Although boarding at St Chris is a small, supportive community and thefts are rare, it is always advisable not to leave valuables around the boarding accommodation, for example in bedrooms.

Please note that the School insurance covers fire and flood but not other causes of loss or damage, which should be covered by policies arranged by parents. This particularly applies to valuable items such as laptop computers and bicycles.

Students should not keep money in their rooms. If you do come to school with money, this should be given directly to the Houseparents who will take it to Finance for safe-keeping.

All students are provided with a personal lockable storage space in sleeping and study areas. During holidays students are required to take home any valuables.

The School’s fire safety strategy is directed at maintaining high levels of fire safety awareness in both students and staff, thus minimising the potential for fires to occur. Fire Procedures are in place to ensure the safe evacuation of students, staff, and other persons who may be in the School, if a fire occurs, and are practised regularly. 

• Boarders will be given instructions on fire evacuation procedures on their first evening in the Boarding House.
• Notices giving the same information are displayed throughout the Boarding House.
• Other than when they are being used for emergency exits, either during a fire practice or in a real emergency, the fire doors which lead out of the building must be kept closed and the fire escape stairs are strictly out of bounds.
• All rooms are covered by the School’s fire alarm system and fire drills take place every term. The aim is to ensure that each student and member of staff has experience of what to do in the event of a real fire emergency. 

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.

All electrical equipment brought into House must be tested centrally to ensure that items comply with standard safety regulations. Testing takes place each September. Boarders may not use extension cables or international adapters in rooms for fire safety reasons. These items, if found, will be confiscated. House staff can advise on purchasing appropriate adapters and plugs with CE kitemarks.

There are some items which students are not allowed to keep in their rooms as they present a fire risk. These include:  

• Kitchen equipment such as: fridge, kettles, rice-cookers, toasters

• Irons  

• Portable televisions

• Electric heaters 

If boarding staff find any of these items they will be removed immediately and stored safely until the end of term where they will be returned to parents or guardians.