Our House System

From 2007, to coincide with the move to our new school, we are operating a House system.  There are three houses made up of forms from all year groups.  Each house is represented by a name and colour - Mulberry (green), Hovis (red) and Silk (blue).  Students wear a badge corresponding to their house colour so they are immediately recognised as belonging to a particular house.

All curriculum and pastoral aspects of school life, both in and out of school, are linked to the House system.  Students earn house points for their respective houses.  Where merits were traditionally awarded, these have been replaced by house points so they can be earned for hard work in class, project work, homework, good behaviour and politeness.

In addition, house points are awarded for sporting activities (representing the school at netball or football for example), for drama or music activities, for helping at events such as Parents’ Evening or Open Evening.  Departments have specific activities where house points can be earned, perhaps a poetry competition for the English Department or a Maths Challenge and points are awarded for participating in Sports Day.  Achievements outside school, such as belonging to a football club or passing examinations in swimming or dancing or playing musical instruments, can also earn house points.

These are totalled up at the end of each school year and the winning house receives a trophy, sporting their house colour, to be displayed in the Reception Area.  Each house has a House Notice board recognising the achievements of the students within their house and advertising events around school.

Each house is overseen and assisted by a Head of House.  Form Tutors also belong to the house and have a key role with their form in house activities.  Each form nominates a Form Captain to represent them in organising activities for their house.  From Year 11 Form Captains, a House Captain is selected.  The posts of Form Captain and House Captain are important roles and ‘job descriptions’ for these roles have been distributed.