Boarding House Life | Boarding at Repton | Repton School

Boarding House Life

ComponentsImage,Original,Components

PASTORAL CARE

BOARDING HOUSE life

A key strand of Repton’s pastoral care comes through our House system, which for boarding and day pupils alike provides a supportive community.

The House give Reptonians a sense of identity as well as a major source of support, which comes from the Housemaster or Housemistress, resident matron, resident tutor and a committed team of academic and support staff. As such, every member of the community is cared for and closely monitored.

VOICES OF REPTON

“The thing I love most about Repton is the wonderful House spirit. When you join a House, you join a massive family and considering you live with the same people in your year group for up to five years you really make great friends.”

Old Reptonian

THE
BOARDING HOUSES

There are ten Houses – six for boys and four for girls, each home to approximately 60 pupils. Day pupils are fully integrated with the boarders, who make up around 70% of the Repton community. The vertical House system means that older members of the boarding house, led by the Head of House and Prefects, sees younger pupils are well supported and concerns passed on to trusted adults.

ComponentsImage,Original,Components

The Abbey

The Cross

Field House

The Garden

Latham House

The Mitre

New House

The Orchard

The Priory

School House

The Abbey is located in the heart of the Repton School site. Pupils in Abbey can be found relaxing in ‘The Link’, where there is a large and modern kitchen space, or welcoming visitors to the common rooms. Wednesday Treat nights and Thursday Cheese nights are favourites to enjoy as a whole house and popular weekend activities include pamper evenings and movie nights. Abbey girls are guided by their Housemistress Heidi Pettit who lives in the House along with her husband, two young sons and their much-loved pet pug! Heidi was appointed Housemistress in 2022, having taught for many years in Repton’s Science Department as a previous Head of Physics.

Housemistress: Mrs Heidi Pettit

The Abbey, Burton Road, Repton, Derby DE65 6FL

The Cross sits next to the historic monument in the centre of Repton and is a House that celebrates individuality. The House caters to all individuals’ needs with facilities including common rooms, a pool room, kitchenettes, Sky TV, BT Sport and PlayStation as well as a work room complete with computers and a printer. It is the aim of Housemaster Matthew Wilson that every boy is happy, compassionate and aspires to be the best they can be in all that they do. The Cross is an extension of the Wilson’s own family, with Matthew’s wife Lorna, children Noah and Henry living next door.

Housemaster: Mr Matthew Wilson

The Cross, Willington Road, Repton Derbyshire DE65 6FH

Field House provides spacious, open-plan accommodation on Tanners Lane, a street that is home to two other boarding houses as well as Repton’s Music School. Pupils have use of three common rooms, a quiet room and library with several computers. A central courtyard and enclosed garden provide the perfect spot for house barbeques. Field House is led by Housemistress Claire Watson, supported by her husband and three sons, to make every single girl feel truly at home.

Housemistress: Mrs Claire Watson

Field House, Tanners Lane, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FP

The Garden is a purpose-built House with a relaxed yet purposeful atmosphere. There are a range of comfortable rooms along with three large common rooms, each with a kitchenette to prepare snacks and drinks. With Housemistress Gemma Hill at the helm, Garden girls are busy Reptonians, but the House provides a relaxing and homely atmosphere in which to recharge batteries.

Housemistress: Miss Gemma Hill

The Garden, Tanners Lane, Repton, Derbyshire, DE65 6FP

Latham is situated in a beautiful location overlooking the tennis courts with extensive football pitches to the rear. An open-door culture allows pupils to approach House staff and see Latham as a true home throughout their time at Repton. Martin Hunt has been Housemaster since 2018 having previously been Repton’s Head of Physics - together with his wife Sophie, he ensures that Latham is a happy family environment where the boys are able to relax and make lifelong friends.

Housemaster: Mr Martin Hunt

Latham House, Tanners Lane, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FP

The Mitre is spacious and modern, with two large common rooms, kitchenette facilities and comfortable spaces to unwind with friends, including a beautiful garden with plenty of space for games and chilling out in the sunshine. Housemistress Sarah Eversfield is an English teacher and hockey coach. She is assisted in her role by her husband Paul and their two young daughters, Annabel and Jessica. Together, they are fully committed to ensuring that the girls in their care are happy, kind and ambitious and feel supported in all areas of their busy lives.

Housemistress: Mrs Sarah Eversfield

The Mitre, Mitre Drive, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FJ

From the indestructible yard space and five-a-side grass pitch perfect for football, to the history-imbued ‘Readers’ common room; to the TV and games room upstairs, via the ranks of old boys’ photos that line the walls, New House is a place with depth of character, and a superb place for a young man to develop his own.  There is a beautiful garden that offers tranquillity in the heart of the village and space to exercise and relax. New House boys are expertly guided by Russell Embery who alongside his wife and children ensure that the door is always open, the sofa is always comfy and the kettle always ready!

Housemaster: Mr Russell Embery

New House, Burton Road, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FL

With a history spanning more than 160 years, The Orchard is not just a place to live, it is a community and place to grow. There are two common rooms, each with a fully equipped kitchenette, large TV, Sky+ HD, BT Sport and X Box. The House yard is well-used and an important place for all members of the House to mix; yard football and yard cricket are incredibly popular. Housemaster Tom Naylor joined Repton's Business and Economics Department in 2003. Alongside his teaching, Tom has previously worked in a variety of roles at Repton, including Housemaster and Deputy Head Pastoral. Together with his wife, Vicky, Tom's aim is to ensure that The Orchard is a safe, friendly, inclusive and positive boarding environment where all the boys can be happy and fulfil their potential. Tom and Vicky have three children: Amelie, Freddie and Archie.

Housemaster: Mr Tom Naylor

The Orchard, Willington Road, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FH

Renowned for being the Repton home of one of the school’s most famous alumni, Roald Dahl, the inclusive community cultivated by the boys in the house is its most notable trait today. The Priory retains its original Victorian character, and its façade hides a modern boarding environment with a fantastic garden and set of accommodations. The House is run by David Exley, himself an Old Reptonian and old boy of The Priory, assisted in his role by his wife Claire and their three children Rory, Eloise and Ottilie.

Housemaster: Mr David Exley

The Priory, 16 High Street, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6GD

Built in 1884, School House is a majestic building with a rich history. There is no doubt, though, that this is a modern, flourishing boarding house. Spacious areas for relaxation include two large common rooms; table football, table tennis and PlayStation in the Games Room. Yard sport, notably cricket and football, is a firm favourite, and Top Lawn is the venue for BBQs on sunny days. Stephen Goudge returned to Repton as School House Housemaster in 2022, having previously taught Mathematics here between 2015 and 2018. He is supported by his wife Janette and children Ellie and Josh.

Housemaster: Mr Stephen Goudge

School House, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FH

IN-HOUSE DINING

Repton’s commitment to formal in-House dining allows the whole House to enjoy meals together, three times a day, helping to foster a strong sense of community and more robust friendships. In a busy school schedule House dining allows for pause and a breather and is one of the most highly treasured aspects of Repton life for both day and boarding pupils.

Supper is a much more relaxed event and gives pupils the opportunity to catch up with friends in their House from across the year groups as well as to talk informally to House Tutors and teachers. 

Much like a family, these regular touchpoints three times each day at mealtimes ensure our pastoral care is pre-emptive.

VIEW THE MENU

SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE

Pupils have access to their House and boarding house staff throughout the day and for many of our pupils, their House is the natural place for support if they have a problem, with the Housemaster or Housemistress, Matron, Resident Tutor, House Tutors all on hand to help.

70% of Repton’s community are boarders, staying at school over the weekend. This allows pupils access state-of-the-art facilities at Repton at almost any time to boost their mental wellbeing – sport, music, art, drama – and provides an opportunity for pupils in their ‘free time’ to enjoy a huge choice of recreational pursuits, immersing themselves in their passions, trying new activities and, critically, finding a welcome counter point to academic studies. Moreover, pupil wellbeing is supported by a packed activity programme at weekends and regular off-site trips. We know that participation in whatever arena fosters wellbeing.

OriginalImage,Original,senior-masthead

ADMISSIONS AT REPTON

FOR AGES 13-18

Our admission process for prospective families is totally unique to each specific enquiry. We get to know your individual needs and tailor the experience, so you feel sure that together you have made the right choice for your child.

VISIT OUR ADMISSIONS PAGE