AN INDEPENDENT school on the outskirts of Oswestry has extended the length of time boys can study there, from September 2021.

Moreton Hall is a predominantly all-girls school, with Year Seven up to Sixth Form students all female, but its prep school is mixed.

A spokesman for the school says that boys from both the prep school and students from other schools will be accepted into the equivalent of Year Seven and wills pend a maximum of two years in Weston Rhyn.

They added that it is part of the prep school's plan to be one of the best in the country.

"The school, senior staff and governors are thrilled to announce that, in September 2021, boys will be accepted into Remove (Year 7) at Moreton Hall," they said.

"Not only boys from our own Prep, but boys from outside the school, too. The following year, the boys progress into Lower Four (Year 8), before leaving Moreton and heading to their senior school of choice. The Senior School will remain all-girls in Upper Four and above.

"This move is part of the school’s strategic development plan as Moreton Hall’s Prep School forges a unique path to be one of the leading small prep schools in the country.

"It allows us to blend the best aspects of our Prep and Senior School in Remove and Lower Four (Years 7 and 8), ensuring the best possible support for our students during this important transitional phase.

"The arrival of John Bond as Head of Moreton Hall Prep at Easter 2021 means that we have the very best leadership to make this change the success we all know it will be.

"John has a wealth of experience, built over 20 years of working in Prep Schools, and understands how to tailor an education to the interests, needs and abilities of every boy and girl.

"His knowledge of preparation for 13 plus entry is excellent and he is committed to ensuring that our boys and girls continue to enjoy an equality of educational opportunity whether in the classroom, on the sports field or on the stage.

"This change offers the best of all worlds – our all-girls provision is retained in our more senior years, and our boys do not have to prematurely leave a school where they are settled and happy.

We firmly believe that our proposals are educationally sound, in the interests of current and future Moretonians, and help to cement the reputation of Moreton Hall as a forward-looking school for girls to age 18 and boys to age 13."