West Midlands

Birchfield School

5281 West Midlands

(Founded 1935) Albrighton, Wolverhampton, Shropshire WV7 3AF Tel: 01902 372534 Email: admissions@birchfieldschool.co.uk Website: www.birchfieldschool.co.uk Headmistress: Sarah Morris School type: Co-educational Day Age range of pupils: 4–16 years No. of pupils enrolled as at 01/01/2022: 142

Fees per annum as at 01/01/2022:

Day: £7,500–£11,000

Birchfield School is a preparatory and senior school for boys and girls aged 4 to 16. In a new and exciting development, the senior school recently extended its provision with the first ever Year 9 class due to join in September 2023 and sit a comprehensive 3 year GCSE programme.

The school’s mission is to inspire and nurture every pupil in its care, exploring and expanding their individual potential, and to encourage them within a caring community to hold in the highest esteem mutual respect, kindness, aspiration and diligence. Birchfield pupils receive a truly rounded education and pupils move on with exemplary manners, social skills and a love of learning.

In November 2021, ISI inspectors, in judging the school ‘Excellent’ in all categories, noted that pupils ‘make excellent progress’ and ‘achieve highly in all areas’. Referring to Birchfield as an ‘extremely harmonious and happy community’, the report concluded that ‘from the earliest age, pupils are enthusiastic and ambitious learners, with a genuine desire to succeed.’

Birchfield School offers first class specialist teaching with small class sizes and offers a range of facilities including two IT suites, an outdoor Early Years classroom, a 6,000 title library, a Food Technology room and a much-loved Forest School.

With 20 acres of extensive playing fields, including three cricket squares and practice nets and a multi-purpose astro-turf sports arena, pupils are well served with superb facilities. Sport forms an important part of the curriculum with all pupils offered the opportunity to play in sports teams.

Art, Music and Drama also play a key role in the school with pupils taking part in art competitions, drama productions, as well as learning a musical instrument and performing regularly.

Birchfield is supported by Prepcare Nursery which operates on the school site and accepts children from 6 weeks old.

Moor Park

5610 West Midlands

(Founded 1964) Richards Castle, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 4DZ

Moor Park is a co-educational, boarding and day school accepting children from 3 months to 13 years of age.

Children often start in the Tick Tock Nursery, which provides a secure, nurturing and fun environment for our very youngest children. They transfer to the Pre-Prep Nursery and Kindergarten in the term that they turn 3. Children are then carefully prepared to start more formal schooling by a team of well-qualified and caring staff.

Our children are prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to move on with confidence to the full range of schools nationally. Eton, Harrow, Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Radley, as well as the more local schools, are regular destinations and children also develop the independence they will need to succeed in a rapidly changing world whilst making full use of the 85 acres of beautiful grounds. An impressive proportion of our leavers win scholarships in a variety of disciplines. These include academic and extra- curricular awards to some of the top senior schools in the country.

It is also worth saying that Moor Park is a school where children of all abilities thrive and where children are treated as unique individuals. All of this is underpinned by a culture of kindness founded on Catholic principles, which ensures that all children are valued for who they are. Passionate teachers and an average class size of around 14 also make a difference.

Not every child can be good at everything but every child can be good at something and finding something for every child is something that we take seriously. Moor Park’s facilities and, more importantly, enthusiastic and dedicated staff ensure that the school is well placed to get the best out of every child. Tel: 01584 876 061 Email: head@moorpark.org.uk Website: www.moorpark.org.uk Headmaster: Mr Charles G O’B Minogue Appointed: September 2015

School type:

Co-educational Day, Full & Flexi Boarding Age range of pupils: 0–13 years No. of pupils enrolled as at 01/01/2022: 214 Boys: 108 Girls: 106

Fees per term as at 01/01/2022:

Day: £2,225–£6,215 Full Boarding: £7,700–£9,225 Average class size: 14 Teacher/pupil ratio: 1:8

Moreton Hall

6972 West Midlands

(Founded 1913) Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 3EW Tel: 01691 776028

Email:

moretonhallprep@moretonhall.com

Website:

www.moretonhall.org/moreton-prep Head: Mr John Bond School type: Co-educational Day & Boarding Preparatory Age range of pupils: 6 months–11 years No. of pupils enrolled as at 01/01/2022: 150

Fees per annum as at 01/01/2022:

Day: £10,650–£15,135 Full Boarding: £24,570 Average class size: 14

Our Prep School is an aspirational, joyous and nurturing independent preparatory school for children aged 6 months to 11 years old.

As an integral part of Moreton Hall, which was named TES Boarding School of the Year 2021, the Prep School is located in the centre of the school grounds, taking full advantage of the 100 acres of parkland and the extensive facilities of one of England’s premier independent boarding schools, including our own farm.

Built on a solid foundation of teaching excellence, the Prep School shares the Senior School’s high academic aspirations and uniquely joyous and nurturing family environment. Children are not only happy here, they flourish - academically, socially and personally. Our Prep School received the highest ranking of excellent in its most recent ISI inspection, with inspectors commenting: “The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent.” Our teaching staff are exceptional and lie at the heart of the school’s success. They are passionate about positive learning and skilled in teaching, bringing out the best in each individual pupil.

Our core teaching staff is augmented by specialists from our Senior School, including in sport, music, drama and spoken English, which is a hallmark of a Moreton education.

Moreton’s liberal approach gives children the freedom to be themselves: playful, curious and confident. Instead of petty and punitive rules, we have a mutually beneficial loop of respect and trust between teachers and pupils. With small class sizes, every child is valued and understood. Our pastoral care is of the highest quality, ensuring pupils feel safe and are supported and encouraged to take on challenges, to persevere and find success and joy in all that they do.

Outdoor education, child-centred exploration and sensitive guidance are the keys to our success in the Early Years, Year 1 and Year 2. As children move along to the junior stage, they are encouraged to aspire to individual academic, creative and sporting goals. Our rich extracurricular programme develops interests and resilience. Recognising the demands of modern, busy family life, we provide a variety of wrap around support, including after-school and holiday clubs, prep sessions and evening meals, as well as flexi and full-time boarding.

Located in beautiful north Shropshire, our Prep School’s central location means we are only one hour from three of England’s largest cities: Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, and 30 minutes from the market towns of Chester and Shrewsbury. We also welcome students from nearby North Wales, Wrexham and Herefordshire, as well as London. We warmly invite you to visit us and discover the Moreton Magic for yourself.

Priory School

7209 West Midlands

(Founded 1936) 39 Sir Harry’s Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2UR Tel: 0121 440 4103 Email: enquiries@prioryschool.net Website: www.prioryschool.net Headmaster: Mr J Cramb School type: Co-educational Day Age range of pupils: 6 months–18 years

Priory School is a centre of excellence where children and young people flourish, nurtured by a faith-based framework, permeating everything that we do.

Our resolute success and culture of aspiration begins with excellent standards of teaching and learning delivered within small classes and developed to meet the needs of the individual. It is enhanced by the quality of relationships between all members of the school community, built on honesty and respect and supported by a diverse and tailored curriculum to challenge and inspire.

Our trailblazing ‘through school approach’ offers a seamless educational transition from six months to eighteen years providing our pupils with a strong sense of belonging and stability, and an opportunity to grow into responsible and successful young people fully equipped for life after school.

Beyond the classroom, an incredibly diverse range of opportunities ensures each young person can excel spiritually, artistically, culturally and physically. We are a centre of sporting excellence, ensuring that students who compete at regional and national level in their chosen disciplines are also supported academically.

You are cordially invited to come along and see how your son or daughter will benefit from a Priory education.

Come and confirm for yourself that Priory gives you the ‘edge’ in Edgbaston and beyond!

Pattison School

6434 West Midlands

86-90 Binley Road, Coventry, West Midlands CV3 1FQ Tel: 024 7645 5031 Email: office@pattisons.co.uk Website: www.pattisons.co.uk Head of School: Mr Graeme Delaney School type: Co-educational Day Age range of pupils: 2–18 years

Coventry based Pattison is a non-selective school for pupils aged 2 to 18 that offers excellent tuition and personal care where each student can shine. Founded in 1949 and now part of Chatsworth Schools, Pattison is a very special school because of its highly acclaimed performing arts pedigree combined with a strong academic focus. Students can take advantage of confidence-building performance opportunities in dance, drama and music, as well as a firstclass education. This is all within a family environment with all the advantages of an uninterrupted all-through education and a strong focus on pastoral care.

All children from the age of four to Year 9 have a Speech and Drama lesson as part of their timetable. This lesson enables pupils to develop into confident, articulate members of society. From a young age, pupils are also encouraged to express themselves through dance and to develop the physical control and discipline required to dance, through weekly lessons. In music, specialist staff teach all pupils from the Early Years to Year 10 and pupils are encouraged to join the Junior and Senior choirs, which take part in performances throughout the year, as well as competing successfully in local festivals.

At all levels, the Performing Arts are taught by specialist teachers and most pupils coming to Pattison take advantage of the vast range of dance activities. Individual timetables are designed for all pupils, based on their interest, experience and ability. A Sports Club also takes place three times a week at lunchtimes for those who are not dance enthusiasts.

Being a small school, Pattison’s celebrates and values each child’s individuality, and staff take the time to get to know every pupil, supporting them, helping them and encouraging them to learn at their own pace. This pastoral care continues right through their time at Pattison. Children are supported, challenged or extended depending on their individual needs, so that they are always working to their full potential. All children are given the opportunity to develop their learning and interests as individuals and within small groups.

In the Early Years, learning through play develops into phonics and numeracy through games and group activities. It is in these early years that Pattison children develop a life-long passion for learning and a deep thirst for knowledge about the world around them.

At Pattison, there is one class comprising both Years 1 and 2 children. This means children between the ages of 5 to 7 have two years to learn the Key Stage 1 objectives. This gives the younger children a better chance of meeting those learning objectives and allows the older children

time to grow in confidence. Pattison has two classes at Key Stage 2: the Lower Juniors (Years 3 and 4) and the Upper Juniors (Years 5 and 6). Good literacy and numeracy skills are essential at this stage and Pattison believes that mixed age and ability is an ideal environment in which to encourage this.

Age 11, Pattison pupils progress to the Senior School as happy, accomplished, self-confident, well-mannered young people, respectful of each other. The Pattison Senior School courses are based on the National Curriculum which lead to G.C.S.E. examinations as well as a BTEC in IT. Non-examination subjects include Art, RE, PSHEE, Citizenship and Music.

Pattison is proud of its pupils fantastic achievements. Some children leave the school at age 16 and the majority of these children continue on to further education and university. Other children chose to stay on at Pattison until age 18 to participate in the schools excellent Musical Theatre Course which prepares students for careers both as performers and teachers. Students who leave Pattison at the end of the Musical Theatre Course are extremely well prepared for this with qualifications and skills in dance, drama and singing.

Every Pattison student has the opportunity to shine and fulfil their full potential, in preparation for a bright future.

The Old Hall School

6169 West Midlands

(Founded 1845) Stanley Road, Wellington, Shropshire TF1 3LB Tel: 01952 223117 Email: admissions@oldhall.co.uk Website: www.oldhall.co.uk Headmaster: Mr Martin Stott School type: Co-educational Day Age range of pupils: 4–11 No. of pupils enrolled as at 01/01/2022: 232

Fees per annum as at 01/01/2022:

Day: £8,850–£13,920 Average class size: Circa 20 Teacher/pupil ratio: 1:10

Founded in 1845, The Old Hall School is a co-educational day school (4-11 years), housed in spectacular premises, located alongside Wrekin College, in beautiful Shropshire. Old Hall prides itself on being a progressive school, which also represents the traditions of all that is best in education; a community committed to the belief that every child has talents which need to be identified and developed.

Pupils are encouraged to develop a desire to learn, to think for themselves and to aim high in setting their own personal goals. Achievement and individuality are recognised and celebrated in many ways both inside and outside the classrooms; the children are encouraged to recognise and appreciate each other’s achievements, celebrate success modestly and accept disappointment with grace.

The school offers first-class facilities; a double sports hall, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, an artificial playing surface and grass pitches offer an excellent sports and games environment, whilst specialist music and drama areas help to promote high standards in the performing arts.

A suite of specialist learning support rooms reflects the School’s commitment to the needs of the individual.

A dedicated team of professionals who encourage pupils to fulfil their potential in a happy and secure environment enrich the broad curriculum.

Through the academic curriculum and caring pastoral system, the school aims to lay solid foundations in the development of well-motivated, confident and happy individuals who are always willing to give of their best on the road to high achievement.

Please do come and visit us to see for yourself all we can offer your child.

West House School

5270 West Midlands

(Founded 1895) 24 St James’s Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2NX Tel: 0121 440 4097 Fax: 0121 440 5839 Email: secretary@westhouseprep.com Website: www.westhouseprep.com

Headmaster:

Mr Alistair M J Lyttle BA(Hons), PGCE, NPQH School type: Boys’ Day Prep with Co-educational Nursery Age range of boys: 1–11 years Age range of girls: 1–4 years No. of pupils enrolled as at 01/01/2022: 350

Fees per term as at 01/01/2022:

Day: £2,200–£4,226 Average class size: 17 (two form entry) Teacher/pupil ratio: 1:12

Situated in the leafy oasis of the Calthorpe Estate, West House School has occupied the same site since its foundation in 1895. Since that time, the school has evolved significantly to become an independent preparatory school for boys aged 4-11 years, with a co-educational Early Years setting offering care for children aged from 12 months. West House is a member of The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools and, as such, upholds the requirement to provide a ‘world class education’.

West House is a non-denominational school, guided by Christian principles. It is divided into three departments - Prep (Years 3-6), Pre-Prep (Years 1 & 2) and the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery - Reception).

With five acres of beautiful grounds, less than two miles from Birmingham city centre, the school lies at the heart of a thriving community. It is surrounded by many outstanding cultural and recreational facilities. These enrich the lives of all pupils and complement a broad and balanced curriculum through which boys explore and extend their talents in sport, music and performing arts.

The school continues to boast a unique family atmosphere of which founding Headmaster, Arthur Perrott Cary Field, would have been proud. However, in the spirit of combining the best of its traditions with an education that prepares pupils for life in the middle part of the 21st century, it remains determined to be at the forefront of innovation.

Employing 45 full-time and part-time academic staff, West House has grown considerably during the last five years to accommodate approximately 310 pupils - 130 of whom attend the EYFS Department.

Pupils are prepared for a wide range of senior schools and standards at 11+ are consistently high, with most Year 6 boys transferring to local grammar schools, King Edward’s School, Birmingham and Solihull School.

Further details about the school can be found at www.westhouseprep.com

Ackworth School

6179 Yorkshire & Humberside

(Founded 1779) Pontefract Road, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF7 7LT Tel: 01977 233 600 Email: admissions@ackworthschool.com Website: www.ackworthschool.com

Headteacher:

Mr. Anton Maree BA Rhodes (HDE) Appointed: September 2014

School type:

Coeducational Day & Boarding Religious Denomination: Quaker Age range of pupils: 2.5–18 years No. of pupils enrolled as at 01/01/2022: 510

Fees per term as at 01/01/2022:

Day: £3,000–£4,935 Full Boarding: £8,436–£10,692 Average class size: 16 Teacher/pupil ratio: 1:12

Ackworth has always been a coeducational, boarding and day school. For 240 years, we have maintained a passion for teaching and learning. We are proud of our traditions and family values, but equally proud of our innovative approach to co-education.

Ackworth is a dynamic and forwardthinking school. We strive to develop resilient individuals who not only think creatively, but also act ethically and with responsibility. We encourage our students to express themselves with confidence, to embody the Quaker value of speaking respectfully to others, but also in a way that is true to themselves and their beliefs.

First-class teaching is at the heart of any good school and Ackworth benefits greatly from the quality and experience of its teaching staff. Our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum based on the National Curriculum but taking advantage of the flexibility we enjoy as an independent school. We encourage students to make curriculum choices which suit them best and much advice and guidance is on offer to help them to do this.

Located in a beautiful rural setting in Yorkshire, we offer broad educational opportunities from nursery age to sixth form, for day pupils and boarders.

Some of these opportunities are: • proven academic performance • a safe and supportive atmosphere • the strength of quiet reflection • excellent sport, music, drama, visual arts and recreational facilities The School embraces the Quaker ethos of looking for the good in people, encouraging the individual and providing a friendly, supportive environment. First class teaching, a broad curriculum and superb facilities provide the foundations for a stimulating learning environment.