Evans House

Evans House
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh
LA10 5BT
Tel: +44 (0)1539 244027
Tel: +44 (0)1539 244031

Housemaster: Mr Chris Swainson (hsmevans@sedberghschool.org)

Deputy Housemaster: Mr O N M Barnes

Assistant Housemistress: Mrs A Jackson

Resident House Tutor: Mr M Morgan

House Tutors: Mr A Worgan, Mr I Lewis, Mr R Wells, Mr M Morgan, Ms K Heppenstall, Mr J Annett and Mrs S Pittman

Emblem: The Wasp

Colours: Yellow

Evans 2
Evans 1

EVANS HOUSE - BRIEF HISTORY

Evans is the oldest boarding house at Sedbergh School. It became the residence of the Headmaster in 1784 and as the school grew, became a boarding house in 1878. Refurbishments have greatly enhanced the accommodation over the years but the fundamental structure and character of the House remain the same, as does the House emblem – a wasp – and its associated colour, yellow. The list of distinguished Old Evanians includes Brigadier Jock Campbell, who won the Military Cross in the First World War and the Victoria Cross at the battle of Sidi Rezegh in the Second, and Frederick Guthrie Tait, twice winner of the Amateur Golf Championship, killed in the Boer War in 1900. There is a strong connection to William Wordsworth, whose sons were in the House. Herbert Capstick, the only Jamaican to serve with the RAF in the Battle of Britain, was an Old Evanian, as was John Spencer, former England and Lions rugby captain. Other more recent Old Evanians of note include James Wilby, Will Greenwood and Adam Rickitt.

HOUSEMASTER AND FAMILY

Chris Swainson has been Housemaster of Evans House since September 2021. Chris first joined Sedbergh in 2013, a year after graduating from Durham University with a degree in Natural Sciences (Physics and Mathematics). He joined Powell House as a resident tutor for three years before becoming Deputy Housemaster and later Head of Year 10 in 2018, at which point he became a tutor in Hart House.

In 2019, Chris took up a position at Epsom College and in 2020 was appointed as Head of Lower Fourth (Year 8). During this time, he contributed significantly to the Physics department and led their Sixth Form extension and Oxbridge preparation programme. He has a passion for Teaching and Learning with a particular focus on the applications of cognitive science and evidence-based approaches in the classroom.

Chris currently coaches Bigside rugby, leading the 1st and 2nd XV forwards and has previously coached Colts B, who he led to a National Schools’ Cup win in 2016. In the summer term he coaches cricket, most recently the junior girls. Whenever possible, he contributes to the musical life of the School, playing in ensembles and for musical productions. He lists some of his Sedbergh highlights as the production of Les Miserables, Wilson Run days, rugby tours to South Africa, New Zealand and Hong Kong, the Battlefields trip, and Westmorland League cricket with the 3rd XI.

Chris and his wife Eleanor returned to Sedbergh in the summer of 2021. Eleanor also graduated from Durham University where she read Theology before qualifying as a solicitor. They have two young children, Theadora and Hugo.

ETHOS AND VISION

  • Evans aspires to be a committed and caring community
  • Evanians commit wholeheartedly to the Sedbergh experience and embrace the many and varied opportunities available to them
  • Evanians commit to holding themselves to high standards in all areas of Sedbergh life and acknowledge that effort and behaviour are the foundations for success
  • Evanians are kind, caring, and are supportive of each other