Boarding House common room

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about life at Tettenhall College as a boarder with some of our frequently asked questions below.

What kind of textbooks and school equipment should my child bring?

Children should bring a pencil case with pens, pencils, colouring pens, eraser, pencil sharpener, ruler set and calculator along with a ruled pad of paper. However, all these may be purchased form the School stationery shop in the library, so everything needed may be purchased after arrival.

May my child bring their own laptop?

Yes, pupils are welcome to bring their own laptop.

Can my child bring their own sheets, a pillow and a blanket?

We do provide all bed linen, however, pupils are more than welcome to bring their own belongings to make their room feel more homely.

How can I open a bank account?

The School can assist children in opening their bank account and this is normally arranged within the first few weeks of the new term. The nearest bank is Lloyds Bank , which is just a 1 minute walk from the School gate in the centre of the village and has an ATM.

Is my child allowed to bring a bicycle?

Yes, we will let the Housemaster know so that it may be stored securely.

Are children allowed off school premises?

Yes, older children are allowed to leave the premises providing they have permission from the boarding staff and follow our signing out procedure.

How often is laundry done?

Clothing is washed every day except weekends and bedding is washed once a week.

What is a typical day?

  • Breakfast and registration 7.45am
  • Leave the House at 8:25am
  • School day runs until 4:10pm
  • Down time / Activities 4.10pm-6pm
  • Tea 6.00pm-6.30pm
  • Prep 6.30pm-7.45pm
  • House Meeting 8pm
  • House Activities 8.15pm
  • Supper is available in the kitchen afterwards

Are parents able to accompany their child in the boarding house on their first day?

Yes, when they arrive, parents are able to help their child unpack and settle in. There are also opportunities to meet with staff and spend time in the School grounds.

How do I apply for my visa?

We are delighted to be able to welcome international students to the school. In order to ensure that pupils and parents comply with the UK Government’s requirements on visa entry, Tettenhall College have instructed Newland Chase – a UK immigration law firm that specialises in student visas and school licences to complete and submit all visa applications, whether these are overseas applications, or renewal visas in the U.K. This will not delay the process and you can rest assured that the visa applications are in the hands of experts. Newland Chase will check all the documentation is correct and compliant and they will check the on-line application has been correctly completed before the application is submitted, this is to ensure the best chance of visa applications succeeding.

What do I need to wear outside of school?

Outside of lesson times, you can relax and wear casual clothes. It gets warm in the summer and very cold in the winter, so you’ll need to pack shorts, t-shirts, jumpers, hats, scarves and warm coats. There are also some more formal parties and meals during the course of the year and so you may want to bring some formal clothes too.

Where are the nearest shopping facilities?

There is a supermarket, green grocers, post office, cafes and both Indian/Chinese takeaways in the village. Wolverhampton City Centre is only a 10 minute bus/taxi ride away.

Where can parents stay during a visit?

There are many hotels nearby, including:

  • The Mount Hotel | This hotel is very comfortable and only 1 mile from the School.
  • The York Hotel | This is on the bus route between Wolverhampton and Tettenhall and is closer to the School
  • Ely House Hotel | This is on the bus route between Wolverhampton and Tettenhall but is closer to Wolverhampton
  • Premier Inn | This hotel in located in the heart of Wolverhampton, within easy walk to the train and bus stations.

How will my child be helped to settle in when they arrive?

The arrival programme follows a similar format each year. Upon arrival, new boarders and their parents will meet other new boarders and their families as well as staff at an informal welcome gathering over refreshments. There are tours of the School and its’ grounds; as well as visits to Tettenhall village and opportunities to purchase uniform and meet with surgery staff. Team building activities are organised which will help your child bond with other pupils. Our annual HUB challenge is an event all boarders enjoy. Boarders will be given a buddy to support them at the start. After the first few settling in days, you child will feel far more relaxed and ready for the first day of the School term.

How will my child stay in touch with me?

We realise the importance of keeping in touch with family and friends during your child’s time with us. Wi-Fi is available for use on laptops and mobile phones.

Are health records required?

Yes, we will send a number of documents for you to complete and return. A medical form will be among these and we ask that it is returned with all vaccination information included. All boarders will be registered with our local doctors’ surgery.

What uniform is required?

1 blazer, 2 pairs of trousers, 1 tie, 1 or 2 jumpers and 3 – 4 shirts should be plenty. As we have our uniform shop on site, any more items required may be purchased very quickly. Laundry is done regularly so the above should be sufficient. Shoes, trainers and football boots cannot be purchased from the School uniform shop.

Where can School sports kit be purchased?

This can be purchased from the School uniform shop, however football boots, trainers and shin pads will need to be brought from home or a local shop once your child arrives.

Will my child be able to choose which sports to take part in and what are the options?

In Year 9, pupils have 3 hours of games each week where traditional sports are played, rugby in the Winter, football in the Spring and cricket in the Summer. There is also an hour of PE each week where pupils take part in sports such as swimming, badminton, squash, cross country, athletics and tennis. In addition to these sports your child will also be able to join various sports clubs such as swimming, basketball and fencing. There is also the extended day on a Friday where children select an activity each term that they would like to take part in every Friday afternoon. There are various sporting choices such as golf, mountain biking, horse riding, and rock climbing, alternatively they may like to choose cooking, drama, gardening, art or first aid.

When international students arrive at Tettenhall College are their passports taken and do they receive student cards, certifying that they are studying at the School?

We will take copies of all children’s passports but we return them to pupils. There are lockable cabinets in all rooms in which to keep valuable items. They do not receive a student card as these are not required in England.

How will I collect my Biometric Residents Permit (BRP) and do I need to register with the police?

BRPs will be sent to the School and then passed to the boarding staff for safe keeping. Some pupils will need to register with the police and the school will arrange to take you to the local police station within the required time frame.

students stood together

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