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Crowden House was established in 1910. It is named after Rev'd. Charles Crowden, Headmaster of the school from 1866 to 1888. He is credited with having had built the main school building, commonly known as ‘Big School’, and School Lodge, as well as tripling the numbers of boarders at the school. Crowden House was originally housed on the School Lodge site, but moved in the 1960`s to the current purpose-built accommodation.
There is a maximum of 47 beds in Crowden, which houses boys from Year 10 through to Year 13.
In Year 10, the boys sleep in one dormitory-style room. Each boy has his own individual study area, a bed, adequate cupboard and drawer space and a desk. This affords the boys the best of both worlds; privacy within a communal environment. Years 11-13 all have individual study bedrooms. This means that as well as having a clearly defined space to call their own, they can really concentrate on their studies as the academic pressure builds. We do have the highest academic expectations of each boy, and aim to provide a purposeful working environment within the house so they can meet those expectations.
There are two purpose-fitted communal areas in the house. In the Games Room there are facilities for table tennis, pool and table-football, as well as a Microsoft X-Box and flat-screen television. Downstairs, the Common Room is fully equipped with Sky television and ample sofa space. Despite all of these facilities, the boys still seem to prefer socialising in the main lobby, which in many ways is the heart of the house. Crowden also has a small library, and a networked computer room. There are three kitchens throughout the house allowing boys to make their own snacks or take advantage of the bread and spreads which are delivered daily.
The boys and staff pride themselves on belonging to an open and friendly house in which boys of all year groups mix with ease. Indeed, Monday night five-a-side football sessions in the sports hall see Crowdenites from all year groups playing happily together. We all work to ensure that the house is a happy and productive place. After all, Crowden is a home to its boarders for the majority of each calendar year.
Office Holders:
House Captain – Callum Harrison; House Vice-Captain - Joe Gurnett; Sports Captain - Oliver Goodwin; House Supervisor and House Council Chairman - Kenji Holdsworth.
House Council Representatives: Oscar Hanna (Yr13), Hugh Hnizdur (Yr 12), Ryan Ward (Yr 11), Tom Turner (Yr 10)
Staff:
House Parents:
Mr Christopher Liston
Miss Nicola Fox
Academic Tutors
Year 10 tutor - Mr Hills, Year 11 tutor - Mr Liston; Year 12 tutor - Dr Lally; Year 13 tutor - Mr Venner
Duty Staff: Mr Liston, Mr Potter (Residential), Mr Crews, Mr Venner
House MAC
Mrs Jo Hislop
Asst. House MAC
Mrs Anna Mason
Cleaners: Rosie Barltrop, Carly Gilbert, Pawel Szczepaniak, Emily Hepburn
SUMMARY OF CROWDEN HOUSE REVIEW 2009
Crowden House is in very good shape. Chris Liston, having taken on a house where morale had been suffering a little, with his team of staff and students has raised the game of Crowden House to an impressive level. The students in the house feel safe and well cared for. They know that the house team has their best interests at heart and there is a pleasing openness in the way that both staff and students talk about life in Crowden. It has been good, in conversation with the housemaster and reviewing the house tutor meeting minutes that the HIP (House Improvement Plan) is very much in the mind of the housemaster and others.
Chris manages a large and mixed team of day tutors and boarding duty tutors, the students in the house and the support staff with dedication and charm. He is very ably supported by all and in particular his House MAC, Jo Hislop.
Crowden welcomes new pupils in well and employs a buddy system for them. The approval rating amongst the new pupils is very high. A number of the issues which the house might look at are ‘whole school’ or ‘boarding community issues’ which relate as much to other houses as they do to Crowden. Those matters specific to Crowden are clear in the pages of this report. They include:
• Review the appropriateness of certain rules and procedures having consulted with staff and pupils.
• Link the house improvement plan to issues arising out of this report.
• At an appropriate time invite a small group of parents in to discuss the review and canvass their views in an informal focus session.
Whole School Issues
• Pursue student recommendations on food (e.g. portion sizes) with the Head of Boarding, the school Caterer and the Extended Leadership Group.
• Share ideas with other Heads of Boarding Houses on the roles of Sixth Form and house councils across all houses.
• Ensure with Head of Boarding that LG prioritise improvement in internet provision.
Conclusion
Crowden has made very positive strides under Chris Liston. The house is to be congratulated on its openness and positive approach as it moves into 2010.
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