Our Curriculum

Within the Junior School, our ultimate aim is to provide individualised learning for each child. Our small class sizes provide us with this unique opportunity and allows us to set personalised targets for each child.

These small class sizes enables the teaching staff to provide high quality learning experiences for all children through detailed planning and differentiation, ensuring no child becomes ‘lost’ within the class. In addition to this, the class sizes allow us as staff to form professional relationships with the children and their parents, creating a welcoming, nurturing family environment.

We are extremely privileged to have the luxury of adapting and changing the National Curriculum to create a curriculum that is tailor made to suit each individual pupil. Through this, we have the opportunity to create lessons based on the children’s interests, as well as current affairs, to engage and excite children. We firmly believe that by allowing the children to blossom individually, as well as providing a high quality education, we can inspire them to become life-long learners.

The children are assessed each half term, allowing us to regularly evaluate their understanding and progression throughout the half term, in addition to this we can identify any misconceptions quickly and act effectively to rectify these. These assessments also allow us to frequently evaluate the quality of teaching and learning.

Through this use of regular assessment, we make a promise to all parents and carers that any gaps in learning will not exceed a half term and will be identified and resolved quickly and efficiently. To help us achieve this, we run Private Tuition classes after school, 4 days a week. These classes follow our aim of providing individualised learning through personal targets for each child which are realistic and achievable. These targets are reviewed often and new targets are set when necessary.

In conjunction with these sessions, we run a weekly intervention programme for children who have been identified as having gaps in their learning and also to challenge our Gifted and Talented children. The children will again work towards their individual targets during these sessions.

As a method of ensuring that all children progress and flourish, we have implemented our Curriculum Review Panel, who meet weekly to discuss teaching and learning, assessment, differentiation, marking, intervention, the curriculum and the children. The purpose of this panel is to openly voice staff opinions and ideas to continuously improve the standard of each of the discussed areas. It is also to ensure that the high standards which we put in place, are being met and to provide continuity throughout the school.

We have a highly dedicated workforce who regard the children’s progression and academic success as a main priority. This, along with the Curriculum Review Panel, allows us to ensure that each child thrives whilst at Moorland School.

Our Unique Curriculum Model

High Standards, High Achievers

We are extremely privileged to have the luxury of adapting and changing the National Curriculum to create a curriculum that is tailor-made to suit each individual pupil. Through this, we have the opportunity to create lessons based on the children’s interests, as well as current affairs, to engage and excite children. We firmly believe that by allowing the children to blossom individually, as well as providing a high-quality education, we can inspire them to become life-long learners.

A key success is that the school engenders self-esteem and confidence in pupils that had little beforehand. Many pupils testify to the impact of the school on the development of their self belief, and the confidence they now have in their relationships with others.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Extra Curricular Activities

We believe in exposing children to as many opportunities as possible through our varied curriculum, in the form of a variety of extra-curricular activities. These activities are designed to enable children to develop essential life skills. The social interaction from these, allows the children to form firm life-long friendships.

All children have the opportunity to access our Football Programme, led by Manchester City coach, Charlie Jackson and our esteemed International Ballet Academy taught by Lynsey and Simon Kidd, who themselves have danced for the Royal Ballet.

Our Future: Making it Happen

In the Junior School, we constantly strive to find and provide new opportunities for our children. Due to this, we continuously look to the future and how we can provide these opportunities.

From the 2018 school year, we will be holding Enrichment Wednesdays which will involve the children taking part in outdoor and adventurous activities at Waddow Hall. Through this, the children are encouraged to work as part of a team and take part in activities that will engage them, excite them and provide experiences that will prepare them for the future. Our children will have the opportunity to develop their skills and talents through a wide range of activities including: caving, archery, tree climbing, raft building, abseiling and much more. This opportunity to develop their social, moral, spiritual and cultural strengths enables them to flourish in their childhood, as well as later life.

In addition to this, in September we will be implementing an Early Years Unit within the Junior School setting. This will provide effective provisions for children within Reception and Year 1, in an environment which encourages development at the child’s own pace. The children will be organised so that they have the best possible opportunity to develop their learning, where they will work in appropriate groups with members of the team, following the curriculum, developing phonics, reading writing and maths skills.

To capitalise on the facilities available to us, developments will take place over the summer to create an outdoor classroom, which will be freely accessible for the children within the Early Years Unit. We believe that providing the children with different learning environments enables them to learn in ways they did not know possible, which is our overall aim for the outdoor classroom.

Life at Moorland International Boarding School

Moorland School, founded over 100 years ago, has long since been an educational jewel in the United Kingdom, attracting students from all across the Ribble Valley, Lancashire and the wider world! Moorland School remains dedicated to providing bespoke educational opportunities for all children, from nursery age, right through to 6th Form. We make sure that all of our pupils, whether they are local or from far overseas, are safe, happy and making excellent progress. To be part of Moorland School is to be part of the Moorland Family.
Life at Moorland School
At Moorland School we take our responsibility to create a home from home atmosphere very seriously. Every member of staff go above and beyond to make sure that every student is well looked after and afforded the necessary pastoral care, help and support. Our staff team are well-versed in making sure our pupils receive the relevant nurture and support, this can cover every aspect of life at Moorland from laundry matters, medical appointments, career guidance to choosing the right footwear for a weekend walk or trip!
A Home from Home
Moorland School is housed within one campus, which is nestled amidst beautiful rural grounds in the small market town of Clitheroe, Lancashire. This safe haven provides safety, security, modern facilities, spacious learning areas as well as a genuinely homely feel. Our scholars are all able to focus on their studies and their development, free of the distractions of urban noise and other disturbances. Clitheroe itself is home to its own castle, coffee shops, fine dining restaurants, unique shops and a train station that serves Manchester directly on a daily basis (hourly services).
A Safe Haven
Moorland School selects students based upon their behaviour and attitude to learning (ATL). This policy allows the School to create a warm family learning environment, where ALL students can achieve their true academic and social potentials in a safe, secure, happy and confident learning setting. Moorland School adopts and enforces a zero-tolerance to all forms of bullying.
The Right Attitude to Succeed
At Moorland School, we celebrate ALL student’s strengths and work tirelessly to build confidence in areas where students need to develop. The School uses a whole host of CAT, SATS and GL guided assessments to ascertain IEPs and flight path information for every student. We make sure that students have targeted intervention as early as possible, to ensure that academic attainment and confidence is achievable for every pupil. Small class sizes (much lower than other independent schools) and the efforts of a dedicated teaching team, mean that nothing is ever missed in this respect.
Inclusive and Supportive
The Moorland Football Academy is a truly inspirational programme that combines first-class football skills development with educational excellence and opportunities. The programmes offered are the culmination of years of carefully developed coaching methods which focus upon intense delivery, mentoring and social development techniques to produce the best all-round football talent.
Moorland Football Academy
The Moorland Ballet Academy have developed a dedicated Classical Ballet programme, which is responsibly supported through an intense educational structure, to ensure ballet development does not have to affect academic performance. The technique of Classical Ballet is learned and perfected in a highly structured daily routine and delivered by Royal Ballet rained professionals in a bespoke new facility.
Moorland Ballet Academy
Life at Moorland School is about fun, happiness, security, warmth, progress, development, opportunities and being able to celebrate being yourself. Through this journey, friendships are formed that may last a life time.
Developing Friendships to Last a Life Time

Our son Tiaan has been at Moorland Juniors since he started in reception. He can’t wait to get to school in the mornings…he loves it and so do His friends. His class is smaller than in any other local school and he has the space to grow in his confidence and ability because of this. His teachers have stimulated his love for maths and he takes pride in the work he does in class.

Moorland creates an environment where children can be children. There is a feel of freedom and exploration. They play and learn outside as part of Forest School and they have the desire to learn, rather than feeling they ‘have to’. Tiaan definitely sees Moorland as an extension of his family and he is a very happy boy.

Jane Viljoen Junior Parent

From the moment our eldest daughter attended her taster sessions at Moorland School, we were all hooked! She felt immediately welcomed by both the pupils and the teaching staff. Fast forward a year and half and she is thriving.

Moorland is honestly like a family, the way the days are constructed to balance the right amount of learning with social and life skills is amazing and every day she can’t wait to go and comes home with a huge smile on her face full of stories about the day – this ranges from what she’s learned academically to the myriad of clubs she can attend. The teaching staff are simply wonderful and they create an amazing atmosphere for the children, which also extends to the parents – they are always willing to answer any questions you have, no matter what these are.

Joanne and Steve Carlin Junior Parents

Being a military family, we have moved around a lot at the cost of our children’s education. Being part of the moorland family has seen our child grow from strength to strength not just educationally but personally as well. For the first time she is settled and is enjoying school and making friends that will last a life time.

The decision to send our children to boarding school was not a decision we took lightly, but as each day pasts and we see her grow and enjoy every element of Moorland life, From the unique teaching styles, extra-curricular clubs, evening events in the boarding house and the fun packed weekend trips we know we made the right decision in choosing Moorland School.

Vicky and Scott Green Military Parents

Moorland is like a second family to me. They help me make friends for life. The staff especially the teachers and house parents always know when something is wrong and they will do their best to help me.

Chloe Green Boarding Pupil

My four children aged 8, 8, 4 and 3 all attend Moorland School, Preschool and Nursery respectively. When my husband and I visited the school for the first time, we were struck by the affection the children showed to their teachers. The nursery, pre-school and juniors have a warm and easy going atmosphere. The atmosphere the children enjoy is very much a home from home experience. Teachers are empathetic and approachable, friendships are nurtured alongside gentle discipline and children are given appropriate responsibilities and strive to meet their teacher’s expectations of good behaviour. Children’s thoughts and opinions are listened to and respected, and self-directed learning is encouraged. They are not overburdened with homework and an emphasis on learning through play is fostered before age 7.

My children have thrived and blossomed at Moorland, and I doubt I can find another school locally which can match Moorland in terms of facilitating a love for learning and creating that family atmosphere in the classroom.

Iona Connor Junior School Mother

Moorland News

On Thursday Moorland Junior School took the opportunity to take a ‘learning walk’ around our local town of Clitheroe.During the circular walk the students learned about the local history of Clitheroe. Touching upon Clitheroe Castle, the three wells, influential historic buildings and many other facts they previously wouldn't have known about our town. The students were also able to enjoy a socially distant visit to Clitheroe Market.
Read more Our Juniors & Infants Explored on Learning Walks
During the break we have carried out several refurbishments in our Junior School and Boarding houses, along with the provision of new desks, chairs and displays for our Senior School. Significant time and effort has gone into the refurbishment of our Junior School, Boarding Houses and Nursery.
Read more Significant Projects across the entire School
As a boarding school we will be following the Boarding School’s Association newly announced COVID-SAFE Charter. All member schools who have adopted the BSA Covid-Safe Charter confirm that they will comply with all government rules and guidance and will meet all necessary safety requirements to create the safest environment possible for all of their students.
Read more COVID-19 Precautions - BSA Covid-Safe Charter
As part of our ongoing plan of constant improvement, we’re taking the necessary steps to improve clear and stable communication between parents, the school and staff members.
Read more Improved Communications across the Board for all Parents & Carers
During the summer we have increased the size of our team with new additions to our Junior School, Senior School, Football Academy and Marketing Department. We are eager to introduce our new staff members and have collated a few notes to help you get to know them before you get a chance to meet.
Read more New Staff Additions for the 2020 School Year
*Operating Safe Distancing as Standard due to Limited & Small Class NumbersNestled in the heart of the Ribble Valley and celebrating 100 years of education, Moorland is Clitheroe’s only private day and boarding school with a rich and long history in educating children of all ages from Reception to Sixth Form.In contrast to other private schools, our fees include no hidden costs and we accept admissions throughout the year, not solely in September. We are now welcoming applications into ALL year groups for September 2020. Book a Tour Today If you would like the opportunity to explore our beautiful school grounds and facilities, we invite you to...
Read more Moorland Private School Welcoming September Enrolment & Admissions – Social Distancing Tours Now Available
Dear Parents and CarersRe: Headteacher’s CommunicationI feel that it is important at the close of every academic year to discuss the whole school’s developments, successes and improvements, whilst at the same time taking the opportunity to share with you some of our planned strategic developments and targets for the forthcoming 2018/19 academic year.Headlines from the academic year 2017/181.0 Nursery - EYFS UpdatesThe nursery has received a £165,000 refurbishment, which has seen a total transformation of the facility, which now provides a far more enriched learning environment for the children.Ms Christina Barnes has settled in extremely well as the settings Nursery Manager, and has ensured that all staff have received the latest training, guidance and expertise in order to continue to strive to improve the outcomes for our children.Ms Barnes alongside Mrs Lou Harrison have some fantastic plans for the nursery, and they have been developing and scheduling these plans...
Read more CEA School Admissions – Accepting Military Families’ Children All Year Round