January 17th 2026
It was a pleasure to welcome Year 5 parents to our Senior Schools’ Information Evening earlier this week. At this annual meeting, the Headmaster and I provide an overview of the senior school transition process and outline how we support families as they begin to consider life beyond Moulsford.
This year, we were delighted to be joined by Tyrone Howe, Headmaster of Shiplake College, who offered an insightful and refreshingly honest perspective on the next stage of our pupils’ educational journey. He spoke thoughtfully about the breadth of excellent senior school options available and how parents might approach the important task of identifying the right school for their child.
Choosing a senior school represents both a significant emotional and financial investment, and with our sector experiencing notable change, the shifting educational landscape can feel unsettling for families to navigate. Tyrone spoke openly about the value of remaining in a Prep School for Years 7 and 8 which are such pivotal and formative years as children move towards adolescence. He highlighted the importance of nurturing confidence, character and independence within a secure and supportive environment, while continuing to provide meaningful challenge and opportunity for personal growth.
At Moulsford, we see the character, confidence and maturity of our Year 8 leavers as vital benchmarks of all that they gain during their time here. It is always a source of great pride to see former pupils thriving in senior schools, with Old Moles having recently been appointed as Heads of School at Abingdon, Shiplake, Wellington, Marlborough, Pangbourne and Eton.
We know your children very well. We will always aim high for them, and we are fortunate to enjoy strong professional relationships with the Heads, Registrars and staff of a wide range of senior schools. This allows us to offer honest, impartial advice about what will best suit each individual child. Our independence and the fact that we are not bound by affiliation to one single senior school remains one of our greatest strengths, particularly at a time of significant consolidation within the prep school sector.
