2024 marks the 85^th anniversary of More House School. As the school year drew to a close, we came together as a community to celebrate not only the founding of our extraordinary school, but the remarkable progress, accomplishments, and social and academic successes of our pupils. After all, a school’s purpose is to educate.

What does that mean?  To educate?

To us, it means to empower; to transfer knowledge, wisdom, skills, experience, confidence and aspiration, to every one of our young people, so that he may become powerful in his daily experience, ambitious for his future, happy and successful in his endeavours.

Over the past 12 months, our exceptional pupils have defied the odds, committing to themselves and their education whilst navigating special educational needs. More House boys realise academic achievements that surprise themselves, their families, and the professionals who worked with them prior to More House. Founder’s Day is such an important event for our staff, our boys and their families to unite and celebrate these successes which both inspire and motivate us for the year ahead.

 

Following Mr Hetherington’s review of this remarkable year, it was time for our pupils to take to the stage and receive their much-deserved awards.

As Mr Clarkson announced each boy’s achievements and applause filled the marquee, our guest speaker, Kai Widdrington, bestowed the certificates along with well-earned congratulations. From commendations for kindness, diligence and perseverance to individual subject prizes and sport awards, it is never more evident just what our pupils can achieve.

We then came to the presentation of the trophies. Mrs Kerr had the wonderful job of handing out each award to its worthy winner. On Founder’s Day, we congratulate those who have gone above and beyond and those who have overcome particular challenges. Therefore, our awards, often donated by past and present members of our school community, all stand for feats of personal and academic growth and accomplishment. These include cups for achievement in specific subjects, medals for innovative thinking, awards for personal improvement, tenacity and progress, and prizes for endeavour and service to the school and beyond.

Congratulations to each and every pupil who received an award this year. This is testament to your hard work, resilience and determination. We are immensely proud of you all.

The Bloomfield Award marks another significant tradition for our school. This tribute was started by a More House old boy in memory of the late Nic Bloomfield, a beloved Music Teacher at More House School. Every pupil is given the chance to vote for a member of staff who has gone the extra mile to support them pastorally throughout the year. The 2024 Bloomfield Award was presented to Miss Ellen Lazell for her unwavering support of the boys academically as a Teacher of History, but also as a mentor, Form Tutor and Assistant Head of the Year 9 cohort this year. Congratulations Miss Lazell and thank you.

 

This year we are very grateful to have been joined by world champion Latin dancer and star of Strictly Come Dancing, Kai Widdrington. During his address, Kai shared a bit about his journey through education having been diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. He explained that managing these challenges involved finding unique ways to learn and stay focused, and keep pushing, even when times were tough. This message we are sure resonated with many of our pupils, families and staff.

Kai also shared how sport and dance provided not only an outlet for his creativity, but also a driving force to achieve his ambitions and dreams. He never let his learning challenges slow him down or stop him, instead he used them to drive him forward, push himself harder and reach heights that he never thought possible.

Kai finishes with an important final message: