Thomas AdamsBoarding House

Welcome to Thomas Adams Boarding House.

I am delighted that you are interested in finding out moreabout what we have to offer you, whether you are a parentor a prospective student.

As a boarder at Thomas Adams, you will be able to access the education onoffer at one of the best schools in the country. Thomas Adams School wasjudged as ‘Outstanding’ in our last Ofsted inspection and demand forplaces is consistently high.

I believe the popularity of our school springs in part from the examination successes of our students who are able to follow a modern and lively curriculum. This is complemented with a broad range of extra-curricular activities.

Importantly, however, I also believe our popularity is based on the fact thatparents and students value our commitment to provide a caring ethos whichlooks to support all of its students. As a parent looking at boarding optionsfor their child, I know that this will be very important to you.

Step inside our school and you will instantly see a disciplined but caringcommunity where children feel safe and secure. This caring atmosphere isalso very much part of the Adams House boarding experiences and that’swhy I feel we can rightly call ourselves the largest family in Shropshire.

I do hope you will want to explore further what we at Thomas Adams areable to offer and we look forward to hearing from you.

Neil HemmingHead Teacher

Adams House has had a huge impact on me. It hasprovided a conducive learning environment with staffthat I can rely on 24/7 for guidance or a more informalchat. Staff have guided me through my stay here and Iwill always be grateful to them for their help. Sincecoming here I have engaged myself in a lot of sportingactivities whilst maintaining good academic standards.Adams House really is a home away from home – I highlyrecommend it!!

Oso (Nigeria) Head Prefect

Thomas Adams Boarding House is located in an attractive ruralsetting in Wem, North Shropshire. With a proud history datingback to 1650, The Thomas Adams School family includes ourlower school, a separate sixth form facility and of course ourboarding house.

We’re a state boarding house, which means that parents onlypay for the accommodation and supervision of their children,with educational costs met by the Local Authority.

With support from the government and the trustees, ThomasAdams School offers the quality of education and facilities moreoften associated with independent schools.

The warmth and stability of the boarding house gives ourstudents the opportunity to exceed in their academic studies.

Step into Thomas Adams Boarding House and you’ll instantly feel at home.Catering for boys and girls between 11 and 19, and with up a capacity for 65boarders, we’ve been welcoming students from the UK and across the worldfor many years.

For any teenager, leaving home can be very daunting and Ishould know! I was just 13 when I arrived at Adams House,moving from Saudi Arabia where my parents still live. I haven’tlooked back – I feel very privileged to have been given thechance to meet and live with people from many differentcultures. Boarding offers so many opportunities and helps you grow as a person, giving you independence within astructured environment. I strongly recommend it!!’

Siobhan Horder (UK and Saudi Arabia)

We know how daunting it can be to move away from home, andsometimes to a different country, and we have an experiencedteam on hand to help with the transition.

Our students tell us how happy, safe and secure they feel atAdams House and we are proud to have built a caring,multicultural community where there is genuine respect amongst boarders for the values and beliefs oftheir fellow students.

Students are actively encouraged to have a genuine say in how the boardinghouse is run and we have elected prefectsto ensure that the voices of all boarders are heard.

For parents, we know what a big step it is toentrust your children into our care, and wepromise to keep open lines of communicationso that parents remain active partners in theirchild’s education and development.

By the time our boarders leave us, we aim to have nurtured well-rounded individuals with a positive outlook on the world.

We are rightly proud of the academicachievements of our students and byoffering a broad, balanced curriculumwe offer students the flexibility to followa traditional or more contemporaryroute to academic excellence.

We strive to be academically outstanding and do so by having a sharp focus on teaching and learning through the school structure.

We have gained a “School Achievement Award” because of our excellent and improving GCSE results. A level results have set new records for the School each year since 1998. The School’s most recent Ofsted inspection report judged usas ‘outstanding’ and we have been designated as a ‘LeadingEdge’ school, one of a select group nationally, which shares its outstanding practice with others.

From Biology to Media and from History to Applied ICT, thereare 35 A level courses on offer at Thomas Adams School.Traditional subjects, such as Chemistry or History cater forthose students who may want to go into careers such asMedicine or Law. Less traditional subject areas, often basedaround new technologies such as Applied ICT, Media, Film andMusic Technology, are also popular for those hoping to securea place on an applied degree course.

Adams House is very welcoming. Sincecoming here I have felt most welcomeand able to be myself. All of the staff arevery supportive and caring. AdamsHouse is just a home away from home.

Fatara (UK)

Whatever a student’s talents, we believe we will be able to develop them further.

As a designated Arts College, with a particular specialism inthe Media Arts, our students have access to first classequipment and facilities, including the a dedicated Media ArtsCentre. Thomas Adams School is well known for sportingexcellence and students can enjoy a joint-use sports centre,with extensive fields boasting extra sports facilities includingtennis courts, artificial cricket wicket, basketball courts, hardsurface play areas and many pitches for team games.

As the majority of our boarders stay with us at weekends, weaim to offer a range of extracurricular activities to broaden themind and keep our boarders fit and active.

So whether you’re into the theatre, football, shopping or just chilling with mates, there’s something for everyone and students have an active say in the types of activities that are organised.

No activities are compulsory but we encourage boarders to getinvolved, not only to make friends but also to develop well-rounded CVs that will be attractive to future employees andhigher education institutes.

We recognise that when the school day is over and homework isdone, you need time to unwind and relax.

This year our activities have included:

• Cinema • Theatre visits• Paintballing• Bowling• Ice skating• Football matches• Theme Parks• Go Karting• Shopping Trips

We also organise ‘in house’ activities which include:

• Themed food evenings• Inter house sports events• Quiz evenings• Charity events• Talent Shows• Movie nights

I’ve been at AdamsHouse for a year now and I have to say it hasbeen one of the mostunforgettable experiences.The houseparents are likereal parents to me and theboarders are so friendly – I’d be proud to call them my family.

John (Nigeria)

Whilst we are confident that your time at Thomas Adams BoardingHouse will be a happy and fulfilling one, we know that there may betimes when you need extra support. You may be feeling vulnerablebecause of friendship problems or because you are missing yourfamily – or perhaps you are struggling to cope with your homework.

We have a dedicated and experienced team of non-teachinghouseparents whose sole responsibility is the welfare of theboarders. All issues discussed are dealt with in the strictestconfidence and with sensitivity by staff.

During the school day, lower school pupils are supported bythe school pastoral system and in addition by Mr Cooper, theAssistant Headteacher who will feed any complex issues backto the boarding school.

Our older, sixth form boarders are supported by college tutorsand boarding house staff, as well as Boarding School DirectorMrs Cooper.

Academic supportWe encourage all boarders, irrespective of age or ability tostrive to achieve their very best academically.

All lower school students are allocated a mentor who will provide dedicated support in partnership with Assistant Headteacher Mr Cooper and Boarding School Director Mrs Cooper.

Mr CooperAssistant Headteacher

For our older, 6th form boarders Mrs Cooper will generally beassigned as an individual mentor. However, if a student is intending to apply to Oxford or Cambridge or for a course in medicine, they will follow a mentoring programme specifically tailored to their application.

Homework is compulsory and supervised by Adams House staff fromSunday-Thursday. Staff check boarders’ homework diaries and raiseany issues as appropriate with teaching staff in school. 6th formboarders are also expected to do several hours of independent study,either in their bedrooms or in the school library.

Parents’ Evenings take place each year and whilst a boarder’s Parents will always be invited, we recognise that it may not always be possible to attend and so a member of Adams House staff willattend and will provide written feedback to parents.

Moving onThomas Adams Boarding School provides an important springboardto higher education or the world of work, so we always have our eyes on your future. However, the choices that lie before you can be complex and confusing – that’s where we come in.

From personal advice sessions to attendance at university open days and higher education fairs, we have the expertise to guide you through the whole university admissions process.

ApplyingApplying for a place at Adams House couldn’t be easier. Please visit ourwebsite www.thomasadams.org.uk/adams-house/apply to completean online application, or alternatively call us on 01939 233311

Mrs CooperBoarding School Director

Adams House Boarding

Adams House100 High StreetWemShropshireSY4 5DS

Tel: 01939 233311Fax: 01939 234382

Email: adamshouse@thomasadams.org.ukwww.thomasadams.org.uk/adams- house

B5063 High Street

Noble Street

Lowe H

ill Road

Lowe H

ill Gardens

Mill S

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5476

Thomas AdamsSchool and

Sixth Form Centre

Adams House

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