Johnsons has been a home to boarders at Sevenoaks School since 1928 when the gift of a family home (formerly known as Thornhill) was made to the school. Originally belonging to Charles Plumptre Johnson, one of the school’s kindest benefactors, it is now home to 60 boys and staff who are very proud of the oak-panelled building that is their own. The boys are aged 13 to 18, and approximately 50% come from outside the United Kingdom, some as far afield as Bermuda, the USA, Russia, Hong Kong and Nigeria, as well as many from Western Europe. With roughly 10 boys in each year group, the atmosphere in the house is homely and caring.

Pastoral Care
Jeremy Wyld took over as Housemaster of Johnsons in 2006. He previously worked as a tutor in the International Centre, as well as in School House and teaches French and Games at the school. He is the Commanding Officer of the Army Section of the CCF and coaches Rugby and Athletics.  Mr Sébastien Coquelin is the Assistant Housemaster. He teaches French and is a keen sportsman. He lives in the Lodge with his family. James Emmitt is the Resident Tutor, and lives in the main house. He is a teacher of PE at the School. Rowan Thompson is a teacher of Design Technology, master in charge of Clubs and Societies and coaches the martial art of Aikido at the school. He has worked as an non-resident Assistant Tutor in Johnsons for several years. There is a full time matron, Diana Jones, who looks after the house and the boys during the school day, as well as a team of domestic staff. All of the staff have the same aim in mind, which is to ensure the House provides a framework within which boys can flourish at school. Boys that are happy and comfortable in the house environment will work more effectively and get the most out of all that the school offers. At Johnsons, the House staff aim to create a caring, homely place where everyone respects each other. Boys are expected to look out for, and look after, each other. All of the tutors are approachable and available to all of the boys, but they can go to any member of the house staff if they wish to discuss things. There are also house officials (the House Captain, Vice Captain and Secretary) who, as senior boys, can also provide informal advice and guidance.

Accommodation
We are lucky to have benefited from a recent refurbishment in the main house, which has left us with very good facilities. Outside the house, there is a tennis court, a football pitch and beautiful gardens, which are all very popular, particularly in the summer months, when the boys can play outside after homework in the evening. We also hold regular barbeques in the summer. Inside the house, we have a TV room with satellite television as well as a games room with PS3 and table tennis and a pool table. Our house library (known as the Quiet Room) is well stocked - many of the books have been given by old boys of the house - and we have the papers delivered daily, along with The Economist. When the boys are hungry, they can use the house kitchen and freezer space is available for purchases from the local supermarkets. Boys all share bedrooms in the Middle School, in rooms of 3 to 5. This helps the boys, in particular the new Year 9s, to integrate with their peers, as well as encouraging them to be organised and to get into good habits. In the Sixth Form many of the boys share twin rooms, although some of the Upper Sixth have single bedrooms. There are showers on two floors of the house. The Middle School boys use the ones downstairs and the Sixth form showers are on the top floor.

Annual House Events
Johnsons boys are very proactive in organising events for both boarders and day pupils. Many of these are intended to raise money for charity, for example the annual Ball, which we organise with Park Grange, one of the girls’ houses. There is a fancy dress theme, for example The Ancient World or The Wild West. We also have concerts organised, including a Band Night where students from across the community can contribute to an evening of musical entertainment. Jazz Nights are held outside in the warmer summer months, and we also have regular dinner parties. Informal events are also held at weekends – for example Pizza Evenings for boarders who are in on Saturday evening, regular trips to Rugby matches at Saracens, mountain biking and many others.