About our school

Foundation

Moira House was founded in 1875 in Surrey. The School moved to its present site in 1887. The founders, Mr and Mrs Charles Ingham, were regarded in their time as gifted pioneers in the field of female education. In 1947 the School was converted into an Educational Trust. The Principal is in membership of the Girls’ Schools Association, the Boarding Schools’ Association, the British Council and an associate member of SHMIS.

Situation and Facilities

Situated on high ground in Eastbourne with views over the sea, the grounds open directly onto the Downs which provide magnificent walking country and offer opportunities for expedition work and field studies. There are extensive playing fields with facilities for Tennis, Cricket, Soccer, Hockey, Netball and Athletics, a 25-metre indoor heated swimming pool and an excellent all-weather sports hall. Each subject has its own resource base. Eastbourne is a thriving cultural centre containing 3 theatres, an art gallery and a concert hall.

Faith

The School is inter-denominational.

Organisation

Junior School

The Junior School has provision for 120 day girls starting at age 2 and junior boarders starting from the age of 9.

Senior School

The Senior School has provision for 120 boarders and 150 day girls.

Boarding Houses

There are two boarding houses, one of which is a dedicated to Sixth Form students with single and twin study-bedrooms. Each house has a team combining resident staff and house mothers. Emphasis is placed upon a full range of extra-curricular activities, both in the evenings and at weekends.

Curriculum

Junior School

(IAPS) We offer a wide curriculum, whilst preparing for transfer to the Senior School.

Senior School

The formal academic courses follow a broad curriculum offering 22 subjects leading to GCSE, AS and A Level and University Entrance. At GCSE we offer English, English Literature, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science, French, German, Spanish, Latin, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Music, Economics, Photography, Drama, Art and Design, Design/Technology, ICT, Physical Education and Statistics.

Sixth Form

A Levels are offered in Art, Craft and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, Further Mathematics, Geography, History, ICT, French, German, Spanish, Mathematics, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology and Religious Studies.

Careers Counselling

We have a strong programme of Careers Counselling.

Health

The school doctor holds regular surgeries at the School and there are Sisters in charge of the health centre.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Academic Scholarships are awarded annually for admission to Years 7, 9 and 12, and they are worth up to 35% of fees. Candidates take papers in English, Mathematics and Science, and are interviewed by the Principal. In addition, the School offers Music, Art, Drama and Sport Exhibitions to candidates who are especially gifted in these disciplines, and these are awarded on the basis of an audition or practical assessment. Where appropriate, these awards may be supplemented with a Bursary.

Mission Statement

“Moira House will provide an excellent all-round education, which will encourage each individual pupil to attain her highest academic, artistic, musical, social, and sporting potential in a friendly, happy yet purposeful community, with a global perspective which is multi-cultural with a Christian foundation, in a safe and caring environment.”

The Founder of Moira House, Charles Ingham, also stressed the importance of the following ideals:

• The early years in a child’s education
• Close links between home and School
• The development of a sense of personal responsibility
• A caring and achieving atmosphere
• Mutual respect for the perfect in workmanship
• The productive use of sport and leisure

Above: Taken from a Brenda Barratt original

Drama and Music

Drama and Music have always been strengths of Moira House. We are aware of the part Speech and Drama play in the development of clear communication and creative expression. There are a number of School productions and concerts each year, and school choirs take part in performances throughout Sussex. We also enter the local festival of Music and Drama and proximity to Glyndebourne gives girls a chance to have their first taste of opera at an early age. As well as regular class music lessons, there is every opportunity to learn a musical instrument, and the exams of the various musical examining bodies are taken. There is also a state of the art recording studio. Overseas tours to Europe, America, Australia, Dubai and Hong Kong also take place bi-annually.

Physical Education and Sport

We provide excellent new facilities. The main sports are Swimming, Netball, Tennis, Athletics and Hockey, and teams represent the School in these and in cricket and football. In addition, coaching is given in Sailing, Riding, Squash, Dance, Golf and Badminton.

Activities

Activities are considered an essential part of the curriculum. Many activities are offered, including: Drama, Music, Trampolining, Pottery, Chess, Local History, Sailing, Down-walking, Environmental Studies, Poetry/Play Reading, Table Tennis, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Mandarin, Japanese, and Debating. Girls are also encouraged to be aware of the needs of others. Old people and disabled people are visited on a regular basis and senior girls work with local charities. There are annual expeditions both within this country and to Europe and the School has links with French, German and international schools of a similar nature to ours.

Entry

Entry is by interview and review of previous school reports and references. Admission to the Junior School at any age; to the Senior School usually at 11–13+ and 16+.

Charitable status

Moira House Girls School is a Registered Charity, number 307072. It exists to provide quality education for young women.