House History

The names of the Houses at Glyn School are all based on the history, or nearby locations, of Epsom. It is important for the school to be linked to the local area and with its history, and the House system creates, grows and nurtures this relationship.

The Victor Ludorum Cup is the coveted House trophy, awarded at the end of each academic year to the House with the most points. It was donated to the House system by the Old Boys association in 1965 and has been used ever since. Before the trophy, there was no overall winner, however each House took pride in beating others in the events (the biggest of which were Football and Cricket). Winning the trophy garners great respect from the other Houses and shows off continued academic and sporting excellence throughout the year. 
 

Abbey

Abbey (along with St Benet) were the two original houses when the school was first established in 1927.

Abbey takes its name from Chertsey Abbey, which is shown as owning the Manor of Epsom in the Domesday book. Chertsey Abbey also gives Abbey House its crest showing the twin keys crossed with a sword. In the first years of the school, competition between Abbey and St Benet was fierce, but Abbey were seemingly more successful, and took full advantage of two new Houses joining in 1928. It was reported in 1929 that the Abbey Form VI football team hammered Tudor 32-0!

Abbey won their first of five Victor Ludorum Cups in 1966/67 but their last win was in 2001/02!

Bourne

Bourne is one of the newer Houses formed in the early 2000s.

It takes its name from the local landmark in the centre of Ewell Village, Bourne Hall. The Bourne Hall site has been named such since 1926 and therefore has a close link to Glyn School. The Bourne crest comes from the large dog statue on top of the gates into Bourne Hall. The gates themselves date from the previous structure and owners of Bourne Hall.

Since its formation in the early 2000s, Bourne have won the Victor Ludorum Cup twice, in the years 2016/17 and 2017/18. 

Carew

Carew was formed just after Tudor in 1929 when numbers at the school expanded again and the need for a fourth house arose.

Carew takes its name from the Carew family, who were gifted the land around Epsom by King Henry VIII after the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries'. Carew showed early signs of sporting success by winning the 1932 House Football Championship and then winning it a second time in 1933 by not losing a match. 

Carew are one of the most successful Houses having won the Victor Ludorum Cup a record 12 times, including five in a row between 1983/84 and 1987/88 - surely this is a record that cannot be broken? Carew last won the cup in 2020/21.

Derby

Derby Was formed in 1979, again when the school had expanded with more buildings, staff and students, meaning a fifth house was very much required.

Derby takes its name from the famous summer Horse race at Epsom Downs, which in itself is named after the Derby family who arrived in Epsom in the mid 18th Century when the twelfth Earl of Derby bought ‘The Oaks’, a large country house on the outskirts of Epsom. The Derby family was known for building race courses and made Epsom Downs famous for horse racing, with the annual ‘Derby Day’ becoming an important date in the horse racing and social calenders!

Derby have won the Victor Ludorum Cup ten times, with a hat-trick of victories between 2003/04 - 2005/06. Derby last won the trophy in 2014/15. 

Merton

Merton was the sixth House formed at Glyn School. The school had once again expanded beyond its size and so required a new house in 1992 - and thus Merton was formed.

Merton takes it famous name from the London Borough where many students and staff travel from everyday. Merton as a place name can be traced back to the 7th century, with Merton Priory being established on the grounds of Nonsuch Park around 1117. Truly a rich history for a Glyn School House!

Merton is one of the more recently successful Houses having won the Victor Ludorum Cup seven times since 2006, with two of those being 2018/19 and 2019/20 and the most recent 2021-2022.

Oaks

Oaks are the youngest of the eight houses, being formed in the late 2000s. Although this has not stopped them from trying their very best at every House event.

Oaks takes its name from another famous race held at Epsom Downs. ‘The Oaks’ race is usually run the day before the Derby and itself is named after Oaks Park - another local landmark close to the school that many students and staff recognise.

Oaks are yet to win the cup, but have come close numerous times. Perhaps now is their time?

St Benet

St Benet, along with Abbey are the oldest Houses, both being formed at the creation of the school in 1927. In the formative years of the school, competition between the two Houses was serious, with the House Football and House Cricket championships being the most highly sought over.

St Benet takes its name from the St Benedictine monks that were resident at Chertsey Abbey. The St Benedictine order of monks was originally founded around 666 and eventually became one of the largest orders of monks in England. The original St Benet crest had a Latin inscription on the book translating roughly to “I listen to the rules of my teachers”! 

St Benet House, being one of the oldest Houses at Glyn have won the Victor Ludorum Cup eleven times, with a hat-trick of trophies from 1977/78 to 1979/80. Prior to winning in 2022/23, they had last won the trophy in 2000/01 - a twenty-two year wait!

Tudor

Tudor was formed in 1928 in the second year of the school when more boys arrived. It is Glyn’s third oldest house and therefore has a rich and varied history of successes.

Tudor takes it's name and it’s crest from the Royal House of Tudor, which belonged to monarchs such as Henry VII, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I - a truly royal link to Glyn school. The local link with the Tudor dynasty is that Henry VIII took the land of Chertsey Abbey during the reformation and handed it to his loyal subjects. 

Although the early years were tough, Tudor House soon became one of the strongest houses, winning the Victor Ludorum Cup eleven times (just one behind Carew!), including a hat-trick of wins from 1971/72 - 1973/74. Tudor last win the trophy in 2009/10 which is a long wait for such a prestigious House.