Our co-educational boarding House, Hartnell’s House, provides a comfortable, safe and secure home-from-home for your child, where they will form close bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime.
It is run by a dedicated team of caring and professional staff, including a Housemaster and his wife, as well as a team of tutors and a matron. The team provide enormous emotional support, and will be a constant fixture in the pupils’ lives.
At North Town House, the role of the Housemaster and other staff is to help the boys organise and manage their school day whilst providing a warm and inclusive environment, where each member of the House and his family feels welcome and valued.
The House was built to accommodate between 55 and 60 boys and, of course, this number varies from year to year. On the ground floor is the main Assembly Room for House assemblies and prep sessions, a snooker room-come-lounge, a computer room with six computers, a library, a games room for board games and model-making, and the Study. We also have the Common Room, where the boys from North Town have the opportunity to socialise with girls from South Town. Downstairs are the changing rooms and showers.
Our ethos in North Town is ‘Respect’: the respect for each individual, where we try and maintain a delicate balance between a firm framework and the space to allow each boy the opportunity to grow as an individual. Every year we have a wonderful blend of academics, musicians, artists and sportsmen in the House, and it is always rewarding to share in the development of each boy as he prepares for the challenges of Upper School.
The successful running of the House depends on all the staff, pupils and parents working closely together, and this ‘family’ approach enables the boys to benefit from being in a large School with excellent facilities, while also being a member of a smaller social unit.
South Town is very much a ‘home-from-home’ for our girls during the day. We are open from 8am to 7pm, during which time the House is their base between lessons and games sessions. We place great emphasis on creating a happy, co-operative atmosphere in which our girls can socialise together and participate in activities across the year groups. We are keen that ‘South Towners’ see themselves as part of a large family group, as well as being important members of Clifton College Preparatory School.
We are fortunate to attract girls who exhibit a variety of talents: academic, artistic, musical and sporting. A number of our sportswomen have represented the school at national level in hockey, cross country and swimming. We are also proud to have many talented musicians, including one who presently plays in the National Children’s Orchestra. Most girls in the House play one or two musical instruments.
South Town House is open plan. At the heart of our House is the House Hall-come-sitting room, where the girls can relax, listen to music and read. There are a wide range of activities on offer and the girls can play pool, table tennis or table football games. We have a café-style kitchen that is open to the girls at all times and is used for after school cookery activities. The top floor of the House is an amazing dance and drama studio that we are able to use for fun dance sessions during breaks.
The girls have a dedicated area to complete prep and school work, with eight computers and personal lockers to store possessions and books throughout the school day.
The House is full of enthusiastic, energetic girls and House staff, and the girls are encouraged to help organise charity functions, House competitions, co-curricular activities and trips to outside events. It is encouraging to witness how quickly they develop a strong House spirit and identity.
Hartnell’s House is a Prep co-educational (boys and girls) boarding and day house for Years 4-8. We have roughly 70 children, with a split of approximately 45 boarders and 25 day pupils. We are very fortunate to be in the middle of school right next to the playground, and it is all brand new.
The House is run as a family and we pride ourselves on the warm and friendly atmosphere. The pupils are encouraged to develop an awareness of, and respect for, the needs of others, and are expected to make the most of all opportunities, be they academic, sporting, musical or social. Our goal is to develop well-mannered, kind and respectful individuals throughout their time with us and beyond.
Hartnell’s is a ‘home away from home’ where the individual matters.
