Sets

When boys start they join a ‘Set’, the Pilgrims’ word for ‘Houses’. Their names reflect the original settlement and buildings which now house the school: Monks, Normans, Romans, Saxons, and Wrens (after Sir Christopher Wren).  
 
Sets give a sense of belonging and a chance for boys to get to know each other across year groups. They create an additional layer of pastoral care, as well as an opportunity for friendly competition as the boys earn or lose points for their Set. Each Set has a member of staff as Head of Set and two Year 8 boys as Set Captains, who look after and support the other boys. Boys sit in sets for lunch and there is a special assembly for each Set twice in the term, which brings the boys together again. 
 
Boys wear their Set coloured sports shirts for weekday games practices and inter-set matches.  Sets compete in football, rugby, cross-country, athletics, solo instrumental performances and quizzes.  
 
The Set Trophy is won by the Set with the most ‘Show-Ups’ at the end of the year.  A ‘Show-Up’ is an award given for good behaviour and effort.  Its counterpart is a ‘Show-Down’, for which there is no trophy. 
 

Leadership

Boys are given plenty of opportunities to take specific responsibilities as they progress through the school.
 
Roles are given to them with activities throughout the year where they have the chance to step up. We think this ensures all boys are fully a part of the Pilgrims’ family and more prepared for life outside school. 
 
‘Shadows’ and ‘Substances’ 
Each new boy is assigned a current Pilgrim to be his  ‘Substance’, a boy who will take special care of his ‘Shadow’ as he settles in. The substance will usually have contacted his shadow before he arrives at the school and will be a familiar face waiting for him on the first day of term. 
 
‘Cousins’ 
Every boy in Year 3 is a ‘Cousin’ to a boy in Year 2, which helps continue the link between the Pre-Prep and the Prep. These relationships stay the entire time boys are at school together.
 
‘Monitors’
In Year 5 boys can become monitors with responsibilities for areas of the school or  younger pupils.  
 
 
 

Prefects

Some become Prefects, the role with the most responsibility for a boy at Pilgrims’. Prefects meet regularly with the Headmaster, Tim Butcher.  It’s a chance for them to raise anything they think is important. It’s also a chance for boys to influence the strategic direction of the school and we value this input hugely.   

Others may be a Set Captain; they may Chair the School council – they may even be the boy who opens up NumNums, the tuck shop! 

Year 8 RESPONSIBILITIES

In their final year, every Pilgrims’ boy is given a meaningful role of responsibility, encouraging initiative, leadership and a strong sense of community. All become “Uncles” to new Year 3 pupils, offering support as they settle into school life and helping build warm, cross-year friendships.

Year 8 is often seen as a golden year: boys are at the top of the school, growing in independence while preparing academically for senior school. Each boy takes on a specific roles, such as Prefect, Set Captain, Orchestra Leader or School Council Chair, contributing to the life of the school and creating lasting memories.

School Council – GIVING PUPILS A VOICE

Our school council gives pupils a voice.  As well as being a vehicle for change and a forum for good ideas, it teaches responsibility and is democracy in action. Council representatives are elected from all year groups by boys in their tutor group.  

The boys set the agenda for meetings, which are chaired by a Year 8, and proposals are put to the vote. Key life skills are developed as boys learn the importance of negotiation and diplomacy while presenting their case on behalf of their peers.  They also see their proposals implemented by the school, giving them an encouraging further step towards becoming agents of change in the world.  (How else do think we got the Air Hockey table?)