House System

Our Leehurst Swan house system is named after three beautiful trees on the school grounds: Oak, Beech and Willow. The houses bring pupils together in a fun way, helping them build teamwork, a sense of belonging and community spirit. By grouping pupils across year groups, the houses encourage friendships and collaboration beyond normal class groups, creating a supportive community. Healthy competition in sports, academics and creative events such as house music competitions motivates students to try their best while learning resilience and collaboration skills. Our house system adds an extra layer of excitement to school life and helps students develop confidence, leadership and a strong sense of pride in their school.

Vertical Integration: Learning From Each Other

Our Houses are deliberately mixed across age groups. This “vertical integration” means:

Older pupils mentor and encourage younger ones
Younger pupils gain role models and reassurance
Leadership develops naturally and visibly
Every child feels part of something bigger

This structure strengthens relationships across phases and reinforces our inclusive culture.

Energy, Spirit and Friendly Competition

House events are a lively and memorable part of school life. From singing and team relays to creative challenges and seasonal competitions, Houses compete in a spirit that is both enthusiastic and supportive.

Whether competing in a house music challenge, spots or decorating Christmas trees, the emphasis is always on participation, teamwork and enjoyment. The competitive edge is healthy and motivating — but never at the expense of encouragement or inclusion.

Leadership & Community

House events thrive because of the energy of our Heads of House and the support of the wider staff team, and it is precisely this shared enthusiasm that makes the system so special.

The House system ensures that every pupil is known, valued and encouraged — not only within their class, but across the school as a whole.

Beech