Orchard House

Orchard House is the Shiplake Day House. It has two Housemasters: Chris Alcock who is in charge of Years 11 and 12 and Assistant Housemaster Grant Lawson, who is responsible for Years 9 and 10.

Chris Alcock has taught English at Shiplake since 1997 when he joined the College as Head of English. He became Housemaster of Orchard in 2001. He is ably assisted by Jane Burtt, the “superbly dedicated house matron, whose advice and support is much needed and appreciated by all the ‘apples’ of Orchard”.

Chris has coached rowing and rugby at different levels, and enjoys beating pupils at squash, as well as playing cricket for the staff team. He plays the electric guitar and is interested in rock music, particularly progressive rock, and steam railways. Mrs Alcock was a primary school teacher, but has just started training for the Anglican priesthood at Ripon College Cuddesdon. They have three children: Thomas 14, Eve 12, and Kit 7.

Orchard is at the very hub of College life geographically and socially. It houses the 6th form girls, and is the only house to hold an annual charity music concert. This has seen the likes of Mick Ralphs (Bad Company) and Steve Holly (ex Wings) play live and raises money for our local house charity: the South Chiltern Centre for the Disabled. We run social trips for each year group in the autumn and summer including bowling and paint-balling

Orchard has a thriving Parents’ Association which hosts a quiz night each year, and supports the house in all kinds of ways.

Orchard’s special and happy aura stems from its musicality, theatricality and sheer joie de vivre - the tutors too contribute in many ways to this unique feel. Busking in the foyer at break or impromptu singing are not just the preserve of the housemaster or matron, the pupils catch the spirit of Carpe Diem and make it their own.

‘Come on u apples!’