UK International Boarding School

A Home from Home

Moorland International Boarding School is located in the Heart of the Ribble Valley, which is a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A timeless landscape of forests, rivers, attractive market towns and villages and stunning countryside, the Ribble Valley was said to provide JRR Tolkien’s inspiration for Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings and includes a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the magnificent form of the Trough of Bowland.

Indeed, the Queen herself was quoted as saying she would like to retire to the Ribble Valley, a place full of folklore, culture and stunning natural habitats.

Moorland International Boarding School is located on the edge of the historic town of Clitheroe, best known for its 12th century Norman Castle Keep. It is within easy reach of Dunsop Bridge, officially declared the centre of the British Isles; the Forest of Bowland, offering some of the finest walking in the North West; and Pendle Hill. Clitheroe only has a small population of approximately 15,000 people, and therefore is much safer than those schools with a city location.

In Clitheroe itself you will find a special selection of independent food stores, designer boutiques, wine merchants and other attractive shops as well as a contemporary craft gallery and museum.

It is a perfect fragment of rural England where our pupils can freely learn, live and explore, and where you as parents can enjoy visiting.

Please note: That for those parents who are not from the United Kingdom and who therefore maybe unfamiliar with the location of cities, that Clitheroe has its own train station, which is just thirty minutes from Preston City Centre. Manchester City Centre is just 30 minutes via train from Preston, and London from Preston by rail is approximately two hours.

Moorland International Boarding School provides a quiet, tranquil and safe environment away from the buzz and distractions of the larger cities. The safe haven of Moorland School provides our students the opportunity to grow and develop in stunning natural surroundings, but at the same time pupils are within easy access to various cities allowing them to benefit from greater cultural and intellectual experiences, when appropriate.

Around one third of children at Moorland School are boarders and we find it makes for a good social mix with our day pupils from the surrounding areas.

Our boarding houses afford a high degree of pastoral care and we are certain that students learn better and thrive in our friendly, family environment. Boarding offers opportunities for our children to develop their independence and gain confidence in their own abilities whilst being supported by considerate staff. Our aim is to offer more and ensure our students become composed, articulate, confident, and self-assured in order to learn, live and lead our global society of the future.

All doors are highly secured through access-controlled doors, this ensures that our current contingent of 90 boarding children are safe, whilst ensuring that boys and girls sleeping accommodation is completely separate.

Moorland provides boarders with a broad range of recreational and leisure facilities to make their evenings and weekends as varied and engaging as possible.

Our boarders have access to:

Extensive Grounds & Common Rooms
Computer Suites
Lounge with Sky TV
Music Room
Sports Facilities
Local Swimming Pool & Cinema
Trips and Excursions

As with all its pupils, Moorland provides boarders with a wide range of sporting activities, trips and outings to complement the academic programme. Boarders are encouraged to take an active interest in arts and culture through visits to the theatre, cinema and concerts in neighbouring towns.

Airports

& Transportation

Most our students who live overseas travel from Manchester Airport which is just fifty minutes away from Moorland School by car.

However, Moorland School is equidistant from 3 airports, the largest being Manchester Airport, and the 2 smaller airports, being Leeds Bradford Airport and Liverpool Airport.

Moorland International Boarding School provide a free airport collection and drop off service. The school utilises their own transportation and DBS cleared drivers. Our transport drivers also ensure that children are fully accompanied by them into the airport, and then all children are personally seen through ‘check in’, before being seen through the ‘Departures Gate’.

Please ensure that you have read and understood the airlines ‘Unaccompanied Minor Policy’ before booking your child’s airline tickets. Please ensure that you have communicated this to the school office.

An unaccompanied minor is a child without the presence of a legal guardian. This term is used in immigration law and in airline policies. The specific definition varies from country to country and from airline to airline.

Relationships within boarding are excellent, both among the boarders themselves and with the boarding staff.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

The pupils demonstrate excellent social development. Their relationships with staff and with each other are excellent. Pupils of all ages mix well together, with genuine friendship evident between pupils of different ages, and with older pupils taking care of younger ones.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

The systems in place to ensure the pupils’ welfare, health and safety are excellent.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

International Boarding School Facilities

Our International Boarding School facilities consist of three separate boarding houses; The Willows, for Years 3-10; The Oaks, for Years 10-12 and The Cottage for Years 12-13.

The Willows

Children for years 3 – 9 reside in the Willows boarding house. We have a huge focus on nurturing all of the children within our care, ensuring they feel safe and happy, in our home from home setting. Miss Hayley Mosscrop, Willows Boarding Manager, is also part of the schools Pastoral Team; this allows us to establish a full 360-degree view of each individual child, both in school and at the boarding house.

Everyone boards together in the Willows, with separate boys and girls’ areas for sleeping, separate sitting rooms for relaxing and a joint common area so pupils can decide how they’d like to spend their social time.

Our staff team in the Willows, endeavour to be warm and friendly; we want the children to feel comfortable in coming to us, even if it just for a chat or to discuss any problems, just as they would do if they were at home. Their supportive relationships with boarders are caring and involved but encourage increasing independence.

We provide the children with a stimulating and wide range of extra-curricular activities, from trips out at the weekend and arts and crafts to rugby training and team challenges. This gives the children the opportunity to explore and try new things and to be happy whilst making new memories with friends. Our Boarding Committee liaises with the boarders to get a feel of what activities they would like to be on offer; these are then reviewed at our fortnightly meetings with the Boarding Manager and members of the Boarding Committee.

The Oaks

Children that reside in The Oaks are over seen by Mr Rob Lyon, Oaks Boarding Manager who works closely with the schools Pastoral Team to ensure all of the children’s individual and personal needs are dealt with effectively.

The students have access to two common areas, equipped with a pool table, TV’s with Sky, lounge and bar area and a small kitchen.

With permission from parents, children are permitted to go offsite providing that they sign in and out and are of course back for their set curfews.

The children are encouraged to be independent in preparation for adult life, yet still have the close support and mentorship from our team of skilled and dedicated House Parents.

As with all its pupils, Moorland provides boarders with an extensive range of sporting activities, trips and outings to complement the academic programme. Boarders are encouraged to take and active interest in arts and culture through visits to the theatre, cinema and concerts in neighbouring towns.

The Cottage

Pupils who live in The Cottage are between 16 and 19 years of age. Our students have full access to their own functional kitchen, providing them with the independence needed to prepare them for adult life, as well as their own living room complete with Sky and WiFi.

One of our experienced House Parents resides in The Cottage at night and supervises the students intermittently throughout the evenings and weekends.

Pupils who live in The Cottage are trusted to have later curfews and again, with permission from parents, are able to go off site on trips and visits.

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

There is nothing worse than getting an upset phone call home, but it comforting to know our children are in the hand of such friendly, caring, supportive staff. We always know the boarding staff will take care of them no matter what the problem is and do what they can to put our mind as easy.

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

I will cherish the boarding experience for the rest of my life. I have found boarding at Moorland to be very homely. There is a lot of support from the boarding staff team and I have made friends for life.

Steven (Dubai) Year 10

As a boarder at Moorland, I enjoy complete immersion in a highly stimulating academic environment. I have learnt to be self-motivated. At the same time boarding has made me more aware of others, more selfless and more compassionate.

Jenny (Hong Kong) Year 11

I will always remember the memories of my time at Moorland School. Boarding here has been fun, enjoyable, educational and funny! It really is one big family and I have made friends from all over the world.

Jamie (Spain) Year 12

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