A former pupil of a Shropshire school has returned to his alma mater as headmaster.

Moor Park School in Richard's Castle near Ludlow has appointed former pupil James Duffield as the school's new headmaster as the school also celebrates its 60th anniversary.

"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," said Mr Duffield.

"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".

To celebrate 60 memorable years of Moor Park, the school has been holding a variety of events, including an anniversary 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 60th anniversary and in memory of the school's founding headmasters, to reflect the school's ambitions for growth and inclusivity and also to extend access to an increased numbers of bursary places.

Sixty years ago, two brave schoolmasters Derek Henderson and Hugh Watts, both former first-class cricketers, decided to buy a beautiful old house set in the breathtaking Shropshire countryside with the idea of turning it into a school.

In 1964 the school doors opened with only nine boys and for the first term there were more staff than pupils. Today, as the school celebrates its 60th anniversary, there are more than 230 pupils.

Today, the dream of Derek Henderson and Hugh Watts, the founding headmasters of Moor Park, is a reality with a school that continues to go from strength to strength.