Ampleforth College

St. Edward’s & St. Wilfrid’s House is an all-age [13-18] boys’ house situated on the northern side of the school campus. Purpose built as a boys’ house, it was opened ten years ago.

The House celebrates two patrons.   St. Edward (d.1066) was king of England, a layman who was caring, wise and generous.   He was a great benefactor to Westminster Abbey from which comes the Ampleforth Community.    St. Wilfrid (d. 709) was a monk of Ripon and Archbishop of York noted for his apostolic zeal, courage and loyalty.

The House currently has 63 boys. The first year sleep in small dormitories of five, the next two years in double rooms, and the sixth form in single en-suite rooms.

The aim in the House is to provide a happy, caring, stimulating environment where every individual feels respected and valued. The principles in the House are based on strong Christian, spiritual, community and family values. For any community to truly thrive there must be an ethos of mutual trust and respect. St. Edward’s & St. Wilfrid’s is a community where it is hoped everyone in it will pull together to achieve common goals and play a role in developing and nurturing the self esteem, confidence, morale and abilities of every person in it. The breadth of talent in the House is as vast as it is diverse and it is the responsibility of each student to support the House ethos and play a key role in enriching the lives of people in the St. Edward’s & St. Wilfrid’s House community.

Mr. Smerdon is the current Housemaster. He is married to Maria and they have three children.  With previous teaching experience at both co-educational and single sex schools, he came to Ampleforth in 2007 and now teaches geography.