The Houses | Monkton Combe

The Houses

The Houses are at the heart of the Monkton experience, for boarders and day pupils

Because we don't split into boarding and day houses, all pupils have access to the Monkton boarding ethos and our boarding communities are enriched by our day pupils, meaning that every pupil has a sense of belonging and connection.

The sense of coming together to enjoy life with each other runs deep in every house, through the many and varied activities of “in-house” nights, which see Year 9-13s playing football or dodgeball, baking, cooking home-made pizzas, painting mugs or making bracelets, giant waterslides, playing hide and seek or sardines, or the epic water-balloon volleyball. Our pupils have fun together in the real world, building friendships, instead of defaulting to screen time to relax.

Our older students become role models, older brothers and sisters to confide in, who have a deep care for the younger pupils.

House Music

House Music, which takes place in the first three weeks of the school year, is a highlight for everyone. Rehearsals for the whole house song mean that new pupils are immediately drawn into the community, as they bond over working out everything from the tune to dance moves that genuinely wow the audience every year. Small and large ensemble pieces create space for the most musical to shine and we head to the Forum in Bath for an absolutely sensational evening. And by the time you have performed with your house to nearly 2000 people, you are bonded for life!

Each year as the sixth formers step up into leadership, we hear the same refrain: “I want to create a sense of home and belonging for everyone, the way I was looked after when I was new”.

Each of our six houses is cared for by remarkable houseparents, who are some of the most committed and caring people you will ever meet, with a deep love for every single member of the house. We deliberately choose houseparents: couples who work together to create a huge but supportive family, celebrating joys, providing stable support in the hardships of life and walking alongside our pupils as they navigate the steps from childhood to adult life.

Girls Houses

Clarendon House

Liv & Jez Moore - Houseparents

Liv & Jez have a wealth of experience in working with young people. Liv worked in international security, specialising in Girls' Education and prevention of gender violence, while in her spare time she led youth trips to South Africa & Rwanda. Jez teaches at Monkton Prep, and they were assistant houseparents at Monkton for four years, before becoming Clarendon Houseparents. Their two boys are beloved by all the girls.

What Do You Love Most About Being Houseparents?
Getting to know the girls and walk alongside them through this phase of life is amazing.

What 3 Things Should Girls Bring With Them To Get The Most From Monkton?
Willingness to give things a go, whether or not you turn out to be good at it; something to make your space feel like home; and a desire to contribute to our community in some way.

Grange House

Dani & Ross Ashton - Houseparents

Dani & Ross span different worlds. Dani's background is marketing and brand management, while Ross is Head of Rugby & Cricket. Originally from South Africa, they have worked in a range of boarding schools, including Epsom College, before joining Monkton. Their two little boys have become beloved little brothers to all the girls.

What Do You Love Most About Being A Houseparent?
Getting to know the pupils is by far our greatest love of what we do. Being a teenager in today's world is not easy, and so being there for the girls as they navigate the challenges they may face is a special honour and privilege. We also love drinking tea in the Grange office with any girls who feel like a chat and a good cuppa as much as we do!

What 3 Things Should Girls Bring With Them To Get The Most From Monkton?
A good sense of humour, a lack of presumptions about boarding school life, and an alarm clock.

Nutfield House

Rachel and Andy Glasgow - Houseparents

Rachel & Andy have been at Monkton since 2003 and this is their second stint running Nutfield, having been also houseparents between 2005 and 2013 - it is so rewarding, they thought they would do it twice! Rachel is an English teacher and Deputy Head Co-Curricular. Their two children have come through Monkton, and they therefore know the school from every angle.

What do you love most about being a houseparent?
Having the time to chat with the girls as they journey through the ups and downs of being a teenager and supporting them as they forge their own paths and their own ideas.

What 3 things should girls bring with them to get the most from Monkton?
A courageous spirit, a fun approach to life, and a toothbrush!

Boys Houses

Eddystone House

Andy and Sarah Robinson - Houseparents

Andy & Sarah share a desire to serve and care for young people, albeit from quite different backgrounds. Andy is a Chemistry teacher and Sarah's background is theology and graphic design. With their four children, they aim to make Eddystone a home for all the boys, where they can be open, have fun and push one another on. Andy's love of sport and football, especially Ipswich Town, is also shared with the boys!

What do you love most about being a houseparent?
Being with the boys and having the privilege of walking alongside them as they grow

What 3 things should boys bring with them to get the most from Monkton?
The willingness to commit to something bigger than themselves, a desire to learn and grow, and a sense of fun and humour.

Farm House

Sam And Alex Palmer - Houseparents

Sam trained in History and alongside this, is a keen sportsman, coaching rugby and cricket. He has worked in a variety of schools with sporting and pastoral roles.

Alex's background is Politics with International Relations, leading to roles in the charitable sector where she has worked for a variety of causes including; women, mental health and the homeless.

Alongside work, Sam and Alex have spent five years supporting a new church in Liverpool and have two little boys. They are passionate about creating home for the boys - a place where individuals feel valued, cared for and encouraged.

What Makes Monkton Boarding Special
The sense of pride we get at seeing the boys grow, develop and make the most of their various talents.

What 3 Things Should Boys Bring With Them To Get The Most From Monkton?

An alarm clock, a willingness to get involved, and a sense of fun

School House

Alistair & Catherine Stevenson - Houseparents

Alistair brings a wealth of pastoral experience from his previous role as a Vicar. Catherine, alongside being an Old Monktonian, has a background in architecture. They share a passion for developing young people which they bring to their role in School House. With their three children, they aim to create a sense of home and family for every School House boy.

What do you love most about being a houseparent?
Developing the contagiousness of kindness in a boarding house, and cheering the boys on as they discover who they were made to be.

What 3 things should boys bring with them to get the most from Monkton?

1. A willingness to get involved (some of your best memories will be made unexpectedly when you simply show up)

2. Kindness (it's through kindness that we grow stronger as a community, and form life-long friendships)

3. Good quality deodorant (you're a teenage boy and we are a close community who enjoy being together!)