Figure 1.-- Most prep schools have dormitory ccomodations based on age group rather than the boarding house system in public schools where the age groups are mixed. This Scottish school has a separate boarding house for the older boys. |
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The house system is an important part of public school life. The Preparatory schools, both day and boarding schools, thus introduce tghe house system to the younger preo school children. The children are are divided into several houses. The number of houses vary with the size of the school. The names of the houses vary, but are usually diiferent names on the same them. The children at some schools often wear house badges which may be colored pins or tabs worn on blazer lapels or jumpers. Sone schools have colored tabs worn with knee sock garters. These houses are, however, in one important aspect different than the more famous boarding houses in public schools. the boarding houses in public schools include children from each form level, the older youth are seen as a good influence and role models for the younger teenagers. Houses in prep schools do not have this boarding role. At prep schools the boardees are normally divded by age group. Rather prep school houses are more for organizing intra-school competitions as well as counceling. These competitions can be quite spirtited. These are roles that houses also perform in the public school. Boarding arrangements are normally by age group with a prefect or other older boy assigned to the younger boys' rooms to help supervise. A few prep schools do have a separate residential house for the older boys. This is seen as helping to prepare them for the transition to public school.
The house system is an important part of public school life. The Preparatory schools, both day and boarding schools, thus introduce the house system to the younger preo school children. The children are are divided into several houses. The number of houses vary with the size of the school. The names of the houses vary, but are usually diiferent names on the same them. Thus the hoises could be authors, primeministers, artisrs, or a host of different names. Schools organize the houses differently. This is affected by factors such as coeducation, the size of the school, facilities, the size of the day boy component. The principal variation is wther the houses actually are based on the dormitory arrangements or simply are a random division of the children. One school that organizes the children by dormitiry arrangemenrs explains their set up, "There are separate Boarding Houses for boys and girls. Each has a resident Housemaster or Housemistress and Matrin. The House is the centre of the children's lives; there they sleep, play, pursue their hobbies and develop their friendships. The two Day Houses have their own recreational rooms and changing accomodations. each of the Housemasters has his own room there, too, where he can be available to see the childrenand look after the social life of the House. Day children are encouraged to participate as fully as Boarders in the life of the school, to join expeditions and other out-of-school activities. They are also expectedto attend the Junior School Chapel Service on Sunday mornings."
Schools have differebt approaches to houses concerning the unifirms. At many schools there are no destinctive items idebtifying the house to which a boy belongs. At other schools there are small touches gto the uniform. The children at some schools wear house badges which may be colored pins or tabs worn on blazer lapels or jumpers. Sone schools have colored tabs worn with knee sock garters. What ever approach is used, it is usually dome by just color rather than names.
These houses are, however, in one important aspect different than the more famous boarding houses in public schools. the boarding houses in public schools include children from each form level, the older youth are seen as a good influence and role models for the younger teenagers. Houses in prep schools do not have this boarding role. At prepschools the boardees are normally divded by age group.
Each new group of first year students is evenly divided brtween the different houses. Day boys were often put in a seapare house, but as the number of day children have increased, this is becoming less common. Rather prep school houses are more for organizing intra-school competitions as well as counceling. These competitions can be quite spirtited. There are normally activities like sports day when the different houses compete with each other. These are roles that houses also perform in the public school. Boarding arrangements are normally by age group with a prefect or other older boy assigned to the younger boys' rooms to help supervise.
A few prep schools do have a separate residential house for the older boys. This is seen as helping to prepare them for the transition to public school.
