THE HOUSE SYSTEM VII.

The House programme is an integral and unique part of school life at Sherborne Senior School. Following the example of Sherborne in Dorset, every pupil and member of staff is allocated to a House.

As well as getting to know pupils in their own year through forms, the House system ensures that pupils get to know other pupils in different year groups, developing a sense of community and belonging. The House system also facilitates healthy competition and provides pupils with responsibility and leadership opportunities.

We have six Houses in all the Sherborne Qatar schools. Pupils remain in the same colour House throughout their time at Sherborne, with every effort made to have siblings in the same (unless requested otherwise). The House names are Ahmed, Copeland, Cook, Cutler, Hamad and Moza, named after significant people in the history of Sherborne, the UK, and Qatar.

The House system is timetabled into our curriculum so that every child gets the opportunity to represent their House. This happens every other Thursday during Periods 7 & 8, with one week dedicated to a PSHE session and House assembly, and the second rotation dedicated strictly to House activities.

The House system plays a significant part in supporting our pastoral vision of developing ‘well-rounded individuals’. To encourage this, activities are organised under the acronym A TEAM – Active, Technological, Employable, Artistic and Mindful. Activities are organised by Heads of House, supported by House staff and various House leaders, including Senior and Junior Captains.

Pupils earn points for their House through these activities, and their attendance, punctuality and number of merits also contribute towards gaining House points. The Heads of House also coordinate our charity work, with at least three charity weeks held each year to raise money for United World Schools and other designated charities.

Heads Of Houses

WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DAY?

Joining Sherborne is just like opening a new door and moving down a new path. The good news is that as children have done it before - whether it was joining Prep or moving between senior schools – children can do it again.

When pupils talk about Sherborne, they often use words like “community” and “friendly” as ways to describe it. A recent British School Overseas Inspection Report identified the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils as “excellent. It is a key strength of the school”.

Just remember, both staff and other pupils are here to help your child settle in.

ARRIVAL

Signage will direct pupils in Year 7 to Year 10 through one entrance, and Year 11 to 13 pupils through another.

A member of staff will be on duty to direct pupils to the meeting point for their respective year.

If joining on the first day of the academic year, with other pupils, children will be directed to the Cafeteria, Sports Hall or Sixth Form Centre (for Year 12 to 13) where their Form Tutor will meet them and take them to their tutor room. They will then provide pupils with their timetable and help them to get to know the other pupils in their tutor group. Form Tutors will be the pupils’ main point of contact throughout the year, and will organise a tour of the school.

If arriving at any other time in the academic year, the Head of Year or Form Tutor will be on hand to welcome new pupils in reception and make sure they have their timetable. A buddy (usually from the same form group) will be assigned to a new pupil, who will also be on-hand to help them with a short tour and to find their lessons.

Our Heads of Year for 2023-2024 are:

Head of Year 7 – Bayzid Ahmed

Head of Year 8 – Lucy Williams

Head of Year 9 – Leon Collins

Head of Year 10 – Gavin Oldridge

Head of Year 11 – Monica Hamlin

Assistant Director of Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13) – Nazra Sultana

Director of Sixth Form (Year 12 & 13) – Marcus Hamlin

Deputy Head Pastoral – Garry James

Sherborne Senior School

(Our Year 7 pupils take you on a tour of the Sherborne Senior School)

As well, as having Heads of Year, Form Tutors and buddies to help pupils settle in, pupils will be assigned to a House, allowing them to get to know pupils in other forms and years, but also staff who may not teach them as well as having Heads Of Year and buddies for timetabled lessons.

On a child’s first day they simply need to bring their bag, and a pencil case. Pupils will also need a water bottle, to stay hydrated, and to bring a packed lunch (or ensure their dinner card has credit).

Please refer to our uniform policy and ensure that your child is suitably dressed.

As part of our House programme, pupils are permitted to wear their respective colour House polo top, PE blue navy zip jacket, shorts and/or trousers on House days, which take place every Thursday in a Week B.

Every pupil will be allocated a locker by their Form Tutor which they can go to before school, at break and at the end of the day (but not between lessons) to collect or drop things off.