Boarding at St James reflects the general ethos of the school, especially studious endeavour, companionship and service to the boarding community. The school is a member of the Boarding Schools' Association and makes use of its expertise and staff training facilities.
Our boarding accommodation is situated on the first floor of the main school building in Ashford. Boys from all year groups are welcome to board but priority is given to boys with difficult transport arrangements or with parents who have to be away or to pupils who would benefit from a weekly boarding education with its discipline, measure, fellowship and duty ethos.
With space for a maximum of 26 boys, our boarding community is small and friendly. We place great importance on positive staff-boarder relationships and strive to ensure that all boarders are safe and happy. At our last inspection (November 2009), Ofsted inspectors commented that ‘Boarders are well cared for… Staff build positive relationships with boarders, and boarders feel safe and well looked after’. The full report can be found through this link: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_reports/download/(id)/218584/(as)/SC017401_SC.pdf.
Boarding is on a weekly basis, which means that boys go home on Friday after school, returning on Monday morning. From September 2010 the charge for weekly boarding is £1555 per term, and a £250 deposit is required. Occasional boarding or emergency weekend boarding may be possible to arrange if sufficient notice is given. This will be charged at £35 per night. From September 2010 we will also be offering a number of flexi-boarding places, meaning that boys may board on a regular basis but for less than the usual 4 nights per week. Arrangements will be made on an individual basis depending on families’ needs.
Accommodation
Boarders in Years 7 and 8 share a room of 6. Year 9 boarders share a room of 4. Boarders in Years 10 and 11 share twin bedrooms and 6th formers have either twin or single bedrooms. Showering and toilet facilities are situated adjacent to each of the bedroom areas.
There are separate sitting rooms for junior (Years 7 & 8) and senior (Year 9 upwards) boarders, both with a television and DVD player. A small kitchen enables boarders to prepare drinks and snacks for themselves.
Routine
Breakfast and supper are taken together in the school refectory. As with school lunches, all meals are vegetarian. We strive to provide healthy, varied meals and boarders are regularly invited to give their input on menus.
Boarders are expected to work hard and give their best. There are specified homework periods each evening; these are expected to be quiet and purposeful. Years 7-9 have homework sessions at desks in their sitting room, and Years 10-13 have desks for study in their bedrooms. Boarders are able to use the school library during the evenings, and have access to computers and the internet (with appropriate filters). For those learning musical instruments, daily practice is encouraged.
The school grounds provide plenty of opportunity for evening activities: football, tennis, cricket practice and boating are just some of the possibilities. Indoors, options include table tennis, pool and board games. Off-site activities such as swimming and squash are also possible. Termly outings include activities such as ice-skating, bowling, picnics and laser-quest.
House staff
The Housemaster is Mr Sam Moss. His wife, Isabel Moss, is the Housemother. The Assistant Housemaster is Mr Dominic Prendergast. The Mosses live in a house attached to the school building and Mr Prendergast’s flat is located in the main building, in the boarding area. Both Mr Moss and Mr Prendergast were St James boarders themselves and so bring personal experience to their roles.
Applying for a boarding place
For new entrants to St James, the registration form provides the opportunity to request a boarding place. Following offer and acceptance of a school place, boys and parents are invited to meet with the Housemaster to discuss boarding life and ask any questions they may have.
Those already at St James who would like to commence boarding should register their interest (giving reasons) by email (boarders@stjamesboys.co.uk), after which they will be invited to come in and meet with the Housemaster. In order to allow sufficient time for arrangements to be made, we recommend applying for a boarding place in the first half of the term prior to the term of joining.