I took over North House in January 2010, having been Deputy Housemaster since September 2007 – a role I combined with being Head of Economics and Business Studies . Prior to this, I was Warden of North and Head of Rugby. I starting teaching at Cranleigh in 1998 and, after three very enjoyable years, went to teach at an international school in Hong Kong. However, the allure of Cranleigh proved too strong and I returned in 2004 with my wife, Valerie, who is currently Head of Lower School History. Joining us in Willow Tree (the North Housemaster’s house) is Jack, our rambunctious son, and two Dalmatians who are equally energetic and well known by the boys.
North is a very special community which is built on a foundation of selflessness. All the pupils must be prepared to give to one another and help each other as needed, along with all the people who help to run the house – House Staff, Matrons and Cleaners. This enables pupils to get the most out of the boarding house, ensconcing them within a 100-strong ‘family’ and enabling them to enjoy the holistic education which Cranleigh prides itself on. Furthermore, having taken over from an Australian Housemaster, I am delighted to be heading up the House that is renowned for providing the best hospitality – from House BBQs through to the famed and ever popular Upper Sixth Dinner Party. In the spirit of giving, we also run our annual charity day event and over the last four years have raised over £25,000.
I could not do this job without the support of a fantastic team of Tutors, Matrons and Cleaners, and together we are able to provide the boys with a supportive community that does so much to encourage them and enable them to succeed.
Housemaster - Mr Ed Burnett
Mr Ed Burnett has taken over from Mr John Haynes with effect from January 2010. He was formerly Deputy Housemaster and Head of Economics and Business Studies. His wife teaches History and is a Tutor in South House.
Deputy Housemaster – Mr Rod Jackson is Head of Classics and joined Cranleigh three years ago. Prior to this he was a Housemaster, and his experience and advice have been invaluable to the Tutor team. He is already well known for organising educational trips to Europe and for the dynamic Classics Society. He coaches rugby in the Michaelmas term. His wife is Head of Biology at the School.
Resident Warden and IVth Form Tutor – Mr James Witcombe Mr James Witcombe is Welsh. He teaches Physics, is master in charge of Rugby and coaches the U16A team. He is known for his quick wit and is highly respected by the boys in the House. He is recently married and his wife won a bronze medal playing basketball for England at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
TUTORS
Mr Stephen Artus joined Cranleigh last year and is the Head of Theatre Studies. Prior to this held a similar post at Woodbridge School. A keen actor and director, Stephen’s voice was featured in the last Harry Potter movie!
Mr Tom Barnett teaches Art, specialising in sculpture, in particular firing kilns as performances. He has been in North for three years. He is a gentle giant who takes a really close interest in his tutees.
Mr Frank Hardee teaches Politics and is of Head of Academic Competitions. He joined the staff two years ago year upon completing his PPE degree at Oxford. A keen debater and quizzer, his absolute passions are the Eurovision Song Competition, the Olympics (where he helped in Beijing) and of course Politics: he spent one Michaelmas Long Leave as part of the Obama team in Virginia and this summer won the award for the best judge and coach in the Karl Popper World Debating Campionships in Bosnia.
Dr Ben Tyrrell teaches Chemistry, is Head of Climbing and coaches both girls’ and boys’ hockey teams. He is married and he and his wife have a young son. Ben is known for his very vocal and stringent manner and love of heavy metal music.
Mr Mark Jenkins joined the staff last year as the School’s full-time technician. He completed an English Literature course at Oxford in 2004 and then went to work in professional theatres in London for four years.
Mr David Ardley in 2005 took a break from teaching to set up his own educational consultancy focusing on the delivery of the International Baccalaureate programme as well as advising on the design and build of Art, Design and ICT facilities around the globe and continuing his role as an HMC/ISI inspector. He then moved back to the UK (although Toulouse still remains home!) and joined Stowe as Head of Design before coming to Cranleigh as Design Director in 2009.David is married to a French girl (Laurence), and has two daughters.
Mr Mike Worsley joined Cranleigh for the City and works part-time in the Business Studies Department. He was a professional Rugby player for ten years, playing four Tests for England.
MATRONS
Marion Gallafant joined North as a Matron in 2002. She absolutely loves her job and spoils ‘her boys’ unashamedly. She has six children and is an active member of the Cranleigh Baptist Church, where her love of cooking and organising major functions is put to good use. In the last five years she has spent several weeks in the summer break working in South Africa looking after abandoned babies.
Liz Paterson joined North in 2006. She has two children, both of whom have recently started full-time employment. Before joining North she worked with teenagers for over fifteen years in careers and personal advisory role. She has a degree in English and Women’s Studies and a post-graduate diploma in Careers Education and Guidance. Her spare time is spent walking her dog, gardening and practising yoga.
In 2008-9 there are 86 boarders and 18 day boys. In the first year, as much as possible, boarders and day boys share rooms. The largest room houses four boarders and one day boy. In the LVth the maximum in a room is three, and, for boarders, two. In the UVth all boarders are in rooms of two. In the VIth Form every boy is in his own study. Each year has its own kitchen which they use to supplement the meals in the Dining Hall. Matron’s room is the hub of the House: here they have music, food, drink, sofas and an ever-present person to talk to. In the games room there is a piano, air-hockey table, pool table and table tennis table. The TV room, which is used by all year groups, has a fifty-inch plasma screen and Sky channels. The computer room has nine terminals.
Visitors & Prospectus 
In 2008-9 there are 86 boarders and 18 day boys. In the first year, as much as possible, boarders and day boys share rooms. The largest room houses four boarders and one day boy. In the LVth the maximum in a room is three, and, for boarders, two. In the UVth all boarders are in rooms of two. In the VIth Form every boy is in his own study. Each year has its own kitchen which they use to supplement the meals in the Dining Hall. Matron’s room is the hub of the House: here they have music, food, drink, sofas and an ever-present person to talk to. In the games room there is a piano, air-hockey table, pool table and table tennis table. The TV room, which is used by all year groups, has a fifty-inch plasma screen and Sky channels. The computer room has nine terminals.