01473 326246
nelson@royalhospitalschool.org

Housemaster Mr JF Pooley
Housemistress Mrs AM Pooley
House Matron Mrs C Clark
Resident Assistant Mr D Herbert
 

In their final year of Sixth Form, both boys and girls, boarders and day pupils, are accommodated in Nelson House, where pupils are encouraged to be more independent, with the aim of preparing them for life beyond school. One wing of the house is for girls and the other for boys, with central common room areas, kitchens, laundry room and quiet study rooms for day pupils.

From the Housemaster and Housemistress...

In the final year of Sixth Form at RHS pupils move to Nelson House which brings together boys and girls, boarders and day pupils, under one roof enabling them to work towards their A levels in a purposeful environment.

We have had a long association with RHS with all three of our children; Richard, Lucy and Ben, passing through the school as pupils in Collingwood, Hood and Nelson from 2005 - 2012. Prior to being in Nelson, Jonathan was Housemaster of Collingwood for 10 years and Annette worked at Ipswich High School for Girls for 8 years. We have been involved in pastoral roles within the independent education sector for the last 25 years; having both taught and run boarding houses at Fyling Hall School, Rannoch School and Rossall School before moving to RHS in 2004. 

In addition to our house roles, we are active in other areas of school life. Jonathan teaches biology and is the CCF Contingent Commander. He enjoys being outdoors; running Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions, the annual school skiing trip and assisting with sailing. Annette teaches English, enjoys the outdoors; walking our two Labradors (Bracken and Barley) and assisting with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

We have a talented resident pastoral assistant tutor in Nelson: Mr Douglas Herbert and his family. Mr Herbert joined Nelson in 2019 after 22 years in the ARMY finishing as the SMI PTI with 16 Air Assault Brigade at the rank of WO1. He teaches sport/physical education, coaches marathon kayaking and is also active in the CCF. Mrs Herbert works in the school Information Services department and is a guru on mobile devices. Their son Euan is in Y12 at RHS. The other invariable the first point of contact during the school day is Matron, Mrs Collen Clark, who has been at RHS for 17 years, first in Collingwood House and latterly Nelson. Her daughter Emily went through RHS and her bother is also an alumni from the 1980s.

In addition to our house roles, we are active in other areas of school life. Jonathan teaches biology and is Second in Command of the CCF Contingent. He enjoys being outdoors; running Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions, the annual school skiing trip and assisting with sailing. Annette teaches English, enjoys the outdoors; walking our two Labradors (Bracken and Barley) and assisting with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

We have two talented resident assistant tutors in Nelson: Miss Liz Polson and Mr Joe Battman. Miss Polson is an old girl from RHS and now teaches Business Studies and coaches kayaking. She spent the intervening years serving as an Officer the Army, retiring at the rank of Captain. Mr Battman has been at RHS for 5 years and is maths and physics teacher and hockey coach. Two people who are invariable the first point of contact during the school day are our Matron, Mrs Sue Cousins, and Assistant Matron, Miss Lucie Jeans.

In Nelson the prime aim is to ensure that our pupils are in the strongest position for life after RHS. To this end a sound portfolio of academic qualifications are essential. Pupils are strongly encouraged to make the most of the opportunity to consolidate their learning, and through rigour in their studies, attain the very best recognition of their academic ability in the public examination process. They are supported in this by a knowledgeable and dedicated support team of Sixth Form tutors, some of who attend the House each weekday evening and for social functions throughout the year.

However personal development is not restricted to the classroom. All pupils in Nelson take on a leadership role in the wider school; this is not just a role left to the prefects. Whether it is in personal appearance and conduct, competing on the sports field, performing in music or arts, engaging in clubs and societies or application in academic studies; all Nelson pupils can contribute to leaving a worthy legacy in the younger year groups and enhancing the school ethos.

The coming together of individuals from the nine senior houses is a great opportunity to establish new friendships and learn how to live and work with one another. Part of this is achieved through holding a variety of exclusive social events; both formal and informal throughout the year. At the end of their time in Nelson, our pupils leave us as well rounded and grounded individuals ready to expand their horizons; engage in the wider world and make a positive contribution as a global citizen.

The Pooleys
Housemaster and Housemistress