MOWDEN HALL SCHOOL
DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF MOWDEN Award-winning Prep School for children aged 2-13
Mowden Hall School has a supportive atmosphere in which pupils grow personally, achieve well and feel secure ISI Inspection, 2025
WELCOME Welcome to Mowden Hall School: a place where childhood is celebrated, learning is inspiring, and character education thrives.
We believe school should be more than just preparation for the future - it should be a time of joy, discovery, and growth. At Mowden Hall, our children are given the space and support to explore who they are, both in and beyond the classroom. This is a school where childhood is protected and cherished, and where learning is rooted in creativity, curiosity, and outstanding care. We’re proud to offer an education that is broad, balanced, and full of opportunity. Whether in academics, the arts, sport, or outdoor adventure, we encourage every child to aim high, try new things, and develop the confidence to take risks and think independently. Our approach is ambitious but grounded in the belief that happiness and well-being are the foundation for all success.
Set in stunning surroundings, with first-class facilities and a deeply committed team, Mowden Hall is a vibrant, forward-thinking school with traditional values at its heart. Relationships here matter - they’re built on mutual respect, warmth, and kindness. Our goal is simple: to give every child an exceptional start. One that not only prepares them for the next stage, but also equips them with the mindset and character to thrive in life - as curious learners, compassionate individuals, and confident young people ready to shape their world. Mr. Phil Sturt Head, Mowden Hall School
ABOUT US Set in the heart of Northumberland, 13 miles west of Newcastle, Mowden Hall provides an inspirational all round education for boys and girls aged 2 to 13. Mowden Hall is recognised as one of the leading Prep schools in the North of England, with an excellent record of preparing children for a wide range of senior schools. We aim to nurture the children academically, morally and culturally to help develop their confidence and independence. In turn, the pupils discover talents, interests and values that prepare them for the next stage of their education and which stay with them for life. Mowden has high academic expectations of the children and prides itself on its success. The varied curriculum is delivered by enthusiastic and committed staff, enabling the children to continue their education at many of the country’s leading secondary schools. Overall, we believe in allowing children to be children.
Achievement in the classroom is crucial, though at Mowden Hall we are not driven by academic results alone. We introduce children to a wide range of opportunities. In particular, there is a strong emphasis on music, the arts sport, and outdoor pursuits. Mowden Hall has a good record of achieving a broad range of scholarships to senior schools for leaving Year 8 pupils. These include academic, sports, music, art, drama and all-rounder awards. Boarding is central to life at Mowden Hall. We believe that boarding helps children achieve independence, gain confidence and above all learn the value and importance of being members of a community.
It is an extremely happy, fun, energetic, hard working and busy environment where children are able to really flourish as children.
WHY MOWDEN? Mowden Hall School is a very special place. This is an extremely happy school, in which relationships are built on kindness and respect.
★ Location - We are situated on 52 acres of land in the heart of Northumberland, and just 13 miles west of Newcastle.
★ Academia - We have extremely high academic standards at school, supported by small class sizes and excellent teaching.
★ Boarding - We have a range of
weekly and flexi boarding options, to help meet the needs of families.
★ Facilities - Mowden boasts some
★ Extra Curricular opportunities -
outstanding facilities, including a swimming pool, refurbished theatre, artificial sports pitches, woodland classroom and more.
We believe in providing valuable experiences to pupils of all ages. This includes trips, international visits, and sports tours.
★ Senior School success - We have an
★ Community - We empower our pupils to
outstanding record, with many Year 8 pupils achieving scholarships at top Senior Schools across the UK.
make enduring, positive contributions to their communities, and offer support through various programmes.
I am so thankful for everything I learnt at Mowden, which shaped my childhood and the person I am today.
CHARACTER VALUES At Mowden Hall School, we aim to build character and instil values in our pupils to help them to build resilience and become better global citizens.
★ Kindness - We are an inclusive
community, where we respect and trust each other, promote equity and value different opinions and diverse voices.
★ Communication - We encourage our pupils to articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills.
★ Honesty - At Mowden Hall School,
honesty is more than just telling the truth. It is about having integrity and being trustworthy.
★ Independent Thinking - Our pupils have a love of exploring the world of learning, with a critical eye, and they understand that this does not stop at the school gates.
★ Resilience - Mowden pupils are better able to cope with challenges, not giving up even when things are difficult. They embrace challenge and improve their responses to hurdles, staying positive and bouncing back when things don’t go according to plan.
★ Community - At Mowden Hall School, a
strong sense of community is the heart and soul of the school. We foster collaboration, empathy and support among pupils, preparing them for the future world of careers where teamwork, communication and adaptability are essential..
Independent Thinking
Honesty
Community
Resilience
Kindness
Communication
BOARDING Boarding has always been at the heart of Mowden Hall School. It is where friendships deepen, confidence grows, and children experience a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond their prep school years. Our modern boarding programme has four clear pathways - Introductory, Bronze, Silver and Gold - offering boarding from 1-5 nights per week. This enables families to choose a level of boarding that fits naturally with their own family routines. We understand that boarding may feel like a big step for younger children. Our flexible pathway provides the perfect balance, combining structure and independence with the reassurance of home life at weekends, regardless of whether a child goes onto a Day or Boarding Senior School.
They have loved (and so do we) the homely, friendly feel and ambiance of the boarding house.
“
Pupils who board gain in confidence and self-esteem contribute to decision-making and know that their views are taken seriously. ISI Inspection, 2025
OPPORTUNITIES We strongly believe in offering valuable experiences to pupils of all ages, not only to improve self-esteem, but to give a wide variety of exciting opportunities. These important adventures provide our pupils with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership ability, and work with others in groups. Quite often, these experiences are remembered for life. The children at Mowden are therefore made aware of the associated risks and enjoy the benefits of outdoor pursuits in a controlled environment. We offer a very broad range of clubs and extra-curricular activities, both in the evenings and at weekends. All children are encouraged to try new and different clubs to broaden their experiences and interests. On site, we have an indoor swimming pool, purpose-build theatre, outdoor woodland area, pitch and putt, cricket green, astroturf, and plenty of space for camping!
Examples of clubs and activities include:
★ Outdoor pursuits ★ Creative writing ★ Cross Country ★ Golf ★ Football ★ Drama ★ ICT ★ Board Games ★ Mountain Biking ★ Science ★ Choir ★ Equestrian And much more!
Wonderfully outdoorsy, you find pupils learning in the woods, around the fire, by the pond and in the gardens. Talk Education
TRANSPORT At Mowden, we are committed to keeping our families connected to the school community in every way we can. We currently offer two regular bus services: a daily morning route from Gosforth and Darras Hall, and a twice-weekly service from North Northumberland. Our Day Bus runs every morning, Monday to Friday, collecting pupils from Elgy Road in Gosforth, before stopping on Broadway in Darras Hall, and then continuing on to Mowden. Our Boarding Bus operates on Monday and Thursday mornings, collecting flexi and weekly boarders from Powburn, near Alnwick, and bringing them to Mowden. This bus also runs on Exeat weekends, providing a return service in the afternoon for any families that require it.
These services are designed to make life easier for families, providing a safe and convenient way for pupils from Newcastle and North Northumberland to access the wonderful education and adenture available at Mowden Hall School. As our community continues to grow, we are constantly reviewing our transport provision to ensure that Mowden remains accessible to families from across the region.
Alnwick
Daily Bus Service Monday to Friday (AM)
Boarding Bus Service Monday & Thursday (AM) Friday Exeats (PM)
Darras Hall Gosforth
Mowden
DESTINATIONS In recent years, all Mowden Hall School pupils have been accepted into their first choice of senior school. While we are extremely proud of our many outstanding academic successes, this is not our sole focus as Mowden Hall School pupils often excel in other disciplines such as sport, art, drama and music. For many, their academic ability is just one of several attributes. Our mission is to align every child with a Senior school which is best suited to their interests and aspirations. Once a pathway to a particular school has been decided, we will ensure that our children are prepared properly for any assessments and tests they are required to sit.
and many more...
So many of my best friends today, are the friends I made at Mowden Hall School.
START YOUR JOURNEY While this prospectus opens a window into the world of Mowden Hall School, a personal visit will allow you to experience the enthusiasm of the children, the talent and commitment of our staff, and the energetic atmosphere of the School. Families who come to visit can get a feel for the school, meet our children and learn more about life at Mowden Hall School. You are welcome to visit the school at any time for an informal tour and a meeting with the Head and our top team. We would be delighted to discuss the opportunity of your child joining us and aim to make the process as friendly and straight forward as possible.
Taster Days Taster Days are an integral part of the admissions process and we recommend all pupils have at least one. A Taster Day allows a child to visit the school for a day during term time. Children gain an understanding of the school’s ethos and routines, and, perhaps most importantly, diminish those ‘first day’ anxieties by spending time with their new classmates.
Contact Details For all enquiries regarding personal visits, Taster Days and applying to join Mowden Hall School, please contact us on:
admissions@mowdenhall.org.uk 01661 842147
MOWDEN HALL SCHOOL Day and Boarding School in the heart of Northumberland Co-education for 2-13 years old Just 13 miles west of Newcastle
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01661 842147 www.mowdenhall.org.uk info@mowdenhall.org.uk Mowden Hall School, Newton, Stocksfield NE43 7TP