Types of Place Boys, Boarding, Limited Flexi
Houseparent Paul Calland
Assistant Houseparent John Wilkinson
Under Houseparent Isaac Pearson
Matron Alexandra Gauvain
Following my time as Assistant Houseparent in Grafton, I am genuinely delighted to take on the role of Houseparent. Before joining Stowe, I taught A Level Mathematics at The King’s School, Grantham, was a Houseparent at Welbeck College, and served as Head of Rugby at Loughborough Grammar School -experiences which have shaped both my pastoral approach and my belief in the importance of a strong House community.
At the heart of my role is a commitment to nurturing confidence, character and a true sense of belonging. I believe a House should feel like a home, where every pupil is known, supported and encouraged to thrive. I see the role of Houseparent as one of careful stewardship - honouring the traditions and strengths of Grafton while working with pupils and Staff to shape its future with energy and ambition.
I am very much looking forward to living in Grafton with my wife, Charley (Teacher of Business & Sports Science and Head of Netball at Stowe), and our two sons, Daniel and Dylan, and to playing a full part in House life, helping to shape the boys into confident, well-rounded and impactful young men.
The House ethos is represented memorably by the House crest: the name ‘Grafton’ appears between two Latin phrases, virtus and integritas. Integrity - doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching - is at the core of Grafton’s spirit: the boys take pride in their efforts, and they thrive by displaying and receiving respect.
The Grafton crest also features the three-petaled fleur-de-lis, which is a visual reminder to the boys of the House’s informing values: Humanity, Humility, and Humour.
Established in 1926 and named after the Grafton Hunt (which, in turn, took its name from the Duke of Grafton), Grafton House has enjoyed nearly a century of successes.
Displaying excellence equally on sporting pitches (the roster of Graftonian athletes includes Bernard Gadney, Ben Duckett and Henry Pollock) and dramatic stages (David Niven and Henry Cavill both called Grafton home), the House takes well-earned pride in its history, but it blends a respect for tradition with a progressive, inclusive vision that encourages each Graftonian to think imaginatively, reflectively, and creatively on every endeavour he encounters.
"Grafton is not just a place where I study and sleep; it is a special community, a brotherhood, where I have created lifelong bonds and have thrived with the support of the amazing House team.
The word that best describes Grafton is ‘integritas’, meaning as a whole House we strive for integrity in everything we do."