Welsh House is located at the top of the main drive adjacent to the College entrance, providing a home for around 50 pupils. Welsh currently accommodates weekly and flexi-boarders.
Set away from the main teaching areas, the House has a peaceful setting that gives its residents a feeling of leaving College at the end of each day even though they remain on site. Welsh pupils are a tight-knit, happy and prosperous community, who enjoy spending time together as well as integrating with the rest of the College.
The House has two spacious common rooms where pupils like to spend their break times during the day. The large House kitchen always provides a regular supply of toast, which is ranked alongside gas and electricity in terms of importance to keep the House going! There are also computing facilities and a games room with a pool table and table football. A tennis court adjoins the House garden, where gatherings and barbecues are held. Pupils generally share bedrooms and study rooms in Years 9-11, but single rooms are usually available for boys that are more senior.
House staff ensure Welsh House provides a welcoming environment for its pupils, where they feel comfortable, happy and able to make the most of all the opportunities offered to them at Shiplake. House tutors closely monitor the personal development and academic progress of all boys, helping to ensure their experience at College is wholly positive.
Housemaster: Mr Bob Jones
Mr Jones joined Shiplake as Welsh Housemaster and teacher of mathematics in January 2023. He lives in Cedar Cottage, next to the boarding house, with his wife Lauren, their two children Savannah and Ethan and their labrador, Indiana.
Mr Jones enjoys all outdoor activities including kayaking, canoeing, SUP, indoor climbing, mountain biking, swimming and Duke of Edinburgh.
Deputy Housemaster: Mr Ben Claridge
Mr Ben Claridge joined Shiplake in January 2021 as physics teacher alongside his dog, Dexter. He finds Shiplake to be a wonderful and exciting place and joined Welsh as Assistant House Master in September 2022.
When Mr Claridge isn’t in house or the Physics classroom, he is the Head of Football and spends most of his time coaching or organising fixtures.
Matron: Mrs Lynne Fairbairn
Mrs Fairbairn has been Welsh House Matron since 2012, and enjoys caring for all pupils.
Matron offers encouragement and a confidential ear to any problems. She also acts as ‘action woman’ when something needs attention and liaises with tutors, the medical team and parents. Matron organises social events in house twice a week. Best of all she provides a happy, friendly home for the boys in Welsh House!
Mrs Fairbairn is a mother of three and lives in Welsh House with her West Highland Terrier Bella, who has become the unofficial Welsh House pet.
Welsh House Tutors
Contacts
Please note that the College Management Information System is expected to hold current contact information for parents and guardians, including address, home and mobile telephone numbers and email.
If your information changes during the year, please inform the Housemaster and the College Office, as soon as possible.
Mobile telephone numbers for all pupils will be held by the Housemaster.