My House is my home from home at Ardingly, where I have made lifelong friends."
House Structure
Within our boarding community we have six boarding Houses Each boarding house has a dedicated team of staff and its own unique character.
- Lower School (Years 7 and 8) – One boarding house for boys and girls
- Senior School (Years 9 – 12) – Two boys’ boarding houses and two girls’ boarding houses
- Upper Sixth (year 13) – One house for all boarders and day students, shared by both boys and girls
Students are passionate about their Houses and eagerly participate in inter-House competitions and organise weekly social events.
Each House is overseen by a Housemaster or Housemistress (HoMM) and an Assistant Housemaster or Assistant Housemistress. Additionally, a Matron plays a crucial role in pastoral care, supported by a dedicated team of Tutors.
As students advance, they are given more responsibilities and freedoms. The Head of House leads the House Prefect team, and others across all year groups are involved in many student voice councils and committees. In particular, House Councils and Boarding Council are forums where students’ views are taken on board, helping our community to continually evolve and improve.
Lower School (Years 7 and 8)
Lower School Housemaster, Jonny Cox
Our entry point for boarding offers a warm and welcoming environment for both boys and girls. The spacious common room features an open-plan kitchen and living area, complete with a piano, pool table, and games console, plus an additional quiet games room. Sleeping accommodations are separate for boys and girls, with small rooms housing between two and eight boarders in each section.
Senior Girls’ Boarding (Years 9 to 12)
Toynbee Housemistress and Head of Boarding, Rachael Utting
There are two girls’ boarding Houses, Aberdeen and Toynbee, located next to each other and offering identical facilities. Each house boasts a large common room and kitchen, a separate sitting room, outdoor space, and three floors of bedrooms. Rooms are typically shared for younger students (Shell, Remove and sometimes Fifth), while older students often enjoy private rooms. On weekends, the partition between the common rooms is usually opened, allowing all the girls to socialise together.
Aberdeen Housemistress, Alex Hill
Senior Boys’ Boarding (Years 9 to 12)
Mertens Housemaster, Matt King
There are two senior boys’ boarding Houses, Mertens and Hilton, which are mirror images of each other. Each House includes a large common room and kitchen, outdoor space, and three floors of bedrooms. Rooms typically accommodate 2-3 students in Shell and Remove, with older students usually having private rooms. Despite the competitive nature of inter-House competitions, there is a strong sense of community among the boys.
Hilton Housemaster, Richard Lane
Upper Sixth (Year 13)
Woodard Girls Housemaster, Justin Laleh
Godwin Hall is home to all our Upper Sixth students. This unique House is designed to resemble a university hall of residence, which brings together all day and boarding students, both boys and girls. It features a shared common room, kitchen, and even a bar, with the ability to partition the House into separate sections for boys and girls in the evening. All boarding bedrooms are ensuite, with many offering stunning views over the cricket green.
Woodard Boys Housemaster, Henry Verbi
“My House has changed me as a person... I have been shaped into a better, more engaged and ambitious all-round person - socially, academically and in extra-curriculars. I have made memories that I will never forget... And most importantly, the tight community that we have established in Mertens is something I will never lose.”
