I work at Hogwarts...

But seriously, I think I do.

I recently finished reading all 7 Harry Potter books for the first time and am watching the movies for the first time as well (I only have Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 left).  I figured since I was living in England, I really had no excuse to postpone reading these beloved books.

Little did I know, how familiar these books would feel after living here for 6 months.  I understood the language (it's harder than it sounds), I knew the places, and I understood the school system (OWLs and NEWTs are the real deal friends).

I've had these books floating around my head for a few weeks now and today it hit me.

BAM!

I work at Hogwarts, minus the wizardry.  Here's my list of similarities between St. Swithun's and Hogwarts.

1.  Both schools have 4 boarding houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin - Hyde Abbey, High House, Earlsdown, Hillcroft. (Editor's note: There is a L4 house and U6 house as well but only because not all the students would fit in the 4 senior houses)

High House on left - Main School on right

2. Each house has a reputation and color.  We have a sporty house, creative house, social house, and well, I don't know how to describe the last house. Colors are red, green, blue, and white (i think).

3.  The students are sorted into houses.  While we don't have a sorting hat (I WISH), the L4 girls are sorted into senior houses based on friendship groups, openings, and requests from parents.  Depending on the number of L4s they are sorted into 2-4 of the senior houses.

4. The House Cup. Hogwarts has Quidditch, and Swithun's has so many house competitions.  Recently, we had a House Swimming Gala where the 4 day houses and 4 boarding houses competed in 16 races. (8 events with a Jr. and Sr. division for each). Houses have also competed in Drama, Rounders (kind of baseball), Tennis, Lacrosse, Netball (kind of basketball), and Debate.

girls playing LAX on a weekend

5. Hermione. We do actually have a student named Hermione.  But also great names like: Kitty, Clemmie, Tattie, Izzy, Livi, Jazz, Astrid, and Honor, The girls here, like Hermione Granger, pride themselves on their academic success.  A* (read A-star) is the grade to get here.  B's are seldom and C's are even more rare.

             Note: The grading system here is VERY different to the American system. The system is as                           follows:

                                   90-100      Pretty much unheard of
                                   80-89        A* (with 85-89 being VERY rare. A* means university level work)
                                   70-79        A
                                   60-69        B
                                   50-59        C
                                   40-49        D
                                   Below 40  F

6. OWLs and NEWTs. They aren't actually called Owls and Newts but it's the same idea.  At the end of Year 11 (10th grade), the girls take GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education).  They have been studying 8-10 subjects for 3 years in school and this test serves as a diploma basically.  If they pass they can choose to go on to college (11th and 12th grade) or they can join the army, start a trade, etc.  College is where they take 3 or 4 subjects more in depth, called A-levels (Advanced levels, I think).  A-levels are the equivalent of our First Year of University. 

At the end of 6th form, the girls can apply to no more than 5 universities.  All universities are on the same online application system.  A student may apply to Oxford OR Cambridge, but not both.  Then they wait.  A university then sends out offers to students.  Acceptance into the University is solely based on their A-level test results.  

                              ie: Aline gets an offer from Cambridge of 2 A* and 1 A.  Aline gets an offer from                                        Loughbrough (pronounced Luffbruh) for 2 As 1 B.   Aline scores 1 A* and 2 As.                                  Aline will not be accepted into Cambridge, but could attend Loughbrough.

7. Dumbledore. Okay, so our headmistress doesn't have a beard or a wand. But, she is in charge of all 550 girls at school here. She hires staff, accepts students, gives assemblies, and many other duties during the day.  Dumbledore's trademark is his beard, Jane Gandee's trademark is a dress and heels. Everyday.

8. Visits to town. Hogwarts students took day trips to Hogsmeade, the wizarding town nearby. Girls at Swithun's are allowed to walk or take a taxi/bus into town on weekends.  There is a school mini-bus (16 passenger van) Monday-Thursday that will take students into town for an hour, but many older girls like to walk into town on weekends with friends to go shopping, eat McDonald's, and meet their Win Coll (Winchester College) boy-friends.  There is also a weekly TESCO shop on Friday evenings for boarders so they can stock up on junk food and other necessities.

That's all I can think of for now, but there is probably more.  I will update if I think of more.

Hope you enjoyed finding out a little more about St. Swithun's!

~Lina