Facts for Parents

Parental Involvement

The Lyndhurst House parent body is very positive and friendly and the School works in close partnership with parents.

Parents are always welcome to contact the School to raise any points they wish to discuss. The first point of contact will normally be the Class Teacher, who may refer them to the Subject Teacher or, if appropriate, to the Headmaster.

The Headmaster regularly meets parents at events at the School and is always glad to see parents over individual issues if they wish.

We keep you closely informed of school events and functions through a weekly newsletter, "The Bulletin" (the current issue of which can be seen here by existing parents only - it requires that you log-in with details provided by the School ), and a termly letter from the Headmaster. We issue a full academic report at the end of each term for each boy in his Report Book , and a grade sheet is sent home twice a term.

Parents' evenings, which are held once a year for each form, provide the opportunity for a meeting with the staff, and for parents to discuss their son's progress directly with individual teachers. Appointments at other times can easily be made through the School Office.

Parents are encouraged to attend School matches, plays and concerts in which their sons take part.

In accepting a place at Lyndhurst House for their son, parents agree to accept the School's aims and ethos, subscribe to the School's values, and uphold its requirements of attendance, and rules and regulations.

Parents' Committee

We warmly invite parents to put themselves forward as members of our informal but highly effective Parents' Committee. This Committee helps the boys with their charity and fund-raising work, and arranges other social events in the year to support the school; it has no rôle in the management of the school.

Rules

The School Rules, a copy of which is issued to each new boy, are simple and straightforward - the kind of common-sense regulations necessary in any institution. They cover movement around the School, appearance and conduct, and set out the School's expectations of the normal standards of polite behaviour, conduct and care for others.

Boys are encouraged to apply common sense in every situation, to think of others, to share and play inclusively, and to learn the skills of both teamwork and initiative.

The boys are encouraged to share any concerns with their class teacher or other staff members, and all matters raised are carefully looked into. The School's ethos is such that bullying or persistent unkindness are extremely rare and the boys know that such behaviour would be wholly unacceptable, and dealt with immediately.

Positive encouragement is the basis of motivation at Lyndhurst House. A formalised system is also in place throughout the School to recognise good work, effort, courtesy, and other qualities.

Illness, Injury and Absence

No boy should be absent during School hours except on account of illness, or with the permission of the Headmaster. Parents are asked to ensure full attendance during term-time, and avoid arranging appointments, social events, or holidays during term-time. A note of explanation must always be produced for any absence from school.

No allowance for fees can be made for absence. However, there is an insurance scheme for illness which parents can subscribe to. Details are available from the School Office.

Parents are asked not to send their sons to School if they appear unwell. Ailments or injuries that occur at School are dealt with by the first-aider as appropriate, and the boy returned to the care of home as soon as possible if necessary. Appropriate action is taken in the case of an emergency, when the School will seek to contact parents. However, in any emergency, the School reserves the right to act in loco parentis.

The boys' health and safety is kept under careful review and the School has thorough and up-to-date policies to this end; regular risk assessments are also carried out.

Homework

The support of the parents is important for quiet homework time, to help foster a sensible and constructive approach by the boys.

Each boy has a homework diary for parents to see and check.

Uniform

The school colours are royal blue and mulberry. A uniform list is supplied to new parents. Our uniform suppliers are Messrs. Billings & Edmonds, 47 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, HA1 3JA. Tel: 020 8422 1701.

Fees

All fees are payable termly, in advance, and by the first day of term.  In the event that fees are not paid by the due date an additional charge of £100 may be levied.  Interest will also be chargeable. A full term's notice, in writing, or fees in lieu, will be required in the event of a pupil being withdrawn from the School, such notice to be given by the first day of the term.

Parents can choose to pay fees by monthly instalments through the School Fees Payment Plan, details of which can be obtained from the School Office, along with a leaflet describing current Fees, Dates and Terms.  The current fee (from September 2007) is £3485 (Reception/Pre-Prep) and £3995 (Main School) per term, plus £290 per term for meals and refreshements and £50 for trips, outings and special events. There is no charge for general exercise books and stationery but school books lost or damaged will be charged for.

There is a fee reduction available for brothers while they are together in the School.

The School reserves the right to require the suspension of or withdrawal, without notice, of a boy from the School; in such case there will normally be no refund of fees. The School reserves the right to amend any fees.

Notice of withdrawal

A full term's notice, in writing, is required for any withdrawal from the School. This notice must be received by the first day of term, for withdrawal at the end of that term, or fees in lieu of notice will be due for the following term. Any such notice must lapse after one term.

After Lyndhurst

A place at Lyndhurst House enables a boy to be prepared for any independent senior school at thirteen-plus, according to the wishes of the family, and the aptitude and character of the boy himself.

Your decision about the next school for your son can be taken in consultation with the Headmaster, who is happy to advise in the light of the boy's progress and developing character. A good time for a first discussion is when a boy is about 9-plus.

Over the years, Lyndhurst House boys have gone on successfully to many different schools, but there naturally exists a close connection with the major London Independent Schools such as St. Paul's, Westminster, University College School, Highgate, Mill Hill, City of London School, Merchant Taylors', as well as with many others. Boys also win places at public schools further afield, such as Clifton, Dulwich College, Stowe, Bryanston, Rugby and Harrow.

The process of preparation for the Senior School exams is important and involves aiming at high academic standards. Nevertheless, the School continues to ensure a full and proper education during this time; this is right for the boys and is as expected by the Senior Schools. High standards and good results come hand in hand with a continuing involvement in all aspects of School life. This is vital for the boys, for their preparation for the Senior School and for their happiness and well-being. When he leaves Lyndhurst at thirteen-plus, your son will have received a full and rounded education, thoroughly preparing him for the next stage in his life.

Parking

At the request of Camden Council, we are including the following wording on this web site:

“We wish to inform parents that Camden Council, after a six-month review of its cross-party strategy on the School Run, has agreed to continue with the policy of reducing dispensation permits for car parking in residential areas in the Borough.  Camden will enforce this parking policy.  Pay and Display bays may be available in the school vicinity, but there are very few of them.  You may therefore be interested to enquire about your school travel plan, which gives advice and support on travelling to school in a more environmentally sustainable way.”