The Prep School
All pupils in the prep school are prepared for Common Entrance and Scholarships to Independent Schools throughout the United Kingdom. In recent years, many academic, all-rounder and specialist awards have been gained to a wide range of Public Schools. Children are taught in small classes, averaging 12, and the teacher/pupil ratio is approximately 1:9. There is no entrance test to the school.
The school has modern science, I.T., art, drama and music facilities. Much emphasis is put on high performance in these subjects.
The welfare of the pupils is in the care of the Head, his team of Housemasters and mistresses and a dedicated team of matrons. Most teaching staff live on site with their families and all are actively involved in the pastoral care of the children. We operate a system of personal tutors, who monitor each child's personal needs and academic progress throughout their time in the prep school. The pupils are also closely monitored by their form teacher and year group head. There are four "houses" in which meet regularly and compete with each other. The children and staff sit in their house groups for lunch each day.
The major games played are rugby, hockey, football, netball, cricket, athletics, swimming and tennis. The school has its own heated indoor pool, tennis courts, cricket nets and a large, fully equipped sports hall. The school plays regular matches against other prep schools located all around the north of England and in Scotland.
Mowden Hall has a strong link with the Cothill Educational Trust, with whom the school shares their magnificent Château de Sauveterre in southwest France. The children all spend a full term at the château in Year 7, (11-12 year olds) studying all subjects in French. After their return, their French is maintained through attendance at French clubs and weekly French lunches.
Every two years, there is a ski trip abroad for all members of the prep school. Recently, a geography field trip to Iceland took place. Sporting tours take the boys and girls all over the country, to the south and to Scotland and last year the hockey and rugby teams visited Ireland. There is an 8th year trip to the south of France each summer and a biennial trip to Paris for years 5 and 6.
Music and drama is practised throughout the school. Individual instrumental tuition is provided and over 75% of the Prep School pupils learn an instrument. Participation in choirs, music ensembles and the concert band are strongly encouraged. The children are encouraged to take music grade exams as frequently as possible. Every child performs in drama productions at regular intervals each year. Mowden Hall sends more children to the I.A.P.S. concert band training weeks than any other school in the U.K.
The school aims to bring out and nurture the individual talents of each pupil. It also encourages social responsibility, discipline and good manners in a Christian environment. There are regular assemblies through the week and a full service in our local church on Sundays, which parents are very welcome to attend.