I am delighted to be Housemistress of the new Blake House for day and boarding girls in Years 7 and 8. Previously, I have taught at Ipswich High School for Girls and also at Holmwood House in Colchester, before joing the Royal Hospital School as Housemistress of Hood House and teacher of English. I have two girls of my own; Olivia in Year 9 and Anna in Year 12. My Deputy, Helen Evans, joined the School in 2001 having previously run a girls' boarding house in Dorset. Her other role is Head of Curriculum Support, which gives one to one lessons to pupils with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. 

Blake House has been specifically created to aid the transition from a primary education to secondary. By providing dedicated pastoral care, tailored academic guidance and a comfortable, friendly environment for our younger pupils, the transition to the senior part of the School at Year 9 becomes an easy process.

Our resident matron, Lou Pearson, is hugely important in the girl's lives and their personal Tutors mentor academic progress, extra curricular activity and social development .

Both day and boarding pupils have timetabled prep sessions and day pupils are encouraged stay in School until 6pm, when they can make the most of all the extra curricular activities available. For the boarders, there is full programme of evening and weekend activities and entertainment, and day pupils are offered the opportunity to "try out" boarding on an ad hoc basis in the flexi boarding room.

It is our aim to ensure that Junior pupils learn to develop a hunger and motivation for learning. We teach them values for later life, instil confidence and assist their personal development outside of the classroom. This is a unique period in a child’s school life and we place great importance on the foundations laid at this time.

I look forward to welcoming you to Blake House.

Joanna Hewitt, Housemistress

Contact + 44 (0) 1473 326239

blake@royalhospitalschool.org