Houses
Our six Houses – Hosking, Lovekyn, Queen’s, Stanley, Taverner and Walworth – are at the heart of school life. Each provides students with a ‘family within the school’. Tutor groups follow House lines, strengthening friendships and giving every student a clear sense of identity and belonging.
Throughout the year, students take part in a wide range of competitions. Some are within year groups, some bring together multiple years, and others involve the whole House. Events include Drama, Dance, Art, Music, Hockey, Football, Debating, General Knowledge, CCF, DT, Table Tennis, Poetry, Chess and Tug of War. The competition culminates in July with Sports Day at Ditton Field.
The ethos of the House system is simple: get involved, support your House and enjoy taking part. Points are awarded for each event and, at the end of the year, the House with the most points on the Championship Board is crowned the winner.
A bit of history
The House system was introduced in 1914 by Headmaster C A Howse, who believed that a “new system of inter-house competition” would bring energy and excitement to school life. The School was initially divided into three Houses – Queen Elizabeth, Lovekyn and Walworth – competing across the major sports.
Taverner House was added in 1921, made up largely of younger pupils alongside a small number of older students. Competitions were held at both junior and senior levels, with points contributing to the annual House Championship.
The system has continued to evolve. Stanley and Hosking Houses were introduced in 2016 and 2024 respectively, both named after former Kingstonians. Their addition reflects the School’s commitment to honouring its past while continuing to grow and develop.
