Farm House - Boys

Farm HouseSam and Alex Palmer are the Houseparents of Farm House. They have recently moved back to Monkton Combe following five years living in Liverpool where they had their two boys. 

Sam grew up in Bristol and Wiltshire, with his formative years living in a Boarding House. Following school, Sam studied Politics and History at Exeter University and on completion found himself at Monkton where he was a GTA in Farm House in 2010. It is through this year that he came to faith and also realised he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and teach (something he thought he’d never do!). 

Sam trained in History and taught at Monkton until 2018. Across this time he was involved in the boarding life at Grove, a former boys house, as well as Clarendon. A keen sportsman, Sam has coached rugby and cricket alongside teaching history. When previously at Monkton, Sam arranged a cricket tour to Sri Lanka in 2015 and was Master in Charge of Cricket. 

Since leaving Monkton, Sam has taught in both state and public school. In his last three years, Sam has taught at Birkenhead Independent Day School where he continued to coach cricket and rugby, supporting a rugby tour to Canada in 2022. He was also Head of Year 10, where he ran a team of 4 tutors and oversaw the wellbeing of 90 students. 

 

The Palmer Family

Alex grew up in Berkshire but studied in Bath, and it was in her final year that she met Sam and subsequently married him at Monkton chapel in 2015. 

Since graduating with her degree in Politics with International Relations, Alex has worked across the public and private sector. Initially, Alex worked in lobbying but since 2016 she has pursued a career in the charitable sector and has worked for a variety of causes including; women, mental health and the homeless. 

Alongside work, Sam and Alex have spent the last five years supporting a new church in Liverpool and have had two little boys, Asher and Jesse.

Sam and Alex are passionate about creating home for others - a place where individuals feel valued, cared for and encouraged. They are delighted to be the Farm Houseparents and look forward to supporting the boys of Farm to find and build community together as well as amongst the wider school. 

Sam and Alex Palmer
Farm House Houseparents

Photo of Farm House boys outside

What are the key values of Farm House?

F - Family

A - Ambition

R - Resilience

M - Modesty