Independent Schools March 2019

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Newbury Weekly News

Moulsford Prep School

MOULSFORD Prep School is an independent day and boarding school for boys aged four to 13, set in idyllic grounds of 30 acres beside the Thames near Goring and Streatley. Moulsford offers boys superb opportunities for learning while having fun. A restructured curriculum was successfully introduced in September 2017, which moves away from the traditional Common Entrance preparation. The focus is not only to prepare boys for senior schools, but also to ensure they have the skills for life beyond. The new curriculum encourages boys to have a go, take a well- thought-out risk, and, on occasion, fail. Exploration and enquiry is strongly encouraged and Moulsford life aims to develop boys’ resilience. Through the school’s activities programme, they aim to offer opportunities to develop new skills and talents, while becom- ing a conscientious citizen. The programme gives boys the chance to try magic tricks, bike maintenance, bushcraft, photog- raphy, drama, sailing, genealogy, subuteo, chess and bridge, pantomime, parkour, night- running, golf, stand-up comedy, geocaching, and many more. The most popular activities are kayaking, climbing, archery, cooking and ceramics. This non-compulsory activities programme has a 75 per cent take up rate, and the talented staff are able to offer these

charities to understand the latest research. They also have an inde- pendent school counsellor who is available to meet boys weekly. One measure of Moulsford’s success is the broad range of scholarships and exhibitions awarded each year. For 2018 at 13+, four boys have gained awards to Abingdon School, two to Radley, one to St Edward’s Oxford, one to Bradfield, one to Stowe and one to Wellington, across a range of academic, sports, music and all rounder awards. In addition to these schools,

others to which Moulsford boys progress this year include Marlborough, Eton, Magdalen College School, Shiplake and Pangbourne. A network of minibus routes offers easy daily transport to Moulsford, please contact the school for details. Please do pay an informal visit and tour at the next open day, on Friday, May 17, from 10am-noon or 1pm- 3pm. For further details and to book a place please email admissions@moulsford.com

talent in these arenas. Music and drama remains popu- lar at Moulsford and roughly three quarters of the boys from Years 3 to 8 play an instrument, with 14 per cent learning two. Places in the choir are hotly contested, with a total of 58 boys in the senior choir and 80 in the Junior Choir. As well as two outstanding productions a year, the highlight of the musical calendar is the open-air summer concert, with the choirs, orchestra and various ensembles (wind, string, jazz) performing on a July evening on

the lawn beside the river, with parents bringing picnics. The core values of respect, compassion and independence are at the heart of all that the school does. Expectations are high in terms of manners and discipline, and the boys respond accordingly. There is a strong rapport between staff and boys, and a sense of mutual respect. Mental wellbeing for both staff and pupils is taken very seriously. The school is in regu- lar contact with mental health

activities in-house, and therefore most are free of charge. Moulsford’s reputation for sport, and particularly rugby, remains extremely strong. While sporting glory is always the goal, and often achieved, the primary aim at Moulsford is to achieve opportunity across the ability range, with all boys in teams A to F regularly playing competitive matches. Minor sports have also seen significant successes in golf, skiing, fencing and judo, with some of the less overtly sporty boys finding their niche and

OPEN DAY

Friday 17th May

Independent day and boarding school for boys aged 4-13

To attend an Open Day or to arrange an individual visit, please contact us: admissions@moulsford.com • 01491 651438 • www.moulsford.com Moulsford Preparatory School, Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxon, OX10 9HR Getting the Best out of Boys