Sheriff House, 7 Barby Road, Rugby, CV22 5DU
Tel: +44 (0) 1788 556 180 | Email: sheriff@rugbyschool.net
ABOUT THE HOUSE
Sheriff is home to 56 boys aged between 13 and 18 at Rugby School. A major 18-month programme of renovation and refurbishment has recently been completed, which sensitively preserves the charm and character of this fine 1930’s building, whilst providing the boys with first-class boarding accommodation and facilities. Sheriff sits in beautiful grounds and lies close to the other boarding houses, sports facilities, Science, Art & Design Schools, and the Collingwood Centre. The House is located within a five-minute walk to the town centre or to the countryside.
The ten F Block (Year 9) boys sleep in two dorms with adjacent bathrooms, kit room and library. There are mid-height partitions in the dorms, providing each boy with a good degree of privacy whilst keeping them all together. The F Block boys really enjoy their first year in the dorms, where they learn to live together successfully. The new boys do their prep together in their large study room, which provides a great environment for collaboration and helps with their organisation.
After the first year, the boys have spacious, single study bedrooms, and they have ensuite facilities in their final year. The large central atrium with adjacent outdoor quad provides a perfect hub for the boys to socialise in with their friends. In addition, there are five smaller common rooms, six kitchens, a pool room, tutor room and a music practice room. The boys and staff eat together in the splendid, panelled dining room, and our chefs prepare all meals in Sheriff. The House garden provides a perfect arena for boys of all ages to play together in their free time with their friends.
Housemaster
Maurice Monteith gained a BSc (Hons) in Physiological Sciences at Newcastle University followed by a PGCE at Loughborough University. He joined Rugby School in 2007 as Head of Biology from St Peter’s School in York, where he was also a boarding housemaster. After leading the biology department for several years at Rugby, Maurice was delighted to be appointed as Housemaster of Sheriff.
Outside the classroom, Maurice enjoys coaching rugby football, hockey and cricket. He is involved with the Duke of Edinburgh expedition programme and is the Educational Visits Co-ordinator, overseeing all domestic and overseas School trips.
Maurice lives in Sheriff with his wife, Ellie (Resident Matron), and their three children: Abigail, Bexie and Archie. The Monteiths really enjoy working together and looking after the boys in Sheriff. Away from work, Maurice enjoys a plethora of sports, gardening, cooking and Liverpool Football Club.
Deputy Housemaster
Gauthier Arnoux studied sports science and sports education at undergraduate level at Nancy University (France) and obtained a Master’s degree in Sports Management in Paris. Following a year in England as part of his studies, he developed a deep appreciation for British culture and made the decision to embark on a teaching career in the UK. In 2018, he joined Rugby School and has thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge and passion for French culture through teaching, as well as actively participating in the wider School community, particularly in sports coaching. He has been an Upper School tutor in School Field for five years and truly enjoyed his experience in the role. Gauthier has a natural curiosity and loves trying new things, so he is really excited to be part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In addition to his roles at Rugby School, maintaining an active lifestyle is of utmost importance to him. He is a keen runner and cyclist, always eager to take on new challenges. Gauthier has competed in several Ironman distance triathlons and regularly plays for the 1st team in his local rugby club. Gauthier, his wife Charlène, who is Head of French at Rugby, and their little girl Jeanne, thoroughly enjoy being part of the Sheriff team. They bring their natural enthusiasm, cheerfulness and energy to support the boys’ boarding experience.
Matron
After achieving a degree in Education, Ellie Monteith’s career began at St. Olave’s School in York, the prep school of St. Peter’s, where she had been a boarder. Ellie has taught many subjects up to Year 8, directed plays, accompanied children on many trips, and was a deputy boarding Housemistress. For her last five years in York, Ellie lived in a senior boys’ boarding house, where h Maurice was Housemaster. In 2007, the family moved to Rugby where Ellie taught at Spratton Hall, then for 12 years at the Crescent School.
A new challenge beckoned and Ellie became Resident Matron in Sheriff in 2022 where she now enjoys using her education experience to guide and support the boys through their busy lives. Ellie works alongside Angela, the non-resident Matron, who has notched up nearly 30 years in Sheriff.
Outside School life, Ellie enjoys spending time with Maurice and their family: Abigail, who is currently at Durham University, Bexie, a student at Rugby, and Archie, who is at Bilton Grange. Her other pursuits include reading, cooking, travelling, socialising with friends, and chasing after the bouncy family Labrador, Boomer, who is named after the Chapel bell at Rugby.