From pupil to headmaster: Ludlow school appoints former student to top role and celebrates 60th anniversary
A Ludlow private school has welcomed a former pupil as its new headmaster alongside celebrating its 60th anniversary.
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Moor Park School has appointed James Duffield as the school's new headmaster. The teacher has risen through the ranks to his new role and is said to be extremely popular amongst students and in the area.
Having attended Moor Park himself before going on to become a teacher at the school, the new headmaster is delighted to step up into the role.
Commenting on his appointment at the Ludlow school, James Duffield said: "It is an honour to take on the headship at Moor Park, a school with which I have been associated for many years, as a pupil, gap student, and later as a member of staff.
"While Moor Park continues to progress and prepare children for a rapidly changing world, it still retains the core values I was fortunate enough to benefit from as a child. These values help ensure that our pupils remain confident, possess a strong moral compass, and maintain the precious innocence of childhood.
"Senior school staff often comment on these qualities as they observe pupils joining to senior school.
"This was brought into sharp focus recently at our 60th anniversary ball, where many alumni reminisced about the ‘happiest days of my life’ they experienced at this unique school".
60 years ago two schoolmasters Derek Henderson and Hugh Watts decided to buy a beautiful old house set within the breathtaking Shropshire countryside, with the idea of turning it into a school.
In 1964 the school opened its doors with only nine boys, and for the first term, there were more staff than pupils.
Today, the dream of the founding headmasters, Mr Henderson and Mr Watts, continues.
Moor Park recently celebrated its 60th anniversary through a series of events including a 1960s lunch and a September ball for current and past parents, former pupils and teachers.
The school has also created a charitable Founders' Fund to mark the 60 years and in memory of the school's founding headmasters. This has been done to reflect the school's ambitions for growth and inclusivity, and also to extend access to an increased number of bursary places.
