Heritage

Moorlands is the oldest prep school in Leeds. It was originally housed in St Chad’s Villas on Otley Road, and opened with only one pupil – Douglas Corson – in the Summer Term of 1898.

In 1967, Moorlands moved to its current location in Weetwood.  The building, Fox Hill, was built in 1862 as the family home of William Tetley (son of the famous Leeds’ brewer, Joshua Tetley), his wife and fourteen children!

Fox Hill was designed by George Corson (1829-1910), the architect who was responsible for many famous buildings in the city including the Grand Theatre and Leeds Central Library. He also won a competition to landscape Roundhay Park and designed the layout and many of the buildings in Lawnswood Cemetery.

Intrepide

During its time at Fox Hill, Moorlands has seen many changes including becoming co-coeducational and having a new indoor swimming pool and gymnasium built. But the values which underpin the school have stayed constant and not least, the importance of the school motto ‘Intrepide’.

School Climbing wall

The Denison Bowl is the final award presented on Speech Day and it is for general effort, excellence in all things and for being a ‘True Moorlander’.  It is presented in memory of John Denison, pupil No. 25 who attended the school between 1908 and 1913. His career as a pilot in the First World War was very short-lived, from the 21st March to the 13th of April 1918, when he was shot whilst out on patrol. It is quite amazing to think that on our next Speech Day the cup will be presented for the 100th time.