Boarding at ESMS

BOARDING AT
ESMS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MANY BOARDERS ARE THERE AT ESMS?
There are currently 30 spaces in our ESMS Boarding House. This allows us
to provide a warm, family atmosphere in the house where those new to
boarding will feel welcomed and at home. Our Boarding Housemaster and
his family live in the house along with their dog, Rocky, who is very much
part of our boarding community too!
Our boarders benefit from fabulous recreational areas, including two
common rooms, two study rooms, dining facilities and extensive social
space. Most of our boarders share a study bedroom with one or two
others in their age groups, meaning they are always surrounded by friends.
Our boarders are encouraged to decorate their space with photos from
home, posters and personal items such as their favourite duvet set! We
want our boarders to personalise their space and feel at home.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENINGS AND AT
WEEKENDS?
Each Sunday our boarders enjoy setting out on a trip, which could be
anything from go-karting, climbing, ice skating, or a trip to the cinema.
These trips help to foster friendships, camaraderie and a real sense of
community.
Your child will make friends with fellow boarders at ESMS but also with
day pupils. Our boarders are most welcome to invite friends to visit in the
house where they can stay for an evening meal or weekend lunch. With
parental permission, boarders can also spend a Friday or Saturday night at
a friend's house.
The school grounds are our ‘back garden’ and a safe place for the boarders
to explore and play. On most evenings our boarders can even use one of
the Astro pitches to play football, hockey, touch rugby etc.
Our boarders have automatic membership of the ESMS Sports Centres, a
private club for the school community. Membership allows unlimited access
to the swimming pool and gym, where you are also able to book the
sports hall to play sports such as badminton, tennis or cricket.
To ensure the safety of our boarders as with any boarding environment,
there have to be limits to the area outside the house that the children are
allowed to explore. In the first instance the school grounds are a natural
limit. This area widens as our boarders grow in maturity and are given
more responsibility.
Edinburgh Merchant Company Education Board. Registered Charity No SC009747

HOW CAN I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH MY
CHILD?
Mobile phones are the easiest way to keep in touch. You are welcome to
phone your child after school hours. The only exceptions to this are during
meal times, where pupils are encouraged to spend quality time with other
boarders, and during prep times to ensure their school work has their
full concentration. Time without electronics before bedtime is key for a
good night's sleep, which is why we ask boarders up to S4 to hand in their
phones before lights out each evening. Older boarders' phones should be
turned off after lights out.
Social networks also allow boarders to stay in touch with family and
friends. Our boarders are allowed access to social networking sites, as long
as their parents or guardians have given consent.
HOW WILL MY CHILD BE SUPPORTED
ACADEMICALLY?
Each evening during the week boarders complete their homework or
revision during prep, under the supervision of a member of our boarding
staff. Our boarders receive individual academic support from our Boarding
House tutors, most of whom are members of the senior school teaching
staff.
The Boarding House has a number of computers connected to the school
network, through which our boarders have access to the internet and their
own school email accounts. The house also has Wi-Fi and boarders can
bring their own computer or tablet. Screen time is carefully monitored.
WILL MY CHILD BE ENCOURAGED TO LEAD
A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE?
Our boarders are provided with tasty, nutritious, balanced meals.
Afternoon tea and an evening snack are also available each day. In addition,
there is a boarders’ kitchen in the house where our boarders can store
their own food and prepare drinks and snacks. Milk, bread, butter, spreads,
honey, juice and hot drinks are always available.
To ensure that our boarders get enough sleep the house has structured
lights out times. Boarders are expected to go upstairs 15 minutes before
lights out to allow time to prepare books and uniform for the following day
and to shower/wash.
Our boarders are encouraged to stay active and enjoy full access to the
school sports facilities. Trips are also organised so they can take part in a
range of activities such as water-sports, ice-skating and trampolining.
Our Boarding House staff are committed to ensuring the emotional and
social wellbeing of our boarders. We want our girls and boys to feel safe
and healthy, nurtured and respected, included in making decisions that
affect them, and to be successful in all aspects of school life. Our boarding
staff are always ready to listen and give all the support that is needed.
In addition, boarders can speak to our school counsellor in complete
confidence and, as with our day pupils, our boarders also have a dedicated
guidance teacher in school to whom they can go to for advice, help and
support.
CAN I COME FOR A VISIT?
We would be delighted to arrange a tour of our School and our boarding
facilities. Your child is also very welcome to spend a taster evening in the
Boarding House and meet our friendly boarders and Boarding House staff.