All students are in one of four houses:
Blackburn, Chorley, Manchester or
Wigan and, as generations of Boltonians before
them, they compete for the Lyde Cup. This was first presented in
1903 by the then Headmaster and his wife on his departure to take
up a university professorship.
The House competition takes place on three days, one in each
term. For these competitive extravaganzas, the curriculum is
suspended for the day, so that every boy has the chance to compete
for his house in a whole range of activities. So we cover the whole
academic year and the whole pupil body.
A further special aspect of the system is that it is much more
than a sports contest. All the school representative sports appear
in the programme, but each year a selection of appropriate
extra-curricular activities are also included. So, for example,
art, technology and debating, as well as many other events, feature
alongside soccer, badminton and rugby. As well as all the school
facilities, we go off site for the likes of orienteering, hockey at
Horwich Leisure Centre, five-a-side at Powerleague and the Arena,
and a range of indoor activities at the David Lloyd Centre and The
Lads & Girls Club.
For an example of what's on offer, the March 2009 day had 84
different events with the spectrum ranging from Year 7 Spelling Bee
through Year 9 climbing and Year 10 basketball to Year 12 & 13
golf.
By running several activities concurrently, star sportsmen do
not dominate the House events; every boy gets a chance to be
involved in competitive action in activities, both his favourites
and those where the team needs of his House require full numbers.
All boys can help to win house points on a number of fronts.
More than thirty trophies are awarded for the events and these
are split into three age bands: Juniors for Years 7 & 8;
Intermediates for Years 9 & 10; and Seniors for Years 11, 12
& 13. These are on display outside the Great Hall bedecked in
Blackburn - yellow, Chorley - red, Manchester - green or Wigan
- blue, depending on the current holder. Each pupil wears his House
colour via his reversible sports shirt.
The houses meet regularly for assemblies and are currently led
by Messrs McMillan (Blackburn), Cooper (Wigan), Prentki
(Manchester) and Jackson (Chorley) under the overall control and
coordination of Senior Housemaster Mr Prentki. Senior members of
the School are appointed captains and vice-captains of each House;
they help organise and oversee teams. In addition, all junior and
intermediate events can be managed by Year 12 or 13 students,
giving them a chance to develop leadership skills.