Delight as Shropshire school is listed in top guide
A school in Shropshire has been named one of the best in the country after being featured in the independent Good Schools Guide.
Moreton Hall School in Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry, was praised by reviewers for its academic results, entrepreneurship, inspiration to students and the general atmosphere on the school grounds.
The book says: "It is outside the radar of parents who don't look beyond the home counties but more fool them – they are the ones missing out here. We felt that every girl in England should have at least a term in this environment."
The guide also praised the leadership of principal Jonathan Forster for being "always ahead of the game, ensuring the school leads not follows market demands".
Mr Forster said he was delighted with the review, which was carried out in a similar style to an Ofsted inspection.
"It's great. I've been head here for 21 years and its the kind of thing that you hope for your school and it truly is a team effort," he said.
"The people who do the review are retired heads so they know what they're looking for. They spoke to past and current pupils, parents and staff, then they went around the school for half a day and spoke to me.
"It's quite an accolade to be in the book because you wouldn't be there if you weren't doing well. It's jolly nice to be recognised, but the moment you get this the pressure's on to get another one next time."
The review says that the school works hard to increase means tested bursaries, particularly to allow local girls from state schools to join the sixth form.
"Everyone pays something but the aim is to give girls who would otherwise not have the opportunity a chance to experience the high-powered, aspiration world of Moreton Hall."
It points out that almost all pupils go on to university, and adds: "Not surprisingly, given their experience in school, a remarkable number of old Moretonians are running successful businesses."
About 90 per cent of the pupils are boarders.
