All sixth form girls at Shiplake join Gilson House, a dedicated girls’ house which opened in September 2009. The College’s newest House provides modern, purpose-built accommodation for a mixture of day and boarding pupils. At present, almost 70 girls are part of our Sixth Form. House staff work together to provide the girls with a wealth of support academic and co-curricular support during their time at Shiplake.
Boarders are given their own study bedroom while day girls will share a study room, with plenty of storage and desk space to provide a suitable working and living environment. Every effort is made to ensure that girls have the best opportunity to maximise their potential academically, culturally and socially. There are ample shared bathroom facilities for girls to use, whilst the Head of House and another senior prefect are rewarded with an en-suite bathroom. Girls usually congregate in the House common room which is ideal for socialising, with comfortable sofas, kitchen facilities and a breakfast bar.
Boarders can enjoy a multitude of weekend activities including shopping trips, paint-balling, cinema and bowling. A substantial amount of time in the evening is spent doing prep but there is also time for relaxing. Many choose to spend evenings in front of the TV, having a well-earned, quiet and relaxing night after a long day. Girls often enjoy making homemade pizzas or having a takeaway together, movie nights in house are also popular. Girls are allowed to socialise in the other houses and are often invited to College House (Year 13 boys) for karaoke or barbecues in the summer.
The relatively small number of girls at the College creates a real sense of togetherness, as both year groups get to know each other extremely well. Friendships that often last for years are formed within the first few days of joining Shiplake. This makes Gilson House an extremely enjoyable place to be.
Housemistress: Ms Sian Davies
Ms Davies joined the College in 2013 and joined Gilson House in September 2016 from Skipwith House, where she was also Deputy Housemistress. Ms Davies took the helm as Housemistress in 2021.
She lives on site so she is well positioned to know what goes on. Ms Davies teaches drama and helps to put on the many excellent productions throughout the year and accompanies a pupil production to the Edinburgh Festival. She is also very adventurous and assists with Shiplake’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme trips.
Deputy Housemistress: Miss Annabel James
Miss James joined the College as a teacher of Geography and Gilson Deputy Housemistress in September 2021.
Miss James has a strong interest in sport, travel and of course - geography! An outgoing individual who will always be a happy face to come back to in Gilson. A keen netball and hockey player, she contributes to these sports at Shiplake.
Gilson House Pastoral Leader and Duty Staff
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 Housemistress.