All students are placed into one of four houses:
Blackburn, Chorley,
Manchester or Wigan and, as
generations of Boltonians before them, they compete for the Lyde
Cup. This was presented in 1903 by the then Headmaster and his wife
on his departure to take up a university professorship.
The competition uniquely takes place on three days, one in each
term. For these extravaganzas of competition, 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. Summer events in
athletics occupy a traditional Sports Day in the last weeks of the
term. The competition comprises over 250 separate events and covers
the whole academic year and the whole school.
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 is included. So, for example, art,
technology and debating feature alongside soccer, badminton and
rugby.
By running several activities concurrently, star sportsmen do
not dominate; every boy gets a chance to be involved in competitive
action in activities, both his favourites and those where the team
needs of the 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 split into
three age bands: Juniors for years 7 & 8; Intermediates for
years 9 & 10; 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 Messrs Wadsworth & 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.
In 2010-11, Blackburn won the junior competition, whilst
Manchester were both intermediate and senior victors, meaning that
the champion House was Manchester for the first time since
2005.