Maths Camps - Frequently Asked Questions

What time are the arrival and departure times? 

Arrival is from 11:30 to 12:15 on Monday. Please arrive as close to midday as possible.  

Departure is from 1 to 1.30 on Friday.

Can we arrive late if delayed by traffic? 

Please aim to arrive as close to midday as possible. We understand that unforeseen delays can happen. If you expect to be significantly delayed, please let us know via the emergency contact number (see above).  

Is the venue close to the train station? 

Bootham School
Yes. Bootham School is within walking distance of York railway station. Walking routes and arrival information are included in the Welcome Pack. 

Christ’s Hospital
Yes. Christ’s Hospital railway station is located next to the school, making it easy to reach on foot. Arrival information is included in the Welcome Pack. 

Bootham School
Males and females are accommodated separately. We use three boarding houses: one for males, one for females, and a third boarding house with separate male and female floors. If you have any questions about accommodation, or would like to discuss your child’s individual needs, please email the team at maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk.  

Christ’s Hospital
There is a male boarding house and a female boarding house. If you have any questions about accommodation or would like to discuss your child’s individual needs, please email the team at maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk. 

We are unable to arrange individual transport for pupils, so please start planning your child’s travel to the camp. If you need support, please speak with your child’s teacher. We are asking teachers to:

• Check families are making travel plans for their child
• Connect families within the same school who may wish to travel together

A limited number of travel bursaries are available. Your child’s teacher can apply for a travel bursary where travel costs would otherwise prevent pupils attending.

Once your child’s place is confirmed, and closer to the camp date, we will send you a short travel survey to understand your plans and identify if you need any additional support from us or your school.

Pupils travelling to Bootham School by train will be met at York station for the short walk (10 minutes) to the school. Pupils should aim to arrive as close to 12pm as possible on the Monday.

Accommodation, meals and refreshments, and camp materials (such as notebooks, pens, and other necessary resources) are covered at no cost to participants. Pupils will not need to bring spending money.

Future Foundations is responsible for all operations and pastoral care.

Our team includes:

• Camp leadership staff, including a Camp Director and Operations Director
• Coaches and Support Coaches
• Pastoral House Parents

We operate a rota system and will have staff available at all times, including overnight. All staff are enhanced DBS-checked and trained in safeguarding.

This is very normal, especially if it’s their first time away from home. We see pupils arrive nervous at every camp, but very quickly they settle as they find a friend and the camp activities start almost immediately. Our team is focused on creating a welcoming environment and offers plenty of support.

Most schools will have two pupils attending, so it’s likely they will attend with another pupil from their school. Pupils will take part in icebreakers and team-building activities to help them feel at ease and make friends quickly.

Please feel free to get in touch if you, or your child, have any worries or would benefit from further reassurance.

We will provide further information in our introduction talk online, where you will get to meet the Camp Director and the organisers, and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Our Pupil and Parent Information evenings have already taken place. If you have missed this, please email maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk and we can share the recording with you.

Closer to the camp, we will ask participants to upload a recent photo in the Pupil Registration Form for safeguarding purposes. This helps our team recognise and support pupils throughout the camp. Photos will be stored securely and used only by authorised staff and will be deleted after the camp.

Bootham School
Boys and girls are accommodated separately. We use three boarding houses: one for boys, one for girls, and a third boarding house with separate male and female floors. If you have any questions about accommodation, or would like to discuss your child’s individual needs, please email the team at maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk  

Christ’s Hospital
There is a male boarding house and a female boarding house. If you have any questions about accommodation or would like to discuss your child’s individual needs, please email the team at maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk 

Our camp staff team stay on-site, and we will have pastoral team members available to support pupils 24/7.

If your child has specific needs, let us know in the parents and carer consent form or contact us and we will make appropriate arrangements.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided each day, with meat and vegetarian options provided. 

Lunch (likely a packed lunch) will be provided on both arrival day and departure day. 

Please share this information in the consent form for parents and carers.

The catering team at the venue can accommodate most needs with advance notice (as a school, they have experience catering for a range of dietary requirements and allergies). We will share the details with them and will contact you if we need additional information.

You will be asked to complete a medical needs form in the consent form for parents and carers. Medication can be stored securely, including refrigerated items if needed.

Our first aiders and staff are trained and will be available 24/7. With consent, we may provide basic medication (e.g. paracetamol, antihistamines) under supervision.

If your child has specific needs related to learning, mobility, sensory processing, or mental health, please let us know through the consent form for parents and carers or let us know if you would prefer to share details in a conversation.

We will work closely with you to ensure the right support is in place. Where needed, we may follow up to gather further information and agree on any adjustments or additional support.

If appropriate, we will complete a review of your child’s additional needs and share our proposed support plan with you for mutual agreement.

All pupils are expected to follow the Future Foundations Code of Conduct, which promotes kindness, responsibility and respect.

We always aim to resolve behaviour concerns with empathy and support. However, if serious issues arise and behaviour does not improve, we may contact you and, as a last resort, ask that your child be collected early from the camp. In such cases, we will also inform the school that nominated your child.

Yes, but phones must not be used during sessions or activities. We encourage pupils to be fully present. Phones can be used during free time in the evening to contact a parent or carer however, we discourage use beyond this so they are present and can engage with each other. Misuse may result in us holding the phone for the day, and we will let you know if this happens.

In an emergency, please use the 24-hour contact number provided in your Welcome Pack. Pupils can contact home during evening downtime if they wish.

In our experience, frequent contact during residentials can sometimes increase homesickness. We kindly encourage families to avoid messaging or calling during the day unless essential. We would encourage calling the contact number we provide. Our team is always on hand to support pupils throughout their stay.

Yes. Photos and videos may be taken to capture moments and highlights during the camp. These may be used for internal sharing (e.g. end-of-camp montage) and, with your consent (via consent form for parents and carers), for future promotional use. We never share full names or contact details publicly.

Please use the 24/7 emergency phone: 

Bootham School: 0203 432 3454 

Christ’s Hospital School: 0203 432 3455 

Please email maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk 

Rooms vary. There are a small number of single rooms, but most rooms accommodate between two and four pupils. 

Where possible, pupils are placed with other pupils from the same school within the separate male and female boarding house accommodation. We also take account any individual needs that have been shared with us. 

Please contact the team to discuss your child’s individual circumstances. We will always do our best to support pupils to feel comfortable and settled at camp. 

Pupils can choose from a selection of hot meals, sides and a salad bar. Vegetarian options are available at every meal, and we can also cater for halal, vegan and other dietary requirements. If your child requires halal, vegan or any other dietary provision that has not already been included on the consent form, please email maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk so we can ensure suitable options are available. 

Yes, although plenty of food is provided throughout the week. Any snacks brought to camp must be nut free. 

The camp will provide a selection of fidget toys. If your child has specific needs, please email the team so appropriate support can be arranged. 

Yes. A quiet space will be available throughout the week for prayer and/or reflection. 

There is a dedicated wellbeing room where pupils can take some time out if needed. If you think your child may benefit from additional support which has not already been shared in your consent form, please email maths.camps@future-foundations.co.uk before camp so that we can put a support plan in place. We will also be contacting parents and carers if we need any further information.  

There will be opportunities to relax, socialise and spend time with new friends between sessions. We also have a range of exciting extracurricular and evening activities planned; there’s even a hint about one of them on the last page of the Welcome Pack! 

Are activities indoors or outdoors? 

A mixture of both. 

Can pupils bring board or card games? 

Yes. Pupils are welcome to bring board or card games, although a selection will also be available at camp. We recommend bringing games that take no longer than around an hour to play. 

Yes. Bedding is provided (including pillows and duvet). If your child would like to bring their own pillow they are welcome to do so. Towels are not provided. Please see the Packing List in the Welcome Pack for details of what to bring. 

Yes. Please bring at least one towel. 

Pupils keep their belongings in their bedrooms. As most rooms are shared, we recommend leaving expensive or sentimental items at home wherever possible. While we take reasonable care of pupils’ belongings, Maths Camps cannot accept responsibility for personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged. 

Some of our academic staff are Axiom Maths mentors. However, our team is recruited from schools across the country, so it is unlikely that your child’s Axiom Maths mentor will be at their camp. 

We follow government guidance for residential visits. During most activities, there is typically around one member of staff for every eight pupils. In addition, each camp has dedicated pastoral, safeguarding and leadership staff on site throughout the programme to support pupils and ensure the camp runs safely and smoothly. 

There is no formal dress code. Pupils should wear comfortable, practical clothing suitable for learning and outdoor activities, including appropriate footwear and a waterproof coat. Clothing should be appropriate for a school-aged residential environment. Please see the Packing List in the Welcome Pack for more details.   

To help pupils settle into camp life, we ask that parents and carers do not visit during the programme.

Pupils remain on site throughout the camp and do not leave during the week. If a pupil needs to return home before the end of camp, this can be arranged in exceptional circumstances with the agreement of the Camp Director. 

Yes. Pupils without a mobile phone will still be supported to keep in touch with home if needed. 

The 24-hour contact number provided above is available if you need to contact the Maths Camps team at any time during the programme, including if you need to pass on an important message or speak to your child.  

In our experience, frequent contact during residentials can sometimes make it harder for pupils to settle into camp life. We encourage families to avoid calling during the day unless it is important. Our team is always on hand to support pupils throughout their stay and will contact you if we have any concerns.