Moorlands Diploma January 2011
As many of you are already aware, September 2009 saw the launch of the Moorlands Diploma – a comprehensive, two year curriculum for Year 7 and Year 8.
The Moorlands Diploma takes the broad academic curriculum of Common Entrance, and builds upon it, adding subjects such as Art, PE and Music to pupils’ assessment. We believe that an approach that gives each pupil an opportunity to be recognised for their own strengths over a period of time is the way forward, and is a far more relevant approach to education than purely preparing pupils for a short stint of high pressure exams at the end of Year 8.
While ensuring that we maintain our high standards of academic rigour, we emphasise the strands of critical thinking, team work and leadership in all aspects of the curriculum – not only through our planning and presentation of lessons, but even going as far as bringing in outside experts to work with us in developing each pupil’s strengths, and finding ways to assist pupils in areas where there is room for development. Pupils are continuously assessed on their progress in these three areas, and this contributes to their overall Diploma score.
Our approach has been met with a great deal of interest. Secondary schools to whom we send pupils in Year 9 have been delighted with this initiative, recognising the value of a curriculum where pupils are taken beyond traditional teaching and testing. Last year we hosted a meeting with other Northern Prep Schools to introduce our Diploma to them, and this was met with considerable interest.
Repton, one of the UK’s leading Public Schools, has agreed to moderate the Moorlands Diploma, and we have already had extensive talks with them, setting out the practicalities of this arrangement. This will ensure that we retain the highest standard in all areas.
We have been asked to be part of a steering group made up of a small group of Prep Schools (we are the only Northern Prep School involved so far), Public Schools and the Independent Schools Examination Board – to develop a Prep Schools Baccalaureate, as an alternative to Common Entrance.
The end of this academic year will see the first group of graduates receive their Moorlands Diplomas. We wish them (our current Year 8s) all of the best in their endeavours, and encourage them to continue working at the high standards that they are currently achieving.
Andy Chandler - Director of Studies
