About the House
The House began life in 1836 and was named Cotton in 1931 after Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, former Assistant Master of Rugby School, Master of Marlborough College and Bishop of Calcutta. It was requisitioned by the Armed Forces in 1941 and re-opened at the end of the war. A beautiful memorial by Poole Pottery stands over the fire place at the end of the dining room and is a reminder of the House's contribution in the First World War.
Cotton is, according to the boys, undoubtedly the friendliest House in the school and stands in a more residential part of the campus close to the Sports Centre and tennis courts. Originally a Georgian town house, Cotton has undergone several building phases giving it real character. It has a wonderful quad with floodlights and an artificial surface that allows year round games and activities. It is perhaps of the relationships between the boys, which gives us the most pride. There is no sense of hierarchy and everyone mixes amazingly well together.
Cotton boys are asked to consider others in our community, to respect them for their strengths and to help them in their weaknesses. The boys are contributors and people who will relish every challenge thrown at them, whether in the classroom or on the games field. Rugby offers a huge range of activities and the boys in the House are doers rather than spectators. Everyone in this community should feel that they have something to offer and should not be afraid to give of their all in whatever they do. We are very lucky in Cotton to have county sportsmen, academic scholars, grade eight musicians and fine actors. We are also fortunate to have boys who are none of the above but still strive for excellence in their own field.
The Housemaster
The Housemaster Matt Williams was educated at King Edward VI Aston School and then completed his degree and PGCE at two fine northern universities. He joined the Drama Department in 2000, from the Licensed Victuallers School in Berkshire and was Head of Drama from 2003 – 2007, directing many school productions including Shakespeare and Berkoff. Rugby Football and cricket are two of his passions and he coaches the 2nd XV and the 2nd X1 cricket team. He is also Master-in-Charge of clay pigeon shooting and has recently taken up Fives. Matt has been on several overseas sports tours including Australia, Sri Lanka and Japan, and has taken trips to the furthest reaches of the UK. He is now the Educational Visits Co-ordinator and is responsible for the School Calendar.
Before his appointment as Housemaster in 2007 he was Assistant House Master in Sheriff House for five years. During this time he also ran 2AA (2nd Year Alternative Activities) helping to prepare students for Bronze Duke of Edinburgh.
Matt still enjoys the theatre and literature when time allows and has recently completed a Masters Degree in Theatre and Performance. He loves mountain biking, skiing and collecting Rugby Football and theatrical prints and ephemera. He is married to Nicola and they have three young children, Henry, Anna and Joseph.