All students are allocated to one of the four Houses on joining the school: Trojans, Vikings, Spartans and Romans. Whilst the House System helps to give new students a sense of identity and belonging, it also provides opportunities for involvement in a wide range of activities such as House Competitions and Sports Day. The house system encourages collaboration, team work and co-operation while nurturing a healthy sense of competition.

Each house has:

• A staff House Leader
• An SLT link
• A Year 11 student Head of House
• Two deputy Heads of House
• A team of Year 11 house Prefects
• House representatives from years 7-10
• At least 2 forms in each year group assigned to the house (students and form tutors)
• Each form will have 2 form captains

House Competitions

Every year the House Comps are a focal point of our inter-house activities, bringing together the different Performing Arts disciplines of Art, Drama, Music and Dance. Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 compete in the Junior House Comps, while the students in Years 10 and 11 battle it out in the Senior House Comps. Not only do these events help to develop students’ confidence and self-esteem, but they also help to form new friendships with a shared desire to win.

Overall Winner: Trojans

Overall Winner: Spartans

House identity

Each student will be given a badge of the House they represent during their time at the school. House badges will be a part of the Byrchall uniform and must be displayed on the lapel of the blazer of every student. A student will remain within the same House from year to year. When students join our school, they complete a series of challenges and activities and “earn” their house badge in the first few weeks of year 7. They are then formally welcomed into their new house via a House Assembly.

Rewards and Celebrations

House Reward Points

House reward points are awarded day-to-day for a variety of reasons such as: good classwork; participation in lessons and events; being kind to others etc. points are recorded on Synergy.

Fairtrade Tuck Shop Vouchers

Every time a student accrues 500 points, they will receive a voucher to spend at the Fairtrade Tuck Shop or to save up to donate towards an Oxfam Unwrapped Charity Gift.

Certificates

Students will receive the following for cumulative totals of house achievement points:

Bronze certificate for: 250 points

Silver Certificate for: 500 points

Gold Certificate for: 750 points

Platinum Certificate for: 1000 points

Diamond Certificate for: 1500 points

Exceptional achievement certificate for: 2000+ points

Termly and Annual Awards

Students will receive half-termly, termly and annual awards for a variety of achievements such as: 100% attendance; exceptional progress or effort etc.

In December 2025, our Spartans House took on an incredible charity challenge — the 3 Peaks Challenge — led by House Leader Mr McVeigh, with our Headteacher Mr Paul proudly joining in too. Wearing festive Christmas jumpers and powered by seasonal music, students showed outstanding determination and teamwork, completing an amazing 296 laps in just one hour. That’s the equivalent of conquering the Three Peaks twice, all while raising funds and embodying the true spirit of community, resilience and generosity.

Our houses also regularly come together for bake sales. Students and staff work side by side to bake, organise and sell treats, raising valuable funds for a range of good causes. These events not only support charities, but also showcase teamwork, creativity and the strong sense of community that runs through our school.