The Combermere
The Combermere
The HM
Charlotte Hayes joined Wellington and the Combermere in September 2024 from The King’s School, Canterbury. Charlotte arrived at King’s in 2009, fresh from a degree in Theology at the University of Cambridge. She is a Religious Studies and Philosophy teacher, and was a tutor in a boys’ house for a few years, before she became a deputy housemistress in a girls’ house for one year and then opened a new 13-18 girls’ boarding house in 2015 as its first housemistress.
At King’s Charlotte coached netball and lacrosse, though she would never describe herself as a talented sportswoman and was the coordinator of the whole-school student DEI programme. She is married to Stewart, who joins Wellington with her as a Chemistry teacher, and together they have Tommy (7) and Hector (3). In what little spare time she has, Charlotte likes to cook and to travel with her family. She and Stewart have also recently renovated a house in her native Lancashire and she is a proud northerner.
As an experienced HM already, Charlotte has a clear vision for what a good boarding experience should be like; she hopes that all of the girls in the Combermere will feel cared for, respected and supported and will nurture the strong sense of identity and community that exists in the house to ensure that they all feel a keen sense of belonging, which allows them to thrive.
The House
The Combermere is the only in-College boarding house for girls – being situated in a central position it has easy access to the library, dining-hall, music school and all social areas of the college. With mezzanine rooms, a private garden and a light, spacious kitchen, the Combermere has established itself as a relaxing sanctuary created by the friendliness of both the staff and the pupils. The central common room is a focal point of the house and facilitates the natural integration between the years along with creating the warm, hard-working and fun environment under which all the girls flourish. In addition to its unique location, the house is recognised for its fun, energetic and friendly atmosphere. Combermere girls throw themselves wholeheartedly into all aspects of college life and are equally enthusiastic about their House. They are hardworking, kind and loyal to each other forming very strong bonds and happy memories during their time here.
