House System

Our Behaviour for Learning framework is guided by the Verulam Values. Those students that consistently meet or exceed our expectations, together with those who demonstrate an individual act which perpetuates the Verulam Values will accumulate points towards achieving the Blue Stag. If students demonstrate a learning behaviour that reflects a VERULAM category (detailed below), they will be issued a Letter of Recognition (LOR). If students obtain LORs in all seven categories in an academic year, they will be classed as a ‘Blue Stag’ pupil, with points contributing towards their House. This is available to all year groups

Voice and Vision
Enterprise and Aspiration
Resilience
Understanding and Respect
Love of Learning
Accountability and Responsibility
Makes a difference and leaves a legacy

The role of rewards in recognising and promoting Verulam Values is a key part of developing the potential of our students.  Praise is a key component of good teaching and effective staff/pupil relationships. Praise needs to be used appropriately, sincerely and linked to tangible examples of a student’s strengths.

Many events take place throughout the school year that are designed to celebrate students’ success and to keep the motivation of all students as high as possible.

The House system also give students opportunities for spiritual, moral, personal and social development as well as the chance to acquire and improve a wide range of skills including (but by no means exclusive to) sport, expressive arts, music, debating and chess.

House points are also awarded for excellent attendance, punctuality, helpfulness, being an exemplary role model, giving back to the school and community, Home Learning, attainment and progress. There are prizes for those that accumulate the most individual House points across the year, as well as cups and shields for individual competitions that are displayed in the School Hall, and an overall cup awarded to the winning House at the year end.

The House system gives students a chance to have their say and to be part of something – it is about participation, whether competing or making positive changes to the school environment through the House/School Council meetings. Students are given the opportunity to put themselves forward, give suggestions, discuss, vote, engage, play, perform, lead, liaise, compete, achieve… and make a difference!

Each House is led by the Head of House. A team of House Representatives from years 7 to 10 are led by their House Captain in Year 11 who is guided by the Head of House. The School Captain, Head Boy and Head Girl, although not elected, will support and work with the House Leadership team on community aspects of the House system such as The Abbey Service and Mills Match. Each House consists of one class in Years 7-11. Within the Sixth Form classes are mixed.

All students and staff are members of a House. House Captains are elected from Year 11 and staff undertake the roles of Head of House.

House points are reset at the end of the Spring Term when the Senior Prefect duties are passed on.

Houses

• Brampton
• Churchill
• Hamilton
• Jennings
• Park
• York

House Names

Until 1975, Verulam had four houses, taking the names of the four streets that form a rectangle around the school site: Brampton, Hamilton, Jennings and Park. In 1975, Verulam became a comprehensive and increased in size and two further houses were added: York and Churchill, also names of nearby roads.