Houses

The house system is a cornerstone of life at RGS, deeply rooted in tradition. It provides students with a strong support network while fostering a sense of friendly competition across a wide range of activities.

Read on to explore the origins of our houses and the legacy they continue to uphold.

Forming the House SystemIntroduced in 1906 when the school moved to Jesmond, the house system initially featured houses named after colours: Reds, Greens, Whites, and Blues. In 1913, Whites name was changed to Browns.

However, in 1930, the houses were renamed in honour of four influential Old Novocastrians, becoming Collingwood, Eldon, Horsley, and Stowell. Since then, these houses have been central to RGS life, with students rallying behind them in competitions spanning sport, music, debating, and more.

*RGS Visitors Book, page 19th July 1951. Illustrated by Cecil Marfitt-Smith (1929-1971) [RGS Archives, ref: 319]*

Each house is distinguished by a distinctive colour and a symbol drawn from the RGS Coat of Arms:

Collingwood: Yellow with a fleur-de-lys
Eldon: Green with a castle
Horsley: Blue with a horse’s head
Stowell: Red with a lion

Originally, the houses were allocated based on geography:

Collingwood covered Gosforth and Ponteland.
Eldon included Heaton and coastal areas.
Horsley encompassed Jesmond and Fenham
Stowell represented Gateshead and areas south of the river.

*RGS Cap, Stowell House, owned by Michael Ridley* *(c.1940-1969) [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/OBJ/1/2/6]*

*RGS House colours cap, Greens (c.1910-15). [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/OBJ/1/2/1]*

Houses Today

Although this geographical system is no longer in place, we continue to place siblings in the same house to maintain a strong family connection. The RGS house system follows a vertical model, bringing together students from different year groups to work towards common goals.

Houses play a key role in school events, including House Sports, House Music, and House Dance, and they are central to the excitement of Sports Day. House points are awarded for various achievements, encouraging students to excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and beyond. Additionally, in the Senior School, students meet regularly in House Assemblies and Tutor Sets, fostering a supportive network that spans year groups.

This enduring tradition continues to strengthen the sense of community, pride, and achievement at RGS, helping students form lasting bonds while contributing to the school’s vibrant spirit.

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