Our House System

When pupils join the college, they will be placed in a tutor group of approximately 30 pupils with their own Form Tutor. All pupils are allocated to one of four Houses which represent great writers who have national and local significance:

• Bronte
• Ishiguro
• Julian
• Shakespeare

Each House comprises of pupils from Year 7 to 11 and sees pupils engage in a wide range of House-themed competitions and challenges, the biggest of which is our highly competitive Sports Day. All House competitions are linked to House Points.

Instilling a House system drives the culture at the college and encourages pupil development through access to a wide selection of experiences. Pupils learn to work together to share ideas, build confidence as they interact and build friendships with other year groups,

Pupils also gain House Points throughout the school day for Be Kind, Work Hard and Take Responsibility. 

BRONTE

Be Determined

Charlotte Brontë was an English novelist and poet, most known for her novel, Jane Eyre. Brontë wrote her first known poem at the age of 13 in 1829, and would go on to write more than 200 poems in the course of her life.

“Your will shall decide your destiny.”

–Charlotte Brontë
21st April 1816 - 31st March 1855

ISHIGURO

Be Ambitious

Sir Kazuo Ishiguro is a British novelist, screenwriter, musician, and short-story writer. He is one of the most critically-acclaimed and praised contemporary fiction authors writing in English, being awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature. His first two novels, A Pale View of Hills and An Artist of the Floating World, were noted for their explorations of Japanese identity and their mournful tone.

“If you are under the impression you have already perfected yourself, you will never rise to the heights you are no doubt capable of.”

–Sir Kazuo Ishiguro
8th November 1954 - Present

JULIAN

Be Generous

Julian of Norwich was an English mystic and anchoress of the Middle Ages. Her writings, now known as Revelations of Divine Love, are the earliest surviving English language works by a woman, although it is possible that some anonymous works may have had female authors. They are also the only surviving English language works by an anchoress.

“Cheerful givers do not count the cost of what they give. Their hearts are set on pleasing and cheering the person to whom the gift is given.”

–Julian of Norwich
1343 - After 1416

SHAKESPEARE

Be Courageous

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays,154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”

–William Shakespeare
23rd April 1564 - 23rd April 1616

Rewards

Students have wide range of opportunities to earn House Points throughout the school day. House Points are awarded for living out our values – Be Kind, Work Hard, and Take Responsibility. This can take place in our classrooms and our corridors, in our lessons and our extracurricular activities, as well as through participating in our House Competitions.  

Students can also earn additional House points when they are awarded a postcard celebrating their success in lesson (3x House points). Postcards are awarded in each lesson to a student for embodying our mission when they endeavour to develop their knowledge and character.  

College Council

We believe strongly that our pupils’ voices should be heard and therefore we give them the opportunity to voice their opinion across a range of topics and key areas. This provides pupils with the opportunity to develop their core skills including public speaking, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.

Our college council members are elected every year by each form group to represent the views of the class at our fortnightly meetings.

We discuss pupils’ opinions on topics such as electives, lessons, uniform and much more.

Members of the Jane Austen College Leadership Team regular attend these meetings to offer their expertise and ensure that pupils’ views have been heard and considered when decisions are being made.

“Pupils value these experiences, which help them to be highly attuned to the perspective of others” Ofsted May 2024

Attendance

Attendance is further underpinned through our House system. Students can earn House Points for their attendance so if a student is present, they help their House; and conversely, if student is absent, they cannot help their House. Attendance is promoted and celebrated across the school in Form time, classes and House Assemblies.