House System

The House system at William Farr (C of E) Comprehensive School has six houses linked to our core values. Every student belongs to a house, as do members of staff. Houses compete in a variety of sporting and cultural competitions throughout the year and also gain points through the academic and social 'merit' systems.

Each house is run by two sixth form students as Heads of House, who are appointed at the start of the summer term of Year 12 and are in post for one academic year. Within the houses, each year group elects male and female captains and vice captains, who organise teams for events and monitor the participation of members of their house. The programme of events is discussed and determined by the Heads of House who try to ensure balance and variety within the competition.

Each year there is a range of house events including quizzes, football, badminton and sports day. There is also one large house event every year on a three year cycle - enterprise, arts and crafts and performing arts.

The house system plays an important part in the life of the school and a wide range of sporting and cultural competitions are organised throughout the year. These activities support the personal and social development of students of all abilities. It gives them opportunities to take on responsibilities, work as a team, and to identify with, and be committed to, a house.

The names of the six houses have a Lincoln theme: Fosse, Lindum, Brayford, Witham, Stonebow, Ermine.

Brayford House Badge

House Colour: Yellow
Core Value: Friendship

Represents the iconic Brayford waterfront in Lincoln City, which is famous for its large population of swans. The cross represents Church of England School, adapted from the original used in previously designed badges, and recreated to represent the cross found in the Welton Village Church.

Ermine House Badge

House Colour: Purple
Core Value: Respect

Ermine is taken from Ermine Street, a major Roman road in England that ran from London to Lincoln and York. The design of the badge represents this Roman road. The cross represents Church of England School, adapted from the original used in previously designed badges, and recreated to represent the cross found in the Welton Village Church.

Fosse House Badge

House Colour: Red
Core Value: Responsibility

The Foss Dyke, or Fossdyke, connects the River Trent at Torksey to Lincoln, the county town of Lincolnshire, and may be the oldest canal in England that is still in use. The wheat graphic represents agricultural industry of Lincolnshire. The cross represents Church of England School, adapted from the original used in previously designed badges, and recreated to represent the cross found in the Welton Village Church.

Lindum House Badge

House Colour: Green
Core Value: Perseverance

Lindum Colonia, formally Colonia Domitiana Lindensium, but often simply Lindum, was a Roman town and colony in the province of Britain, today it is called Lincoln. To represent the heritage and history of the town, a simplified version of Lincoln’s most famous landmark has been used – Lincoln Cathedral. The cross represents Church of England School, adapted from the original used in previously designed badges, and recreated to represent the cross found in the Welton Village Church.

Stonebow House Badge

House Colour: Orange
Core Value: Wisdom

The Stonebow is one of Lincoln’s iconic architectural landmarks. An early 16^th century town building, which forms an archway over the main High Street. Home to City Council meetings and the heritage of the Lincoln’s local politics. The word Stonebow comes from the ancient Norse word stennibogi, which means stone arch. The cross represents Church of England School, adapted from the original used in previously designed badges, and recreated to represent the cross found in the Welton Village Church.

Witham House Badge

House Colour: Blue
Core Value: Compassion

Witham is a river running through Lincoln city centre, across the river is the ‘Empowerment’ sculpture by the artist Stephen Broadbent. This two-figure sculpture is the basis for this design. The cross represents Church of England School, adapted from the original used in previously designed badges, and recreated to represent the cross found in the Welton Village Church.