As part of our origin story, Dallington School takes its name from a special forest in the south-east of England, a place where tall trees stand strong and connected. From this inspiration grew the idea for our House Teams, each named after a tree — Oak, Willow, Maple and Chestnut. Just as trees provide shelter, strength, and life, our House Teams provide belonging, pride, and community for our pupils.
- Each team embodies its own character, expressed through a motto and represented by an animal:
- Oak – Strong and focused, with a sense of self-worth and respect. Their animal is the owl, symbolising wisdom and watchfulness.
- Willow – Motivated and inquisitive, with a kind and friendly nature. Their animal is the deer, a gentle yet determined spirit.
- Maple – Bright and enthusiastic, with inner confidence and creativity. Their animal is the squirrel, full of energy and curiosity.
Chestnut – Loving and brave, with a positive attitude and eagerness to learn. Their animal is the bear, representing courage and care.
- Each team embodies its own character, expressed through a motto and represented by an animal:
From the very beginning of school life, pupils learn to take pride in their house and what it represents. This pride is not simply symbolic — it is lived out daily through the choices pupils make, guided by the Dallington School Principles: Respect, Responsibility, Effort, Honesty, Politeness, and Kindness.
Our House Point system helps to make these principles tangible. Teachers notice and reward pupils who demonstrate them, allowing children to move up the visual behaviour and attitude chart. Pupils who remain in the rainbow or star by the end of the day then earn house points for their team. In this way, positive behaviour and team spirit are celebrated side by side.
Fridays bring one of the most anticipated traditions of the week: the drum roll in assembly before the announcement of house point totals. Pupils wait eagerly to hear how their house has performed, cheering for their teams and celebrating one another’s efforts. At the end of each term, the house with the most points enjoys a special reward, often a celebratory breakfast with the School Directors — a memorable way to mark the collective achievements of the team.
House points are not earned solely in the classroom. School-wide events, such as the much-loved Sports Day and in CTS projects, allow pupils to show both skill and team pride as they compete with determination. We are incredibly proud that the roots of our House Teams have spread even further — even sighting some parents wearing house t-shirts too, cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines. These shared moments strengthen bonds not only within a house but also across year groups, creating a vibrant sense of belonging throughout the school community.
Looking forward to this academic year, we are especially focused on ensuring that our secondary pupils continue to feel this same connection to their house. This year, we will be working closely with our newly appointed school councillors to create more opportunities for secondary students to earn house points and deepen their sense of house pride.
At Dallington, the House System is far more than a competition. It is a framework that promotes positive choices, fosters teamwork, and builds friendships. Rooted in values, strengthened by tradition, and brought to life by pupils’ enthusiasm, our House Teams remain at the very heart of school life.
Regards,
Mr. Peter Hay
Headmaster
