Lifelong Belonging

Brading’s Head of House, Jordan Lewis, shares how Alleyn’s Houses have been shaping a sense of lifelong belonging at Alleyn’s since they began in 1907. 

It’s always the source of much confusion whenever someone asks me the very British question, “So, what do you do?”.  

“Oh, I’m a Housemaster (now a Head of House of course!) at Alleyn’s school in Dulwich”, I proudly reply. 

“Ah yes, I’ve heard of it. Good school! I didn’t know it was boarding though…”. And so begins my well-rehearsed explanation of the pastoral system at Alleyn’s. You’d imagine that I might be bored of it by now, but truthfully, it gives me great pleasure explaining my job to those in more ‘normal’ occupations, because in all honesty, it is something that we should be proud of! 

So, what is this source of great pride? Well, when the time comes for pupils to emerge from beneath the wings of Mrs Lawrence and her fantastic Lower School Team and take the bold first steps into Year 9, they are placed into one of eight Houses, all bearing the name of a founding Housemaster – Brading’s, Brown’s, Cribb’s, Dutton’s, Roper’s, Spurgeon’s, Tulley’s and Tyson’s. I can neither confirm nor deny that these are listed in order from best to worst… Pupils are welcomed into their new House with the annual badge-giving ceremony and thus begins what is often a lifelong association with that House. Speaking to Frank Keenan, our Director of Development and Alumni, he talks glowingly about how almost all the alumni that he speaks to, first and foremost, make reference to their House. Indeed, it is telling that instead of alumni bearing a specific title, for example ‘Old Alleynians’, which is incidentally the name given to alumni from Dulwich College, at Alleyn’s they are simply referred to by their name, followed by their House and their year of graduation.  

Unlike the aforementioned alumni who have great historical links to their Houses, having started at Alleyn’s in September 2022, I am at the start of my journey with Brading’s House. Despite this, I already feel that deep-rooted connection that Frank so often talks about, and it is already clear to me what makes the House system at Alleyn’s so special, no matter which House you find yourself in.  

Whilst it is often rare or even engineered in other settings, it is commonplace for pupils of all different ages to collaborate and work together organically within the context of the House. Older pupils mentor younger ones, both in an academic and pastoral sense. Year 9s routinely work with Year 13s to choreograph dance routines or prepare for the many other amazing House events. The House system empowers older pupils, giving them an opportunity to take ownership of their House and therefore the guidance of their ‘school family’. The care and support that younger pupils receive, both from their peers and also from the members of staff connected with the House, engenders within them a deeper appreciation of our school values, and prepares them to be willing and ready to give back when their time comes.  

I can’t talk about what makes the House system at Alleyn’s special without referencing the quite frankly ridiculous array of House activities that punctuate the calendar at Alleyn’s. I’ve come to Alleyn’s from a school with a famous co-curricular offering, but nothing can compete with what’s on offer as part of the House calendar. Not for one moment did I think I’d be spending an evening sat tasting eight different three course meals whilst judging House MasterChef! Nor did I think I’d see a gender reversal of Beyonce’s Single Ladies in House Lip-sync. There’s the incredible and inclusive House Music that sees all members of the House make up the House choir, extreme pancake tossing, Mario-kart racing, cross-fit, House sport, House chess, the Palette Challenge and also Gold Rush, a race to lay out as much loose change as possible that has been collected by the Houses for their chosen charities. All of that and I’m still barely scratching the surface! There really is something for every child to participate in and the possibility for every single child to represent their House in something. I’m certain this is what helps to create that special feeling of belonging.  

Alongside trying to create as many joyful moments as we can for the pupils, a core objective for myself and the other Heads of House is to create a culture within our Houses that reflects and compliments the ROCCK values of the school (Respect, Opportunity, Curiosity, Courage, Kindness). How we choose to go about this varies from House to House, giving each one a unique character. That said, a common thread running through each Alleyn’s House is the importance of charity. At Alleyn’s, charity really does begin at home. Or should that be in House?! Each House hosts an event, either at a lunchtime or a more expansive evening event, in order to raise money for their chosen charity. Often, for whole school charity events, it is the Houses that will provide the entertainment and competition, such as in House Lip-sync. The need to recognise one’s privilege and to act with kindness to support those less fortunate than ourselves is emphasised across all Houses, meaning that it is firmly engrained in Alleyn’s pupils when they walk out of the school gates for the very last time. 

I hope by now that you are starting to realise just what it is that makes the Alleyn’s House system so unique and special. Outstanding pastoral care, an abundance of joyous occasions, cross year-group co-operation, lifelong belonging and more opportunities for fun than you can begin to imagine. However, if you’re still not convinced, perhaps you’ll take it from someone that’s been a part of Brading’s for a lot longer than I have.

Tomás in Year 13 is Brading’s House Captain and quite frankly one of the most impressive young people I have had the pleasure of meeting. He has been invaluable to me in my first year as a Head of House and so I can think of no one better to have the final word. I’ll leave you with Tomás… 

“Brading’s gave me great people to look up to when I was in Year 9 and, especially coming back from online learning, has been key to fostering the buzz, warmth and sense of belonging that being at Alleyn’s is about. Like the special feeling of having met Brading’s alumni from as long ago as 1961, I know the House will always stay with me as a core part of my Alleyn’s experience”. 

Visit the Houses page on our website to find out more about Alleyn’s Houses and the sorts of House events that take place each term.