Abingdon Boarders' Handbook

Coming and going from the House What are Registration and Signing out? We are required by law to know where you are at any time while you are in our care. There are a number of times in the day when you  will need to register in the House with the member of staff on duty. These are usually at 8.30am, 5.00pm and 7.00pm during the week,  and at different times at the weekend. It is very important that you do not miss these.  We believe it is healthy for our boarders to be allowed to leave the house. If you wish to leave the school site at any time you need to  get permission from your Housemaster, the house matron or from the Tutor on duty - this is called ‘signing out’. After 7pm you need  permission to leave the boarding house to go anywhere. You are also expected to tell them when you return to the House.  We do not believe in forcing you to stay in over the weekend and in special circumstances (for example if your parents are visiting from  abroad) you may be allowed out during the week. If you want to stay out of the House overnight then your Housemaster will need  confirmation from your parents or guardian before you will be allowed out. If you are not going to be staying with your parents or  guardian your Housemaster will also need confirmation from the adult you will be staying with.  Leaving the house We are required by law to know where you are at all times. Therefore if you wish to leave the school site at any time you need to get  permission from your house matron, your Housemaster or the Tutor on duty. After 7pm in the evening you need permission from one of  those people if you would like to leave the grounds of the boarding house. If you wish to leave the house overnight (permission to do  this will not normally be granted on a weeknight) then your Housemaster will need permission from your parents/guardian and (if you  are not staying with your parents/guardian) the responsible adult you are staying with. It is possible that your Housemaster will not let  you out (but this is only likely if you are in trouble or there is a compulsory event that you need to attend). If you wish to leave the house  and miss school for any other reason (for example work experience or important family occasions) then you should request permission  from your Housemaster who is able to grant permission for up to a day off school. For periods of time longer than this, then your  parents will need to write to/email Mr David Dawswell, the Second Master. If you wish to miss a sports fixture that you have been  selected for you will also need to write to ask permission from Mr Dawswell one week in advance of the event, and you will also need  to ask your coach.  Overnight Leave We believe it is healthy for our boarders to be allowed to leave the house. We do not believe in forcing you to stay in over the weekend  and in special circumstances (for example if your parents are visiting from abroad) you may be allowed out during the week. However,  we have to be very careful that nothing bad happens to you while you are in our care. As a result there are rules about leaving the  house. If you want to stay out of the House overnight then your Housemaster will need confirmation from your parents or guardian  before you will be allowed out. If you are not going to be staying with your parents or guardian your Housemaster will also need  confirmation from the adult you will be staying with (for example if you are staying overnight with a friend who is a dayboy then your  Housemaster would also contact his parents to check that they are expecting you).  The start and end of term At the end of each term your Housemaster needs to receive the details about where you are going to stay from your parents/ guardian.  This is extra-important for you if you are studying in the UK on a Visa. Your Housemaster also needs to know when to expect you to  return to the school after the holiday. Again this information should come from your parents prior to your departure on holiday. If you  are delayed for any reason your parents must inform your Housemaster so that he knows when to expect you. We strongly discourage  boys arriving late at the beginning of term and leaving early at the end of term, as it is disruptive to both their education and the rest of  the class.. Any absences should very much be the exception rather than the rule, and any request for absence should be made to the  Headmaster.  9