Today’s whole School Collect focussed on the exciting outcome of months of rigorous consultation and reflection relating to the development of a new House system which will be introduced from September 2022. Deputy Head, Eddie Falshaw, who led the assembly, reflected, “The whole community stands on the edge of history, ready to create a system that will last for the next 130 years, hopefully longer. In years to come the students of today, will be able to say, I was there at the start.”
The involvement of students, parents, guardians and staff in the development of a new model to take the House system forward beyond the physical boundaries of our historic boarding Houses has been one of the most significant changes to the school in recent years. Input from surveys, focus groups and individual correspondents has been carefully considered by senior management and the governors, none of whom have taken the responsibility lightly. The result is a well-received plan allowing the community to embrace our Quaker values whilst allowing for the competitive House spirit which facilitates achievement with values, character and community.
There will be four new Houses led by a House Clerk (staff) and supported by House Seniors (Sixth Formers) with House Reps for each year group. Each student, teacher and member of support staff will be allocated to one of the new Houses and involved in developing the House motto, song, badge and merchandise. The new Houses will, each year, involve themselves in:
Senior day students will continue to be welcome in the boarding Houses Reckitt (Senior Girls’ Boarding), School (Senior Boys’ Boarding) and Fryer (Co-Ed Lower School Boarding) to mix with their friends after tea and there will be plenty of other times when groups of day students can meet with full and weekly boarders outside the main School day.
Speaking immediately after the announcement the students were buzzing.
“I think it’s actually going to be really good, a lot better than how things are currently. My sister is joining in two years time so at least if she joins my House we might be able to be together, communicate and talk to each other so that’s one of the benefits about this change.” enthused Elina (Year 9)
“I think they can help us achieve more diversity between the years and help us connect because we are very separated as Fryers from the rest of the school” commented Jack (Year 7)
“I like the changes a lot but I think the addition of Year 7 and 8: they are going to have to get that right because when I was in Fryer I thought that I couldn’t compete with the older years so just giving them a platform is pretty good.” said Leo (Year 11)
“It’s a different sort of thing from what we’ve had before and I think it’s actually for the better.” Added Mara (Year 8)
One current Year 11 parent emailed to say, “…thank you for putting the community back into the plan…. The seamless integration of day students into every aspect of life of the school was a key factor in my decision to send my children to Leighton Park. I pray that this can now be restored. Best of luck with it. Hopefully your senior students will rise to the occasion in creating the new evolution of the houses inspired by their memories of the best of the past.”
Old Leightonian, David Mckee, whose father was the first Housemaster in Field House, commented, “I have read the Head’s proposal letter and think this is a very sensible proposal….I am not surprised that the building has passed its useful life now and it is clearly time to move on.”
Fellow Old Leightonian, David Barlow, added, “I was at Leighton Park in the 50s and to be honest what’s being proposed echoes fairly exactly the way Houses operated back then. House clerks then were called Housemasters but prefects had a major role to play. I’m glad that the Quaker tradition is being continued.”
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