House System

Introduction

At JCP one of our core values, which we pride ourselves on, is to ensure all ‘belong’ in our school community. Based on these underlying principles, it was felt by our staff that a more holistic approach to our House System would be more suitable. From January 2017 KS1 students will be included in our House system- through earning house points in their classrooms and also through whole school events such as the annual Sports Day!

Aims

Through this plan we aim to:

• Ensure that parents are clear about the value of the house system.
• Ensure consistency of approach throughout each house.
• To use the house system as a tool to help continue to raise whole school interaction and team spirit.
• Provide opportunities for parents, children and the school to work together in partnership to raise money for outside agencies/ charities.
• Encourage pupils and their parents to share and enjoy learning experiences.
• Encourage children to develop in confidence and interact with students from other year groups- strengthening relationships. 
• To provide Year 6 pupils with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills further.

The Nature of the House System

At present the house system is run by house leaders, from Year 6. Each house has two house leaders, who support each other in the running of the house, and two members of staff, from KS2. The house leaders are responsible for:

1. Running a house meeting each half term
2. Collating house points earned by each year group
3. Communication with their houses through the house boards
4. Encouraging and supporting their houses at whole school events (e.g. House Music, Swimming Gala, Sports Day and fundraisers.)

Future improvements to the House System at JCP

• House Leaders will either a joint (KS1/KS2) or KS2 house meetings each half term: – adapting the content and activities accordingly for the audience.  House names will be explained to raise the profile of the system and the reasons behind it – all houses will find out more about each House, in order to fully understand.
• Siblings will be allocated to the same house, to strengthen bonds and relationships.
• All members of staff (including TAs and administration staff), will be allocated a house (excluding Miss Bichard and Mrs Smith.)  House point charts to be updated to relate to our school Belong aims e.g. listening, good manners and supporting others.
• House points will be displayed more visually for KS1 to see how their individual house is progressing (i.e. counters in jars.)
• Develop house playtimes- where KS2 students can interact with KS1 students- get to know each other and ‘buddy up.’
• Each house will run a charity event/ day, in order to strengthen leadership roles and also support outside charities further.
• House Leaders will be responsible for raising the profile of their house and school events, through updating MakeWaves and our school screens.
• KS1 to have a coloured button (not labelled) to display on blazers
• Long term plan – Foundation Stage to be allocated Houses as they join JCP.

Suggested House events for the future

• Poetry competitions
• Art/ photography competitions
• Annual house drama event
• Inter- house sporting competitions (e.g. Netball/ football/ squash etc.) These may be run in PE lessons (house vs. house)- and points awarded accordingly.
• House dance contests
• Aim- for more online/ out of school events which could be posted online (MakeWaves)
• Eggheads challenge/ JCP (University) challenge/ Maths / Spelling Bee in Year groups or faculties.
• Eco house mascots (recycled materials – scrap heap challenge)