C E L E B R AT I N G T H E V E R Y B E S T I N E D U C AT I O N
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT F R E E | P R E P & S E N I O R E D I T I O N | AU T U M N 2 0 2 6 | i n d e p e n d e n t s c h o o l p a re n t .co m
The early
years
The best of pre-prep and prep education
Meet the 2026 winners
BEST OF FRIENDS? A parent’s guide to the ups and the downs SPECIALIST SCHOOLS Finding your place ROOM TO THRIVE The importance of an all-girls’ education WIN a Neilson Beach Club family holiday
PA R T O F
PRE-PREP
A STRONG
start
20
independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2026
PRE-PREP
Windlesham House School in West Sussex
Here, three exceptional nursery and pre-prep schools share the approaches that led to them being finalists within this category at the Independent Schools of the Year awards 2026
s
AUTUMN 2026 | independentschoolparent.com
21
EXPERT ADVICE
ASK THE EXPERTS
How can parents help children navigate friendship problems? We ask five educationalists their advice
OUR EXPERTS Mark Brearey
KINGSWOOD PREP
Gilly Cable
TUDOR HALL SCHOOL
Rebecca Francis
SURBITON HIGH SCHOOL
Janelle Ransley
ST. HELEN’S COLLEGE
Lele Di Maso CALDICOTT
30
independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2026
EXPERT ADVICE
At Surbiton High School, students are encouraged to have open conversations with friends
Rebecca Francis, Assistant Principal, Pupil Development and Wellbeing, Surbiton High School
s
Friendship challenges are a natural part of adolescence and can help young people develop resilience, empathy and communication skills. Parents can offer valuable support by listening calmly, avoiding assumptions and encouraging their child to consider different perspectives. This helps children recognise that there’s rarely a single version of events. Encouraging young people to reflect on how others may be feeling promotes understanding, strengthens relationships and supports positive outcomes. Taking some of the emotion out of the situation can also help children see things more clearly and focus on solutions. At Surbiton High School, our ethos is rooted in empathy, compassion and respect. We normalise friendship challenges and support pupils through our PSHE and RSE curriculum. Through workshops, discussions and guided reflection, we help pupils navigate friendships with confidence and maturity. By encouraging open conversations and perspective-taking, parents and schools can work together to build healthy friendships, belonging and emotional resilience.
“OUR ETHOS IS ROOTED IN EMPATHY,
compassion and respect. We normalise friendship challenges and support pupils THROUGH OUR PSHE CURRICULUM”
AUTUMN 2026 | independentschoolparent.com
31
WORK EXPERIENCE
PHOTOGRAPHY: ADOBE STOCK PHOTO/PUWASIT INYAVILEART
MAKING WORK EXPERIENCE COUNT
54
independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2026
WORK EXPERIENCE
At a time when work experience opportunities are increasingly difficult to secure, independent schools help pupils gain a competitive edge by leveraging alumni connections, offering interview preparation and honing essential networking skills, writes Charlotte Duck
s
AUTUMN 2026 | independentschoolparent.com
55
TIME TOGETHER
Playful partyware supplier Meri Meri has unveiled an enchanting range of new festive decorative pieces in a palette of green, red, icy blue, ballet pink and frost white. There’s much to add charm to your at-home Christmas scene and delight your little ones: think garlands laced with trees, snowmen, elves and gingerbread people, classic paper chains, gold-tinsel fringed banners, reindeer gift bags and the brand’s signature honeycomb hangings in candy-cane stripes. Very meri and bright, indeed. Prices from £14; merimeri.co.uk
68
independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2026
TIME TOGETHER
ENJOY THE SEASON
FAMILY LIFE Here, we share winter day-out ideas, family travel inspiration and the chance to win a week-long holiday for four
AUTUMN 2026 | independentschoolparent.com
69
Excellent
info@schoolblazer.com 01832 280011