Welcome to Moorland Private School Image

Our Staff

Moorland School is thoroughly dependent on the capabilities of its qualified teachers, its pastoral care team, administrative personnel and support staff, all of whom contribute to the school's proper running and unique atmosphere. Below are brief biographies of our Senior Leadership Team.

Moorland School Teaching Staff and Key Management

Moorland School Staff Structure

Mr Jonathan Harrison B.A (Hons) PGCE
Headteacher

As a former pupil of Moorland School I feel a great sense of pride to represent Moorland within our community, and overseas as an international boarding school. In my role as Headteacher it is my responsibility to maintain standards and educational excellence. However as a past pupil I consider myself more as the Caretaker, with the awesome responsibility of ensuring that all students share the same experience as I did when I was a boarder at Moorland.

I believe that our students should choose us. All children must feel safe and happy before their true potentials can be unlocked, and by selecting children with good behaviour, we can instil good morals, respect, hard work and tenacity. Our children are taught to problem solve, to derive a solution to a problem, to adapt and overcome. They are taught practical common sense, and a commercial business sense approach to education, as to why, when and how the strategy or plan should be applied.

Most children "feel comfortable enough to speak directly to the Headteacher in the knowledge that they will be listened to." Ofsted (Boarding, June 2011)

"As soon as she started at Moorland, our daughter regained her happy outlook on life. Thank you." Jackie Cooper (Parent)

Mr Dermod Ruddock
Deputy Headteacher

As Deputy Headteacher, I keep an eye on much of the day to day running of Moorland - whether I'm checking round the grounds, joining in lessons, helping organise educational trips or chatting with a new students, I like to 'keep my finger on the pulse.'

I operate an open door policy at all times, and want parents to contact me with feedback, concerns and questions. You'll often find me out and about at break times, and near the driveway to greet you at the end of the day. We don't get everything right, but are always striving to improve, and actively encourage parental involvement and comments to help with this. Our Friends of Moorland organisation allows you to have a more active role in organising school events and fundraising activities, and I would love you to be more involved.

I previously taught in the Junior School for seven years, have extensive knowledge of the Boarding side of school life, and am the Educational Visits Coordinator. Consequently, I can offer lots of advice on most aspects of life at Moorland School. I find that Moorland School is simply the best place to work, both from the point of view of the natural and built environment, and from the fact that it is a warm and friendly small school with a superb family atmosphere.

Mr Geoff Simpson
Head of Boarding

Welcome to our family! For that is truly what I believe the boarding experience offers at Moorland.

Moorland School is entering an exciting phase of its boarding development. The recent completion of the impressive new Boarding House is indicative of our desire to develop and expand our boarding provision to ensure that we provide a homely, comfortable, well-equipped and safe environment for our boarding pupils.

As our boarding capacity increases, our priority and focus will be to provide first class boarding facilities where our boarders feel safe, happy and are kept busy! Such outstanding facilities will, of course, have a huge impact upon the academic progress and all round personal development of the pupils in our charge. Indeed, we pride ourselves on the quality of pastoral care and provided by our experienced, caring and well-qualified boarding staff.

The beautiful Ribble Valley is indeed a perfect environment in which to be educated and to live. We are so lucky to have our school and boarding houses located in the middle of such inspirational surroundings. Please do take the time to navigate through the boarding section of the web site as the pages develop. I am sure that you will be impressed with what you read! I am more than happy to be contacted to discuss any areas of our boarding provision here at Moorland School.

Mr Saleem Ahmed
IT Teacher

Ever since driving down the majestic drive and entering the serene surroundings at Moorland I always knew that this was no ordinary school. From the peaceful environment to the small class sizes and friendly atmosphere, Moorland School is the perfect place to teach and to learn. I've never taught anywhere where there is such a strong bond between pupil and teacher, so much so, it is more akin to that of having a parental role.

Knowledge can be transferred to curious minds that yearn to learn and without disruptive influences, lessons run as smoothly as a finely oiled machine. Students are pleasant, helpful and most importantly, value their education and the efforts of their teachers. I personally enjoy the role outside of the classroom as much as the one inside it. Whether it's basketball, dodge ball club or even boarding duties, working is a lot more fun that I had ever imagined. As we continue to grow as a school I can only see Moorland becoming an even better place to teach and learn, if that's possible!