use of this facility in order to minimise traffic through the school. Whilst every effort is made to keep this information booklet up to date and accurate, Mr Peter Gwinnett (Tel: 01892 521280) deals with all minibus enquiries and will be this is not always possible and we retain the right to make changes to arrangements pleased to help you. All minibus drivers have passed an official county skills test and are during the course of the year. experienced and res ponsible. Minibuses are equipped with mobile phones in case of emergency. Holmewood House is a registered charity for educational purposes. Number 279267

Members of staff often drive minibuses to away fixtures and at other times and all who Revised August 2005

31 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL ownership of the school

Holmewood House School was established as a boys’ Preparatory Boarding School in the ownership and operation of the School in the control of Langton Properties Limited, 1945 by Mr Collings, the first Headmaster, and Mr Trotter, the first Bursar, who set up a the future viability of the School is assured. In 2005, Langton Properties Limited was company, Holmewood House Limited, which owned and operated the School. In 1980, renamed Holmewood House School and Holmewood House Limited has been renamed the running of the School was taken over by Langton Properties Limited, which was Holmewood House Properties Limited.The dividend income from Holmewood House specifically set up as a charitable educational trust and a company limited by guarantee to Properties Limited is distributed solely to the two charitable educational trusts, operate the School. The School itself was then leased on a 24 year lease from Holmewood House School and the Collings Trust. Holmewood House Limited, which by then was owned jointly by members of the Trotter The School is controlled by a Board of Governors, the Governing Body, who are also the family (having inherited from Mr Trotter) and the Collings Educational Trust, an educational charity, set up on the death of Mr Collings. Since 1980, the School has become co- Directors of Holmewood House School and Holmewood House Properties Limited and educational and has expanded beyond the original Holmewood House, now a Grade II who are the charity trustees of Holmewood House School. The Governing Body is Listed Building. Langton Properties Limited has purchased land and buildings which comprise accountable to the Charity Commission and a number of other authorities and is responsible the Music Rooms and Jubilee Theatre, the Sports Hall, the Squash Courts, the Swimming for the strategic direction and longer term financial viability of the School. It approves the Pool, the Pre-Prep, the Nursery and the Headmaster's House, Mulberry Cottage. In May School's policies and sets the framework within which the Headmaster directs all the 2003, Langton Properties Limited purchased the controlling interest in Holmewood academic activity of the School, including the overall care and welfare of the children and House Limited by buying the shares owned by the Trotter Family. Since May 2003, with within which the Bursar directs the financial and business management of the School.

32 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL fee rates 2005 – 2006

To All Holmewood House School Parents and Fee Payers 17 March 2005

Dear Parent/Fee Payer,

At a recent meeting of the Governing Body of the School, the Governors set the fees and charges for 2005/2006, effective from the beginning of the Autumn Term 2005 and shown below. This letter is formal notification, in accordance with the School’s Fees Regulations, of the new levels of fees and charges from 01 September 2005. FEES OTHER CHARGES Boarders £5,400.00 per term SPECIAL TUITION Day Main School £4,285.00 per term 1 to 1 £32.50 per hour Year 2 £3,240.00 per term 1 to 2 £17.85 per hour Year 1 £2,950.00 per term 1 to 3 £14.00 per hour Reception £2,750.00 per term Nursery - Full Day £1,875.00 per term Nursery - Half Day £1,250.00 per term EXTRAS Casual Boarding £38.00 per night DEPOSITS & DISCOUNTS DEPOSITS First pupil £925.00 NON-RECURRING CHARGES Siblings £370.00 Textbooks £102.50 DISCOUNTS Linen £70.00 Sibling 5% REGISTRATION Holmewood Old Boy 5% Per Child £78.00 The Government currently fund up to a maximum of six terms of Nursery Education for three and four year olds with a Nursery Education Grant.The grant levels for 2005/2006 have yet to be notified to us but these are expected to be increased over the 2004/2005 rates.These grants will be shown as a credit on bills in the normal way.

Yours sincerely,

From the Bursar, Cdr D L Stanesby BA BSc RN 33 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL fees regulations

R EGISTRATION F EE the same family attend the school the discount will apply to all children except the two youngest. 1. On signing the registration form, a non-returnable registration fee will be payable. E XTRAS D EPOSIT 5. Most extras will be charged termly in advance. Individual bills will be raised by the teacher/ instructor for payment at or before the first lesson of the term. 2. A fixed deposit must be paid for each pupil to guarantee a place.The deposit for the first child will be greater than for siblings. Sixty per cent of the first One term’s notice will be required if giving up Music and half a term’s notice for deposit will be refunded on the initial bill. The balance of forty per cent or the other extras. lower deposit for siblings will be repaid at the end of the pupil’s final term in the 6. Requests for changes in extras should be notified to the School Secretary at school after deducting the amount of extras payable that term.This deposit will least one week before the beginning of term. be forfeit if the pupil fails to join the school, for whatever reason, except failure to pass the entrance requirements.The Governors reserve the right to alter the S PECIAL T UITION amount of the fixed deposits from time to time, but such alterations will apply 7. Special Needs. Pupils in the Pre-Preparatory Department will not be charged only to pupils joining the school after the date of alteration. for individual tuition in Special Needs. On entering the main school special tuition will be charged, in arrears. Pupils referred by the Headmaster for assessment F EES by the school educational psychologist will not be charged. If an assessment is 3. Fees will be determined in the Spring each year for the forthcoming Academic requested by the parent or guardian a charge will be raised. Year but the Board reserves the right to increase the fees at other times with out prior notice. 8. General subjects. Parents requesting special tuition for a child in other subjects will be charged at an extra-tuition rate. At the discretion of the Headmaster D EDUCTIONS these charges may be billed in advance for payment to the teachers or as an 4. Deductions from Fees will be made as follows:- extra, in arrears, on the school bill. (a) 5% from the Boarding Fee for the elder brother or sister when two of the I NSURANCE same family are boarding.When there are more of the same family boarding 9. A voluntary Insurance Scheme for the repayment of fees in the case of a child’s the discount will be applied to each of the children except the youngest. illness is recommended to parents. No remission of fees whatsoever can be made (b) 5% from the Boarding or Day Fees for the sons and daughters of Old except through this Scheme.The premium for the Scheme will be payable in Holmewoodians. arrears and a term’s notice of cessation will be required.There is also a voluntary (c) 5% from the Day Fees for the eldest child when three children of the same Accident Insurance Scheme and Dental Scheme, details of which are available in family are attending the school as day pupils.When more than three children of a separate leaflet. 34 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

PAYMENT OF F EES will make an exception to this rule only when a child is withdrawn as a result of an increase in fees for which less than a full term’s notice has been given or 10. Fees may be paid in advance as follows: as a result of a serious illness. (a) Single Advance Payment. Parents wishing to make a single advance payment 14. Half a term’s notice (half a term implying half a calendar term) is required if a for the education of their child/children should contact the Bursar for boarder is to become a day pupil. Failure to do this may result in a charge details. A scheme is available at discounted rates. being made. (b) Cheque/Draft/Cash payable in advance one week before the beginning of term.This method of payment is only available to parents whose children D ISCIPLINE joined the School prior to September 1995, and to parents who have no 15. The Headmaster may at any time suspend from the School for any period or U.K. bank account. require a pupil to leave who, in the Headmaster’s opinion, is in serious or constant breach of the school rules and regulations, or exercising a harmful (c) Direct Debit. All parents with children starting at the School are required to influence in any way, or failing to make proper use of the instruction provided pay by Direct Debit.This can be done on either a termly or monthly basis. by the School. If a pupil is suspended or expelled from school, no part of the There will be no administrative charge. A Direct Debit mandate is attached. Completed mandates should be returned to the School with the deposit. fees for the term in which the suspension or expulsion occurs will be refunded.

(d) Termly debits will be withdrawn from parents’ accounts one week before S CHOLARSHIPS AND B URSARIES the beginning of term. Monthly Debits will be withdrawn from parents’ 16. Several Scholarships are available at the School to pupils entering from Primary accounts on the 6th of each month. Extras will be included in the second Schools, details of which can be given to applicants by the Headmaster. payment for the term. Each term’s payments cover four months- Certain means-tested bursaries are also available to support those going Autumn term - August-November through difficult times. Spring term - December-March G ENERAL Summer term - April-July 17. Entry of a pupil implies acceptance of all the conditions set out in the Regulations 11. The Governors reserve the right to refuse admittance to a pupil whose current for the term of entry. Regulations may be varied by mutual agreement account has not been paid by the first day of term. Should a monthly payment in writing, but any variation must be arranged before a child enters the School. fail to be made, they reserve the right to send a child home. 18. Queries about accounts should be addressed to the Bursar. 12. A surcharge of 2% per month is payable on all overdue accounts. A £25 charge will be levied for rejected direct debits. W ITHDRAWAL OF A C HILD 13. A full term’s notice in writing is required before a child is withdrawn from the School; unless such notice is given, payment for a term will be due.The Board Cdr D. Stanesby, Bursar – For the Board of Governors. Revised: March 2002 35 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL holmewood house - term dates

T ERM S TARTS E XEATS H ALF T ERM T ERM E NDS

Friday 23 Sept – Sunday 25 Sept Autumn Term 2005 Wednesday 7 September Fri 21 October – Sun 30 October Thursday 15 December Saturday 19 Nov – Monday 21 Nov

Spring Term 2006 Wednesday 11 January Fri 10 February – Sun 19 February Thursday 23 March Easter Sunday 16 April

Summer Term 2006 Friday 12 May – Sunday 14 May 1 May normal school day Wednesday 19 April Thurs 8 june – Weds 14 June Saturday 8 July Monday 29 May (Bank Holiday) Common Entrance 5 – 8 June

Friday 22 Sept – Monday 25 Sept Autumn Term 2006 Wednesday 6 September Fri 20 October – Sun 29 October Thursday 14 December Saturday 18 Nov – Monday 20 Nov

THE FOLLOWING DATES ARE PROVISIONAL

Spring Term 2007 Wednesday 10 January Fri 9 February – Sun 18 February Thursday 22 March Easter Sunday 8 April

Summer Term 2007 Friday 11 May – Sunday 13 May 7 May normal school day Wedneaday 18 April Thurs 7 June – Weds 13 june Saturday 7 July Monday 28 May (Bank Holiday) Common Entrance 4 – 7 June

day 21 Sept – Sunday 23 Sept Autumn Term 2007 Wednesday 5 September Saturday 17 Nov – Monday 19 Nov Fri 19 October – Sun 28 October Thursday 13 December

36 HOLMEWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL directions

From the M25 Leave the motorway at Exit 5 and take the following route: Turn on to A21. Stay on the A21 until you come to the first Tunbridge Wells turn-off (A26), a few miles after the turning to Tonbridge. Carry on through Southborough until you come towards the centre of Tunbridge Wells. Take the East Grinstead road out of town (A264). Continue for about a mile passing the Spa Hotel on your right and you will come to Langton Green (also 40 MPH sign). Continue and you will come to a 30MPH sign (ignore signs to Holmewood House via Holmewood Ridge) and almost immediately a cross- roads sign. Reduce speed and turn left at the cross-roads down Barrow Lane. Follow the lane straight down the hill until you come into the School grounds. Carry on until you come to the main porticoed building.Visitors’ car parking is to the left of the main door. Please enter and make yourself known at Reception.

Alternatively from the M25 (further West) Leave the M25 at Exit 6 and drive to East Grinstead on the A22.Turn left in East Grinstead onto the A264 which will take you to Langton Green. Continue on the A264 through the village until you pass some shops and a central reservation in the road. Shortly after this there is a cross-roads. Turn right down Barrow lane and then as above.

From the South Coast If you are coming along the A27 turn off at Lewes towards Uckfield. Stay on the A26 until Tunbridge Wells then follow A264 (as above) to Langton Green.

N.B. The school operates a one-way system, especially during ‘rush hours’. Please enter via Barrow Lane and exit via Hither Chantlers and Holmewood Ridge. Please exercise great care when driving through the school and when turning out from Holmewood Ridge on to A264.

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