Secondary School FAQs

Are you an independent school? OSH is a state school and we are very proud of this fact. It is one of 38 schools in the country that offer a boarding education within the state system. We share, with all good schools in the state and independent sectors, a belief in high standards of achievement and discipline and a commitment to providing an excellent education in the broadest sense.

Why does the School have hospital in its name? The School was founded in the seventeenth century, when the term ‘hospital’ indicated a charitable institution rather than a medical one. Hospital meant ‘hospitality’, or board and lodging. We retain the traditional name as part of our unique heritage and because we are a boarding school.

Do you have a catchment area? No, we welcome boys from all over the world as long as they have UK or EU/EEA nationality.

What is a typical OSH pupil like? There is, of course, no such thing as a typical OSH pupil, but we are pleased that those who visit the School often comment on the genuine friendliness of our pupils and the fact that they are clearly very proud of their School.

Can I visit the School and would I be able to meet staff? You are welcome to visit the School on any of our open events or by appointment. Depending on the timing of your visit you will have the opportunity to meet members of the Senior Leadership Team, teachers and boarding staff, who as a team are responsible for the education, safeguarding and welfare of OSH pupils.

Where is OSH located? The School is based in the West Midlands, in the town of Stourbridge. We are about 15 miles from Birmingham City Centre and there are excellent rail connections from the local station which is only few minutes’ walk away from the School. We are also very close to the motorway network and just a 30 minute drive from Birmingham International Airport or two hours from London Heathrow.

How can I find out about financial support for boarding? You can contact our Finance Department ([email protected]) who can put you in touch with charities that may be able to provide advice. The following link will direct you to a list of charities that may also be able to assist: www.educational-grants.org.

Can I apply for a bursary? An application can be made for a Bluecoat Award. These awards are intended for boys who have a particular need to board but where the family’s financial resources cannot meet the full boarding fee. Applicants for this award must be British citizens in the UK. A Bluecoat Award forms no part of the admission process and applications for a Bluecoat Award are not processed by the School. They are available to boarders entering at Year 7 or Year 9. To apply simply tick the box on the Registration Form and we will write to you with additional information.

Do you offer support to Forces families? If you are entitled to claim the Forces’ Boarding Schools Allowance – Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) - you will be pleased to know that our school is on the approved list.

Please note that Forces children could also be eligible for three free return journeys a year to visit their parents serving on accompanied tours overseas. OSH has much experience in the education of children from a Forces background. Indeed, the Headmaster went to a British Army School himself.

Are there any additional costs that I should consider? There are no additional charges for books or materials. Certain trips, weekend activities and enrichment week excursions are charged for separately, but the cost of these is always kept to a minimum.

Does the School have aims for boarding? Old Swinford Hospital aims to maintain a boarding community that ensures the safety and welfare of all boarders in an environment where they can be both healthy and happy and which supports their learning. With an extensive and varied extra-curricular programme, peer mentoring and pastoral support structure every boarder should have the opportunity to thrive, be healthy in mind and body and achieve. Boarders will enjoy a gradual increase in independence within a supportive and caring environment to enable them to develop as individuals whilst growing up in a well-ordered community.

What is the difference between Termly, Weekly and Flexi boarding? A termly boarder goes home for school holidays including half-term holidays. A weekly boarder can choose to go home on Friday after school, or Saturday morning unless they are involved in any school commitments. Many boarders take advantage of midweek exeats. A flexi-boarder does everything that a weekly or termly boarder would do, with the exception of staying regularly at the School. Flexi-boarders are required to stay at the School 3 to 4 nights per term. On other occasions they may arrive for breakfast and may depart after prep. They can also take part in the co-curricular life of the School and are welcome to use all the facilities whilst under supervision.

If my son is a weekly boarder can he stay in school at weekends? Yes in agreement with the Housemaster.

What is the difference between a day place and a boarding place? A day place is different to a boarding place because the school day is significantly shorter. For those pupils who gain day places at OSH, their day will normally finish after lessons.

At what times will day pupils be at school? All students must arrive in time for registration which starts at 08:25. Their day will normally finish after lessons at 15:45.

Can my son leave the School premises at lunch time? Pupils must remain at the School during the day, which includes lunch time. For Day Pupils lunches provided by the School are £3.20 each day and are invoiced on a termly basis. You will be sent details about school lunches in the joining instructions.

Will my son have somewhere to store his belongings during the day? Your son will be assigned a locker to store his belongings.

Can day pupils stay after school? Day pupils can stay after 15:45 if they are participating in activities that require them to represent the School e.g. representing a sports team or the school orchestra, or representing maths and science teams for the Olympiads.

Will day pupils have access to boarding houses? Day pupils will have use of their own common room for break and lunchtimes. Only very limited access to the boarding houses will be possible, because pupils who board require these facilities.

How does the School intend to integrate day pupils? Through shared tutor groups, our tutorial programme, lessons, curriculum trips and visits, school council and representative activities such as sport and music. Day pupils will be very much part of school life at OSH.

How do you define Boarding Need for admissions? Priority for boarding places is given to candidates who are able to satisfy the Governors that they have a significant degree of boarding need. In determining whether or not they consider that a particular candidate has boarding need, the Governors will have reference to the guidelines below.

In each case, it is the responsibility of parents/carers to provide the information required to enable the Governing Body to make a determination. In particular, the names and contact details of a person from whom the School may seek corroborating evidence must be given. This person must be appropriately qualified to provide the corroborating evidence as shown below.

The Governing Body may consider that a candidate has boarding need if:

1. He satisfies at least ONE of the following criteria in that: Appropriate person to provide corroboration a His main parent/carer is, or will be at the date of admission, a member of Commanding Officer or other HM Armed Forces liable for deployment overseas (whether or not eligible authorised Service Officer for receipt of the Continuing Education Allowance) or frequent changes of posting within the UK. b His main parent/carer is, or will be at the date of admission, serving with or Line Manager or Head of for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or other UK Government Department/Service Department on terms which may include either deployment overseas or frequent changes of posting within the UK. c His main parent/carer is, or will be at the date of admission, serving with or Line Manager or Head of for an institution of the European Union, United Nations or other Department/Service international body of which the United Kingdom is a member. d His main parent/carer is, or will be at the date of admission, employed by a Line Manager or Head of UK based company which requires the parent to travel overseas or be Department/Service resident overseas for a period of more than one month per year. e He is the subject of a voluntary agreement between the Governing Body LA Lead Professional or Trust and a Local Authority or Charitable Trust to provide a boarding place for Officer reasons of boarding need. f His home is in a remote rural location and appropriate education is not Current Headteacher or LA available within a reasonable daily travelling distance. Officer g His home is in a remote rural location and he lacks social interaction with Current Headteacher or LA boys of the same age. Officer

Or

2. He satisfies at least TWO of the following criteria in that: Appropriate person to provide corroboration A He is in the care of a grandparent or other person, whether or not a Teacher, Medical Practitioner, relative, other than his natural parent, step parent or adoptive parent. social worker or other professional person who knows the family B He or his main or only carer has been the victim of a serious crime or Police Family Liaison Officer reasonably fears that he may become the victim of a serious crime. or social worker

C His main or only carer has been diagnosed with a medical or psychological Medical practitioner or social condition which is life threatening or which seriously impairs the carer’s worker ability to care for the candidate. D His main or only carer also has the main responsibility for the care of Medical practitioner or social another member of the candidate’s close family or household who has been worker diagnosed with a serious medical or psychological condition and the care of whom seriously impairs the carer’s ability to care for the candidate. E His home circumstances prevent social interaction with boys of the same Teacher, Medical Practitioner, age. social worker or other professional person who knows the family F He has a particular gift or talent which can be developed at Old Swinford Teacher, sports coach or Hospital but not in his home area. similar person who knows the candidate and his circumstances. G Has a brother (sharing at least one parent) who is already a boarder at Old Parent/carer Swinford Hospital* H His main or only carer is a lone parent/carer. Teacher, Medical Practitioner, social worker or other professional person who knows the family I He is homeless. Teacher, Medical Practitioner, social worker or other professional person who knows the family.

* Note that criterion (g) may be combined with all other criteria except criterion (h)