Introducing the House System completely transformed our school culture. Pupils now take pride in their Houses, and we’ve seen a huge boost in teamwork, behaviour, and engagement. The resources made it so easy to launch — everything just clicked into place.
Houses Transform Schools. Here’s Why.
Most schools love the idea of a House system. Few know how to make it work.
You’ve seen it in other schools. The buzz in assemblies. The way children light up when their House wins. The pride in belonging to something bigger than themselves.
But when you imagine launching Houses in your own school, the questions start:
Where do we even begin?
How do we make it look professional without a design team?
What if staff don’t buy in?
What if it becomes another initiative that quietly fades away?
And perhaps the biggest concern:
“Is this just another distraction from what really matters — learning and achievement?”
Here’s what the evidence shows: Britain’s top schools have used House systems for centuries. Not despite their academic excellence, but as part of it.
Houses Amplify Achievement
Houses don’t distract from achievement. They amplify it. When done properly, they:
- Motivate academic effort through healthy competition
- Celebrate achievement across all areas — not just sport
- Build resilience by giving children something bigger to contribute to
- Create positive peer pressure where pupils encourage each other to excel
- Foster leadership through House captain roles and responsibility
The best schools in the world don’t use Houses as a gimmick. They use them as a fundamental part of their culture — because they work.
And while Houses have historic roots in secondary and boarding schools, they’re equally powerful in primary settings. In many ways, they’re even more impactful: younger children form fierce loyalty to their House, the sense of belonging cuts naturally across year groups, and Houses give Year 6 pupils meaningful leadership opportunities.
From Reception to Year 6, every child knows their House, wears their colours with pride, and contributes to something bigger than themselves.
The question isn’t whether Houses are worth it.
It’s whether you can launch them properly.
Here’s the truth: House systems don’t fail because they’re a bad idea. They fail because schools can’t create the professional identity that makes Houses feel real.
What if you could skip the DIY struggle?
What if your Houses looked like they belonged in your school from day one — with visuals so striking that pupils couldn’t help but feel proud?
The Real Problem With Most House Systems
House systems don’t fail because they’re a bad idea. They fail because schools can’t create the professional identity that makes Houses feel real.
You need:
- Logos that look professionally designed, not clip-art or PowerPoint shapes
- Banners that transform corridors, not laminated A4 sheets
- A launch experience that creates genuine excitement, not just an announcement in assembly
- Visual materials that staff feel proud to display, not embarrassed to put up
But creating all of this takes:
- Graphic design skills most teachers don’t have
- Hours of creative work nobody has time for
- Professional design software schools don’t own
- The kind of visual consistency that only comes from a complete system
That’s the gap we fill.
Creating a Legacy Together
The Guardian Houses were created to solve exactly this problem:
to make Houses feel real, permanent, and meaningful in a school.
Instead of starting with colours or abstract names, The Guardian Houses start with something children instinctively connect with: powerful animal symbols.
Each House is represented by a Guardian — an animal that embodies a set of values and a clear identity:
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The Bear — strength, steadiness, protection
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The Falcon — vision, ambition, excellence
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The Tiger — courage, confidence, boldness
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The Wolf — loyalty, unity, teamwork
These animals give the Houses instant meaning. Children don’t just belong to a colour — they belong to something with character, story, and personality.
Alongside the animal identities, each House also has a values-based name option: Peace, Love, Faithfulness and Kindness. These words come from different languages and each represents the core virtue of its House.
The Guardian Houses
Four powerful animals. Four timeless values. Four complete visual identities that transform your school from the moment you launch.
Maluhia (Hawaiian – Peace) | The Falcon
The soaring falcon embodies harmony, wisdom, and the quiet strength that comes from inner calm. Pupils in Maluhia learn that true power comes from composure and understanding.
Kebaikan (Malay – Kindness) | The Tiger
The fierce yet noble tiger champions empathy, generosity, and moral courage. Kebaikan pupils discover that kindness isn’t weakness—it’s strength in action.
Fedelta (Italian – Faithfulness) | The Bear
The mighty bear stands for commitment, perseverance, and trustworthiness. Pupils in Fedelta learn what it means to keep promises and stand firm when it matters.
Armastus (Estonian – Love) | The Wolf
The steadfast wolf represents deep connections, friendship, and loyalty. Armastus pupils understand that love—in its truest form—is about showing up for others.
Why international names? Because they create mystery, depth, and discovery. Children don’t just collect points—they become ambassadors for peace, love, faithfulness, and kindness. These aren’t just Houses. They’re identities pupils will carry with pride.
Rooted In Timeless Values
It’s the first week of term.
Your pupils are gathered in the hall for a special assembly. They’re about to discover which House they belong to. The banners are in place. The symbols are on the walls. The atmosphere feels different.
The Houses are introduced one by one. The story behind each Guardian is told. The values are explained. Children start to lean forward. They’re invested.
Week two:
Pupils begin referring to themselves as members of their house. The names start appearing in conversation. Teachers hear it in the playground. The Houses are becoming real.
By the end of term:
House points matter. Children encourage each other. They remind each other of their values. There’s pride — not just in winning, but in representing something.
By the end of the year:
You can’t imagine your school without Houses. Leavers talk about their House in their speeches. It’s not a “new initiative” anymore. It’s the culture. It’s what makes your school yours.
This isn’t fantasy. This is what happens when Houses look professional enough to inspire real pride.
A Video Introduction to the Houses
Bring the Guardian Houses to life with our exclusive 10-minute film, professionally narrated by an actor and inspired by the magic of the Sorting Hat. This cinematic introduction reveals the virtues and spirit of each House, immersing pupils in the story from the very beginning. Available only to Guardian schools, it sets the stage for belonging, pride, and excitement like nothing else.
This clip shows snippets of the introduction and excerpts of the video for House Fedelta.
The School Houses
Graphics & Resources Package
A complete, professional package that gives you everything you need to launch your Houses in style and keep them thriving all year round.
Inside the complete package, your school will receive:
Sleek, professional-quality emblems that pupils are proud to wear and schools can display with confidence.
Bold, eye-catching visuals for halls, receptions, and corridors to showcase your Houses with impact.
Striking, timeless artwork that transforms halls and assemblies into moments of inspiration.
Compact, eye-catching designs perfect for classrooms and corridors — instantly bring colour, pride, and a sense of belonging to every corner of your school.
Vibrant, high-impact flags that make Houses stand out at sports days, assemblies, and school events — uniting pupils under their shared colours and values.
Bright, House-themed images for smartboards, computers, and digital displays to keep identity visible everywhere.
Timeless, heraldic-style crests that capture the spirit and strength of each House — ideal for uniforms, certificates, and displays.
Powerful messages that spread House pride and values throughout your school corridors and classrooms.
Rich, storybook-style banners inspired by classic heraldry, reimagined for modern schools — with special winter editions (for the reverse side) to transform your hall or stage during festive seasons.
Sleek, professional-quality emblems that pupils are proud to wear and schools can display with confidence.
Introductory Film
A professionally narrated, 10-minute video inspired by the magic of the Sorting Hat — an unforgettable launch experience available only to Guardian schools.
Assembly Videos
Simple videos ideal for the beginning of assemblies that leave pupils inspired and proud.
A visually engaging, ready-to-use template that displays live House totals — turning progress tracking into a moment of excitement and celebration for the whole school.
Exclusive Member Area
Packed with guides, seasonal ideas, competitions, and bonus resources to keep the excitement alive all year long.
Launch & Leadership Guides
Step-by-step advice on sorting ceremonies, reward philosophies, point records, and tournaments, helping you set up with ease and confidence.
- Easy to use across your school – every file works seamlessly with interactive whiteboards, classroom screens, websites, and standard school printers, so you can bring your Houses to life anywhere.
- High-quality files for every need – everything is provided in high-resolution digital image format, ensuring perfect clarity whether displayed on screens or printed at large scale.
- Clear setup guidance included – a simple, step-by-step guide walks you through how to launch your Houses with confidence, from banners and displays to assemblies and point systems.
- Lifetime access to your resources – once delivered, your files are yours to keep forever, allowing you to reprint, resize, or reuse them year after year.
- Licensed for your school’s use – your purchase includes a royalty-free licence for use across your school community, with no hidden costs or renewal fees unless you choose optional yearly updates.
Which Guardian Houses Package Is Right for Your School?
All packages include everything you need to launch: stunning visuals, introductory film, member area, and ongoing support. Simply choose whether you want our ready-made Guardian names or to use your own—then select 4 or 6 Houses based on your school size.
The Core Four Guardian Houses
Perfect for most primary and secondary schools.
£
397
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Maluhia (Peace) - Falcon - Purple
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Kebaikan (Kindness) - Tiger - Orange
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Fedelta (Faithfulness) - Bear - Green
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Armastus (Love) - Wolf - Blue
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Choose between the Values (e.g. Armastus) and Animal (e.g. Wolves) names.
Get Started Today
Four timeless values that grow with pupils from age 4 to 18.
Popular
The Extended Six Guardian System
Ideal for larger schools or those wanting more House diversity.
£
497
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Maluhia (Peace) - Falcon - Purple
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Kebaikan (Kindness) - Tiger - Orange
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Fedelta (Faithfulness) - Bear - Green
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Armastus (Love) - Wolf - Blue
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Alegria (Joy) - Mustang - Yellow
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Dobrota (Goodness) - Fox - Red
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Choose between the Values (e.g. Armastus) and Animal (e.g. Wolves) names.
Unlock the Extended System
Six timeless values that grow with pupils from age 4 to 18.
The Core Four Guardian Houses
Perfect for most primary and secondary schools.
£
1097
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Your Own Name - Falcon - Purple
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Your Own Name - Tiger - Orange
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Your Own Name - Bear - Green
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Your Own Name - Wolf - Blue
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Everything custom-made for your school
Get Started Today
Four Guardian animals that bring your House names to life.
Popular
The Extended Six Guardian System
Ideal for larger schools or those wanting more House diversity.
£
1297
-
Your Own Name - Falcon - Purple
-
Your Own Name - Tiger - Orange
-
Your Own Name - Bear - Green
-
Your Own Name - Wolf - Blue
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Your Own Name - Mustang - Yellow
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Your Own Name - Fox - Red
-
Everything custom-made for your school
Unlock the Extended System
Six Guardian animals that bring your House names to life.
Your Questions Answered
Here are some of the most common questions schools ask us before joining The School Houses.
Can we really launch this quickly?
Yes. Most schools launch within 2-3 weeks of purchase. The visuals are ready to use—just download and print. Many schools have their first sorting ceremony within days.
Will staff actually use this?
That’s the beauty of it. Staff don’t have to create anything. The visuals are professional enough that teachers feel proud to display them. The film does the heavy lifting for your launch assembly. Everything is designed to make staff’s lives easier, not harder. Primary teachers especially appreciate that younger children connect instantly with the animal symbols—no complex explanations needed.
Can we still use our current House names?
With our custom package – yes, you can! Many schools blend their existing names with our visuals and resources. Just tell us which animal is going to represent which house. The custom package is designed to complement what you already have and strengthen your existing culture.
What Do I Receive?
Everything is delivered as high-quality downloadable files. We also guide you to trusted, low-cost printing options so you can produce banners, posters, and displays at the best possible prices.
How do we use the introductory film?
The film can be shown during your launch assembly or sorting ceremony. It cannot be put on your school website. It’s professionally narrated and designed to create excitement, pride, and a sense of belonging from the very first moment. At the moment it only can be used for the Guardian Houses (Armastus, Kebaikan, Maluhia and Fedelta). We are working on more versions!
How do we track House points?
You’ll run your points system your way. Our members area recommends proven point-tracking tools that Guardian schools use successfully (both free and paid options). We provide guidance on different approaches—from simple spreadsheets to dedicated apps—so you can choose what fits your school best.
What’s inside the members area?
Your members area gives you access to expert advice, printable resources, and ongoing inspiration. You’ll find guidance on points systems, reward ideas, leadership roles, staff involvement, and school traditions.
What happens after the first year?
No. Pay once, own the graphics forever. After 12 months, you can optionally continue your members area access for £97/year to receive fresh resources, seasonal ideas, and new tournament concepts. But all the core visual materials are yours permanently.
What makes the Guardian Houses different from other systems?
They’re a complete package: professional visuals, exclusive film, inspirational slogans, and proven guidance. They’re not just logos or posters—they’re a framework for school culture and pride.
Do we need any special software to use the resources?
No. All materials are provided in standard formats (JPEG, PNG, PDF) that can be opened on any school computer, printed easily, and used straight away.
Can we share the Guardian Houses resources with other schools?
Each licence is for a single school only. Your purchase allows you to use and display all materials freely within your own school, but they can’t be copied or shared with other schools. MATs should contact us for multi-school pricing.
What about day-to-day management?
Our Launch & Leadership Guides walk you through sorting ceremonies, tournament structures, and reward philosophies. The members area gives you ongoing ideas and proven strategies. But the beauty of Houses is that once you’ve set the structure, they’re surprisingly simple to run—especially when the visual identity is already done for you.
More than resources
Guidance Every Step of the Way
When you join The School Houses, you get more than resources—you gain access to our dedicated members area. Inside, we share practical advice and proven strategies to help you launch and grow your House System with confidence. From planning your first sorting ceremony to running exciting tournaments and keeping points fair, our guidance makes it simple to build a culture that lasts.
- Sorting ceremonies that inspire
- Fun and meaningful tournaments
- Clear systems for tracking points
- Engaging staff in the system
- Reward philosophies that really work
- Creating traditions pupils will treasure
Inspire Every Corridor
From inspirational posters and stained-glass style window designs to banners and displays, the Guardian Houses come with a complete set of visuals to brighten your school. Every corridor, classroom, and hall can reflect House spirit, reminding pupils daily of the values they represent and the team they belong to. These resources transform buildings into living, breathing celebrations of identity, pride, and community.
Make The School Houses Your Own
Every Child Deserves to Belong
Houses aren’t just about competition or points. They’re about giving every pupil—from the shy child who struggles to make friends to the natural leader who needs a platform—a place where they matter.
When Houses look professional and feel real, they create memories that last a lifetime. Children remember their House. They remember the values. They remember the pride of contributing to something bigger than themselves.
Your school can give them that. Starting today.
What Our Schools Say About Us
Transformed our school culture
Filiz Oguz
Headteacher
Best initiatives we’ve ever introduced
Our House System has become the beating heart of our school. The children cheer when their Houses win points, and the staff love how it brings everyone together. This has been one of the best initiatives we’ve ever introduced.
Lucca Henshaw
Phase Leader
Incredible Pride
Since introducing the Guardians, pupils have shown incredible pride in their Houses. They love the names, the values, and the competition it creates.
Robin Morrelle
Assistant Headteacher
