Shiplake College

Mr Andy Dix is the Housemaster of Skipwith House, which is part of the original Shiplake Court and at the centre of College life. The boys benefit from being first in the breakfast queue and from not having to go outside for meals when it is raining. Skipwith is, according to Mr Dix, as close to Hogwarts as the College gets, but the staircases do not move! Andy and his wife Sarah live in Tudor Cottage with their twin daughters and their son. They have two cats who are making friends with the local rabbits and mice.

Andy teaches Physical Education and Mathematics and is interested in rugby, golf, cricket, squash and hockey. Skipwith House has a TV room, playstation, computing facilities, day room with Sky TV and DVD player and a games room with pool table and table football. The year 12 pupils have a plasma TV. At weekends activities include paintballing, barbeques, trips to theme parks, and theatre trips. Andy is supported by Mrs Jenny Miles-Thomas, the ‘superb’ House Matron, and the enthusiastic tutor team who combine an ‘excellent mix of experience and freshness all with the calmness, authority, guidance and energy required,’ according to Mr Dix.

From September 2010 Skipwith House will have a day-only intake at Year 9.