operated for more than 100 years until recent changes that reduced their number from six to four. In 2020, the houses were further changed to better reflect the diversity within the school. The House Masters are all senior staff. Heads of House and House Prefects are elected annually. House artefacts, namely shields, banners and portraits, can be seen at the school in the New Hall. Origins of Houses The Houses in the old system were named after influential Mancunians: Byrom - John Byrom, Poet Dalton - John Dalton, Physicist Fraser - James Fraser, reforming Anglican Bishop of Manchester Gaskell - Elizabeth Gaskell, Author Heywood - Oliver Heywood, Banker and philanthropist Whitworth- Sir Joseph Whitworth, Engineer The 2002 houses were named after influential Hulmeians/benefactors: Bonnick - WHGS Teacher, 1940s-1990s Hulme - William Hulme, founder Jones - Samuel Jones, Old Hulmeian, donor of first of the School's shields, for the form football competition. Roberts - William Roberts, benefactor. Resident of Whalley Range who donated £2000 in 1899, which was used to extend the School's grounds. The 2020 houses were named after Mancunians of diverse race, gender and sexuality to better reflect the diversity within the school. Johnson - Len Johnson, boxer and civil rights activist Pankhurst - Emmeline Pankhurst, suffragette Turing - Alan Turing, mathematician, computer scientist and code-breaker Bell - Dr Erinma Bell, peace activist Combined Cadet Force Towards the end of their second year (Year 8), the dwindling majority of pupils will join the voluntary CCF (the "Corps"). Uniform is issued and cadets accompany the Contingent on a Field Day in June and, if they wish, Summer Camp, where they take part in a wide variety of activities. They train once a week at School, following syllabuses which lead to promotion and qualifications. Cadets join either the Army (Duke of Lancaster's Regiment) or the RAF Section, which is currently non-operational, both of which are officered by teachers, whereafter a minimum of five terms' service is expected. They may then choose to continue as NCOs in the Sixth Form, during which time they undergo more advanced training and assist in instructing the younger cadets. The Corps meets weekly and takes part in a Field Day each term. In addition to Summer Camps, there are two camps at Easter, one on an RAF Station, the other adventurous training in North Wales. Music A concert band/orchestra exists and plays in several concerts each