School Life
Middle Years – Years 7 & 8
The transition from Primary to Senior school can feel daunting, but at More House, strong pastoral support ensures every pupil feels welcomed and settled from day one. Our warm and dedicated team—including the Admissions team, Teachers, Form Tutors, Heads of Year, Therapists, Boarding staff and senior leaders—works closely to provide guidance, encouragement and structure, helping to empower each student to navigate this important stage with confidence.
A broad and balanced curriculum
Pupils in Years 7 and 8 follow a broad and varied curriculum. Everyone studies English, Mathematics, Science and Core Physical Education, alongside a carousel of subjects including Art, Computing, Cooking, Drama, Geography, History, Music, Religious Education, Spanish and Design Technology.
Physical Education is a key part of school life, with a range of sports offered during weekly P.E. lessons, regular inter-house competitions, sports clubs, competitive fixtures against other schools and our fabulous Sports Day. The Religious Education curriculum provides pupils with an awareness and understanding of different world religions, as well as Catholicism. Personal and Social Development (PSD), taught by Form Tutors, covers important topics tailored to the needs of each year group. At the end of Year 7, pupils and their parents choose whether to continue Spanish into Year 8, with guidance from teachers and pastoral staff.
Every two weeks, our entire school takes part in a ‘Flexi Friday’. These sessions offer opportunities to engage with creative and practical activities focused on a specific subject or theme. Events have included a hugely successful forensic science workshop led by a real crime scene investigator, hip-hop poetry sessions in English, and life skills days featuring activities such as pizza-making, gardening, first aid, fire safety and important home skills such as bed-making and sewing.
We also welcome external speakers who offer their advice and expertise on age-appropriate topics such as mobile phone safety, puberty and diversity—ensuring pupils build confidence in navigating the world around them. Professionals and visitors also support Careers Days for the Middle and Senior Years, providing exposure to different professions and industries, and helping pupils aspire and plan for their futures.
Learning environments and specialist support
Learning is enriched by specialist facilities across our school site, including science labs, computing suites, a Performing Arts Studio (The Simkins Centre), Design & Technology block, and Music department. With small class sizes of typically 10–14 pupils, teachers can adapt their approach to support individual needs.
Pupils also access Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Literacy intervention and Numeracy intervention according to their bespoke timetable and annual targets. These sessions are delivered by qualified therapists and specialist tutors in small groups of three to five pupils to maximise personal development. To learn more about our holistic and therapeutic provision, visit Our Specialist Support.
Beyond the Classroom
We take pride in the wide variety of co-curricular clubs, trips and activities available to pupils across the school. From Monday to Thursday, pupils can take part in after-school clubs ranging from traditional prep. (homework) club, art and crafts, and games, to the hugely popular Manhunt club, a breadth of music bands, ensembles and choirs, plus a variety of sports clubs both on-site and in the local area. We also offer a selection of paid clubs, run by visiting professionals, including karate and judo. With so many options available, there truly is something for everyone. To find out more, explore our Co-Curricular pages.
Pupils enjoy curriculum-linked day trips that enhance their understanding of subjects such as History, Science and Geography. Our annual Activity Week offers exciting residential experiences, giving pupils the chance to build independence, develop teamwork, and try new adventures. In 2025, Middle Years pupils enjoyed outdoor pursuits at Grittleton House in Wiltshire and PGL on the Isle of Wight—creating lasting memories and learning valuable skills along the way.
Pupils in Years 7 and 8 have many chances to develop friendships and social confidence during break and lunchtimes. There are plenty of outdoor spaces to relax with friends and play sports and games. For those who prefer more structured activities, the library offers peaceful reading and clubs including games and Lego. There is also a drop-in Social Skills club which many pupils enjoy.
Weekly assemblies, led by Heads of Year and supported by the wider pastoral team, celebrate individual achievements and the embodiment of our school’s three values—Kindness, Spirit and Responsibility. Successes are recognised throughout the year, reinforcing pupils’ personal growth and aspirations.
Preparing for the Senior Years
In Year 8, pupils and parents attend an informative Options Evening before selecting six non-core options subjects for Year 9—an exploratory year designed to help pupils refine their interests before finalising their subject choices for Years 10 and 11. They choose from a wealth of subjects, including Psychology, Sociology, Business Studies, Photography, Art, Drama, Music, computer-aided design in the digital built environment (DEC), Engineering, Design & Technology, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Sport, Media Studies, Spanish and Computer Science.
With a transformational learning environment, strong support and enriching opportunities, the Middle Years at More House empower pupils to grow with confidence, curiosity and ambition.