School House System

When pupils arrive at Thornton in year 7 they are put into a house - Drake, Sunderland, Sagar or Ellis.  A pupil’s house is signified by the badge embroidered on their School P.E kit and their form title i.e. SA stands for ‘Sagar’.  It is primarily an individual rewards system for pupils in KS3, although a pupil’s identity with their house remains with them throughout their time at the school (Pupils progress to a ‘Credit’ based system in years 10 & 11).  Each academic year pupils have the opportunity to help their house be crowned champion by participating in both ‘Academic’ and ‘Sporting’ events.

The Academic Race

This is an annual competition that contributes to the outcome of the overall House champion. House points gained by pupils in the same house are added together to keep a running totalThe house with the highest combined house point total from years7,8 & 9 is crowned ‘Academic Champion’ at the end of the academic year.

The story so far ……..

Academic Champion :      

2002 – 03 = Ellis

2003 – 04 = Sagar

2004 – 05 = Sunderland

2005 – 06 = Ellis

2006 – 07 = Sunderland

2007 – 08 = Ellis

2008 – 09 = Sunderland

House of the Term

At the end of each school term the house that has achieved the most house points is named ‘House of the Term.

How to Achieve a House Point Award

As pupils attain specific numbers of house points they are awarded a certificate for their achievement.  When Pupils achieve the ‘Gold Award’ they will also be able to choose a gold sport, arts or science badge to wear on their school tie. Pupils will receive an update of their individual house point total at the end of every term!

There are 2 types of ‘House Point’ that you may receive:-

- ‘Academic’ House Points – Given out by subject staff for good pieces of work.

 - ‘Well Done’ House Points – Given out by form tutor for good attendance and no negative comments in their planner

‘Academic’ House Points can be awarded for the following:Curricular achievement and / or effor;  Involvement in school activities – i.e. representing the house in sporting / academic events, taking part in extra curricular activities on a regular basis, helping at school events, representing the school at sporting / academic events; Community involvement on schemes organised by the school

‘Well Done’ House Points should be awarded for the following: Form Tutors award a ‘Well Done’ House Point card if students have no negative comments in their planners and no unexplained absence for the previous school week.

Both points contribute to a pupil’s overall house point total and can also be traded in for merchandise at the school shop!

Academic House Point Award Boundaries

Once pupils start to collect House Points the following awards are available; 10 points = House Colour; 25 points = House Bronze; 50 points = House Silver; 75 points = House Gold; 100 points = Platinum; 150 points = Headmasters Commendation.

The Sports Race

This contributes to the overall house champion at the end of the school year. It is an annual competition where points are awarded to each house according to their success in a variety of sporting and performing arts events. 50 points are awarded for 1^st place, 30 for 2^nd, 20 for 3^rd and 10 for 4^th.’  The house at the top of the league table at the end of the school year is crowned ‘Sports Champions’!  The story so far ……..

Sport Champion :            

2002 – 03 = Drake

2003 – 04 = Ellis

2004 – 05 = Drake

2005 – 06 = Drake

2006 – 07 = Drake

2007 – 08 = Ellis

2008 – 09 = Sunderland

House Sporting Honours

If a pupil competes in and WINS an event at the annual school sports day held in the summer term they receive ‘House Honours’. They will receive a stitch on badge for their P.E shirt that recognises this achievement.

House Sport Calendar

The following House Sporting Competitions may run throughout the year - Sportshall Athletics; Football; Netball; Rugby; Hockey; Cricket; Rounders; Athletics.  Results will be posted in the News Results Section of this site.  All pupils will take part in these competitions.

House Captains

At the beginning or each school year each House in each year group elects both male and female Sports and Academic Captains.  Their job is to help with the running of the system.  Two members of the Sixth Form are appointed as Heads of each House in order to guide the Captains in each year.  House Captains also attend school council meetings in order to link House events into the running of the school