House assembly ideas: activities, leaders and a simple agenda
A house assembly is a chance for a house to meet as a group, not just to hear notices. It works best when pupils have something to do and a say in how it runs. Here are ideas from schools and teaching sources, and a simple way to structure one.
Tie the session to a value
Give each assembly a theme. At Micklefield School, the spring term's house assemblies focused on the school's value of the term, responsibility. Each house worked in small groups on a different activity:
- Cranston completed jigsaw puzzles that revealed different ways to show responsibility.
- Fonteyn wrote New Year's resolutions on the theme.
- Somers and Waterlow each built a Responsibility Wall of examples and pledges, including a pledge to pack their own school bag.
Using the same theme with different activities keeps the session varied and still connected to the school's values.
Let pupils lead
LiveSchool's post on house meetings suggests letting students run the meeting while staff take a back seat. In mixed-grade houses, older students can be house leaders, or the house can vote on who the leaders are. LiveSchool sells a house points platform, so read its post as one vendor's view.
At IES Östersund, the Head of House opened the first house assembly of the year by presenting the house leaders and house captains to pupils in Years 4 to 9. The school describes the assemblies as a way to build house spirit and a sense of community between students and staff. The house captain guide covers how schools choose and support captains.
Start with an ice breaker
LiveSchool suggests ice breakers such as Get-to-Know-You Bingo, 2 Truths and a Lie, and Would You Rather. They help pupils from different year groups talk to each other before the main activity.
Use a simple agenda
LiveSchool's sample agenda has three 10-minute blocks: an ice breaker, a discussion, and action items. The discussion can cover the current standings, a food drive, or new ways to earn points. Action items can include creating a house motto, voting on leaders, or brainstorming competitions. The post says to change the times to fit the time you have.
A ready-made option exists too: a paid editable house assembly slide deck on TES (£3.00 when checked) runs for about 25 to 30 minutes and suits weekly or half-termly assemblies. Its listing gives no detail on the activities, so check the preview before you buy.
Decide how often
LiveSchool suggests weekly, every two weeks or monthly, and says the key is to keep a regular schedule and follow through on it. The TES slide deck suggests weekly or half-termly. Choose a rhythm your timetable can support all year, because a missed meeting costs more than a short one.
Celebrate successes
LiveSchool suggests reviewing the point categories and celebrating where the house is strong, with house awards such as a top point earner. The TES deck's themes include celebrating effort, kindness and contribution. Use the assembly to show the standings and recognise effort. The house points ideas article has ways to show totals and set milestones.
Ask pupils what they want
A student columnist at Lakeside School, in a 2020 opinion piece in the school newspaper, argued that house activities felt arbitrary and disconnected, and that schools should poll the student body and let students decide more. It is one student's view, but it points at a simple step: ask pupils which activities they want before you plan the term.
Where this fits
House assemblies are one part of a house system. The inter-house competition guide shows how to plan the year, and the house points rules guide covers keeping score fairly.