GEMS Moor Allerton Prospectus

MOOR ALLERTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL A GEMS SCHOOL

Fortiter Laborare, Fortiter Ludite

Our high academic standards and family atmosphere help to nurture a love of learning that brings out the best in all pupils.

Founded 1914, Moor Allerton Preparatory School is a co-educational day school and nursery for children aged between three and eleven years. With a Christian ethos, we welcome children of all faiths within our caring and individualised learning environment.

The school enjoys an enviable reputation for academic success, with most Year 6 pupils achieving entry to the leading independent grammar schools locally.

Although justifiably proud of these excellent results, we are committed to

providing a well-rounded education that not only builds knowledge but also develops essential skills, provides enrichment and fosters a lifelong thirst for learning. This is achieved through our broad and balanced curriculum, a packed programme of extra-curricular activities and an emphasis on exciting residential trips.

Small class sizes, specialist teaching and a spirit of partnership with parents all contribute to our record of success. As they progress through the school, we

A broad and wide-ranging curriculum, including excellent enrichment and extra-curricular activities, enables pupils to develop their individuality and increase their knowledge.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

encourage pupils to become confident in their own abilities and enable them to think for themselves. By the time they leave, they have developed into knowledgeable, ambitious and compassionate young people. We warmly invite you to visit the school to experience for yourself the enthusiasm for learning and sense of fun that pervades Moor Allerton.

MOOR ALLERTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL

An inspiring & enriching education

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Active learning An emphasis on exploration and participation builds confidence and ensures that children’s first experiences of learning are fun.

Throughout their time in nursery (age 3 to 4) and reception (age 4 to 5), children follow the curriculum of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which we enhance with additional opportunities and specialist teaching in music, dance and PE. Classroom computers and interactive whiteboards allow even our youngest children to benefit from the use of ICT in all areas of their learning.

Children are encouraged to develop their communication and social skills through a combination of structured play and more formal learning, with a caring atmosphere ensuring that they feel secure.

An emphasis on outdoor activities helps their physical development, while creativity is promoted through arts and crafts, role-play and music making.

As they progress through nursery, children are introduced to early literacy and numeracy concepts. These are then strengthened and deepened during the reception year to provide a firm foundation for future learning. We aim to discover and nurture each child’s individual talents, carefully monitoring their progress to ensure they continually receive an appropriate level of challenge.

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May we take this opportunity to personally thank you and all the staff for providing a wonderful environment for both our children…and giving them a better start in life than we could ever have hoped for.

Parent

MOOR ALLERTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Growing independence

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As they progress through the school, pupils are encouraged to use their initiative and develop self-discipline in their studies.

Teaching is effective and supports pupils’ learning and achievement well, providing a firm grounding in academic skills.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

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The programme for both infants (Years 1 and 2) and juniors (Years 3 to 6) is based on the National Curriculum but is enhanced by a wealth of additional learning opportunities.

Pupils extend their knowledge and problem-solving skills through active exploration and investigation. ICT continues to play a key role, with children using a range of technologies including computers, interactive whiteboards, digital cameras and programmable toys.

Work is individually targeted, ensuring that more able pupils receive extra challenge, while those experiencing

difficulties benefit from additional support. Parents are regularly updated on progress through written reports, consultation evenings and – from Year 3 – homework diaries, as well as weekly coffee mornings at which parents in different year groups meet with staff.

High expectations, experienced teachers and great facilities – including an ICT suite, art and design technology centre, drama and music room, well-stocked libraries and science laboratory – contribute to the outstanding quality of education. This is strengthened by the subject knowledge and enthusiasm that result from an increasing level of

specialist teaching, which also gets older pupils accustomed to the secondary learning style within the security of their primary school. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 are carefully prepared for entrance examinations, with subject and class teachers supporting families in their choice of school.

Recognising that pupils learn significantly more in a well-balanced environment, artistic, musical and sporting activities – including swimming from Year 2 – play a vital role in the curriculum, with achievements in all aspects of school life celebrated.

MOOR ALLERTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Opportunities for all A rich variety of extra-curricular activities and excellent pastoral care combine to ensure pupils feel happy and secure.

6 Our school motto – Fortiter Laborate, Fortiter Ludite (Work Hard, Play Hard) – sums up our commitment to providing a balanced education. As well as a holiday club out of term, we offer an extended school day from 7.45 am until 5.45 pm, with children enjoying an extensive programme of after-school activities that ranges from Tae Kwon-Do to ballet.

Pupils have many opportunities to develop and showcase their sporting, musical, artistic and dramatic talents.

They enjoy a wide range of sports, taking part in inter-house and interschool fixtures, including swimming galas at Manchester’s Aquatics Centre.

Our ‘activity afternoon’ every Friday is a highlight, allowing pupils to try pursuits such as golf, horse riding and chess. Children can perform in the choir or orchestra and individual instrument

tuition is offered, with many achieving music theory and practical grades.

All pupils participate in the numerous assemblies and productions that we stage, boosting their confidence and public speaking abilities.

Learning is enhanced through visits to museums, theatres and other places of interest, while various organisations visit the school to talk about their work. The horizons of juniors are broadened through a number of residential adventure courses at which activities such as orienteering improve their initiative and teamwork.

From Year 4, they can also enjoy the annual ski trip to France.

Our positive ethos, house system and regular assemblies foster a family feel, with Benes (for juniors) and stars (for infants) rewarding achievement

and helpfulness. Charity fundraising develops pupils’ compassion for those less fortunate, while personal, social and health education – beginning with circle time and later becoming a dedicated lesson – helps children to grow in selfassurance and to understand healthy lifestyles. In their final year, pupils are encouraged to take positions of responsibility, such as prefects and school council representatives.

Parents also form a vital part of our school community. Our weekly newsletter keeps families updated on all areas of school life, while the active PTA provides a valuable link between home and school.

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May we take this opportunity to personally thank you and all the staff for providing a wonderful environment for both our children…and giving them a better start in life than we could ever have hoped for.

Parent

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Excellence in education GEMS Education is the world’s largest private provider of Nursery to Year 13 education, with a global network of high-performing schools.

GEMS Education is an international education company that owns and operates high performing schools. It also offers consulting services to both the public and private sectors. For 50 years, GEMS Education has provided excellent education to hundreds of thousands of children around the world.

GEMS has a global network of world class international schools, which provide quality holistic education to more than 100,000 students from 125 countries. It employs over 9,000 education professionals, specialists and staff. GEMS has a world class leadership team, that combines business and education expertise from around the globe.

The GEMS Education school model is unique in the world.

It offers a broad range of curricula with varying fee structures, making private education more accessible to the broader community. GEMS Education also supports Governments’ education reform agendas by working with Ministries of Education to lift school performance and improve the standards and expertise in government schools across the globe.

Our core values GEMS schools focus on academic performance and nurturing each pupil’s character, creativity and all-round capability.

This commitment to developing compassionate, competent and lifelong learners is embedded in our core values, which permeate the life of our schools: World Citizenship Empowering students with a global and local perspective.

Universal Values Accepting that we are all different, while recognising that we are all the same.

Leadership Developing each student’s individuality and discovering his or her potential.

Forward Thinking Developing skills for the future.

Staff provide exceptionally strong support and guidance for all pupils within a calm working atmosphere. They are very good role models and display courtesy to pupils, parents and visitors. They are also caring and considerate towards each other which contributes positively to the ethos in the school.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

The Varkey GEMS Foundation is a not for profit education organisation.

Our aim is to impact one hundred underprivileged children for every student enrolled at a GEMS school.

The Foundation will benefit 10 million children globally.

MOOR ALLERTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Moor Allerton School 131 Barlow Moor Road Didsbury Manchester M20 2PW Tel: 0161 445 4521 office@mas.gemsedu.co.uk www.moorallertonschool.com

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A GEMS SCHOOL