Leave

Whenever a boarder leaves the Boarding House, they must inform the staff on duty as to where they are going and sign in and out. This includes local leave, day leave, overnight leave, mid-term leave and end of term leave.

Leave is granted upon the belief that the School is part of the community and boarders will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a positive and worthwhile way. At the same time, the School also seeks to set boundaries, as would responsible parents. In a boarding environment, the flexibility offered by parents in a family context is not always possible, and therefore leave needs to be regulated with conditions.

All parents of boarders are asked to nominate approved hosts to ensure the Year Coordinator can make appropriate and acceptable decisions about leave requests. At all times, the Head of Boarding will have the final say when approving leave. Guidance from and co-operation with parents of boarders, or approved hosts, are necessary on matters of leave. When exceptional leave is required, parents should apply in writing to the Head of the Senior School.

The first weekend of the school year is a closed weekend and no leave will be granted. It is a time when all boarders, both experienced and new, can become acquainted. This is important for lasting friendships.

It is each boarder’s responsibility to have the phone number of the Boarding Duty Phones, Head of Boarding and their Boarding Year Coordinator saved in their personal phone. Boarders are to make contact if they foresee any changes to their leave, or experience trouble whilst away from the Boarding House. Leaving a message is not acceptable, they must speak to someone.

Local Leave

This is where boarders leave the Boarding House unaccompanied by an adult, supervisor, parent or teacher, to go to the shops in Guildford or Midland or enter the School grounds other than for the school day or sporting commitments, e.g. bike riding. This leave has a duration of 120 minutes and two train stops east or west of the Boarding House. The following Local Leave rules apply to each Year group:
• Year 7 – No local leave
• Year 8 – Must be in Groups of 3 and on-campus activities only
• Year 9 – Must be in Groups of 3 and may leave campus
• Year 10 – Must be in Groups of 2 or more
• Year 11-12 – May leave campus as individual

Day Leave

This is where a boarder is away from the Boarding House for an extended period of time, but not overnight. It may be to visit the city, beach or sporting match, or visit approved friends and family hosts. Parental permission must be given for any day leave. This leave is entered into our electronic leave system, REACH. You will receive login and password details once your child has commenced at the School.

If visiting an individual’s home, both a boarder’s parents and the host must make contact with the Boarding Year Coordinator to confirm the details of the leave, and provide an address and phone number. Day leave begins at 7.00am and concludes at 5.00pm and may be approved by the person on duty. If an extension of the conditions are sought (e.g. returning later than 5.00pm), approval must be sought from the appropriate Boarding Year Coordinator.

It must be noted that Day Leave is unlikely to be granted before 3:30pm on a Friday afternoon as the School’s sporting and co-curricular program must be supported. Moreover, where possible, all leave during the week must ensure that boarders return to the Boarding House for their nightly rollcall as this is where important message are disseminated.
Weekend or Overnight Leave

This is available on a Friday and Saturday evening, with permission from parents through the online electronic leave system, REACH. School sporting commitments must be met before leave can commence.

Extended Leave

The leave system is underpinned by the boarder respecting the trust placed in them by their parents and the Head of Boarding or Deputy Head of Boarding. Students must always give the correct details about their destination and act in an appropriate and safe manner whilst on leave. Failure to uphold the conditions of leave may result in the privilege being revoked.

Student drivers

Boarders in Year 11 and 12 may keep a vehicle on campus to drive outside of school hours. A Driving Agreement form must be signed by the Head of Boarding, student driver, and parent/guardian outlining conditions of approval. All leave with student drivers must be approved by a parent/guardian and Boarding Year Coordinator in REACH. If another boarder is travelling with the student driver, written permission must be given in advance from the parent/guardian of both the driver and the passenger.

Getting Leave Approval

A leave request must be completed using our electronic leave system, REACH. All weekend leave requests must be submitted in REACH for approval by 12.00pm Thursday prior to the weekend. The Boarding Year Coordinator reserves the right to refuse leave when they are not satisfied there will be adequate parental supervision.

Approved Hosts

On admission to the Boarding House, parents of boarders are asked to establish a list of approved hosts on REACH and provide to the Head of Boarding. These lists must be kept up to date to reflect changing situations, and each year the School will ask parents to update their lists. However, parents are encouraged to add and delete names during the course of the year.