Our School Houses and the English Martyrs
At English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, every pupil belongs to one of four houses. Each house is named after one of the English Martyrs—men and women who showed great faith, courage and commitment to God during challenging times.
Our house system encourages a strong sense of belonging and helps pupils grow in perseverance, honesty, courage, sharing, kindness and respect, living out these values each day.
The Feast of the English Martyrs
The Feast of the English Martyrs is celebrated each year on 4th May. On this day, the Catholic Church remembers the many priests, religious and laypeople who remained faithful to God during the English Reformation, even when it was dangerous to do so.
During this period, following King Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church, it became increasingly difficult to practise the Catholic faith. Many showed great courage and perseverance, risking their lives to remain true to their beliefs and support others.
At English Martyrs, we come together as a school community to celebrate this special feast day through prayer, reflection and collective worship. It reminds us of the importance of living with honesty, showing kindness, and sharing God’s love in our daily lives.
Our Four Houses
🔵 Blue House – St Thomas More
St Thomas More was a lawyer and advisor to King Henry VIII. He showed great honesty and integrity, remaining faithful to his beliefs even when it led to great personal cost.
We learn from him:
- Being honest and truthful
- Having the courage to stand up for what is right
- Showing respect for others and our beliefs
🟡 Yellow House – St Edmund Campion
St Edmund Campion was a priest and teacher who bravely spread his faith at a time of persecution. He showed great perseverance and dedication.
We learn from him:
- Never giving up and showing perseverance
- Using our talents to serve others
- Sharing knowledge, kindness and hope
🟢 Green House – St Margaret Clitherow
St Margaret Clitherow was a wife and mother who secretly supported priests. She showed deep faith, kindness, and compassion for others.
We learn from her:
- Showing kindness and care
- Supporting others in our community
- Acting with courage and love
🔴 Red House – St John Fisher
St John Fisher was a bishop and teacher who remained steadfast in his faith. He showed great courage, wisdom and commitment.
We learn from him:
- Being strong in our beliefs
- Showing respect and leadership
- Acting with integrity
Our House System
Our house system plays an important role in school life and encourages pupils to work hard and achieve their best.
⭐ House Points
- Pupils earn house points for academic achievement
- Achievements are recognised during our Gold Book assemblies at the end of each long term
- House points are carefully collected and counted across the term
At the end of each long term: 🏆 The house with the highest number of house points is awarded the House Cup
This involves a great deal of careful counting, making the result even more exciting and rewarding!
🏆 House Captains
Each year, two House Captains are elected for each house.
This is a democratic process where:
- Pupils present a speech or PowerPoint explaining why they should be chosen
- Ballot papers are used for voting
House Captains:
- Are role models for the school
- Support the Headteacher
- Represent the school when visitors attend
- Help at school events, including Sports Day
- Demonstrate courage, respect and leadership in all they do
⚽ House Competitions
Throughout the year, pupils take part in house competitions which encourage:
- Teamwork
- Sharing and supporting one another
- Healthy competition rooted in respect
These events lead up to Sports Day, where houses compete and the winning house is awarded the Sports Day Cup.
Our Martyrs and Our Mission
At English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, our mission is rooted in faith, love and service.
The lives of our martyrs inspire us to live out our school values every day:
✝️ Perseverance – trying our best and never giving up
✔️ Honesty – being truthful and acting with integrity
💪 Courage – standing up for what is right
🤝 Sharing – helping and supporting one another
❤️ Kindness – caring for others in all that we do
🌟 Respect – valuing each person and treating others fairly
Our martyrs remind us that we are called to:
live with faith in our hearts, show kindness in our actions, and demonstrate perseverance, honesty, courage, sharing and respect in everything we do.