Training

Nearly all training takes place at our specialist training centre, Stoke Rochford Hall, in Grantham.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Please consult your draft programme and letter for any arrangements specific to your course.

On arrival please go to Reception in the Mansion, where you can check in. If driving you can park in the Mansion car park, alternatively the taxi will drop you off adjacent to the main Mansion entrance. The main entrance to the Mansion is in the left hand corner of the car park as you face the Mansion and Reception is to your left as you enter.

Most courses begin with lunch on arrival. Lunch is available from 12.30 p.m – 2:00 p.m in the Reflections Restaurant. Before you travel we suggest that you plan your journey to arrive in time for lunch if possible, and allow time to check in. Bedrooms are normally available from midday but should you be earlier then coffee and tea are served in the Grand Hall from approximately 11.15 am, where you are welcome to relax until your room is available.

If you have any queries that cannot be answered by Reception please ask to be directed to a member of NUT staff. Reception staff will be able to advise you where to find the training room for your course.

ACCESS

By road:

Stoke Rochford Hall is situated just off the A1, six miles south of Grantham.

Arriving from the south, the hall is on the left 2½ miles north of the A151 junction at Colsterworth roundabout. (Road works are taking place here and in time the roundabout will be removed.)

Approaching from the north the hall is 2 miles south of the village of Great Ponton. Look out for the signs to Stoke Rochford on the right. At busy times it may be advisable to travel south to the A151 junction and return north for easier access.

After leaving the A1 follow the country lane for a few hundred yards, the road then dips down to the left, but you go straight on - the gates for Stoke Rochford Hall are straight ahead of you (there is a large sign here). Then follow the drive round to the Mansion House, drive through the iron gates and park in the car park. The entrance to Reception, where you can check in, is in the left hand corner of the car park as you face the Mansion.

Satellite navigation systems can be misleading and it is best to follow the written instructions to avoid arriving in nearby farms or villages.

Insurance:

If you drive you need to be aware that driving while at work, as opposed to only using your vehicle for the regular commute, is classified as ‘business use’ of your vehicle, and so it needs to be insured for business use. Contact your insurance company if you are in doubt about your insurance.

By rail:

The nearest station is Grantham. If arriving by train you will be asked to notify the NUT of your arrival time and then a taxi will be organised to collect you and transport you to Stoke Rochford Hall. Normally the taxi driver will have your name listed, and should be holding a card saying ‘Stoke Rochford Hall’. If a taxi does not arrive to collect you please contact Membership and Communications on 020 7380 4781 or Stoke Rochford Hall to arrange a taxi for you. Alternatively, take any taxi from the station and obtain a receipt for your journey so that you can be reimbursed for the trip. The cost is approximately £15. You will be dropped off adjacent to the main entrance to the Mansion, from where you can go to Reception and check in. Course tutors will ascertain your return taxi requirements on the penultimate day of the course.

Travel Expenses:

You will be reimbursed for the following travel expenses:

• Second class rail travel. Receipts must be provided.

• The NUT will pay for any taxis arranged by the NUT through its account. If a taxi booked for you from Grantham station does not arrive you may book an alternative taxi but must ask for a receipt so that a claim can be made.

• Mileage expenses if travelling by car.

An expense claim form will be given to you at the commencement of the course and normally you will receive a cheque approximately four weeks later.

REGISTRATION, KEYS AND CHECKOUT

Bedrooms are not normally available until 12.00 noon on the day of arrival and should be vacated by 9.30 a.m. on the day of departure. Each residential delegate will be requested to fill out a registration key card on arrival. This should be carried with you at all times, as you may be required to produce it in the Bars, Restaurant or Health and Fitness Centre. Keys should be collected from Reception and returned on the morning of departure. Please note that a charge is made for any unreturned or lost key, and that the Union is charged for any rooms not vacated by 9.30am on the day of departure.

ACCOMMODATION

The majority of the accommodation, all of which is ensuite, is located a short distance from the Mansion in either the Old Stables Courtyard or Woodland Lodge. All rooms have full en-suite facilities, towels, colour TV, including Sky News, radio, direct dial telephone, broadband internet socket, tea and coffee making facilities, trouser press and hairdryer. There are also irons and ironing boards available at your request.

In inclement weather, outdoor clothing is needed to walk between the accommodation, Mansion and leisure facilities.

SMOKING/NON SMOKING

Stoke Rochford Hall and all accommodation blocks are non-smoking buildings, so smoking is only permitted outside.

DISABLED FACILITIES

Some bedrooms, some training rooms and the Reflections Restaurant and Terrace Bar are wheelchair accessible. There is a designated unisex cloakroom (washbasin and toilet) on the ground floor of the Mansion adjacent to Reception and in the Conference Centre.

A motorised buggy is available for use in the grounds.

There are disabled parking spaces in the car park in front of the Mansion, and facilities to park next to all accommodation and training facilities.

You will be asked to state your needs on a course requirements form that will be sent to you on receipt of your application form. It is essential that this be completed and returned well in advance of the course so that any special arrangements can be made on your behalf.

LIFT

A wheelchair accessible lift serves the lower ground, ground and mezzanine floors of the Mansion. The restaurant, bar and some training rooms are situated in the Mansion.

CARING FOR A CHILD OR OTHER DEPENDANT

If you have responsibilities for a child or other dependant, please contact the NUT to discuss possible ways in which the NUT may be able to assist you.

Possibilities may include:

• financial assistance for caring costs whilst you are away from home;
• the option of a dependant accompanying you to Stoke Rochford Hall;

• the option of bringing a child and an additional carer to Stoke Rochford Hall; and

• the opportunity to stay at nearby hotel which has crèche facilities .

Please contact the NUT as soon as possible regarding your specific needs.

Enquiries can be made to the Membership and Communications Department at NUT Headquarters, telephone 020 7380 4781/4837 or email training@nut.org.uk.

FOOD

DINING

The Reflections Restaurant is situated on the lower ground floor of the Hall. All meals, except dinner, are on a self-service basis and are usually served at the following times:

Morning coffee and afternoon tea are served in the Grand Hall or Conference Hall according to the requirements of each course. Non-caffeinated alternatives are available. The exact times of meals for your course are indicated on the course programme.

LUNCH ON THE LAST DAY OF THE COURSE

If your course finishes at lunchtime you will normally be given the option of staying for lunch OR having a packed lunch to take with you. Tutors will note your requirements on the penultimate day of the course.

RECEPTION

The Centre’s Reception Office is situated in the Mansion. Opening times are 7.30 a.m.-10.00 p.m. Messages taken for delegates are displayed on the message board at Reception. If you need any help or assistance, please contact Reception.

FACILITIES

TERRACE BAR

The Terrace Bar is situated on the lower ground floor of the Hall. It is usually open from 12 noon until the end of the lunchtime period and in the evening from 5.30 p.m.

The bar is non-smoking and has satellite TV, shown on a large screen.

Access to the lower ground floor is from the stairs which are situated along the corridor from the Reception on the right, or by the lift opposite Reception. A bar account can be opened on presentation of a credit card to Reception.

CAR PARKING

Limited parking is available in front of the mansion and within the Old Stable Courtyard and Woodland Lodge. There is additional parking to the rear of the Mansion adjacent to the William Burn suite.

Alternative parking is available at the Obelisk car park.

SERENDIPITY SHOP (9.00 a.m.-9.00 p.m.)

A supply of toiletries, postcards, etc., may be purchased from the Hall’s gift shop, at the rear of the Reception Office.

CHEQUE FACILITY

Cheques may be cashed, with a current Banker’s Card, in the Finance Department until 7.00 p.m., thereafter in the Terrace Bar. There is a £1.00 handling charge.

POSTAL FACILITIES

Outgoing mail should be handed in at Reception not later than 4.00 p.m. Incoming mail should be addressed as follows:

Name
Name of Course
Stoke Rochford Hall
STOKE ROCHFORD
Nr Grantham
Lincolnshire NG33 5EJ

TELEPHONE AND INTERNET FACILITIES

One pay phone is located in the Mansion. For incoming calls through the switchboard (open from 7.30 a.m.-10.00 p.m.) the telephone number is 01476 530337. Relevant numbers are detailed below for your information:

Reception - 0 or 200
Night Porter - 228
‘Gym & Tonic’ - 291
Terrace Bar - 241
Restaurant - 243

Mobile telephone reception is not guaranteed. Broadband Internet facilities are available in all ensuite bedrooms in the Mansion, Woodland Lodge and Old Stable Courtyard for delegates to use with their own laptops. The charge for this service is £5.00 per hour or £10.00 per 24 hours. This is inclusive of VAT and needs to be paid for at Reception.

‘GYM & TONIC’ HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTRE

The Centre has a comprehensive Health and Fitness Centre. The Centre is open from 1.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 12.00 noon – 8.00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 8.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. on Sundays. The facilities include seasonal swimming pool, open April to December (subject to change), male and female saunas and steam rooms, full size Jacuzzi, sunshower, multi-gym, tennis courts, football pitch and a gymnasium with facilities for playing badminton or table tennis.

Tennis and badminton racquets, shuttlecocks, table tennis bats and balls may be hired. Visitors are advised to bring their own sportswear if they wish to use the facilities.

Please check in advance of your visit that the facilities you wish to use will be open

Residential NUT membership is £3.50 per day, with the following additional costs:

• Sun Shower - £3.50 for 5 mins
• Sports Hall - £15.00 per hour
• Football Pitch Lights - £25.00/£15.00 per hour
• Equipment and Racquet hire - £6.00 (+ £10.00 deposit)

Full details on booking facilities and the charges can be obtained from the Health and Fitness Centre Reception, which is situated opposite the football pitch near the Halls of Residence. You will be required to present your registration card which will be issued at the main Reception on your arrival.

BAR GAMES

A pool table, scrabble, monopoly, jenga, chess and playing cards are all available in the Terrace Bar.

WALKING AND JOGGING

There are several public rights of way suitable for walking and jogging. Visitors must also ensure that they do not walk onto the golf course, since this could result in serious injury.

SECURITY AND EMERGENCIES

FIRE REGULATIONS

Please ensure that you are familiar with the fire regulations posted in the residential areas and in each training room. A copy of the fire regulations should also be in the folder containing ‘visitor information’ in each of the rooms.

FIRE ALARMS

Please note that on Monday mornings, at approximately 9.00 a.m., the fire alarms will be tested. There is no need to evacuate the building unless a member of staff indicates such. Fire evacuation procedures are detailed in bedrooms and information packs.

FIRST AID

First aid kits are located in Reception, Gym & Tonic, Restaurant and the Terrace Bar. There are lists of qualified First Aiders displayed around the building.

SECURITY

The Board of Management regrets that it cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal articles. Safe keeping of valuables can be arranged by Reception.

ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE

Accidents to the property of Stoke Rochford Hall, including furniture, fittings, bedding, decorations or other items or facilities however caused occur from time to time. Stoke Rochford Hall will invoice the NUT for damage caused by course participants. The NUT reserves the right to deduct all or part of any such charges from participants’ expense claims or to invoice participants for any such damage, fully or in part, particularly where such incidents are not declared at the time of occurrence or before departure. Please report all damage to SRH reception and to the NUT staff or tutors.