Houses - Our Vertical House System

Our house system has transformed the relationship between different peer groups over the last two years, creating a sense of family and belonging for our students of all ages. Upon entry to Hartsdown, the students are assigned to a vertical, mixed-age tutor group in one of our five houses: Bronte, Brunel, Johnson, Newton and Stephenson. There is healthy competition between houses with a variety of contests taking place throughout the year, leading to the award of several house cups at the end of the summer term.

Adopted by Hartsdown nearly 3 years ago as a positive way forward for the pastoral care as well as monitoring of academic progress for students.

Initially 6 Houses names kindly donated by Mrs Rutland to include 3 male and 3 female linked with technology to fit the college profile.

Ex heads of Years interviewed for role and chosen plus appointed 6 females as Pastoral managers with the brief to work on pastoral side especially the day to day care and welfare issues. Ideal as they did not have a teaching commitment to manage at the same time. Last year another addition to the system was made. This was the assignment to each House of a member form the SLT team so that they were directly linked to a cohort of students and staff and part of a linear management system. This has also helped raise the profile of the vertical tutor system in SLT meetings too and ensure its future success.

Originally 6th form not attached to the scheme nor did year 11 warm to the idea as they were not seen as Top Dog or with their peer group. However after teething problems all settled down and a new Ethos was seen by all. Assemblies were no longer fraught affairs with peer group hormones kicking in. Mentoring programmes grew in stature and students felt more valued and cared for. They could see continuity and consequences within the College such as the Prom or the changes between key stages or even the value of work experience.

Last year the House system was reduced by one due to student falling roles but by then students were so pleased with the system and routines that they rose to the occasion and accepted their new peers into their House from the collapsed house in a very mature manner making them feel welcome.

Since then the Vertical House system has grown to include more structure to weekly activities devised by the Head of House including Intra and Inter house competitions of all sorts. The Student Voice has grown out of this structure with each house having its own council then 2 reps for each House feeding into the College Council on a termly basis with SLT members attending these sessions too.

Sixth Formers have been acknowledged regarding their concerns they have remained within the house system but with a bespoke tutor for certain days of the week for specific sessions that they require for their personal development. They still contribute to the running of the House they are part of too. They have tutors from the middle management layer mostly Directors of Learning to ensure that academically they make continual progress towards their final personal goal.

The Vertical House system does not rest on its laurels. Next year the challenge is to set up a more purposeful and accountable PSHE system to be delivered in tutor time. This will involve all staff and revolve around the central theme for the week identified by Assembly and delivered by the staff responsible. Heads of Houses will monitor its delivery and outcomes of their respective teams.

Isabel Hack
Assistant Principal

  • Bronte
  • Brunel
  • Johnson
  • Newton
  • Stephenson