Frequently Asked Questions
Enhancements to House and Boarding Structures (from September 2026)
Why These Changes Are Being Made
1. Why is the school making these changes?
These developments are part of a long-term investment in pastoral care, wellbeing and facilities. They are designed to strengthen pupils’ sense of belonging, improve continuity of care, and ensure that our house and boarding structures remain sustainable, vibrant and fit for the future.
All changes have been carefully planned with pupils’ emotional wellbeing, safety and day-to-day experience at the forefront.
2. When will these changes take place?
All changes will come into effect from September 2026. This timeline allows ample time for refurbishment, planning, staff training and carefully managed transitions for pupils and families.
Portland 7 and Year 7 Pupils
3. Will Portland 7 still be a Year 7 house?
Yes. Portland 7 will remain a dedicated house for Year 7 pupils, providing a nurturing and supportive environment specifically designed for pupils at the start of their senior school journey.
4. Where will Portland 7 be located?
From September 2026, Portland 7 will move to a new, purpose-developed location within the main school building (the current Portland 8 area). This space will undergo significant refurbishment to create a bright, welcoming and age-appropriate house base at the heart of the school.
5. Will Year 7 pupils still have access to outdoor space?
Yes. Portland 7 pupils will continue to enjoy access to the green space currently associated with the Portland 7 building, which will remain part of their outdoor provision.
6. Why will pupils be allocated a senior house while in Portland 7?
Allocating pupils to their senior house from the start of Year 7 helps build early belonging and a strong sense of identity within the wider school community. While Portland 7 will act as their Year 7 base, pupils will represent their senior house in competitions and house events, allowing relationships with staff and older pupils to develop naturally over time.
7. When will pupils find out which senior house they will be allocated to?
All pupils who will be entering Year 8, as well as those joining Year 7 in September, will be informed of their allocated senior house during the summer term.
8. Will Portland 7 include boarders?
Yes. Portland 7 will also operate as a Year 7 boarding house, offering a carefully structured and age-appropriate boarding experience for our youngest boarders.
House Allocation by Year Group
9. Can you explain clearly where each year group will be based, both during the day and at night?
During the school day, there will be no change to the normal school routine. Pupils will attend lessons, activities and house as they do now.
The only change relates to overnight boarding accommodation. From September 2026, boarding will be centred in Gibbs (girls) and Mason (boys), while pupils continue to belong to and participate fully in their allocated senior houses during the day.
Transition into Senior Houses (Year 8)
10. What is changing for Year 8 pupils?
From September 2026, pupils will move into their senior houses at the start of Year 8, rather than Year 9.
11. Which senior houses will pupils join?
Girls: Derry, Gibbs or Shirley
Boys: Mason, Pelham or Talbot
12. Are Year 8 pupils too young for senior houses?
We recognise that Year 8 pupils are younger, and this transition will be carefully supported by structured pastoral arrangements, age-appropriate routines, and strong supervision.
13. How will younger pupils be supported in senior houses?
Support will include:
- Strong and visible house leadership
- Experienced pastoral staff
- Clear routines and expectations
- Carefully planned induction programmes
- Ongoing monitoring of wellbeing
14. How will Year 8 pupils experience senior houses on a daily basis?
Year 8 pupils will be carefully integrated into senior houses, with clear routines, strong pastoral oversight and designated work and social spaces. This ensures they feel secure and supported while benefiting from the vertical house structure.
Sixth Form Accommodation
15. How will Sixth Form pupils be accommodated, particularly in relation to study space and quiet areas?
Sixth Form pupils will be prioritised for quiet, suitable study environments. The intention is that they will be accommodated on upper floors of houses, with access to desk space, alongside continued use of Sixth Form common rooms and study facilities.
16. Will year groups be separated by floors or zones within boarding houses?
This is being reviewed on a house-by-house basis, recognising differences in layout. Plans will ensure appropriate separation for safeguarding, sleep and study and will be shared once finalised.
Shirley House
17. Why is Shirley House being reinstated?
Reinstating Shirley House allows us to create better balance across the girls’ houses and expand leadership opportunities.
18. Where will Shirley House be located?
Shirley House will be located in the former School House following refurbishment.
19. Will Shirley House be a boarding house?
Shirley House will be a senior girls’ day house. Boarding accommodation for girls will be provided through Gibbs.
Capacity, Numbers and Space Planning
20. How is the school planning boarding capacity to ensure a high-quality experience for pupils?
Boarding capacity is being planned alongside refurbishment and staffing to ensure that accommodation remains comfortable, well supervised and fit for purpose. Decisions are being guided by pastoral care, safeguarding and the quality of the boarding experience, rather than by maximising numbers. Final arrangements will be confirmed once detailed room planning is complete.
21. How will the school ensure houses are not overcrowded as Year 8 moves into senior houses?
We recognise that the inclusion of Year 8 pupils increases demand on house space, and this has been a key consideration in our planning.
Capacity is being managed through careful room planning in each house, supported by strong pastoral oversight and regular review to ensure pupils’ living and study spaces remain appropriate and well-balanced.
The reopening of Shirley House provides additional flexibility within the girls’ house system, allowing pupils to be distributed more evenly over time. These arrangements will be kept under review, particularly during the early stages of implementation, to ensure the quality of pastoral care and daily house life is maintained.
22. How does reopening Shirley House reduce pressure on girls’ houses overall?
The addition of Shirley House significantly increases capacity within the girls’ house system. While the move of Year 8 into senior houses does increase numbers initially, this has been planned for alongside the reopening of a third girls’ house.
Over time, pupil distribution will become more balanced, allowing houses to operate more sustainably and with improved use of space.
23. What modelling has been done to ensure these changes improve space rather than reduce it?
Capacity, room use and pupil numbers are being reviewed together to ensure these changes improve the quality and use of space over time.
Boarding Provision
24. What will boarding look like from September 2026?
The school will operate two dedicated boarding houses:
- Gibbs for girls
- Mason for boys
25. Why concentrate boarding into two houses?
This model supports strong leadership, consistent staffing and vibrant boarding communities.
26. Will boarders have privacy and security for their belongings?
Yes. Clear systems will be in place to ensure personal space and belongings are respected.
27. Will boarders have access to rooms during the day?
Yes. Practical arrangements will ensure pupils can access essential items when needed.
28. Will pupils lose their house identity if they board elsewhere?
No. Pupils remain full members of their senior houses.
29. Will any day pupils be required to move out of Mason or Gibbs to accommodate boarders?
No. No day pupil will be required to move. Any changes will be optional and pupil-led.
30. How will shared spaces be managed so day pupils retain full access and identity?
Clear arrangements will ensure day pupils retain full access to house spaces and activities. This will be communicated at a later date once all plans have been finalised.
Flexi, Ad Hoc and Occasional Boarding
31. How will flexi boarding work within the new structure?
Flexi boarders will board in Mason or Gibbs. Bed allocation will remain flexible (as per the current structure) unless pupils are weekly or full boarders.
32. Will ad hoc or occasional boarding still be available?
Yes. This will continue to be available by advance booking, subject to capacity.
33. Will non-boarders continue to have access to complimentary boarding nights?
Yes. Complimentary nights will remain available by advance booking, subject to capacity.
Practical Daily Life
34. Will pupils be able to spend time in other houses to maintain friendships?
Pupils will continue to follow existing policy and remain within their own houses, except where day pupils board overnight in Gibbs or Mason.
Facilities, Infrastructure and Maintenance
35. Will essential repairs and infrastructure issues be addressed as part of the wider plan?
Yes. These are being reviewed as part of a wider maintenance plan, although specific works cannot yet be guaranteed.
Looking Ahead
36. Why should families feel confident about these changes?
These enhancements reflect careful planning, investment in people and spaces, and a clear commitment to pupils’ wellbeing.
37. What is the phased timeline for improvements beyond September 2026?
September 2026 marks the start of these changes. Further developments will be introduced progressively, and families will be kept informed as plans are finalised.