The Housemaster/mistress is the point of contact and a figure of prime importance for both pupil and parent. They act as an extra adviser and advocate for the pupil, and as a source of information for parents. The Housemaster/mistress has a team of Tutors, each of whom is responsible for the academic and pastoral welfare of a small group of pupils. The Tutor meets each pupil daily, giving plenty of opportunity for any issues of concern to be raised.
There are some 184 boarders at Mill Hill School and at Mill Hill International in total. They are looked after in four boarding houses by suitably qualified and experienced teams of teachers and support staff. The Houses are on or adjacent to the school campus, and offer a high level of comfort and security. There is one girls’ Boarding House, one boys’ Boarding House and the remainder are mixed in their communal areas, with single-sex floors of bedrooms.
Day Houses are more than names; each House has a distinct area which serves as a focal point for the pupils’ day and all have recently been refurbished. There are study areas, locker and changing facilities and social or recreational areas in each House. As well as giving pupils a secure environment in which to work, the House system gives numerous opportunities for enhancing team building and leadership skills through a wide variety of inter-house competitions and events, both sporting and cultural.
The House system, whether Day or Boarding, aims to provide pupils with an extended family within the School. One former pupil, speaking of his time as a boarder, said that living in a boarding House was like having 38 brothers and sisters.