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House System

          

The Cottingham Constellations: Our New House System

Cottingham High School has a long and proud history, stretching back to its beginnings in the 1950s. In those early years, our school wasn’t just new buildings on a former Georgian estate. It wasn’t just classrooms built on land once used as farmland, barracks, gardens or even medieval hunting grounds! It was the start of something bold: a comprehensive community school with its own traditions, identity and spirit.

One of the earliest traditions in our school was its house system. Every student was part of a house, and through the house structure, students competed, celebrated, and built friendships across year groups.

And those early houses had something special about them: they were named after constellations.  For almost 20 years, students at Cottingham Secondary School belonged to houses inspired by the night sky. This wasn’t accidental. Constellations symbolised: the idea that every student could look up and aim higher than they thought possible.  As the school evolved — new buildings, new structures, new leaderships — that original constellation system faded. But the spirit of ambition, pride, and respect continued to shape the school.

As we celebrate the school’s 70th academic year, we are proud to restore this original idea for a new generation of Cottingham students — not by recreating the past, but by reimagining it for today.  Our new house system brings back the constellation theme, honouring where we came from while inspiring where we are going.

Each constellation has been chosen because it reflects our three core values: AMBITION, PRIDE AND RESPECT.

Just like the students who walked these corridors in the 1950s, you are now part of a house whose symbol comes from the sky.

The Four Constellation Houses

Cygnus (Swan) 

Cygnus travels long distances across the sky, symbolising determination and graceful ambition. Once seen as the Northern Cross, it is one of the most recognisable constellations — a sign of dignity, identity and unity. Cygnus teaches that we move further when we move together.

 

 

 

Ursa (Bear) 

A circumpolar constellation, always visible in the night sky, Ursa symbolises perseverance and steady aspiration. For centuries, Ursa Major has helped travellers navigate using the North Star. It represents responsibility, reliability and leading by example.

 

 

 

Lupus (Wolf) 

Lupus symbolises strategic ambition – working together, planning carefully, striving as a team. Wolves are symbols of belonging and pride in a community. Lupus teaches loyalty, fairness and mutual respect.

 

 

 

 

Pegasus (Winged Horse) 

Pegasus represents imagination and the courage to strive beyond boundaries. A striking constellation, Pegasus stands for creative ambition – rising above limitations and daring to dream. It represents quiet confidence and respectful strength.

 

 

 

Why Constellations? Why Now?

Our new house system:

  • Honours 70 years of school history, reigniting a tradition from the school’s earliest days.

  • Connects today’s students with the generations who came before.

  • Strengthens belonging across year groups.

  • Supports our values of Ambition, Pride & Respect.

  • Gives every student a community, an identity and a team to be proud of.

These constellations connect the past, present and future of Cottingham High School.

 

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