During the first few weeks of term, Houseparents and Resident Tutors help students to settle in through our transition plan, which includes a meeting with key staff and tour of the school.
| Arrival and transfer to the Boarding House |
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| The arrival day for all boarders is normally the day before the first official day of term. Houseparents will liaise with students during the summer term to plan their arrival. Please see the table below for arrival and departure dates for each term. |
| Induction |
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There is a full programme of induction with the Houseparents, Head of Boarding, boarding staff and the Head Boarder. On the first day, after settling into their surroundings, new students are given a tour of the St Chris campus. During the first week Houseparents also arrange a visit to Letchworth and the local area, including where the nearest shops and banks are. Don’t worry if you do not remember everything at once, there are lots of people who will be happy to help you! All students are members of a Company (our word for Form Group) and all new students are paired with a buddy, and this is particularly important for boarders. A buddy is someone in the same Company who will attend many of the same classes. Their role is to support our new starters and answer any questions. The Company Adviser runs registration time in the morning and at lunchtime for their Company, and is the main day to day contact for students and parents alike. Houseparents work closely with Company Advisers, and if parents prefer they can ask questions or raise issues with the Houseparents who will then liaise with the Company Adviser or teacher and feedback. |
| Administrative induction |
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Houseparents support and guide new students through the essential administrative processes that ensure all obligations are met for visa compliance, including bank registration or registering with the local police. Medical and dental services will be arranged by the School Nurse, and all international boarders are registered with a local General Practice doctor at a local surgery, with the Houseparents accompanying students to appointments. |
| Holiday and end of term arrangements |
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Boarding is closed during half terms (three per year during each academic term), Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays. There are no Exeats (leave weekends) during the academic year. At all other times, including Bank Holidays (one day public holidays) that fall during term time, we organise activities for boarders. Please see below for arrival and departure times for the 2024-25 Academic Year. Please contact the Houseparents to confirm your travel plans. |