COLLEGE LIFE

PASTORAL CARE

At NatMatSci we aim to provide all our students with a pre-university environment within a kind and caring family community where they can be happy, healthy and, most importantly, who they are. With the boarding facility situated in the heart of the school, this warm atmosphere extends into the day to day life of every student making NatMatSci not just a college but a home.

Our purpose is to ensure all members of our community have a sense of belonging and are contented and confident young people. Available to each student is a team of dedicated staff, who includes tutors, boarding staff, professional counsellors, and senior staff responsible for pastoral care. Having such a range of staff available to help with anything and everything ensures each pupil has someone they can turn to whenever they need it.

BOARDING

NatMatSci is not just an educational establishment – it is a home for our students. Our curriculum is demanding, so it is important for the students to have a comfortable environment to relax in after lessons. We offer a modern take on the traditional British boarding school experience: state-of-the-art boarding facilities in an urban setting, furnished to a high standard with a contemporary feel.

Boarding students live together in contemporary accommodation next door to the teaching centre in the heart of leafy Warwickshire. The College has exclusive use of a block in the Residence, offering students aged 16+ their first taste of independent living with the security of our on-site Boarding Team 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Statement of Boarding Principles and Practice

Luxury ensuite single bedrooms

Each student has their own en-suite study bedroom with a double bed, desk, wardrobe, under-bed storage and WIFI. Bed linen, duvet, pillow, and towels are provided for students at the start of the year. The rooms provide a calm and comfortable space for students to study and live independently, within a family-style environment.

Kitchens and Communal Areas

Each floor has 2 large open-plan kitchen and living rooms, with ample space for relaxing, socialising and eating together. The kitchens are fully equipped and have dining space, as well as comfortable seating and televisions. Meals are served in the kitchens each evening, with both students and the Boarding Team dining together. Students are welcome to use the kitchens to prepare additional meals and snacks outside of mealtimes.

Laundry

All bed linen and towels are changed on a weekly basis. There is an on-site laundromat where students can launder their personal items. Each kitchen is equipped with an ironing board and iron.

Security

Parents can be confident that their children will be living in safe, secure and comfortable accommodation. Male and Female bedrooms are securely separated. All students eat and socialise together in the common areas of the Residence. Access to the building is controlled by electronic fob.

Each student has their own electronic fob which is used to access the main doors of the building, the College accommodation and also operates the lifts. Each student has a key to their own room. In the event of key or electronic fob loss, a 24-hour mobile number to reception will allow access and lost fobs are immediately deactivated. Any losses must be reported to reception and the Boarding Team without delay.

Each section of the Residence has a mobile phone allocated to it. All students are issued with these phone numbers so they can contact the Boarding Team at any time.

A member of the Boarding Team is present 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Homestay Opportunities

ENRICHMENT AND SOCIETIES

Enrichment activities are a key part of the student experience at the College, providing a counter-balance to the academic rigour demanded in their subjects. Our programme provides opportunities for relaxation for our students, whilst also helping them to develop transferable life skills and supporting their university applications.

Our aim at NatMatSci is to help all our students to develop as confident, well-rounded young people who will make a difference to society. We strongly believe that a sixth form education should comprise activities both inside and outside the classroom to develop skills needed in College, at university and in their future. In this way, NatMatSci students will:

learn how to engage with students from other backgrounds and cultures,
develop leadership skills and learn how to work effectively in teams,
develop self-confidence and
become positive contributors to society.

Our Enrichment Programme will take place at weekends and during the College day and will, in addition to the development of a student’s academic interests, contribute towards them developing into a fully rounded young person.

Clubs & Societies

NatMatSci runs a range of Clubs and Societies designed to support the enjoyment and development of all our students. Some are run by staff, others by students, and the range of offerings changes from year to year depending on demand. Below are examples of some societies that have run recently:

MathSoc – Maths extension and appreciation society
ChemSoc – Chemistry extension and appreciation society
LinguisticSoc – Exploration of Linguistics
BioSoc – Biology extension and appreciation society
GameSoc – An opportunity to engage with others in a variety of on and offline games
BakeSoc – An opportunity to develop your baking skills
PySoc – A chance to improve your Python programming
ArduinoSoc – A chance to apply your skills to the world of robotics through Arduino
ChessSoc – Chess games and tournaments. All skill levels welcome.
JournoSoc – Working on writing articles and putting together a College magazine
LanguageSoc – An opportunity to learn another language
NatureSoc – Learn more about Nature

Sports

There are plenty of sporting opportunities available at the College, whether in the form of clubs, societies or trips.

Students are encouraged to create their own sporting Clubs and Societies to pursue additional sports or even to try something new. Examples have included:

Basketball Club
Football Club
Running Club
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Dance Society
Climbing Society

Students can also join local sports teams as part of their immersion experience, and we’ll help you find a relevant team. We can also arrange for individual sports coaching, for an additional fee.

Other Sports Opportunities

Students have use of the Xcel Leisure Centre which is just a few minutes walk from the College, and has an extensive gym, swimming pool, sports halls, and outdoor pitches for a variety of sports.

Music & Art

Music is a popular pastime at our College. We have a Steinway grand piano in our reception area for both students and staff to play at their leisure. There are also guitars in the common room, for students to use in their free time.

Our College Choir is an integral part of our Enrichment Programme, with rehearsals taking place every week culminating in performances each term.

We also offer individual music tuition for a range of instruments and abilities, ranging from beginner to concert level, for which we can arrange individual music tuition on a range of instruments. Please note this is not included in the fees and must be paid for separately.

Visual Arts

Each year our students participate in our NatMatSci art showcase, previous winners have demonstrated considerable talent from photography and portraits to anime and collage.

Counselling and Medical Care

OUR COLLEGE COUNSELLOR

Leslie Noble is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, with a wealth of experience of working with young people in an educational setting.

Les visits the College each week and is available for drop-in sessions or pre-arranged appointments. This provides the students with the opportunity to speak to a professional counsellor for support with personal guidance or concerns.

MEDICAL CARE

All students are registered with a local National Health Service (NHS) GP surgery and receive an NHS number. The surgery provides a free NHS service to students whilst studying at the College. Appointments can be made Monday – Friday by contacting the practice. If an appointment with a doctor is required in the evenings or at weekends students are taken to the minor injuries unit at the Coventry Walk-In Centre.

Other local healthcare services such as dentist, orthodontist, and opticians can be booked as required.

Vaccinations

Students and their parents are advised to follow their child’s vaccination regime with their doctor at home. The College does not administer vaccinations although appointments for vaccinations at the GP practice can be arranged.

“AS THE COLLEGE CONSELLOR, I OFFER A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL SPACE FOR YOU TO TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS, THOUGHTS, CONCERNS AND WHAT MATTERS TO YOU WITHOUT JUDGMENT.”

Les Noble
College Counsellor

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