Situated on Sandford Road, Christowe thrives on its keen sense of tradition and history. The original House was entitled The Priory, located in London Road. It has now been demolished and Wellington Place was built recently on the land. We moved into the current building in 1866 under the Housemastership of the Rev’d William Boyce. He named Christowe after a village in Devon where he married his wife, Miss Jane Woollcombe. In recognition of Rev’d Boyce, ‘Boyceites’ is the name given to all members of the House. Our House emblem is the Skull and Cross Bones - nobody is exactly sure how we came to have this symbol but it has been in use before we moved into this building from the Priory in 1866. It comes from the Duke of Cambridge’s Own Lancers (XVII and XXI Lancers).
Christowe boys are provided with a highly structured and well-balanced programme in the House, delivered within the context of a warm and friendly environment. Pupils mix very well across all year groups and this is exceptionally important to us. Whilst our reputation is founded upon high academic standards, fundamentally Christowe is a very rounded house, full of real individuals who all strive to excel in their own chosen fields. First and foremost we aim to provide an excellent level of pastoral care and support for the boys, and naturally the matrons and tutors play a key role in establishing this. Music and Art are both current strengths, yet we are also very proud of our exceptional mathematicians. Sport naturally plays a key part in our identity as a House, yet Drama and other areas are equally important to us.
Mostly we are a strong community, accepting of our disparate interests and strengths, united in our belief in seizing as many opportunities as possible. My wife and I very much run Christowe as a team, alongside our two sons Theodore and Raif. In essence, then, we are a family House. Do come and visit us.
Nick Nelson, Christowe Housemaster
Latest House News
Christowe and Queen's House Debate Evening
Friday 4th November in TLG