“We Genuinely Care as a School”

Running a boarding house of 90 is not for the faint-hearted. But LWC’s newest Houseparent admits it’s a role he’s always wanted.

 

“I went to a boarding school and loved House life,” explains Jack Malden, who has now taken the helm of School House.

 

“It was always the goal to become a Houseparent, once I got into teaching. When I look back on my time at school, the person I remember the most is my Housemaster. He guided me through growing up, through academic life, sporting life and pastorally. I think the role encapsulates so much. You have a real opportunity to have a lasting impact on people’s lives and give them a really positive foundation for what’s to come.”

 

The last academic year was certainly one to remember for Mr Malden. News of his appointment at School House followed a memorable Continental Tyres Schools Cup run with the U15A rugby team, which saw them crowned runners-up. “It was fantastic,” he beams. “Seeing a group of boys really working together and inspiring the rest of the school to get out there and watch them all the way to the final was amazing. Even the tears at the end were all worth it because they tried so hard to get to that stage.”

 

Having won a bronze medal himself alongside the Headmaster in the British Speedgolf Pairs Championship in May, he then completed the academic year, married his fiancée, Izzy and became resident at School House.

 

But maybe living life at breakneck speed stands him in good stead for the next chapter.

 

“Being a Houseparent is basically binge-working,” Jack smiles. “Your pupils need you and you need to be a present figure. It’s really important that you’re out on the sports pitches, watching the music and drama performances and still running a boarding house and making sure that everyone’s taken care of. I’m not going to shy away from that.”

 

“When they leave school, you just hope they think you helped to guide them, coach them and challenge them in ways which made a real difference.”

— Jack Malden, Houseparent, School House

   

When it comes to the culture he’s keen to cultivate at LWC’s most central House, Jack is in no doubt that he takes inspiration from the wider philosophy of the College.

 

“We genuinely care as a school,” he points out. “We care about every element of our pupils growing up. Whether they’re in 1^st, 3^rd or joining Sixth Form. Throughout, we just want to help create inwardly self-confident but outwardly modest individuals. People who are ready to just go out and take on the world.”

 

In order to do this, Jack is of the opinion that House community is everything. “When people think of School House, I want them to think of a real sense of community where people across all year groups have relationships with each other. It’s those small moments that make all the difference. When a 3^rd Former is able to look up and give a quiet nod to an Upper Sixth Former. It’s about knowing that there are others to go to for guidance, mentoring, coaching or just to have a kickabout. Creating a strong sense of community is key and developing those social skills which will live with them long after they leave LWC.”

   

Naturally, Jack brings his experience as Assistant Houseparent of School House and latterly, Hazelveare to this new role. He arrived in the 1200 in 2021, having spent time at Clifton College and Taunton School. He remains a Teacher of Economics and Business Studies, alongside his Houseparent duties. “We’ve had some fantastic results in the department and have seen some real success in getting students to love the subject,” he adds.

 

But encouraging LWC’s youngsters to love their time at the College isn’t Jack’s only aim. He acknowledges that helping to guide students to embrace what lies ahead is an important part of his job:

 

“The challenge has changed and it’s about getting people ready for the world. Whether it’s improving their understanding of what’s happening within it, or looking at their resilience and finding ways to challenge them, allowing them to fail and figure out how to succeed. We need to equip them to go and make a positive difference and not be overwhelmed by the future.”

 

And if you think that Jack’s sole focus is on his young charges, then think again. He admits that much like the wider world, things have changed a great deal since he was boarding himself.

 

“I think our relationship with parents is much more important now than it used to be at boarding schools. Everyone is welcome. It’s important that we have a great relationship with the whole community. We’re not bound by tradition here.”

 

He goes on to talk excitedly about plans for park runs featuring his two black Labradors, forging strong relationships with School House students in this first half-term and eating bacon and egg sandwiches on Saturday mornings. But the goal is clear.

 

“When they leave school, you just hope they think you helped to guide them, coach them and challenge them in ways which made a real difference,” Jack admits. Much like the Housemaster who inspired him.