Our four houses are at the heart of what we do and every pupil at Nova is part of the house system. On entry into Year 7, each pupil is placed into one of our four mixed year group houses and into a mixed year group house tutor group. They become part of the house family and the tie that they wear shows which house they belong to.
Each morning, pupils join their tutor group for roll call and registration and then for a 25-minute tutor session or an assembly. Each tutor group has approximately 25 pupils, with about seven pupils from each of Years 7–10.
We believe that vertical tutoring promotes individual responsibility, enhances students’ confidence and encourages an environment of collaboration and teamwork. Our vertical tutoring system allows students to work together to develop tolerance, trust and empathy. Younger students are helped, guided and inspired by older students. Older students develop important leadership and social skills and school bullying is significantly reduced.
Support and guidance for students
Tutor groups are led by a Head of House and a team of tutors who work with parents and carers. They monitor progress, provide personal support, encourage high achievement and challenge underachievement. There is also a House Manager for each house who works with parents and carers when there are concerns about behaviour or attendance.
Our Houses
The house system is an important aspect of our pastoral care. We have chosen the names of our houses to link with the name of our school – Nova Hreod. A ‘Nova’ is an explosion of a star in space so bright that it can outshine an entire galaxy. Our four houses are named after constellations and were chosen by our pupils in May 2018.
We firmly believe that the sense of identity and belonging created through the house system allows all students and staff to play their part in making us an exceptional school.
Roll call
Roll call is an important part of our school day and takes place at 8.20am. Students line up in their tutor groups and this is where tutors take the registers, check uniform and check equipment. Roll call is an opportunity for all our students to start their day as part of their community and strengthens this belonging and sense of community for our students. It also provides our students with personal contact with their Head of House and the whole tutor team whilst also allowing us to share any messages to students for the day and week ahead.
Target setting and mentoring
The data and target setting work completed allows students to see and reflect on their previous week, including their DISC points, attendance and how well they have achieved their targets before setting targets for the coming week. Tutors support their tutor group with this work, encourage students to set highly effective targets to help them improve.
The World Around Us
The World Around Us programme contains a weekly discussion session based around the news and current affairs and the chance for students to share their opinions with their tutor group and even with the rest of the school via our big screens.
Assemblies
At Nova we have two different types of assembly. The first is a themed assembly delivered by Senior Leaders which aligns with the World Around Us programme followed in tutor time, providing students with an opportunity to think and reflect about the wider world and gain an awareness of British Fundamental values. These assemblies also reinforce the schools DISC values of Drive, Integrity, Scholarship and Community.
The second is a House assembly where their Head of House reinforces the House vision, celebrates achievements of the students of the House and prepares them for upcoming competitions within the House championship.
House Championship and Competitions
The use of rewards and competition underpins the Nova Hreod Academy House system. It is our firm belief that through competition and reward at every level our students will strive to succeed and will reach their full potential.
The House championship is run throughout the academic year and is an opportunity for the four houses to compete against one another for House Championship points. The House with the highest number of points at the end of the academic year wins the championship and receives its name on the House Championship trophy.
Over the academic year we hold four key competitions in which the houses compete against one another for the right to be the best House in that competition and to earn 1000 House Championship points.
- Times Table Challenge
- University Challenge
- Countdown
- Sports Day
House championship points can also be earned in our weekly Friday competitions, where the winning house receives 250 points, and in the Nova Hreod Attendance League Table, where the tutor group with the highest attendance each week earns 100 house championship points and a prize.
House Championship points can also be earned as DISC points. DISC points are given to our students for their achievements in their daily school life. For example, working hard in lessons, 
completing their homework, attending school 100% of the time, participating in our Super Nova enrichment programme, representing the school, being involved in House competitions, student leadership and doing well in their assessments can all earn DISC points.