Where Belonging Builds Leaders

Sunmarke’s House System creates a strong sense of belonging while developing confident, values-driven leaders.

The Achievement Centre

House System at Sunmarke School

At Sunmarke School, our House System lies at the heart of school life. It brings our community together, strengthens relationships across year groups, and brings our Positive Education ethos to life through belonging, leadership and shared celebration.

Where Curiosity Takes Flight

A Whole-School Community

Every student, from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to Sixth Form, is a member of a House. All staff are also assigned to a House, creating meaningful connections across phases and reinforcing a strong sense of whole-school community. The House System ensures that every student is known, supported and feels a sense of belonging.

Four Houses. One Community.

Our Houses

Sunmarke School is proud to be home to four Houses, each with its own identity and strong sense of pride:

These Houses form the foundation of our House System, creating smaller communities within the school where students build relationships, develop leadership and celebrate shared successes.

Habits That Help Students Flourish

Flourish Points

Throughout the year, students earn Flourish Points for their House in recognition of positive contributions to school life. These points celebrate behaviours and attitudes aligned with our values, including demonstrating character strengths, making positive choices, showing sustained effort and contributing positively to the community. Flourish Points reinforce the habits, mindset and behaviours we want students to develop every day.

Empowering Student Voice

House Leadership and Student Voice

Each House has a clear and inclusive leadership structure that promotes student voice and responsibility.

Leadership roles include:

A dedicated Staff House Leader
House Captains from Year 13
Student Leaders from Year 12, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 2 within each House

These student leaders play an active role in shaping House life by organising competitions and events, promoting House spirit, encouraging participation and building connections across year groups. This structure empowers students to lead with confidence and purpose.

High-Energy Assemblies That Unite

House Assemblies

House Assemblies are a distinctive and much-loved feature of life at Sunmarke. Students come together as a whole phase, seated in their Houses, to take part in high-energy, engaging challenges that earn Flourish Points. These assemblies foster confidence, teamwork and shared identity. A recent highlight was our Masked Singer–style House Assembly, which generated excitement and strong student engagement across the school.

Celebrating Together as One Community

House Spirit at School Events

House identity is embedded across major school events and celebrations. At Sports Day, our House Mascots became a standout feature, bringing energy and excitement to the day. These mascots were funded through a student enterprise project led by our House Captains, with generous support from FOSS.

Houses also play an active role in community celebrations such as UAE National Day and Movie Night, with student-led initiatives including House face painting and activities. These moments help create shared experiences and lasting memories for students across Primary and Secondary.

Preparing Students for Life

Bringing Positive Education to Life

The House System plays a vital role in our wider pastoral care and Positive Education approach. It provides daily opportunities for students to practise key life skills such as teamwork, resilience, kindness, leadership, and a sense of purpose. By making character development visible, celebrated, and embedded in everyday school life, the House System helps students flourish both academically and personally.