Shropshire Star

Moreton Hall school looks east as it launches global expansion

A Shropshire independent school is to open a new venture on the other side of the world.

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Moreton Hall's school in China

Moreton Hall, near Oswestry, has announced the opening of an international pre-prep school in Pujiang province, China.

The school will cater for children aged three to seven and is being heralded as the first of a number of schools under the auspices of Moreton Hall opening in different cities in the Shanghai region.

Moreton Hall International will open in September 2019.

Principal of the Shropshire based school, Jonathan Forster, said it would have an initial roll of 100 children but was expected to grow substantially over the next five years.

He said that the project was a collaboration between Moreton Hall and a Chinese partner, who is financing the project.

Speaking together with Moreton's International Director Victoria Eastman, Mr Forster said: "The benefits of this collaboration are clear. It allows both staff and students to visit the school and other associated schools in China and will strengthen the links between Moreton First and education in China.

"Our Chinese partner has made many visits to Moreton and wishes to replicate the educational principles and excellent standards of Moreton in China."

The school is following in the footsteps of many public schools which have opened schools in China.

Shropshire based staff will oversee the appointment of British staff and provide training to staff from China.

"This venture will cement Moreton’s position as one of the country’s leading schools, at the forefront of innovation and enterprise," Mr Forster said.

"Moreton Hall’s responsibilities will be to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning."

He said the fee income generated would enhance Moreton Hall’s revenue, allowing for further developments at Moreton over the next few years.

Last year the school reached the finals of the TES Independent School of the Year Awards in the category 'whole school community initiative of the year’.