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Gate House Information GATE HOUSE Informaon for Parents Gate House Dean Close School Shelburne Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 6HE Tel: 01242 258015
Gate House Information
GATE HOUSE Information for Parents
Gate House Dean Close School
Shelburne Road Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL51 6HE
Tel: 01242 258015
Gate House Information
Gate House is literally right at the
heart of the school and is situated
above the main entrance. The
House has a proud history and has
always been a very desirable place
to be. Since 2008 it has become
even more special by becoming a
Sixth Form only House. This cre-
ates a unique atmosphere, where
the boys are encouraged to grow in
independence and responsibility
within a supportive environment.
Gate boys are always determined to
do their best and are encouraged to
take a full part in the many extra-
curricular activities on offer at the
School, as well as focusing on their
studies. All students of Dean Close
are known as Scholars.
History
Housemaster
Mr Matthew Wilkes
Email: [email protected] (preferred method of contact)
Mobile: 07469 140585
Duty Office Mobile: 07884 667294
House Email Address: [email protected] (for general admin)
.
Matt Wilkes has been at Dean Close for four years and will
start as Housemaster in Gate in September 2018. He has been
Head of Biology at Dean Close since he arrived in 2014 and
stepped down from the role in June this year. He is currently,
and will remain, the Director of Studies for Sixth Form. Prior
to this, he spent eight years at Lancing College in West Sussex
as a teacher of Biology and Assistant Housemaster. He is
married to Dr Amy Wilkes, who teaches Chemistry at the The
Cheltenham Ladies’ College. They have a young son, Xander,
who attends DCPPS Squirrels Nursery and are expecting their
second child in July 2018.
Gate House has been expertly guided by Romey Tottman for
the last nine years and Matt, his family and the tutor team are
looking forward to continuing to nurture the warm, accept-
ing, and cosmopolitan feel of the House.
The Gate boys are encouraged to take pride in their work and
in their House and to participate as much as possible in the
many extra-curricular opportunities on offer at the School.
The Gate tutor team and the Gate boys are very much looking
forward to welcoming your son into our community.
Gate House Information
Statement of Boarding Principles
and Practice
“It is our aim to provide a full and
balanced life in the caring, family
atmosphere of a Christian Co-
educational school, to enable young
people to develop relationships and
fulfill their potentials as individuals in a
secure and happy environment and
thereby learn to play their full part in
society as a whole”
With this in mind it is important to
build a three way relationship
between you, your son and ourselves.
Please feel free to contact us at any
time, particularly if you have any
concerns about your son. He may tell
you things he does not tell us and
vice-versa. We are here to help, so
please do keep us informed if your
son has any worries. The best way to
contact us is via e-mail, but please do
phone us at any time if you need to
discuss any issues.
Matt Mobile: 07469 140585
House Mobile: 07884 667294
email: [email protected]
Gate Tutors and Matron
The Housemaster will be your first point of contact with all matters
concerning your son. However, your son will also be looked after by our
Resident Tutors, Matron and our House Tutors. Every student in school
is also allocated a personal tutor who will meet with them every week to
discuss their academic progress and their general welfare.
Zach Suckle Andrea Shaw Assistant Housemaster Matron Resident Tutor [email protected] [email protected]
Paul Harvey Mr Hardaker Mr Sumner Mr Jenkins
Physics Head of BusEc Head of MFL S&C Coach
Black Tie Dinner 2016
Gate House Information
Buddy System Each boy entering Gate will has been assigned two Upper Sixth ‘buddies’. Their email
addresses have been provided in the welcome letters and new joiners are strongly en-
couraged to contact them before the start of term. The aim of this is to allow the boys
to get to know each other and form bonds and relationships before the new academic
year begins. This may also give them the chance to be put in contact with each other
over the course of the summer. The Upper Sixth will hopefully be able to answer any
questions or concerns your son may have.
The Head of House and House
Prefects will have a variety of roles to help
run the House smoothly and this in-
cludes helping your son to settle into
Gate. The year the House will be ably led
by Ben Avery who will be a friendly face in
your son’s first few days and weeks. How-
ever, the whole of the Upper Sixth will act
as mentors and support over the course
of the Lower Sixth.
Heads of House & the Upper Sixth
Saturday night House evening
Zorb Football 2017
The Upper Sixth 2018-2019
Ben Avery Head of House
Eason Ma Deputy Head of House
James Boden
Max Chatterji
Sam Crichton
Harvey Dickenson
Kene Ene
Kaven Hou
Leo Li
Chris Qi
Jack Shi
Gate House Information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Medical Form and
Medicines
Please make sure you complete
the medical form about your
child and return this to the
school as soon as possible and
certainly no later than 1st August
2018. Your son will not be able
to start at the school until we
have this form.
Other than prescribed medicines
which the school should be
informed about, pupils are
NOT to bring their own
medicines to school.
A school Doctor has an early
morning Surgery each day and
there is a Registered Nurse on
duty in school throughout the
day. The Health Centre is
situated on the school site with
beds should it be necessary for
your son to receive special care
either during the day or night.
Laundry and naming of personal items
Once a week clothes are collected from Gate for washing in the
school laundry. The clothes are returned to the house at
lunchtime the same day. All clothes must be colourfast and suit-
able for machine washing and drying. There are also two wash-
ing machines and tumble dryers in the House which the boys can
use throughout the week for urgently required items.
It is essential that all clothes have nametapes sewn onto them.
Please send spare labels to Matron who will arrange to sew labels
onto any new clothes acquired during term time. It is possible to
order name tapes from the School shop.
Dry cleaning of suits and delicate items can be arranged through
the School shop and charged to your school account.
All boys must also bring a named single bed sized duvet, and two
single sized duvet covers.
Gate House Matron, Andrea is nor-
mally on duty Monday to Friday
from 7.45am until 3.45pm and
alternate Saturday afternoons from
1.00pm until 6.00pm.
She will help your son settle in and
will be around the House to chat
and answer any questions he may
have during the day. Andrew will
deal with minor repairs to clothing
and any issues with rooms should
be reported to her.
If your son feels unwell, she will
assess and either arrange for them
to visit the Health Centre or take
care of them in House.
Andrea is the first point of contact
regarding school holiday and travel
arrangements for your son.
Matron, Andrea
During week day
mornings Matron will
visit each room at
7.45am to make sure
the boys are up and
ready to go to the
Dining Hall for
breakfast.
Gate House Information
Please ensure that arrangements are made well in
advance for boys not returning home during
exeats and half term holidays to stay with their
guardian or host family. It is essential that you
inform the school at least two weeks in advance of
each break of where your son will be staying.
When arriving back from exeats and half terms,
boys are not allowed into the boarding house until
6.00pm but should be back by 9.00pm at the latest.
Term dates and exeat dates are listed on the school
website: www.deanclose.org.uk
Pupils are expected to be in school for the whole of
term time; any early departures or late arrivals at
school have to be authorized in advance by the
Deputy Headmaster.
Exeats, Half Terms and Holidays PLEASE NOTE
It is a legal requirement for all overseas
pupils, including those over the age of
18, to be looked after by a guardian
over the age of 25 when staying in this
country during the holidays.
END OF TERM
Please make arrangements well in advance,
especially if flights need to be booked, for
your son to leave school on the dates shown
in the school calendar. The school is unable
to accommodate any pupils during the main
holiday and exeat periods.
GUARDIANS
Every overseas pupil must have appointed a guardian in the UK before starting
at the School and must complete and return the Guardian Form with their de-
tails. The guardian plays an extremely important role for our overseas pupils.
They must be over the age of 25 and will be responsible for the pupil for holiday
periods, half term breaks and exeats. The guardian must also be able to look after
pupils at short notice in the event of illness or if a pupil is suspended.
Accommodation during holiday periods must comply with Dean Close School’s
standards and there must be adequate adult supervision. Please make sure your
appointed Guardian will provide your son with their own room and study area.
Guardians are appointed by parents, not the School. They can be friends or rela-
tions of the pupil’s family or professional guardians recommended by agencies.
Gate House Information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
LEAVE OUT
Before the boys can go on ‘leave out’,
the Houseparent must have a parent’s
permission. If the leave out is with
family, then a telephone call is suffi-
cient, but please ring at least two days
before so that arrangements can be
made in advance.
If the leave out is to another family,
then both families must give
permission in writing, either by
e-mail or letter.
After leave out, please ensure your
son is back by 8.00 pm on the Sunday
evening. If there are any delays
please let the Houseparent know.
MOBILE PHONES
Scholars are allowed to have mobile phones in school and it is acknowledged that they provide an excellent way of keeping in touch with home. Mobile phones are strictly for use during their free time and in a private place. They must be switched off during lessons, prep, assemblies and after lights out. The boys should not receive or make calls during the following prep times:
Monday—Friday 7.15—9.00pm
BANK ACCOUNTS AND VALUABLES
We strongly recommend your son has a bank account in Cheltenham. No more than £30.00 cash should be kept in rooms. Help will be given to your son with setting up an account during their first week at school if this has not already been arranged. Cash and valuables should be locked away, or given to the Houseparent for safekeeping. There is a lockable drawer and wardrobe in every room, but this does require a small padlock which we ask you to provide.
U6th Leavers’ Outing 2017
Gate House Information
GATE HOUSE
And finally… We hope your son’s stay in Gate House will be successful, enjoyable and memorable. We look forward to seeing you in September but if
you have any questions before that do not hesitate to contact us. (The most reliable way is by e-mail, especially during the holidays.)
Gate House Rules
This is a summary of some of the Gate and School rules. A full set of House
Rules will be given to each boy on their arrival. It is their responsibility to read
through them to ensure they are aware of the House regulations.
Scholars are expected to be polite at all times to their Houseparents, Teachers,
Scholars and other people they meet.
Scholars must be on time for roll-calls in House and for lessons and activities
and must make sure they have the correct equipment and kit with them.
All Scholars are expected to go to breakfast, lunch and dinner in the School
Dining Hall.
Scholars must follow School Rules on their appearance. Boys should wear a
dark suit with black shoes.
Scholars’ rooms should be kept clean and tidy. Litter should not be dropped
and boys should clear up after themselves in the kitchens and Common Room
areas.
Scholars should study quietly in their bedrooms during prep time in the
evenings and always adhere to
Every Scholar must obey the laws of the United Kingdom
