There are seven boarding Houses in the Upper School, including four Boys’ Houses and three Girls’ Houses. Most pupils are full-time boarders involved in the College’s busy life for seven days a week, but some families prefer to opt for a ‘flexi-boarding’ arrangement. This may range from regular ‘day-boarding’, with an entitlement of up to four nights per week, to ‘occasional boarding’, available on a per-night basis.
The pupils share their home with a Housemaster or Housemistress and their family, an Assistant, a resident tutor and sometimes a pet. In addition, each House has up to five non-residential tutors.
Boarders are encouraged to take part in any weekend activities or trips organised by their House or the College. There is no restriction on full boarders going out with parents or guardians on a weekend, unless they have commitments to fulfill. Apart from official quarter and half-term breaks, boarders may also go home (or to a guardian), by prior arrangement, after any commitment on Saturday, returning on Sunday evening. That said, most boarders elect to stay throughout the weekend.
Founded in 1878, Watson’s is one of the oldest Houses in Clifton and has a proud history of success and achievement in all areas of school life. Academic success and progress is at the heart of everything that we do, backed up by musical, sporting and dramatic excellence.The House prides itself on creating a very warm, caring, and open atmosphere; one in which boys are as likely to mix across year groups as within.University destinations of recent leavers include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Exeter, Leeds, Cardiff, KCL, Southampton, Manchester, Durham, Warwick and many others. Courses range from Engineering or English to Mathematics, Medicine or Pharmacy. House sport includes football, rugby, cricket, running, basketball, water polo, fives, squash, sailing, pool, chess, table football and much more. Sunday afternoons may see trips to go-karting, Bristol rugby matches, paintballing, football matches, and bowling.Famous Old Watsonians include Sir John Kendrew, scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry; Sir David Willcocks, composer and conductor; and Simon Russell Beale, actor and director.
Moberly’s House formed in 1993 as an amalgamation of Brown’s House and Dakyn’s House, Moberly’s House has a strong spirit of community and loyalty, which is fostered by the older pupils and readily accepted by the junior boys. The House is known for its all-round spirit, borne from the house’s togetherness and desire for shared success.
Whilst it is the name of a physical building, the House system at Clifton is such that, Moberly’s House is a home and a family where respect and loyalty for each other provides a safe, secure and enjoyable environment. This results in confident, honest, capable, motivated individuals and lifelong friendships.
Moberly’s has a proud history which is a product of the student’s desire to be their very best and this filters through their academic studies and all other aspects of school life. From debating to drama and sports to House song representing the school and the House is an opportunity for all to demonstrate their talents and represent their fellow housemates.
Ultimately Moberly’s House is a home for the boys to thrive in, a place where the boys are encouraged to grasp all opportunities, to fine tune their moral compass and a place that gives them the courage and confidence to develop into the person they want to be.
Built in the 1860s, School House is the oldest house at Clifton College. Today, it is a family-run house with an emphasis on learning responsibility and independence under careful supervision. There is a very strong House spirit and sense of loyalty, and we are committed to a well-rounded approach to school life, whether in sport, drama, music, societies or activities. It is impossible to win every inter-house competition but the learning process of fielding strong entries in the widest possible range of events allows a diverse group of boys to lead and be involved in the life of School House. This is the best outcome and highly valued by all. That said, School House is the current holder of Senior House Rugby and the House Drama Cup among other things, illustrating the diversity that makes School House the all-round house. Each week, after prep in the evening, the House runs sporting activities for the boys, including indoor football, swimming, and water polo. In addition, School House is the only House to run its own internal debating competition for the younger boys, an event which is often the first occasion the boys have to speak in public. In recent years, the House has also been paint balling, bowling and camping in Wales as well as celebrating the Chinese New Year at a local restaurant, which is enjoyed by all! Recent leavers of School House have secured places at top universities including Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Imperial College, Bristol and Edinburgh to read a wide range of courses from Classics to Medicine.
Opened in 1878, Wiseman’s House today plays host to pupils from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Our House is based on trust and respect, and provides a relaxed and friendly environment in which everyone can learn and develop at the pace that best suits them. Boys are responsible for being considerate and tolerant towards others, and are expected to learn to have some independence when it comes to making decisions about when to work (outside of set prep times) and what other activities to do. Our aim is to see each boy grow and fulfil his potential in the House and the wider school environment. Wiseman’s boys regularly go on to top universities both in the UK and abroad.Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, including swimming, badminton, basketball, and indoor five-a-side football. Pool and table tennis are also played in the House, and we have recently taken the boys paintballing and go-karting.
Oakeley’s House originally opened as a Boys’ House in 1870 but later became Clifton College’s first Girls’ House when the College became co-educational in 1987. Oakeley’s provides an environment that feels as close to home as possible. We are very proud of the warm and friendly atmosphere at Oakeley’s, which we have managed to balance with an outstanding work ethic, a robust team spirit, and total involvement with all activities across the School. The welfare of our girls is of the utmost importance, and it is essential they feel supported in all they do. Oakeley’s girls are diverse, multi-talented, and include scholars in music, sport, art and academics.During the year, we offer many outings, including trips to Longleat, Avon Ski and Action Centre, shopping trips to Bath, and various cinema and theatre trips. We have table tennis, snooker and table football. Every girl has a birthday celebration with her peers, and we have regular barbecues and celebrations after most events and competitions. The highlight of the year is the House Supper, where everyone gets a chance to dress up in her finery. Famous Old Girls/Boys include Harry Plunket Greene (pianist and bass baritone) and Martina Topley-Bird (singer).
Opened in September 1989 as the second House at Clifton for girls, Worcester House enjoys one of the best views of the College, looking out over The Close and Chapel. Worcester is a very friendly house. The girls are very welcoming, and it is particularly lovely to see the way in which the older girls help the younger girls settle into the School community.The House has plenty of spirit and the girls are keen to be involved in all aspects of school life, including sports, drama and music. The girls respect each other and thrive in the mutually supportive environment in which they live and study.Many girls from Worcester secure places at top universities both in the UK and abroad.House activities include outings, sports, music, art and drama. The House staff endeavour to develop the girls’ leadership skills and sense of responsibility, so they may all leave Clifton College as confident young women ready to embark on the next stage of their education.
Opened in 2004, Hallward’s caters for a mixture of boarding, day-boarding and day girls, and prides itself on being a very happy, welcoming and flexible House. The girls here excel in many different areas, including sports, music and art, as well as more traditional academic studies, and all are encouraged to share their talents and encourage others.We enjoy House trips to places such as Longleat and Warwick Castle, theatre trips to London, Bath and Bristol and encouragement to be fully involved in School activities, from sporting opportunities, the drama productions and LAMDA exams right through to the debating teams and the art exhibitions. Hallward’s girls enjoy the family atmosphere of the House and they certainly work hard, play hard and are keen to get involved in everything possible; they just love being here and sharing their house with each other, no matter which year group they are in.
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