House system and tutors
Our House system is a key part of our pastoral care. We have five Houses: Ingrams, Balyes, Dawsons, Gibbards and Owens, which are named after a founding father of the School, or a long-serving Headmaster or Housemaster.
Ingrams is the Senior School’s junior house. Our First and Second Formers all belong to Ingrams which provides a comfortable ‘stepping-stone’ between the Prep School, or their primary schools, and membership of one of the four senior Houses. As well as taking part in some whole school events, Ingrams has its own assemblies, house competition and so on. In Ingrams, form tutors look after the pupils in their classes and are the key link between school and home.
From the Third Form onwards, pupils join one of our four senior Houses: Balyes, Dawsons, Gibbards and Owens. Siblings always represent the same House and, where known and possible, we place them in the same House as any OK parents. Children are taught in classes comprising pupils from all of the Houses but are placed in smaller tutor groups alongside others from their House for matters such as registration. This way, each of our pupils meets their tutor on a daily basis as well as for a longer period twice a week. Small tutor groups mean that our tutors get to know their tutees well and are in an excellent position to provide advice on everything from study techniques and subject choices to how to deal with upsets or misunderstandings.
Inter-House competitions are held throughout the school year and include the major sports as well as a wide range of other events such as cross-country, music, chess, general knowledge, badminton, Scrabble, shooting, debating, sailing and swimming. These all contribute to the award of the House Shield, a fiercely fought-over prize which is presented in the final Assembly of the year. Those who make a significant contribution are awarded ‘House Colours’ in the form of a lapel badge or tie as an acknowledgement of their efforts.
The role of the Tutor
Your child’s tutor is at the centre of our support system and is your first point of contact for all pastoral, academic and behavioural issues. The tutor plays a key role in the life of his/her tutees through:
- Taking the formal register at the start of each day and checking their personal presentation (dress, hair, footwear).
- Monitoring their overall academic progress and discussing assessment grades and reports.
- Getting to know them well, taking an interest in their broader development, supporting their co-curricular interests and being the first point of contact if pastoral problems arise.
- Advising them, giving them support, and encouraging them to develop positive attitudes and self-esteem.
- Advising them on the selection of academic options (Third Form creatives, GCSE and A Level courses).
- Acknowledging particularly good behaviour or worthy deeds.
- Dealing with any complaints about their poor behaviour.
- Liaising with parents and other staff as appropriate.
Please use email to contact tutors.
House staff
Ingrams
Post/Form
Name
Balyes
Post/Form
Name
Dawsons
Post/Form
Name
Gibbards
Post/Form
Name
Owens
Post/Form
Name
