UCAS University Applications

UCAS (The universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the organisation that processes all full-time applications to UK universities and colleges.

It is an independent charity providing information, advice and admissions services to inspire and facilitate educational progression. Their services support young people making choices after their GCSE’s as well as those applying for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

It is there to support you, as well as your son or daughter through every step of the application process.

Services provided by UCAS include several online application portals, a number of search tools and free information and advice directed at various audiences. This includes students considering higher education, and students with pending applications to higher education institutes. All students and their parents, legal guardians will be fully supported by the school at every point.

Whilst UCAS is best known for its undergraduate application service (the main UCAS scheme), it also operates a number of other admissions services:

Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS) – for performing arts at a UK conservatoire.
UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) – for postgraduate teacher training schemes.
UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service (UKPASS) – for some postgraduate courses.
UCAS Progress – for post-16 education and training.

UCAS sends all applicants a monthly Newsletter full of useful information, reminders, advice and competitions.

Careers & Personal Development

We maintain close links with a range of higher education providers and encourage students to consider all their options before making a decision about their next career steps. Those choosing to go on to university will be fully supported through the entire UCAS applications process.

Day students and boarders alike benefit from our broad enrichment programme which includes theatre trips, talks and presentations from our own academic departments as well as inspirational external speakers renowned in their fields. We encourage students to participate fully in extra-curricular activities including sport, the arts and voluntary work to leave us as well-rounded, ambitious and considerate citizens.

Careers support in our school has four essential and interlinked principles:

Careers Education –a planned programme in the curriculum that gives students the knowledge and skills for planning and managing their careers.
Careers Information –including learning options, skills, occupations, labour market information and progression routes – facilitated by a range of on-line resources, including access to the National Careers Service, university research resources, the apprenticeships portal and a range of research tools.
Careers Advice and Guidance –personalised help to identify long-term goals and to plan the steps to attain them – including access to advisers who can provide a careers interview.
Work-Related Learning –experiences within and outside of the curriculum that help students learn about economic wellbeing, careers and enterprise.

The Sixth Form Virtual Learning Environment (Edmodo) has information covering topics including university applications (UCAS), careers, work experience, specialist tests, entrance examinations, gap years, apprenticeships, volunteering and student finance.

Useful links

University and College Admissions – ucas.com
AQA Examination Board – aqa.co.uk
Edexcel/BTEC Examination Board – https://qualifications.pearson.com/
OFQUAL – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual

The Moorland International Academies

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

Moving Daniel from the local comprehensive school during the Easter of Year 8 was the best decision we have ever made. Prior to Moorland, Daniel felt sick every morning and made himself ill, making every excuse not to go to school as he didn’t feel like he fitted in and he always said he didn’t feel safe. Dan was quiet and withdrawn, walking stooped with his head looking at the floor. Since coming to Moorland, Dan is a confident young man who loves going to school and walks tall. Now when Dan is unwell we have to force him to stay at home!

As a family we cannot thank all the staff enough for the opportunites Dan gets and the way he loves learning now. Dan also completed his first ever voluntary school trip abroad skiing with Moorland in Year 9. This for us as a family was hugely significant, as he is such a home bird and we were so happy that he loved the experience.

We chose Moorland as it is small and our experience is that the staff know Dan intimately so that they are able to encourage, support and motivate him to get him to achieve his best potential. On the Moorland School buses it says ensuring every child comes home happy. Dan definitely comes home happy.

The Fletcher Family Year 9 Parent

Both our daughters attended Moorland Private School from year 7 and have thoroughly enjoyed their school life here. Initially contacting the school as our eldest daughter was experiencing a lack of confidence at her previous primary school, she has developed into a resilient, mature, self-aware young woman, becoming Head Girl at Moorland in Year 11.

The Moorland teaching staff are very friendly, approachable and passionate about their subject. It is clear to see a feeling of mutual respect between staff and pupil around the school. Due to smaller class sizes, teachers are able to provide individual support in class and are also available outside of class for extra support in person and through the online learning system, Edmodo. The timetable was developed to take account of their individual preferences, subject combinations and higher levels of study. It has been very pleasing to see our girls enjoying their academic studies and taking ownership of their own learning, completing independent study and wider reading to pursue their academic interest and career aims. As a College Lecturer myself, I realise the importance of these skills to maximise their potential through Sixth Form and University life.

The Spence Family Year 10 & 11 Parents

Right from the start, Moorland School was the right choice for our children. My daughter and my son joined Moorland in 2007.

They are happy when they go to school and they are happy when they come home, therefore they are achieving great results and we are very proud of them.

Pastoral care is embedded within the School and all the pupils’ needs are carefully accounted for. Communication is way beyond what we would normally expect, we have direct email addresses to all teaching and admin staff, giving us 24/7 access to the School.

We feel an important part of the Moorland Family and they are an important part of ours, and as a consequence we are very proud to be raising outstanding children with good hearts.

The Burby Family Year 10 Parents

Our children started their Moorland journey 7 years ago, and it has proved to be the best move we could have made. Both Dominic and Gabrielle were made to feel right at home from day one.

We have seen the School go from strength to strength, whilst not losing the ‘family’ feel and their core values. Dominic achieved 11 GCSEs at Grade C and above, way above what previous schools were telling us he was capable of.

Gabrielle still attends Moorland, and we continue to see her flourish with the support of the caring teaching team and school staff. Gabrielle is encouraged by her teachers, and afforded their complete time, support and energy. The latter helps her confidences in the social and academic sense.

As a family, it is paramount to know that your children are safe, happy and reaching their true potential. At Moorland, we know that this is truly the case for our children.

The Cheetham Family Year 10 Parents

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