Moon Hall School, Reigate A GSG School

What The Good Schools Guide says

Principal

Since 2018, Michelle Catterson BSc (psychology and biology). Originally from Scotland, she headed south with her husband and three young sons who all attend local Surrey schools. Formally head of science at Pennthorpe Prep School, she joined Moon Hall in 2016 as deputy head, quickly rising to acting head before taking the helm.

An active member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for dyslexia research, she and the pupils are often part of trials for new technical products. As well as being committed to research in specific learning differences, parents say she is open minded and very committed to pupils and school development. She became a board director/trustee of the British Dyslexia Association and has been appointed chair of the education committee for the trustees. In attendance with her most days is bouncy, friendly MHS mascot and therapy dog, Buzz.

Entrance

From age 7, pupils can join the school in any year group if spaces are available. Children are considered on an individual basis and need to provide an educational psychologist report along with any other relevant assessments and reports. Most prospective pupils will a have a primary diagnosis of dyslexia. If the school feel they can help, the child will be invited for two trial days to meet key staff and the peer group. If all goes well the school will then offer a place. The school is not equipped to assist children with global learning delays.

Exit

Most leave aged 16 after completing level two or GCSE courses. Pupils move off to a variety of sixth form provision for either A levels, BTECs or other vocational courses. The most popular choices are local FE colleges Reigate, East Surrey Redhill, Collyer's in Horsham and Kingston College. Others choose to go on to sixth forms in independent schools with good support departments, eg Seaford College, Box Hill School and More House School.

Teaching and learning

Moon Hall is a mainstream school specialising in teaching children with specific learning differences, primarily dyslexia and related conditions, dyspraxia, ADHD, speech, language and communication needs and dyscalculia. Made up of a small junior school (year 3-6) and a larger senior school (year 7-11), with most junior pupils continuing on to the senior department.

Everyone follows the national curriculum which can be differentiated and adapted as needed for small teaching groups. English, incorporating drama, is particularly strong and everyone develops a good standard of written and verbal communication with impressive higher-than-national-average results. Year 7-9 pupils participate in speech and drama classes, an active and enjoyable way to boost self-confidence and speaking skills.

Class sizes usually about 10–12 pupils, dropping to six or seven for some GCSE and BTEC subjects. MHS teaching style is multisensory and kinaesthetic, with pupils taught strategies to overcome the barriers they may be experiencing to support successful learning. Most literacy teachers have or are working towards a level 5 qualification in SpLDs and other specialist qualifications. Other subject teachers have gained specialist qualifications in SpLDs. Junior school staff and senior literacy co-ordinators are all trained in the effective and adaptable reading and spelling programme, Phono-Graphix.

Classrooms are carefully laid out with particular attention paid to lighting and good acoustics, which SpLD pupils can be hypersensitive to. Everyone learns to touch-type, and the school boasts a range of up-to-date assistive technologies including a text to speech converter, Orcam. This helps pupils to achieve the highest level of independence and avoid becoming over reliant on teaching assistants or other adults. Core subjects of maths, English and sciences take place in the mornings, leaving afternoons for humanities and creative learning. Pupils are encouraged to be ambitious in their studies, and where they may have difficulties, staff will work with them to help find solutions. Parents and teachers say it is very refreshing to find a school that concentrates on pupils' strengths rather than constantly reminding them of their weaknesses. Friday afternoons are sacrosanct, dedicated to activities so the working week ends positively for the whole school community.

Learning support and SEN

Moon Hall caters for a range of different individual needs, many of which are hidden, and provides an integrated support system of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, play therapists, TAs and counselling. The approach is gentle and woven into the school day across the curriculum, with pupils' differing therapeutic needs regularly monitored. The school also provides specialist counsellors and runs mindfulness training, as well as drawing and talking therapies. Staff expand their skills and knowledge through ongoing training opportunities for both emotional wellbeing and academic development.
Good mixture of male and female staff, including some ex-pupils who have trained as teachers and returned to work at the school. Parents say home-school partnerships are encouraged - academic and pastoral care staff are always available to talk to parents and pupils whatever the issue. The school has the highest level of CReSTeD listing, and, in 2022, won a major award for specialist provision from Nasen, as well as being shortlisted for innovation by the Independent Schools of the Year.

The arts and extracurricular

Lots of exciting art projects are on the go and quite a number of pupils take art and DT at GCSE level. Active in music and drama, the school runs its own festival for the arts. Pupils are encouraged to make their own films about favourite interests, stories or their own performances. Moon Hall is an exam centre for London Academy of Music Drama and the Arts (LAMDA), so many pupils choose to do a range of communication and performance exams. Pre-Covid, the school would invite inspirational sports and arts personalities into the school for talks and workshops. Pupils tell us they love the choice of clubs which can vary from term to term anything from rock choir to jewellery making on-site; off-site some country sports, clay pigeon shooting, and teambuilding pursuits.

Sport

Particularly impressive for a smaller school is the wide selection of sports and outdoor facilities. Extensive grounds include tennis courts and large playing fields for hockey and ball sports. Summer cricket is popular with both boys and girls. PE staff will find something to suit every child, and parents say there is an encouraging can-do attitude so the less confident pupils are never left behind. Forest school activities are organised by an adventurous teacher in the woods behind the school gardens.

Ethos and heritage

The school was founded by Berry Baker in 1985 when she noticed it was impossible to find a suitable school for her own child; she remains on the governing body. Finally the whole school is united, following the junior department's recent relocation from Dorking, where it used to share Belmont School's premises. Juniors and seniors are now housed in a delightful rural setting between Reigate and Dorking, in Burys Court, a grade 2 listed country house, built by a somewhat eccentric couple, who could never agree on design, eventually opting for a gothic style front with a mock Tudor back. Many original features survive including attractive arts and crafts style fireplaces and stained-glass windows, which contribute to the tranquil atmosphere.

Acres of grounds provide outdoor classrooms and lots of opportunities for gardening and horticultural pursuits. Family picnics continue to be a popular feature at weekends during the better weather.

Despite some bumpy rides over the years, Moon Hall is on a very strong upward path and governors are committed to a a continuous programme of updates to the facilities.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

Thought to be excellent, strong pastoral care is part of the school's ethos, with teaching staff, therapists, parents and counsellors working together to provide the best outcomes for all. Hugely inclusive - everyone has difficulties here so no one needs to feel different, which pupils find reassuring, particularly when they have found previous schools a challenge and lacking in awareness of how SpLDs can impact.

Wellbeing and mental health are high on the agenda, including a specific mental health first aider. PHSE is well organised, and the school runs different topical discussions and support groups. The LGBT group is open to everyone. For sensitive topics, such as 'What is consent?' there are separate boys/girls groups to ensure that everybody gets an opportunity to develop understanding and ask questions. Parents feel that the school has done particularly well in creating a supportive and caring atmosphere which trickles down to the pupils who are generally thought to be considerate and helpful to others.

Pupils and parents

Around 70 per cent of the pupils have EHCPs and are funded by their local authorities. From across the social and economic spectrum, families claim to be a 'mixed bag'. Parents are a friendly and supportive bunch - and bar the odd exception, most live within an hour’s journey of the school. Moon Hall runs a number of minibus routes that can pick up children from nearby stations and a variety of locations in Surrey, Kingston and outskirts of south London.

Money matters

Moon Hall Education Trust is a charity. There are some means tested bursaries available for up to 50 per cent of the fees. Parents are invited to contact the bursar directly to discuss eligibility.

The last word

A place where pupils' individual talents and confidence can flourish. Students are supported to be authors of their own stories through the staff's exceptional understanding of specific learning differences, thoughtful pastoral care and boundless opportunities.

Special Education Needs

Moon Hall School Reigate is a Dyslexia Specialist school where we provide an access to Mainstream Education with the support and guidance of Specialist staff. We have maximum class sizes of 12, have gold standard CReSTeD registration and strong pastoral support throughout the school. From September 2020 we introduced our own in house Therapy team consisting of two Occupational Therapists and two Speech and Language Therapists. Our Headteacher is a Trustee for the British Dyslexia Association and also a member of the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) regularly attending he House of Commons to ensure that at a legislative level, change is possible to ensure that the SEN needs of individuals is always high on the agenda.