If all is right within, trouble not” – Shrewsbury School’s motto is arguably even more relevant for 21st century teenagers than it has ever been.
Our pupils’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at Shrewsbury. We provide pupils with an environment where they can flourish and which provides them with the confidence to reach their potential and often exceed their wildest expectations.
The House system is at the heart of Shrewsbury School. The House is a Salopian's centre of gravity, a real home from home, somewhere to relax and make friends, as well as work.
We have 12 houses: 7 boys' houses with boarding and day boys together, and 5 girls' houses with boarding and day girls together.
We are delighted to announce that Shrewsbury opened its fifth girls' house Queen Elizabeth Hall in September 2023 to add to our thriving House community.
Our 12 houses from September will be Churchill's Hall (boys), Emma Darwin Hall (girls), The Grove (girls), Ingram's Hall (boys), Mary Sidney Hall (girls), Moser's Hall (girls), Oldham's Hall (boys), Queen Elizabeth Hall (girls), Ridgemount (boys), Rigg's Hall (boys), School House (boys), and Severn Hill (boys).
Each House has a dedicated Housemaster or Housemistress, who is the 'go to' lead in ensuring each pupil's wellbeing and emotional support whilst they are at Shrewsbury. It is a very special relationship fostered by a constant open-door attitude. They are the key figure in ensuring your child's happiness, welfare and progress, and they are the crucial link in communication between parents and school.
Our Housemasters and Housemistresses run their houses as extensions of their own families. The Housemaster/mistress is supported in their role by a resident Matron, an Assistant Housemaster/ mistress and a team of 8+ House Tutors.
The House system at Shrewsbury has created a vibrant community, in which everyone participates according to their different natures and abilities. House loyalty is strong, fostered by a number of House competitions, mostly in sport, but also in, for example, debating and performing.
Life at Shrewsbury is serious fun across the whole weekend!
Life at a good boarding school doesn't stop after lessons on Saturday - our pupils are able to take part in a variety of activities: just look at all the sports fixtures and other events in the Fasti.
These times can be as vital to a child's experience of school as any other, and at Shrewsbury we are very keen that these times are given our full attention.
Of course, we recognise that children need to have some free time - even time to waste - and maybe to do a bit of work: to catch up, or get ahead. And whilst we also recognise that weekend activities should be voluntary, we also feel that a little encouragement to experience is no bad thing!
The friends that pupils make in Houses and the activities they share together are especially important. We hope that our pupils form friendships for life and these bonds are strengthened during an exciting and varied activities programme within their Houses and year groups when they get to unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of daily school life.
Housemasters and Housemistresses organise their own outings and activities and publish these to the pupils in their house and to their parents through the Parent Portal and private House Twitter accounts.
During the course of the year, each House provides a variety of cultural, social and recreational activities appropriate for each year group, which will broaden a child's experience.
Weekend activities form an important part of life here at Shrewsbury. Weekend activities are open to all boys and girls across the School including the Sixth Form - both boarders and day pupils.
All Housemasters and Housemistresses welcome feedback from boys and girls about the trips they go on as well as receiving suggestions for future activities.
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