- How do I get to the DSFC?
Please check our location page for details.
- Who helps me to find my way around when I first arrive?
Each new boarder has access to a 'mentor' (a pupil from the upper sixth) to care for them. There is also a year group prefect and house prefects as well as House Tutor for every tutor group of about 18 students.
- How does the accommodation get allocated and do I get any choice?
The upper sixth are in single study bedrooms with en-suite facilities. The lower sixth have 2 or 3 person rooms with en-suite facilities. Houses are allocated by the college with houseparents allocating rooms.
- What does the Houseparent do and how often can I see them?
The Houseparent is the head of a pastoral team (of 5 staff and 2 support staff) and is the central point of contact for parents and pupils. A rota exists but the Houseparent is readily available for pupils and sees them every day.
- What does my Tutor do?
Takes specific pastoral care for a tutor group in the House and will see them every day. He/she is the first person to contact if you have any problems. The tutor oversees academic progress, physical improvement and social development. The tutor is the first 'port of call' for parents.
- How often can I see my parents?
As often as is practicable though new boarders are encouraged to spend 2 to 3 weeks adjusting. Parents are welcome to visit at any time by arrangement with the Houseparents.
- Do you have to play rugby football?
It is not compulsory; students are encouraged to try a range of sports throughout their two years at Welbeck. We run many teams for rugby football, so most will have a chance to represent the school if they wish to do so, and almost all will wish to play for their House. All levels of skill are catered for, from beginners to those with plenty of experience. If rugby is not a favourite past-time, it can be avoided!
- When can I phone my family/friends and receive phone calls?
Any time you are free except during Prep 19:00 – 21:00 hrs and after 23:00 hrs.
- Can I use a mobile phone?
Once you have registered a mobile phone with your Houseparent you can use a mobile phone anytime you are free except during prep.
- Is there a facility for e-mail and faxing?
Email facilities are available via the main college ICT facilities for use by all pupils subject to a written network agreement. Faxing is available in the main administration area – The Forum.
- When can I go out over the weekend?
You may go out after your sporting commitments and return by the start of evening meal. If you are over 18 you can ask for special permission to go out after dinner but you must return before head count.
- Are students allowed into the town?
Yes, there are designated areas that they may visit and restrictions on the times that they may be in the town, but it is a useful resource and popular with everyone. By arrangement with Houseparents weekday visits are possible (restricted to two visits per week).
- What are the times of study in the evenings?
Prep is between 19:00 and 21:00 hrs Monday to Friday.
- Where can I work?
You can work in your study bedroom and Learning Resource Centre (LRC) at the times posted on the house notice board. The classrooms will be available at certain times and the academic staff will make the necessary arrangements with you.
- Am I supervised at all times?
Yes, though sometimes this is not on a one to one basis. The staff will be on duty and will patrol the Boarding Houses and other areas during working hours. During silent hours the duty Houseparent and Tutor will be on call.
- Can I work at other than prep times, if so, when and where?
Yes you can; the LRC and House blocks are available and times will be posted on the notice boards. Departments may allocate areas for private study and this will be made available by the Head of Faculty/Department.
- Are there quiet areas in the house or around the college?
Yes there are, the House will have a quiet area and the LRC is a quiet zone. The study bedrooms should be quiet during prep time.
- If I have a worry or personal problem, who can I turn to?
You can talk to your Tutor, your Houseparent, the resident Chaplain, any teacher you trust or an independent listener.
- Can I meet other pupils socially around the college?
Yes - in lessons, activities and visiting them in their homes in EXEATs. Integration of boarding students is an easy, natural feature of the college.
- What happens if I am ill at college and will my parents be consulted over medical matters?
The college Medical Centre is staffed 24 hours a day. Surgeries are held daily with the Sister and the Doctor visits the college twice a week. Where appropriate parents are consulted over medical matters.
- What universities do Welbeck students attend?
Everyone will have a choice of Oxford or Cambridge and the five DTUS Universities, Southampton, Newcastle, Northumbria, Aston and Loughborough.
- What happens at weekends?
Lots! The College is very busy - Saturday morning is a normal school timetable, on Saturday afternoons pupils may take part or watch college fixtures. After this pupils are free to visit Loughborough. On Saturday evenings over 18’s may have special leave out to the local village or Loughborough. A range of in-house social activities regularly take place during the weekend.
On Sunday afternoons students can take part in tournaments, trips or have some free time. Each boarding house has different facilities including table tennis, pool, Sky TV, computer games and common room. The indoor sports facilities are available and the student club, the Quorum, will be open on both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Sometimes other activities like a theatre trip, shopping trip, Alton Towers or sporting tournaments take place.
- What happens if my child is Muslim/Catholic/Jewish etc?
Special arrangements are made; the Chaplain will be able to advise further.
- As I am a full time boarder, when can I go home and when can I come back?
You can go home at EXEATS and holidays; you should return by the time and date given to you prior to departure. Under special circumstances you can have special leave of absence for things like school presentations, representing the college at national level or close family bereavement. Each case will be treated individually and sanctioned by the Houseparent.
- What is an EXEAT?
At Welbeck an EXEAT is a short weekend break where students have the oportunity to go home or stay with another Welbeck student at their home. The EXEATs usually start at 18:00hrs on a Friday and ends at 22:00 hrs on a Sunday.
You will get two EXEATS in the Autumn term; the first one half way between the start of term and half-term and the second between half-term and the end of term. There is only one in both the Spring and Summer term. These happen mid way through the first half of each term.
- Do we have to go home on an EXEAT?
No; but we do encourage you to take a break from College and if it is too far to travel then we suggest you go and stay with another student from Welbeck; as there is very little to do during an EXEAT.
There are usually between 15 and 20 people staying in the college. During the run up to examinations there may be about 30 to 40.
- Is Welbeck co-educational?
Yes, there are five mixed Houses, Alanbrooke, Nelson, Portland, Stirling and Trenchard. Currently 26% of the student population is female.
- Which schools do your pupils come from?
Current pupils come from all over the UK and overseas. They come from a range of different types of school.
- Where do pupils eat?
Pupils take all their meals in the College dining room.
- If I am a WPS student do I have to take part in all aspects of College life?
Yes, All WPS students are fully integrated and therefore fully committed to the Welbeck ethos
- What if I have more questions?
You can telephone, write, e-mail or fax the college. See our contact page for more information.
