At Risedale, we celebrate pupils who strive to achieve their BEST in all aspects of school life. Our House System strengthens our sense of community, encourages healthy competition and brings pupils and staff together. It promotes our four BEST values — Responsibility, Respect, Resilience and Relationships — helping pupils to grow into confident, compassionate and successful individuals.
When pupils join Risedale, they are welcomed into one of our four Houses, each with its own tie colour, emblem, House Hero and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Link. Every House is part of our wider A Family of Learners ethos, providing opportunities for pupils to support one another, take part in whole-school initiatives and celebrate individual and collective achievements.
House Heroes
Each House Hero represents one of our four BEST values and offers pupils an inspiring example to learn from. Throughout the academic year, pupils discover more about their House Hero’s life, achievements and contribution to society, exploring how their actions and values can inspire us today.
Each House includes a tutor group from every year group, Year 7 to Year 11, bringing pupils of different ages together as one House family. This encourages pupils to build positive relationships, learn from one another, take part in healthy competition and celebrate success together, strengthening their sense of belonging within the Risedale community.
Stamps & Reward System
Earning Stamps: Throughout their lessons, pupils can earn stamps in recognition of positive behaviour, effort and engagement. Staff award stamps, which are counted weekly during Risedale Roundup, as part of the World Ready programme.
Building House Points: Each pupil’s stamp total contributes to their year group’s score, which then counts towards their House’s overall total.
At the end of the academic year, the House Cup is awarded to the winning House, celebrating the collective efforts and achievements of its pupils. Smaller rewards and incentives are also offered throughout the year to recognise pupils’ contributions and successes.
House Challenges & Events: The House System also plays an important role in whole-school initiatives and events throughout the year, giving pupils additional opportunities to earn recognition and contribute to their House’s success. These may include attendance challenges for specific year groups, our annual Sports Day and other special competitions or school-wide drives.
Whatever the activity, the aim is to encourage participation, celebrate achievement and strengthen House spirit across all year groups.