Learning
A Moor Park education begins with our excellent teaching staff, whose passion for their specialism is contagious. Pupils are taught in subject-specific classrooms with small class sizes, carefully streamed to ensure that pupils are both stretched and supported.
Embedded into a broad curriculum are the Moor Park mindsets, which promote a healthy, positive attitude to learning.
For those children who may require extra support in their learning, we have both an internal SEN Department and external specialists such as speech and language therapists, who meet with pupils to provide 1:1 support.
CORE SUBJECTS
Plenty of curriculum time is devoted to the critical core subjects in all year groups, leading to Common Entrance, senior school admissions tests, or academic scholarship level in Year 8. English and Maths are taught by subject specialists from Year 5. Science lessons, in which we place great emphasis on the practical as well as the theoretical, are taught in one of our dedicated laboratories.
MODERN LANGUAGES
The process of learning a foreign language can bring additional benefits such as improvement in critical thinking, increased creativity and long-term cognitive performance. French is taught throughout the school from Reception, and from Year 3 to Year 8 by fluent speakers. Our Year 6 and 7 pupils enjoy a highly anticipated trip to France, to put into practice what they have learned.
ART & CERAMICS
The children are taught sketching, painting, design and ceramics in our inspirational Art Department, which has a studio, a clay room with ceramics kiln, and a Scholar's Loft. Each of our Year 8 scholars has a dedicated space in The Loft that they can use in their free time to work on their portfolios - a privilege that many of our younger pupils aspire to. It is unsurprising that we have an extremely high rate of art scholarships to top senior schools.
DRAMA
There an opportunity to study for LAMDA exams with extra-curricular Speech & Drama lessons, as well as our annual enrolment into the Hereford Performing Arts Festival, at which we have a notable medal record.
All lessons take place in the vibrant dedicated Speech and Drama classroom which is fitted with a mini stage and professional stage lights. Families are able to enjoy a whole school production each year held in our Henderson Hall, which promises a spectacle
The school has an impressive record of drama scholarships to senior schools, including dedicated Performing Arts schools such as Arts Ed Chiswick and MAPA.
WIDER CURRICULUM
Our pupils study Geography, History and Religious Studies. Additionally, we have a dedicated IT lab where children learn computer skills and coding under expert tuition.
In Year 5 pupils begin a grounding in Latin and from Year 7 and 8 pupils have a lesson a week in Classical Greek. These lessons provide a solid foundation for the acquisition of other modern languages as well as enriching vocabulary and sharpening grammar in English.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Our enviable Design Technology Department has the expertise and facilities to enable children to learn to use tools and equipment not normally available at prep school level. Most visitors marvel at the huge range of opportunities available to our pupils, as well as the enormous child-made shark and crocodile suspended from the ceiling.
MUSIC
Our firmly held belief is that Music should be available to all and enjoyed by everyone and that it is an essential part of the Moor Park curriculum, to be experienced both inside and outside the classroom. Our Performing Arts Centre has a computer suite as well as teaching and practice rooms and a recording room.
Individual instrumental lessons, tailored to the age of the child and taught by a team of highly experienced specialists, are available in most orchestral instruments, as well as piano, singing , music theory, guitar (both acoustic and electric) and drums. Every child has a chance to enjoy the experience of making music with others, either in our regular Chapel assemblies, the Chapel Choir or the South Shropshire Music Academy orchestras. The annual House Music Competition takes place in the Spring Term and is adjudicated by an external expert.
Our pupils frequently excel in Music Examinations, in both Trinity Guildhall and the Associated Board, which take place termly. Music Scholarships and Exhibitions to senior schools are also regularly won by our most talented musical leavers.
ASSESSMENT
Throughout the year, children are assessed by a combination of observations, formative and summative assessments and exams.
Effort and Attainment Grades are used to develop goals and structures around academic progress. Level Descriptors convey to parents their child's progress, and to help both them and their child to understand each child's academic targets.