Ridley House

Ridley House is named after the School’s Founder, Nicholas Ridley. Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, knew that education can transform lives and that today’s children are tomorrow’s future. In 1553 Ridley persuaded the boy King, Edward VI, to hand over Bridewell Palace to house, care and educate the under-privileged and destitute. This vision lives on today in our full bursary offer, supported by our strong links with the City of London Corporation that continues to contribute to the Bridewell Foundation.

Ridley House is a day boys House from 3rd Form to Lower Sixth Form, ages 13 to 17.

Ridley is the host of the School’s Tea Club. Initiated by a past Ridley Head boy several years ago, The Tea Club has been a fixture in Ridley House on Tuesday afternoons for several years. The idea of the Tea Club was to introduce more people to the wonderful world of tea drinking and provide a place for pupils to unwind. It has been shaped by the people who are present. The Tea Club goes out of its way to find new teas such as ‘Tibetan butter tea’, Bubble tea’, and ‘Cheese tea’. Jacob, the founder said, “I cannot say that I would ever have

some of these teas again, but I am certainly glad I tried them. While drinking our tea the chat can range from deep, serious discussions, social and environmental issues through to a variety of lighter topics and much laughter.”

Housemistress Mrs Ting

Miss Condy joined King Edward’s in 2016 as Religious Studies & Philosophy teacher and extended her responsibilities to Housemistress in September 2017. Originally from Northern Ireland, Mrs Ting has lived and worked in several countries, a great benefit with the international, cultural and religious mix of boys living in Ridley. She is a level 4 accredited boarding practitioner and teaches for the Boarding School Association. “I believe that there are (at least!) three strands to pastoral care. Best (1995) said that “Reactive pastoral care—response and support for personal problems, guidance, support, counselling. Preventative pastoral care—anticipating pupils’ needs and critical incidents, providing coping strategies. Developmental pastoral care—contributes to the personal and social lives and enhances the quality of their lives.” We are pupil centered and seek for our pupils to thrive in their time here at KESW. The House should be their safe space. We are their champions by supporting them in each endeavor and making sure that they know they have people to talk to. We very much take the relational approach.

I personally like the approach advocated by Andrea Blair of CARE—Be curious, approachable, refer everything and show empathy. Part of the trick is to appear not busy whilst on duty. Actually be available.

The boys in the past have said that they don’t talk about things because everyone has their own problems, so they feel guilty bothering them. Eye-opening! We want to do all we can to counteract this mentality and provide our pupils with the tools to face adult life.”

PRMA – Positive Ridley Mental Attitude

Ridley’s House’s Pastoral Team

Housemistress:  Mrs Ting

Matron: Mr Zafar

Resident Tutor: Mr Haywood