College Building offers Sixth Form boarding for both Year 12 and 13 boys from September 2025.
In their final years at Shiplake, all boy boarders move to College Building where they are granted greater independence, as a reflection of their increasing maturity. Consequently, they are encouraged to take greater responsibility for themselves, both academically and socially. This provides a valuable stepping stone between school and university or work.
Over 60 pupils call College Building their home, there are single study bedrooms, a large common room and kitchens on each floor. There is also a laundry room as pupils take care of their own washing and ironing (hopefully in that order!).
Boarders can enjoy a multitude of weekend activities including trips into town, big tree climbing, laser quest, go-karting and paint-balling. A substantial amount of time in the evenings is spent doing prep, but there is also time for other activities as well as relaxing and socialising.
Members of the House regularly hold social events, often in conjunction with the boarding girls in Gilson. Boys maintain an association with their Houses, helping with duties and playing an active role in the various inter-House competitions.
Housemaster: Mr Jonathan Ralph
Mr Jonathan Ralph joined Shiplake in September 2018 after a short stint at Bradfield College, and a total of 24 years at Rossall School in Lancashire and West Buckland School in North Devon. He has, twice, been a Housemaster and has also served as Head of English and Head of Sixth Form.
Mr Ralph is married to Siân and they have three grown up children, Jamie, Madeleine and Catherine. Mr and Mrs Ralph, who works at LVS Ascot School, live on site with Dylan, their labrador.
Mr Ralph’s extra-curricular passions are sport, principally cricket, as well as music and drama; he coaches the U13B rugby and U14A cricket teams, and will sing with any choir or band that will have him. Mr Ralph has been a Liverpool supporter for over 40 years.
After two years as Orchard Housemaster, Mr Ralph became College Housemaster in September 2021.
Deputy Housemaster: Mr Joseph Player
Mr Joseph Player joined Shiplake College in January 2020. He is also current Head of History & Politics and Master of Scholars.
Mr Player really enjoys coaching the debate team and senior boy's football. He previously worked as a history teacher in Nottinghamshire, and before that lived and worked in Oxford, Russia, France, Spain and China.
In his spare time he likes reading history books - preferably about samurai or the Soviet Union - learning Dutch, and supporting Nottingham Forest.
Pastoral Leaders: Mrs Julie Knight and Mrs Nic Judd
Mrs Julie KnightWednesday to Friday
Mrs Nic JuddMonday and Tuesday
College Tutors
Mr Jasper ElliottMusic
Mr Hugh Mackworth-PraedMaths
Mrs Caroline HendriksMaths
Mrs Jessica BrooksEnglish
Mr Dan BradleySport
College Contacts
| Name | Number | Address |
| Housemaster Mr Jonathan Ralph | Study: 0118 940 5252 | [email protected] |
| Deputy Housemaster Mr Joe Player | [email protected] | |
House Pastoral Leaders (Matrons) Mrs Nic Judd (Mon-Tues) | 0118 940 5772 | |
| Duty Tutor | 0118 940 5252 7.00pm-11.00pm only | |
| Address | College Building, Shiplake College,Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, RG9 4BW | |
| Medical Centre | 0118 940 5233 | [email protected] |
| Reception | 0118 940 2455 | [email protected] |
| School Office (Transport) Mrs Sue Arpino | 0118 940 2455 | [email protected] |
| Bursar | 0118 940 5202 | [email protected] |
| Billing | 0118 940 5201 | [email protected] |
Please note that the College Management Information System is expected to hold current contact information for parents and guradians, 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.