House System
From the moment you join Churston, you belong to a house. It's a source of pride, friendly competition, and - for many students - some of the most memorable moments of their time here.
The House system is one of the things that makes Churston feel like more than just a school.
Churston’s thriving House system creates a vibrant vertical community that prioritises a sense of belonging and relatedness for every student from Year 7 through to the Sixth Form. Central to its success is our student leadership model, featuring ten Sixth Form House Captains who serve as fantastic role models and mentors for our younger students. Supported by House Representatives from every tutor group and academic Subject Champions, these leaders drive a culture of participation, ensuring that student voice is represented through a formal School Forum and that every individual feels pride in their House identity.
Each House is named after a remarkable figure with a connection to the South West.
These people's lives embody the values we hold at Churston: achievement, creativity, courage and contribution.
Brunel
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806–1859), engineer
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the greatest engineers the world has ever produced. His railway, his bridges, his ships - all of them pushed the boundaries of what anyone thought was possible. The Great Western Railway, which still connects Devon to the rest of England today, was his vision. Brunel House carries that spirit of ambition, innovation and determination to build something that lasts.
Christie
Dame Agatha Christie (1890–1976), novelist
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, just a few miles from Churston, and is the best-selling fiction writer of all time. Her extraordinary imagination, her precision, and her remarkable ability to connect with readers across generations make her one of the most significant literary figures in British history. Christie House carries her legacy: curiosity, sharp thinking, and the quiet confidence to trust your own mind.
Gilbert
Sir Humphrey Gilbert (c.1539–1583), explorer
Sir Humphrey Gilbert was born in Greenway, Devon - and he was one of the most daring explorers of the Elizabethan age. He was among the first to attempt to establish an English colony in North America, planting a flag in Newfoundland in 1583. He never stopped pushing at the edges of the known world. Gilbert House honours that courage, that willingness to go first, and that refusal to be limited by what already exists.
Singer
Isaac Merritt Singer (1811–1875), inventor and entrepreneur
Isaac Singer transformed the way the world made things. His improvements to the sewing machine and his founding of the Singer Manufacturing Company created one of the first truly global businesses. Drawn to the beauty of the South Devon coast, he built Oldway Mansion in Paignton - just minutes from Churston - and died in Torquay in 1875. Singer House carries his inventive spirit: ingenuity, enterprise, and the drive to make something better.
Thompson
Flora Thompson (1876–1947), novelist
Flora Thompson is one of the most quietly remarkable writers in the English literary tradition. Her trilogy Lark Rise to Candleford - written largely in Devon, where she lived from 1928 - captured a vanishing way of English life with warmth, precision, and deep humanity. She died in Brixham in 1947 and is buried in Dartmouth: she belongs to this place. Thompson House carries her values: patience, observation, persistence, and the belief that ordinary lives contain extraordinary stories.
Your House, your community
Participation is incentivised through a structured three-tier event system, ranging from high-profile Tier 1 competitions like House Drama and Sports Day to Tier 2 Subject Champion events and Tier 3 bi-weekly House quizzes. From the first Year 6 transition ‘fun evening’ to the final Year 13 handover of House leadership, the House system provides a continuous, supportive framework that nurtures student potential and fosters a positive, collaborative school environment where all students have the opportunity to represent their House.
