House Identity

House Identity and Belonging

Community, care and connection

House identity plays a vital role in creating a strong sense of belonging, pride and connection within the school community. Our House system ensures that every learner is known, supported and celebrated as an individual, while also feeling part of something bigger than themselves.

Each House is rooted in the values and legacy of its patron saint — St Margaret of Scotland, St Columba, and St Ninian — providing a shared identity that reflects compassion, service, leadership and faith. These identities help shape culture, relationships and expectations across the school.

Why House Identity Matters

A strong House identity:

• fosters belonging and inclusion, particularly during key transitions

• strengthens relationships across year groups

• creates opportunities for leadership, responsibility and service

• celebrates achievement, effort and contribution in all its forms

• supports learner wellbeing and engagement

House identity is not about competition alone; it is about community, mutual support, and shared values.

House Identity and the Role of Staff

House identity is sustained through relationships, and staff play a central role in making Houses meaningful and effective. Every member of staff is linked to a House and contributes to its ethos, culture and support structures.

Staff involvement in House life helps to:

• ensure learners feel known and valued

• strengthen communication between learning, pastoral care and families

• provide consistent adult support across the school journey

• reinforce shared expectations and values

House identity works best when learners experience continuity of care and connection, not just organisational structures.

The Key Adult Programme

The Key Adult Programme is central to the success of the House system. It ensures that every learner has a trusted adult within their House who:

• knows them well as an individual

• supports their wellbeing, engagement and progress

• acts as a point of contact for families and colleagues

• advocates for the learner when additional support is needed

Through the Key Adult Programme, House identity becomes relational rather than symbolic. It ensures that House membership translates into real, meaningful support for learners.

What This Means in Practice for Staff

Being part of a House means:

• taking collective responsibility for the learners within that House

• contributing to a positive, inclusive House culture

• supporting celebrations of success and achievement

• engaging in pastoral dialogue and intervention where appropriate

• modelling the values associated with the House Saint

Staff are not expected to work in isolation. House identity provides a shared framework for collaboration, communication and care.

A Shared Sense of Belonging

House identity strengthens the fabric of the school by ensuring that:

• learners belong to a smaller, supportive community within the wider school

• staff and learners build relationships over time

• achievement, effort and character are recognised and celebrated

• values are lived out daily, not just displayed

Together, our Houses provide structure, identity and purpose — supporting learners to grow in confidence, character and contribution as part of a caring school community.