Harrow: A Very British School

It's the start of another year at the elite public college Harrow School, and the tranquility of West Acre boarding house is about to be shattered by the arrival of 66 inhabitants. Martin Smith's job is to help the freshman "shells" adapt to the demands of a busy new regime and he must use all his skills honed over 33 years at the school to help them overcome homesickness.

The boys of West Acre boarding house endlessly compete against the school's eleven other houses to prove that their house is the best. But the biggest and most prestigious inter-house competition of the year is the "Glees and Twelves," an acapella singing contest held in front of the whole school. Daniel is confident in his victory-that is, until disaster strikes on the day of the competition.

As the head of music, Mr. Woodcock begins to interview the next influx of prospective music scholars. Shrai is busy directing his fellow West Acreans. He refuses to accept second best and in the process makes himself the most unpopular boy in the house. Has he bitten off more than he can chew?

As the term draws to a close, the shells must initiate the school's Christmas traditions, serving the older boys at dinner, accepting the festive punishment of Christmas Double and undergoing the dreaded seasonal ordeal of the new boy's solo.

This term, music scholar Henry is responsible for organizing West Acre's entry in the annual inter-house orchestral competition. With West Acre's reputation as the most musical house of the hill at stake, and confidence in his leadership wavering, can Henry bring home a trophy for West Acre?

West Acre House is about to be put to the test again. This time, the inhabitants will be marching in the inter-house army drill competition. Unfortunately, this is not an event the house has traditionally excelled in! Hugh's West Acre drill conscripts are struggling to march in step. If Hugh can't raise their game, West Acre's house pride could really be in the firing line.

Speech Day culminates with the finals of the inter-house relay races, and with national sprint superstar Joel on their team, West Acre is hoping for a happy ending to the term. But disaster strikes when Joel breaks his collarbone playing rugby for England's under-seventeens. Will he be fit in time to bring longed-for athletic glory to West Acre?

It's midway through the summer term, a sad time for everyone in the house as housemaster Martin Smith prepares to retire. The term comes to an emotional end with the traditional house songs and the Upper Sixth bid farewell to Harrow. As the school year ends, it's clear that nothing at West Acre will ever be the same again.