Independent Schools of the Year 2022 Winners Special Edition

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR

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Independent School Parent is for parents of children in prep and senior independent schools. The Independent School Parent magazine in prep and senior issues is published termly. Parents can subscribe for a free issue at: independentschoolparent. com/register

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Colin Bell, COBIS

Alison Fleming, Newton Prep, Battersea

Aileen Kane, Boarding Schools’ Association

Rachel Kerr, AMCIS

David Moncrie , Chairman

Sir Anthony Seldon, Headteacher and author

Mark Stretton, HMC

Ben Vessey, Canford School, Dorset

Sue Woodroofe, The Grammar School at Leeds

Helen Wright, Educational consultant

Peter Young, Marketing/Brand Consultant

Welcome to this special bookazine which is published to celebrate the winners of the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022, in a glossier, shinier and larger format. Chair of the judging panel Helen Wright recounts the panel’s process and a fun prizegiving night which was held in person in London for the rst time in two years, with many industry leaders, headteachers and students present.

On page 6, Sir Anthony Seldon writes about stepping in to take up the headship of Epsom College which won overall Independent School of the Year. He explains how the school’s wellbeing provision, for which it won a second award, has demonstrated its worth since the tragic deaths of the Headteacher Emma Pattison and her daughter Lettie, resulting in a school community that is closer and stronger than ever.

Gordonstoun won our Boarding School of the Year award in 2021 for its student reintegration programme after the pandemic. Head of Marketing Caroline Overton writes on the value of an awards campaign and what it brings to a school, its sta , parents, alumni and donors: read more on page 8.

Nominations are now open for Independent Schools of the Year 2023: you can nd out about them on page 70, or visit independentschoolsoftheyear.co.uk and download the online entry form so you can tell us your unique and inspiring story.

RIGHT: Brighton College Prep Kensington

AND THE WINNER IS…

The ISOTY campaign celebrates the very best that an independent school education can o er. Chair Helen Wright, discusses the judging process, prizegiving night, and the criteria for 2023’s awards

The highlight of my year for the past few years has been to announce the awards at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards, and in October 2022, after two years online, it was super to be able to do this again in person in London. To have so many representatives – heads, senior leaders and some students – together from the sector felt like a real treat after the enforced distancing of the pandemic, and this no doubt contributed to the vibrant energy in the room. We were all there to celebrate the phenomenal work that goes on in independent schools in the UK, and in British international schools abroad, and it was wonderful to be able to do so with the trademark passion and commitment of the sector, so evident in the conversations, speeches and atmosphere in the packed room at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge.

What’s really special about these awards is that from their inception, they’ve always focused, resolutely, on the experience of students in independent schools, and how schools enable and empower their students to be the best of themselves. The world today demands so much more of young people than ever before, and students must learn to thrive as they leave school, so that they can manage the competing pressures that they’ll encounter. For this to happen, they need not only to have the academic or vocational passports that will open the doors for their next steps, but also the personal, social and emotional skills that will allow them to navigate a fast-changing world – and, perhaps even more

importantly, to be able to contribute to this change, and help shape this change for the better. All the schools recognised in the 2022 awards o er a vast range of opportunities that help students grow into the decent human beings that the world needs, and it’s an enormous privilege to be able to recognise and applaud them.

Each year – and 2022 was no exception – the judges receive hundreds of entries, and every single one of them is read carefully; the selection of the shortlist, then the nalists, is a thorough process, and involves a distinguished panel of judges. Making the choice of the worthy winner in each category is a di cult one, and the judges are very clear that every single school has something of note for the wider community to see, which is why it’s important to continue hearing their stories. In a political climate which doesn’t always recognise the value of the independent sector in opening up opportunities to children from a diverse range of backgrounds, it’s important that we continue telling these inspiring stories, because the children experiencing an independent school education in the rst quarter of this century will be the people equipped to make a positive di erence in the second quarter and beyond. We salute them and their schools!

2023 will bring a number of new awards:

•Independent School of the Year for Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ)

•Independent School of the Year for Outstanding Educational Partnerships

•Independent London School of the Year

Each of these awards builds on the existing stable of awards, which include community engagement, social mobility, careers programmes, wellbeing and many of the other aspects of an independent school education which support students as they grow and develop in their formative years. The window for nominations is already open, and judges are already looking forward to reading and judging the entries. Every independent school which is a member of ISC (Independent Schools Council, the overarching body for independent schools in the UK) or COBIS (Council of British International Schools) is invited to apply, and we encourage every school to think about the positive di erence that they make in contributing to the student experience in their schools – and then to share this story with the judging panel.

As we look ahead to 2023, though, let us remember the stories of 2022. Read, enjoy and be inspired. Nominations are now open for the ISOTY23 awards, independentschoolsoftheyear.co.uk

The world today demands so much more of young people than ever before, and students must learn to thrive as they leave school

LEFT: Sherborne Prep in Dorset took the Sporting Achievement award in 2021

BELOW: George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh was crowned overall winner in the same year

MEET 2023’S PANEL OF JUDGES

The education experts making the decisions this year...

DAVID MONCRIEFF, Vice-Chair is a heritage publishing specialist. He was previously Director of Marketing at Mayfield School and Director of Marketing Services at the British Tourist Authority.

CHARLOTTE AVERY is Headmistress of St Mary’s School Cambridge, GSA Vice-President, and a governor of Haileybury, Mill Hill School and a local 11-16 MAT.

DURELL BARNES is Chair of ISEB and Head of Governance and Compliance at RSAcademics.

COLIN BELL is CEO of COBIS, which helps teachers, governors and support sta at British international schools.

LOUISE BENNETT is CEO of the Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE).

ROBIN FLETCHER is Chief Executive of the Boarding Schools’ Association, a Fellow of the RSA, and Honorary Fellow of Cardi Metropolitan University.

TORY GILLINGHAM is Managing Director of Admissions, Marketing & Communications in Independent Schools (AMCIS).

GAVIN HORGAN took over as Millfield Headmaster after delivering Worksop College’s academic turnaround.

IRFAN LATIF is DLD College London’s Principal and Chair of the BSA where he sits on the Executive Committee as the Inclusion & Diversity representative.

JIM MASSEY has been Headmaster of Daneshill Prep School since 2018.

DAMIAN MCBEATH is Principal of The John Wallis Church of England Academy.

HUGO MIDDLEMAS

is Director of Development at Christ’s Hospital, the UK’s leading charitable school.

JAMES PRIORY joined Tonbridge School as Headmaster in 2018.

JULIE ROBINSON

Is the ISC’s General Secretary.

MELVYN ROFFE

Is Principal of George Watson’s College and Chair, HMC.

PHILIPPA SCUDDS is a chartered marketer with more than 25 years’ experience in the education sector.

DONNA STEVENS is CEO of the Girls’ Schools Association, which represents 146 girls’ schools.

ABRA STOAKLEY has been Head of School at Grange School Lagos, Nigeria since January 2020.

The children experiencing an independent school education in the first quarter of this century will be equipped to make a positive di erence

EPSOM COLLEGE

The Surrey school won 2022’s top overall award. Following Headteacher Emma Pattison and her daughter Lettie’s deaths, Sir Anthony Seldon stepped in as Head. Here, he explains how the wellbeing provision for which it won a second award, has come to the fore in the aftermath of February’s tragedy

Just a few months ago, when Epsom College was honoured to have been judged the Independent School of the Year for Wellbeing, and subsequently the overall Independent School of The Year, no one could have imagined what would follow.

At that time, I looked on in admiration. A spectator on the sidelines appreciating the fortunes of a school that I knew well, and a school leader that I’d met just once, but of whom I had heard such wonderful things.

When utter tragedy struck early in February, and the brilliant Head Emma Pattison and her daughter Lettie were killed, I was asked to help. Under the circumstances, it felt right that I should assume the role as Epsom College’s 15th Head.

It felt right because I care deeply about independent school

education. Actually, allow me to step back from that statement. I care deeply about education, and in this country, independent schools are a vital part of the educational ecosystem.

It perplexes me to see the bashing independent school education receives. Those who wish for independent school education to be abolished fail to realise the loss we would incur. The millions we pour into bursaries and charitable endeavours. The work we undertake in partnership with our colleagues in the state system. The innovative ideas that the independent sector has the freedom and resources to test, re ne, and test again until they prove bene cial for children in all schools, in all sectors.

Independent schools can push the bounds of what education is and how it can be delivered. At Epsom College in May, for example, we’re hosting a conference on AI in Education. AI has enormous potential. It’ll be our Gutenberg, our steam engine. We want to understand it, embrace it and share what we learn with everyone else.

This spirit of experimentation, discovery, and dissemination of knowledge is at the heart of Epsom College, and all who strive to deliver the very best in independent school education.

The reason we won Independent School of the Year for Wellbeing is that we didn’t simply look after our own. A child’s potential is never more e ectively untapped than when they are happy. That is why we take what works for us, and the lessons we learn along the way, and share it far and wide. We see no borders between state and private and we see no limitations on potential. Therefore, we share knowledge and resources where we believe it can have the greatest impact.

Much of what we do here is replicable – our Personal and Social Development programme has been tailor-made with our pupils

speci cally in mind, our peer mentoring is truly remarkable, empowering pupils to advocate for others and become allies, within and across the year groups. Pupils have a voice at Epsom, and they have the autonomy to create societies and clubs and petition for change where they see it is necessary. In recent years this has included the formation of a climate committee, Amnesty International society, the gender and sexualities alliance and the African, Caribbean, Asian and allies society. These groups bring the marginalised in and give pupils a voice. They’ve helped to change the content and delivery of lessons and invited inspirational guest speakers to the college.

But more than that, this approach brings our community closer together – creating the bonds that have seen the school through the immediate aftershocks of the deaths of Emma and Lettie. Our pupils have rallied, coming together to share their feelings and provide comfort. And our pastoral system has enabled us to pay attention to each individual child and target our support and care where it is needed, when it is needed, in the manner that is needed.

Because this is what should be at the heart of any great school: care, community and compassion.

We see no limitations on potential. Therefore, we share knowledge and resources where we believe it can have the greatest impact

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Senior students relaxing in the Surrey grounds; the community is close; STEAM learning is high on the agenda at Epsom College; hockey is popular with female students; many male students enjoy playing rugby; the college was founded in 1853

PRIZED OPINION

Caroline Overton, Head of Marketing and Communications at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire, winner of Boarding School of the Year in 2021, looks at the value of an awards campaign from a school’s point of view and also that of students, sta and parents

Why enter awards? After all, isn’t school life busy enough already? At Gordonstoun awards mean a lot, and I don’t just refer to the fact that our school was the birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. However, nice as it is to attend a special dinner or receive a trophy, organisations have to consider where to place themselves and with whom the impact would lie.

As winners of the Boarding School category in these awards in 2021, we’ve witnessed rst-hand the positive impact such an accolade can have. This particular award acknowledges Gordonstoun as an education leader, with recognition of the breadth of o ering that our unique curriculum provides.

At Gordonstoun, we believe deeply in our world-leading character education, but to have it recognised externally by a respected organisation adds con dence and clout. This has

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Gordonstoun students enjoy expeditions; pupils can also undertake Fire Service training THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Gordonstoun School grounds; sailing and water pursuits are popular at the school

proven particularly bene cial in our marketing and admissions, as prospective parents enjoy hearing that their children’s future school is award-winning and recognised within the industry.

To further highlight the impact of an awards campaign external to our organisation, we consider how this a ects our funding. We have generous donors and benefactors at Gordonstoun who trust us to continue to provide education excellence. For them, to see our school succeeding in an awards campaign provides a small, but notable reassurance, that we remain a leader in our eld and that their money is well spent. It’s also of great reassurance to our alumni, those members of the school’s extended community who are always pleased to see that their old school retains its position as one of the more prestigious schools in the UK, and indeed, as an international school proud of its global o ering.

While these external impacts are important to us, we don’t underestimate the in uence on morale that winning awards has for our team internally. For our dedicated sta members, it’s a real boost to have their e orts and initiatives recognised, and while we have our own rewards and recognition programmes ‘in-house’, it is all the more powerful when accolades are bestowed by an external organisation. Furthermore, by nominating our departments and individuals in awards campaigns, we’re reminding them in a very public way that we see and appreciate all they do to help us deliver an outstanding education. Being aware of di erent awards, and organisations who give them, also keeps us appropriately competitive, and keen to consider ourselves potential contenders, if not now, then in the future, in whatever those awards might be. We’re proud, for instance, to

To see our school succeeding in an awards campaign provides a small, but notable reassurance

RIGHT:

Sailing training takes place on the school ketch, Ocean Spirit of Moray

BELOW:

Pupils taking part in a 6.5km walk to the Watcher’s Tower to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II

have recently been awarded the Best Innovation in Nutrition or Food award by Talk Education, and to be able to count our school food as sector leading in these terms is a great achievement, and of huge reassurance to our parents and guardians around the world. Winning that award has incentivised the development of our refectory committee and extended our collaboration with students, by enabling them to come up with innovative, new and healthy menu ideas, to the bene t of the entire community. As our Catering Manager, Jamie Campbell said, “The team has been so enthusiastic and the award gave them and the whole school con rmation that what we had achieved, and continue to achieve, is special and unique, much like Gordonstoun.” This could equally have been said of our Independent School Parent award, and the impetus to live up to that award remains.

Our Boarding School of the Year title in this magazine’s awards campaign in 2021 speci cally recognised our work to seamlessly bring back boarding students to our campus after the two years of disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. With more than

For our dedicated sta members, it’s a real boost to have their e orts and initiatives recognised

LEFT: A science lesson

BELOW LEFT: The school hosts concerts

BELOW: The visual arts are also prioritised at Gordonstoun

BELOW: Outdoor learning is very important for every age group

40 nationalities among our school community, the logistical and pastoral considerations were immense. The team developed a comprehensive induction period of several days, allowing the students to simply get used to being in each other’s company again. With picnics, exercise, activities and year group team building exercises, the entire school enjoyed the gentle start, and a chance to re-familiarise themselves with the school, the sta and with each other, after their extended time away. They were, after all, returning to one of the very few full boarding schools remaining in the UK from their homes all over the world, places in which their experiences during lockdown had been vastly di erent. As Gordonstoun is proud to run a comprehensive seven-day programme which keeps our students happy, safe and occupied throughout the term, the school was sensitive to the need to make sure that all of our students, throughout both the junior and senior schools, were able to adjust to being back in Scotland again. Having that hard and thoughtful work commended with the issuance of the award, highlighted to parents the bene ts that a committed full-time boarding school can bring, particularly during the challenging times presented by Covid-19.

I don’t expect that parents would choose any particular school because of an awards campaign, but the presence of award credentials can surely only be reassuring and comforting to parents, both current and prospective, when faced with options for their children’s education.

IN BRIEF

STUDENT SUCCESSES + EXTRACURRICULAR EXCELLENCE + INSPIRING INITIATIVES + NEW HEAD TEACHERS

Capital gains

Brighton College Prep Kensington, London

Brighton College and leading education provider Cognita are joining forces to establish a prep school in Kensington for boys and girls aged two to 13, opening in September.

The beautiful campus, currently Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School, will be known as Brighton College Prep Kensington.The venture builds upon the success of Brighton College Prep Singapore, a similar partnership between Brighton College and Cognita.

Recently named ‘United Kingdom School of the Decade’ by The Sunday Times, Brighton College is consistently one of the highest achieving schools in the country. Renowned for its focus on kindness, the East Sussex all-through co-ed also excels in art, music, dance, drama and sport. In the last two years alone, alumni have won an Oscar for Best Director and played rugby for England.

This is the first time a leading independent school outside London has established a prep school in the

capital. Richard Cairns, Headmaster of Brighton College, believes that it o ers something unique:

“Brighton College has demonstrated that children can get superb results without hot-housing, in an environment that values kindness and mutual respect above all else. Parents want their children to be curious, confident and, above all, kind. It’s an approach we know will resonate with London parents. As proven in Singapore, we can also draw on the expertise and experience of Cognita, an outstanding provider of education globally.”

Lois Ga ney, formerly Deputy Head of Brighton College Prep Singapore, will take on the role of Head at the new school. She says: “I’m delighted to be the Head of Brighton College Prep Kensington, a school that will build a community of academic excellence, and one that will develop a love of learning and provide our pupils with the greatest opportunities to become the best version of themselves.”

The East Sussex school will be getting a west London outpost

Here to learn

Exeter School, Devon

The school welcomed educators from across the region to connect with colleagues at its first education festival, EdFest23. This year’s theme was Educating for Character, and delegates had the opportunity to engage in vital conversations around the development of pupils’ character. The day featured a range of distinguished speakers, including former British Paralympian Claire Harvey MBE, anti-racism strategist Maia Thomas, and Director of Schools, Engagement and Partnership at The Association of Character Education, Andrew Pettit, while the keynote address was made by former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, Sir Anthony Seldon.

BEST OF THE REST

l QUEEN’S GAMBIT

Brentwood School, Essex

Chess captain Nina Pert has earned the title of Women’s Candidate Master, an o cial lifetime achievement awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) exclusively to women chess players. The year 10 student is the seventhhighest-ranking female player in the world for her age.

l EASY RIDER

St Swithun’s School, Hampshire

Holding the reins of her beloved Mountain Moorland pony Hugo, 11-year-old pupil Izzy Williams took on the adults at Birmingham’s Horse of the Year Show and incredibly came within one mark of the winner in the Working Hunter Pony competition.

l ASSESS ACCESS

Wetherby School, London

From the autumn, all senior candidates will undertake the school’s new adaptive entrance assessment, run in partnership with industry leaders, ATOM Learning. This online test will include English, maths, and reasoning, as well as innovative content designed to assess a candidate’s ability to form connections, synthesise unfamiliar information, and think creatively.

l IN THE BAG

Double rst

Taunton School, Somerset

Two sixth form scholarship students have received o ers to study at the University of Oxford. Amelie, 17, hopes to study History at Queen’s College, while Evie, 18 would like to read Classics with Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at St Hugh’s College. Students at Taunton benefit from expert guidance from the school’s careers department and specialist tutoring from Head of History, Mark Chatterton.

Call of the wild

Eastbourne College, East Sussex

The school, known for its green initiatives, has announced plans to teach natural history at GCSE from 2025, as part of its commitment to provide a holistic education and support environmental awareness. It’s the first in Sussex – and one of the first in the country – to set out plans for teaching natural history, following the Department for Education’s announcement about the course.

Downsend School, Surrey

A huge donation of more than 120 school bags, along with uniforms and sports kit, has arrived in a fishing village on the outskirts of Accra, Ghana. The generous donation was organised when the school updated its uniform, and was gratefully received by community charity, Kokrobite Chiltern Centre.

All together now

Northwood Schools, Greater London

The school group, which comprises Broomwood Hall Lower School, Broomwood Hall Upper School and Northcote Lodge, will unite under one name from this September: Broomwood. The rebrand will consolidate the three schools into one united brand that symbolises and confirms the seamless educational journey from pre-prep to prep. Drawing on the best of each institute, Broomwood’s exceptional model of collaborative single-sex and co-ed learning will be clearer than ever before. The pre-prep will also extend its excellent Early Years provision by opening Little Broomwood, a pre-school class.

BEST OF THE REST

l PRIME TIME

Kew Green Prep School, Greater London

Students recently enjoyed Maths Week: a confidenceboosting celebration of numbers through engaging mathematical activities, from 3D challenges, pyramid buildings, sum trails, Kew Green Rocks times table and both lower and upper school Countdown competitions.

l THE FIRST TAKE

Maida Vale School, London

Talented singers and musicians across all year groups performed in the school’s inaugural Live Lounge in front of their peers and parents. As well as showcasing their talent through an eclectic range of genres, pupils were also raising money for the Sparkle Foundation, a charity aimed at providing services to those in need in Malawi.

l #BEKIND

Latymer Prep School, London

The Diana Award team has named the prep its School of the Month. This accolade recognises the work that the school’s anti-bullying ambassador team has been doing to promote positivity and create exciting peer support opportunities in its community.

Scrumming soon

RGS Worcester, West Midlands

Sixth former Haineala Lutui has been selected for the England U18 Women’s Rugby Squad ahead of the forthcoming internationals. She has trained with the squad since August 2022 and was named in the final team following a training camp ahead of the Women’s U18 Six Nations in April. Haineala plays for the school’s U18 girls’ rugby team, is in the senior netball 1st team and is also a part of RGS Worcester’s athlete development programme.

Building success

Woodbridge School, Su olk

Upon recognising that engineering is at the core of STEM learning, the Ipswich school has become one of the first in the UK to champion it as a stand-alone subject for students in years one to six. All lessons are delivered by a specialist engineering teacher, who has experience as a project engineer in a multinational manufacturing company. Class sizes of 10 allow for in-depth discussion and support for each child.

l FAIR SHARE

Cameron Vale School, London

Children from the Chelsea prep – which also recently raised £5,000 through an art auction for charity Gold for Kids –celebrated Harvest Festival by collecting food items for UK Harvest, which distributes donations to refuges, shelters and youth centres.

CHANGING PLACES

Headteachers on the move

Leigh-Anne Morris has taken up the post of Head at Bede’s Prep, Sussex with immediate e ect.

Natalie Argile has been announced as the new Head at Blackheath High, GDST Handcross Park in West Sussex has announced that Jonathan Besley is the new Head from September.

Strike a pose

Heathfield School, Berkshire

The girls’ school’s next generation of fashion stars showcased their talents at the 2023 edition of Heathfield’s now legendary fashion show. Inspired by the Primavera theme, students from years seven to sixth form created springtime designs – think organza brooches, repurposed denim and corsets – to grace the catwalk. Assisted by style maven alumnae model Amber Le Bon and stylist Charlotte Stockdale on the night, the talented community put on an event full of glitz and glamour.

In September, Hilary Phillips will take over as Head of Hanford School, Dorset.

Kimbolton School, Cambridgeshire has appointed Will Chuter as its new Head, starting in the autumn term.

The Oratory School, South Oxfordshire has appointed Dr Julian Murphy as Head, starting in September.

Treading the boards

Royal Hospital School, Su olk

Pupils put on a triumphant production of Me and My Girl, showcasing the dramatic and musical talent at the school. The performance had a four-night sell-out run, preceded by a fundraising dinner, with the proceeds going towards the Centennial Bursary campaign – a fundraising initiative to support 100 students with bursaries, by the time of the school’s centenary in 2033.

On the ball

Ashville College, North Yorkshire

Former England footballer Michael Dawson told sixth formers that hard work and determination are key to a successful career. He was the latest speaker in the school’s Future Ready programme, which has included journalist Jeremy Hunter, MP Julian Sturdy, and investment manager Vanessa Eve.

FINDING THE ONE

Mother-of-three Kate Freud shares the challenges she encountered while choosing a senior school for her child

ABOVE: Kate’s son Jago will leave Northcote and start at The Harrodian in the autumn

As someone who has just navigated the 11+ gauntlet with my son Jago, it proved a challenging time as expected, but also a time when I have never felt prouder of my son. There’s a huge amount of pressure and expectation on these kids – aged just 10 and 11 – but with lots of love and support, it’s an experience from which they all emerge a little more resilient, and hopefully attending a school that is right for them.

Coming from a small prep (the wonderful Northcote Lodge in Battersea, south-west London) we knew we didn’t want a large school for Jago. We were looking for a co-ed, green space, great sports facilities, community outreach programmes and a ‘country’ feel as far as that is possible in London. But most importantly we wanted a pastorally strong school. We didn’t want Jago to end up in a ‘hot house’ where he never felt like he was doing well enough, but a school where he could reach his own potential, whatever that may be.

My husband and I both went to independent schools for senior school (he to Mill eld in Somerset, me to The Lady Eleanor Holles School in west London) so we wanted our children to do

the same at a London day school. Interestingly most friends I know model their own education on what they choose for their o spring (if nancially possible to do so). In south-west London, there isn’t a huge amount of choice for co-ed, so the options were naturally whittled down.

My advice at this stage would be to do your research: read school magazines like Independent School Parent, speak to parents with older children and experience of senior schools, and talk to your current school who will know what’s suitable for your child.

Go to as many open days as you can during year ve (make sure you leave plenty of time to book these as places ll up fast), then revisit the ones you like most with your child. Your kids need to feel as if you know the school and why it would be great for them – before dragging them around an open day. Don’t be distracted by the catering and obligatory talent show that always comes with open days but try and get a feel for the school. Do the children look happy? Could you imagine your child in this environment? As a parent you have to really learn to trust your gut; no-one knows your child better than you.

RIGHT: Northcote Lodge pupils with the Head Kevin Doble

If you don’t manage to get a place on an open day, ask the registrar for a private tour. This way you see the school in full swing, without all the pomp and ceremony.

Once you’ve decided on your schools, the winter term of year six will be a blur of revision and exams – a bit of a write-o for the whole family. If your child does well and goes through to interview stage these will take place early the following year before you typically nd out how you have fared in March, sometimes later for boarding schools. This is when parents have to dig deep! Either you nd yourself in the enviable position of choosing between schools, waitlisted (which is excruciating but be patient, with London day schools there’s always a lot of movement) or turned down for a place. We were told that whatever happens, to tell Jago how proud we are of him, and that if he didn’t get a place, it wasn’t the right school.

Thankfully, I’m happy to say that Jago starts at the green and leafy Harrodian in September, which sits on 25-acres by the river in Barnes. It’s a smaller school, sporty, pastorally strong and seems to get great results without being a hot house. Relieved doesn’t begin to cover it!

LEFT: The Harrodian School is in Barnes, southwest London

BELOW: Pupils enjoy the green spaces

HELPING YOUR CHILD PREPARE FOR EXAMS

How can parents prepare pupils for pre-tests and the 11+? Here, Pippa Miller, Assistant Head, Academic at Northcote Lodge (Broomwood Prep – Boys, from September) shares her advice.

FIND THE BEST FIT

There is no single ‘right’ school for your child – only the school in which they will thrive. Keep a sense of perspective and ensure your child doesn’t think they’ve failed if they don’t get into the school their parents have their hearts set upon.

TRUST YOUR SCHOOL

Work with your child’s current school to identify the di erent approaches from senior schools so your child is prepared and knows roughly what to expect.

PLAN EARLY

Agree a realistic plan for revision and help your child to stick to it with incentives, lots of praise and small rewards. Prepare a quiet area to study in and remove any distractions. But don’t overload and push too early.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Regular 20-minute learning slots are more valuable than hours of online ‘practice’ with no deeper learning taking place.

COMMUNICATE

Talk to your child about how they are feeling and reassure them it’s normal to feel anxious and that no matter what happens, you still love them.

BODY & MIND

Ensure your child has plenty of water, exercise, and fresh air – and help them to develop a good sleep pattern.

BE PREPARED

Pack the day before the exam, and no revision the night before, let them relax. Plan your journey to ensure that you arrive in good time.

Once you’ve decided on your schools, the winter term of year six will be a blur of revision and exams – a bit of a write-o for the whole family

Cheltenham College

As one of the country’s oldest Victorian boarding schools and the UK’s Independent Boarding School of the Year 2022/2023, Cheltenham College is well-versed in meeting the needs of its pupils, as well as their families. Its prep and senior school share the same 75-acre campus in the most beautiful Regency town in Gloucestershire, allowing pupils to enjoy the best of town and country, alongside the freedom to explore Cheltenham more independently as they get older.

Home to more than 500 boarders, including both boys and girls, some pupils come from as far a eld as Thailand and Kenya; many more are from military families, and yet more are from within 60 miles of the school, giving rise to blossoming friendships worldwide.

In the college (13- to 18-year-olds), every pupil belongs to one of 11 houses on campus, with two day houses and nine boarding houses to choose from. As well as activities such as outdoor cinema, tubing, crafting and baking to look forward to at the weekend, each house is a close-knit community with a distinctive character all of its own.

Ashmead makes its own apple juice from the apples in the garden; Southwood enjoy regular cuddles with their housemaster’s dog, Bertie; while Boyne house loves to entertain around the pizza ovens in the garden.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

BOARDING SCHOOL WINNER

As well as being surrounded by friends from di erent year groups, boarders are supported by Housemasters and Housemistresses, Matrons and Tutors, with quali ed counsellors on hand should they need them, to ensure their school years are healthy and happy, while preparing them for university and the world of work.

The college o ers a broad curriculum, spanning classical civilization to business BTEC, enabling every pupil to discover their passions and ful l their potential, with the success of this approach re ected in the grades students receive at GCSE and A-level. Each year, around 25 pupils apply to Oxbridge, with around four to six receiving o ers. In 2022, there were 10 pupils who applied for medicine and more than 20 applying to US and Canadian universities. Outside of the classroom, pupils are also encouraged to develop interests on the sports pitches, the stage and beyond, with biannual whole school productions such as Grease the musical and as many as four teams for each sport, giving everyone the chance to get involved.

Keen to lead by example, the Head, Nicola Huggett, can always be found cheering pupils on from the sidelines and sitting in the audience at shows, while her ‘positive and smiley leadership’ is consistently cited by parents and pupils as one of the most compelling reasons they recommend it to their friends.

cheltenhamcollege.org

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, this day and boarding school stands out for the life-enhancing experiences it provides for its pupils

The prep and senior school share the same 75acre campus in the most beautiful Regency town in Gloucestershire.

Woldingham School

Woldingham is a leading day and boarding school for girls aged 11-18, set in 700 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside. Despite Woldingham’s peaceful location, the school is remarkably easy to get to. Clapham Junction is just 25 minutes away by train, and the school is easily accessible for families in Croydon, Kent and Surrey.

Main House – the stunning 19th century mansion at the centre of the sits alongside purpose-built science labs, humanities and language hubs, and studios for art, drama and music. With a professional standard auditorium seating 630, it’s no surprise that award-winning actors Emma Corrin and Carey Mulligan both attended Woldingham.

Students achieve outstanding GCSE and A-level results to secure places at leading UK and international universities, opening doors to exciting careers. Students choose from a wide range of academic enrichment opportunities, from societies for debating, law and philosophy, through to extra quali cations in areas such as maths and sports leadership.

Woldingham has an exceptional co-curricular programme of sport, clubs, performing arts and outreach into the local community, enabling students to develop an excellent range of skills, expertise and interests. In 2022, Woldingham opened an Outdoor Education & Adventure Centre – a perfect addition to the school’s wonderful 700 acres.

With excellent indoor and outdoor facilities, hockey and netball teams compete locally and regionally with rst-class training from specialist coaches. The tennis dome means tennis can be played year round, as well as on outside courts in the summer. There’s an indoor swimming pool, squash courts, tness suites, dance studio and newly-refurbished sports hall.

The beauty and peace of Woldingham in the Surrey Hills makes it the perfect place to board, with full, weekly and exi-boarding options. Boarders live with their own year group in comfortable and well-equipped boarding houses, and there’s a great sense of community. Flexi-boarding is a great introduction to boarding. Weekly boarding, where students spend their weekends at home, is an increasingly popular option.

Woldingham celebrated its 180th anniversary in December 2022. As one of the UK’s oldest girls’ schools, Woldingham is a proud pioneer of women’s education. Its supportive and stimulating single-sex environment enables students to become authors of their own life story, growing into independent women who make a positive contribution to the world.

Woldingham is a Sacred Heart Catholic school, welcoming students of all faiths and none.

woldinghamschool.co.uk

This senior girls’ school provides an inspiring place for students to become confident, compassionate and courageous young women. t’s a place where students learn to write your own story’ through e cellent teaching, boundless opportunities and first-rate pastoral care

In 700 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside, each student learns to become the author of her own story.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

BRAND COMMUNICATION WINNER

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

COMMUNITY OUTREACH WINNER

Whitgift

showcases the true meaning of ‘giving back’. Steeped in history and tradition, it has managed to nd a balance between modern innovative teaching pedagogy while instilling values that date back to the aims of its founder.

Founded in 1596 by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, John Whitgift, his wish was to create a lasting legacy that would ‘give back’ to the people of Croydon through the provision of education and care. To this day, Whitgift continues to hold the ethos of giving back at its core, and demonstrates it in abundance. And 427 years on, Whitgift now comprises 1,550 boys from the age of 10 to 18 – a vibrant day and boarding community that re ects the cultural diversity found across South London itself. It’s fun to get involved in the community projects at Whitgift – some have been running for more than 23 years –which is testament to the quality and commitment shown by the school.

The Primary Project, established in 2000, invites more than 300 local primary school pupils from 30+ schools to come and enjoy a week of lessons at the school. With a dedicated teacher, computing room and other resources, Whitgift students join to teach computing and programming to the younger children, sharing their own love of learning and looking to inspire.

School, also allow students to help out with something a bit di erent; to give back something of themselves. A programme of sixth form volunteering at local schools has been extremely popular with more than 60 students attending primary schools on a weekly basis.

The school’s vision 2025 is to educate bright and talented young men, whatever their background, to become independent learners and thinkers, to achieve beyond what they believed they could, and to leave ready to give back to the society in which they’ll be leaders. With consistently good results, an excellent record of university destinations and a long list of successful alumni across all sorts of elds, it is not surprising that there is clearly belief and buy-in to the vision from families in the locality and even further a eld.

All in all, Whitgift o ers a rich and diverse mix of academic challenge alongside an exciting co-curricular programme within a supportive and collaborative environment. Signi cant investment at Haling Park – the beautiful 45-acre parkland campus where the school is situated – has been made in recent years, focusing on creating social areas and teaching spaces with greater exibility.

To visit the school and meet the inspiring students and sta , please join an autumn open event. whitgift.co.uk

This South London school’s culture of ‘giving back’ dates back to the aims of its founder

It’s genuinely inspirational for the younger students at Whitgift to see the older Whitgiftians involved in and passionate about their volunteering – it helps us to foster a culture of giving back.

Andy Marlow, Director of Partnerships and Community

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

HEALTHY EATING WINNER

Sarum Hall School

Sarum Hall School is a busy and non-selective preparatory school for girls located in Belsize Park in north London. Educating just over 180 girls, the school combines a myriad of opportunities inside and outside the classroom, with a

Sta and pupils work together to bring learning to life every day, nurturing and developing inquisitive minds. The school’s mission is to identify and develop the unique interests and potential of each individual pupil and to prepare them for a full and happy life.

The school’s commitment to overall health and wellbeing is clear. Headmistress Karen Coles explains: “without good physical and mental health, children can’t learn well. Our number-one concern is whether our girls are happy.”

Lunch at the school is a series of healthy choices; a wide choice of fruit and vegetables; meat-free days; and no re ned sugars in the daily dessert choice. In fact, it’s much like other independent schools. But healthy eating and a strong positive food ethos runs so much deeper at the school.

The school built its own Food Studio in 2018 and through this state-of-the-art facility, the school embeds a profound appreciation and understanding of food.

From nursery, girls are immersed in cross-curricular food education. A recent project saw year four designing and inventing salads using the Eatwell Guide. Girls had a wide variety of ingredients to choose from, which included

seasonal vegetables, grains, beans and pulses, and the activity was linked to book characters as part of their English studies. The judge was the school’s head chef, and the winning salad (halloumi and butternut squash) was created en masse for the whole school to enjoy.

Another project dubbed Operation Canapé saw the maths teacher and food technology coordinator join forces. The cross-curricular STEM project, involved pupils researching the nutritional content and environmental impact of their ingredients, as well as managing their costs. The project culminated in a canapé party where the girls served their creations to guests at the school.

The school also shares its love of food with the community. Charities are invited to use the Food Studio free of charge. Cookery sessions have been held with Likewise (wellbeing support charity), The Winch (supporting young people in Camden), and Families for Peace (a charity supporting Ukranian refugees). The sessions underline the bene ts of cooking and baking together to improve mental wellbeing.

The school empowers children to make their own healthy choices, and by using the Food Studio as the ultimate crosscurricular educational tool, children leave Sarum Hall School with a wider understanding of why healthy eating is important, why we should eat responsibly, the ability to transfer practical skills across the curriculum, and that food overall can bring people together.

sarumhallschool.co.uk

This tight-knit girls’ prep promotes wellbeing through a strong positive food ethos

This award recognises our commitment to overall health and wellbeing. Eating well is so important for good physical and mental health, without which children cannot learn well.

Karen Coles, Headmistress

St David’s College

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

OUTSTANDING NEW INITIATIVE WINNER

This award-winning school is set in a 30-acre Tudor Estate, nestled between Snowdonia National Park and the north Wales coastline. Snowdonia is St David’s College’s classroom, its theatre, its playground and its lifeblood.

Its aim is a simple one – to create a unique, whole-person education centred on the individual, built upon Christian principles, and embedded in a family atmosphere. Taking a “whole person” approach, allows teachers to nd the true gifts of every individual and tailor their education accordingly.

St David’s College is enormously proud to have won the Innovation Award for an Outstanding New Initiative for its groundbreaking work with children with dyspraxia in PE and sport. This award recognises the exceptional initiative devised by Mr Dan Lycett and the rest of the PE and sports team to support our pupils and help them reach their full potential.

St David’s College has followed a unique vision to help these children, by approaching games lessons in an original way. The PE and sports department has worked closely with the outstanding Cadogan Centre, St David’s College’s own learning support department, to create a programme that feeds into the rest of the pupils learning plan. The awardwinning programme has been developed to focus on building

pupils’ con dence and to help them develop their motor skills through physical activity.

The Innovation Award for an Outstanding New Initiative recognises the signi cant impact that St David’s College has had on the lives of its pupils. The school’s approach to helping children with dyspraxia is innovative and has the potential to change the way that dyspraxia is understood and treated.

Headmaster, Mr. Andrew Russell said “I’m overjoyed at the recent recognition for all of the incredible work done by the sports sta at St David’s College. This special award is just the latest in a string of successes. Successes are an everyday occurrence for the hard-working team, both in the classroom and on the sports eld.

The programme undertaken by the department headed up by Mr Lycett (an Old Davidean) is attracting attention from elite sports schools, Olympic coaches and university researchers. It thoroughly deserves to be promoted for its remarkable results.”

The award has been met with great excitement and pride from the sta and students at St David’s College. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the programme, including the teachers, support sta , and sports coaches.

stdavidscollege.co.uk

St David’s College is a groundbreaking mainstream co-educational independent school for children aged from 9 to 19

I’m overjoyed at the recent recognition for all of the incredible work done by the sports sta at St David’s College. The programme is attracting attention from elite sports schools, Olympic coaches and university trainers. It thoroughly deserves to be promoted for its remarkable results.

Andrew Russell, Headmaster

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

PERFORMING ARTS WINNER

Emanuel School

recent years, with the combined results placing Emanuel 54th nationally in The Times & Sunday Times Parent Power rankings for independent schools and inside the top 10 for fully coeducational independent schools.

Emanuel supports pupils as they ourish and build con dence in the classroom and outside of it. The creative arts, far from providing a distraction from the core curriculum, prove to be some of the most enriching, invigorating and pastorally bene cial of our pupils’ experiences. The co-curricular programme and facilities are outstanding, with the school’s excellence in music, drama and lm being particularly recognised in 2022 when the Emanuel was awarded the Independent School of the Year award for the Performing Arts.

At Emanuel co-education is an integral feature of the community, its vision, and its values. The bene ts of co-

the school where all pupils, regardless of gender or any other characteristic, feel happy and safe.

Emanuel’s pupils are motivated and guided in achieving their goals by dedicated and enthusiastic teachers; men and women who care deeply about their subjects, possessing the skills to impart their knowledge and passions. This trusted relationship between pupils and teachers, with the support of parents, is one of the key reasons why Emanuel has become such a positive, happy and high achieving environment.

With numerous opportunities for outreach and charity work, pupils learn the value and sense of personal ful lment to be found in helping others. Emanuel was awarded the Independent School of the Year award for Outreach in 2021, a testament to its positive understanding of wider community partnerships. emanuel.org.uk

We are so pleased to receive this award, reflecting the incredible sense of talent, enjoyment and dedication in the school.

Robert Milne, Headmaster

Grimsdell, Mill Hill Pre-Prep

Welcome to Grimsdell, Mill Hill

Pre-Prep: one of seven schools in The Mill Hill School Foundation

150 acres of grounds belonging to The Foundation in North London.

Grimsdell is a happy, warm and caring school that celebrates each child’s individual character and strengths. Every day is made up of meaningful learning experiences, o ering children exciting and interactive ways to discover more about the world around them. Pupils are therefore equipped with the tools they need to thrive and tackle challenges with a sparkle in their eyes.

The Creative Curriculum o ered at Grimsdell instils a natural and lifelong love of learning in children. The rich and diverse curriculum combines academic rigour with modern skills, leaving pupils curious to explore and learn more. Digital devices are incorporated appropriately into all aspects of school life to enhance learning.

The School o ers a fantastic co-curricular programme to spark passion and creativity through various activities, such as coding, street dance, yoga and more. Each term, a week of immersive learning is devoted to a speci c topic, such as Pet Week and Language Week. School trips also bring learning to life in a broader context. A specialist PE teacher teaches children balance, gross motor skills, teamwork, and various sports. Pupils have access to Mill Hill School’s facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and athletic elds. Grimsdell prides itself on having a strong connection with the outdoors. Pupils across all year groups love being outdoors,

and they grow visibly more con dent as they play and carry out tasks. They learn to work in teams, to trust each other and to understand risk and responsibility. This learningthrough-play ethos helps develop remarkably resilient and independent children. The school is thrilled to now o er a full-time nursery, with pupils spending half their day in the classroom and the other half outdoors, learning in the woods in the newly refurbished Forest School.

Childhood is a special time of wonder and joy, and with this in mind, the sta at Grimsdell go the extra mile to bring the best out of its pupils. This creates a supportive and caring environment in which children learn to blossom, be themselves, and seize every opportunity.

“To be named Pre-Prep of the Year gave our school a collective sense of pride. For us it re ected the commitment of our whole-school community: the vision of subject and departmental leaders; the creativity and determination of sta to provide outstanding opportunities for children; the support and engagement of our parent body and most of all, the love of learning displayed by our pupils. The emphasis on outdoor learning and wellbeing has been a long-standing feature of Grimsdell, but to have this externally recognised as being at the heart of our school gave a voice to this central part of child development,” says Head,Kate Simon.

Visiting Grimsdell is the best way to nd out if it’s the right t for your child. Come along to the next open morning or a midweek tour to experience the school rst hand, and nd out why it was awarded Independent Pre-Prep of the Year 2022. millhill.org.uk/grimsdell

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

PREP-PREP WINNER

To be named Pre-Prep of the Year gave our school a collective sense of pride. For us, it reflects the commitment of our whole-school community.

Kate Simon, Headteacher

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT WINNER

CHINTHURST SCHOOL

All sports are for everyone at this co-ed school, thanks to its inspirational and inclusive sports programme

Chinthurst is a coeducational day school for children aged 2 ½ to 11 years old, located between Epsom, Banstead, and Reigate in Surrey. It’s a junior school of Reigate Grammar School.

Chinthurst is a school with heart.

Fundamental to this is a focus on strong relationships that ensure each individual child feels happy, safe and willing to make mistakes – key ingredients for learning. These relationships also underpin excellent academic achievements, as well as successes beyond the classroom; in friendships, sports teams, choirs and play casts, all while cultivating con dence, resilience and independence. The result? Happy children who can achieve great things.

The school is always looking at creative ways of pushing the boundaries within the curriculum and its pioneering sporting programme is an important part of this. Pupils are able to choose which sport they want to play without being constrained by conventional norms. In football, rugby, netball and hockey, boys and girls train alongside each other and play xtures together in competitive teams. As a result, they see themselves as equals on the pitch with no preconceived limitations and the encouragement and support they give one another on the games elds continues o it.

The children enjoy high standards of coaching and playing whatever sport they choose, whatever gender they are, and whatever standard they’ve reached or natural

ability they may have. Everyone has the chance to develop essential skills with a focus rmly on fun! The sports programme is designed to foster healthy competition, resilience and teamwork. All upper school children have the opportunity to play in team xtures, so they can bene t from the fun and friendships built during game play. Sports lessons are structured around ‘skills zones’ and ‘game play zones’ to maximise coaching time, stretch the more able, and support the less con dent.

Taster sessions, inspirational speakers and a multi sports week showcase the variety of skills each sport develops and helps pupils buy-in to their subsequent games lessons. Fun challenges give the children a chance to take part in activities beyond traditional sports and a chance to express themselves in new ways, outside of the classroom. Giving pupils a voice in sport and across other areas of the school builds con dence and self-esteem, and is an integral part of Chinthurst’s comprehensive Wellbeing at Heart programme.

Ultimately, the school believes that its approach to sport will have a signi cant impact, not only on how the children think now, but on how they continue to think as they grow up and become adults. They hope it will play a part in changing the attitudes, assumptions, constraints and limitations that society places on girls and boys and, by doing so, it will actively promote gender equality and a love of physical activity, which will stay with the children for life.

chinthurstschool.co.uk

Sport forms an integral part of life at Chinthurst and the award is wonderful recognition of the children’s enthusiasm and readiness to try new things – a joy to watch every day.

Cathy Trundle, Headteacher

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

STUDENT CAREERS PROGRAMME WINNER

Charterhouse

Set within a beautiful and inspiring 250-acre campus, Charterhouse is a leading co-educational senior school in Surrey

Charterhouse is academically focused, while also being very much an all-round boarding and day school. Charterhouse selects pupils who will thrive within the rigour of a broad and stretching curriculum. An allround education is provided because a great deal of time is spent outside the classroom, as well as in. The school has developed in-depth sport, music and drama programmes and co-curricular activities which develop leadership, resilience, collaboration and teamwork. Such skills and characteristics are going to be vital in the future workplace.

Charterhouse’s award-winning Careers Programme is a key strand of this education: an education that’s highly motivating, relevant and distinctive, so as to equip their pupils with the best possible foundation for their future – whatever that may look like.

Teachers impart skills as much as knowledge, weaving the Charterhouse philosophy of learning and school values into

everything they do, so young adults can have ful lling lives, successful careers and make a positive contribution to society. A dedicated team of advisors with successful business backgrounds deliver the Careers Programme, focusing not just on di erent careers, but also on key employability skills and how to acquire them.

The university destinations of leavers re ect both their abilities and the quality of the education provided at Charterhouse: Oxbridge, Ivy League, Russell Group and the top European institutions all feature in abundance. Other successes include an apprenticeship at a top engineering company and internships with Rolls Royce, PwC and Goldman Sachs. Although there have been numerous individual achievements, every single pupil leaving Charterhouse has developed emotional and cultural intelligence, understands the key employability skills they need and has the resilience and perseverance to overcome problems or failures throughout their life after school. charterhouse.org.uk

Providing our pupils with a broad understanding of the world of work, the skills they will need and the professions that may lay ahead of them is a central part of the Charterhouse experience.

Belinda Sartori, Head of Careers

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

THE GREEN AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT WINNER

Seaford College

Seaford College is a co-educational school nestled in more than 450 acres of listed parkland, at the foot of the South Downs. This beautiful location naturally attracts students, families and sta who not only appreciate nature, but also have a keen interest in protecting it

Seaford truly is an eco-school. In the autumn term, Seaford was awarded the Eco-Schools UK Green Flag award (with Distinction), along with the Green Award for Environmental Achievement at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

Environmental education is at the heart of the curriculum in a wide variety of subject areas. Seaford held an inaugural Green Week, which took place across lessons and campus, giving students, sta and parents an opportunity to get involved and make a di erence. During this period, many departments included a focus on environmental and sustainability issues in their subjects. Seaford has a schoolwide approach to environmental initiatives with a long-term focus, embedding sustainability throughout the curriculum, the co-curriculum and operations.

Seaford’s Green Week was planned to coincide with the COP27 Climate Conference, which the students learned about through a whole-school assembly led by students. Specialist outside speakers came to the college and presented topical subject matter to year groups. The week nished with a green nonuniform Friday, with donations given to two environmental charities – WaterAid and Sussex Woodland Trust.

Seaford’s three eco-councils continue to build on achievements from last year with their themes this year being: school grounds (prep), waste and water (middle school), and global citizenship (senior).

Biology and geography students are going to Borneo for rainforest and coral-reef conservation projects which will include working at a turtle hatchery The trip will bring to life the curriculum topics of habitat conservation, the loss of biodiversity and reintroducing species into the wild.

Senior school students have raised awareness of the Greenpeace Big Plastic Count, an initiative that’s collecting the evidence needed to push the government, supermarkets and companies to tackle the plastic crisis.

Prep school students complete a task each day for Seaford’s Sustainable World initiative. Tasks include bringing their own water bottles to lunch to reduce the water, chemicals and energy of washing up cups. Each day, they save a minimum of three

loads in the dishwasher just by completing this simple task.

During Fairtrade Fortnight students raised awareness, and the eco-school committees made the community aware of where their menu choices, fruit, vegetables and owers come from, by naming and locating the product labels with the help of the catering department. sixth form and prep school students used the parent co ee hours to update families about Seaford College’s eco initiatives.

Students have time in governors’ meetings to discuss achievements and future plans, and the whole school focus is highlighted in the strategic plans for each area each year.

Working in partnership with South Downs National Park, prep school students have planted di erent plants on a butter y bank to attract butter ies to Seaford College. No opportunity to educate is missed, and the bushcraft club and timetabled Forest School lessons are used as key opportunities for environmental education as well as being great for students’ wellbeing. Plans have been submitted to the South Downs National Park for a Woodland Ecology Centre which will be used to continue this outdoor, ecology and countryside management education.

On the Seaford campus, conservational responsibilities have also been in busy progress, with an ambitious woodland management programme led by their partner English Woodlands Forestry Ltd. with guidance from the Forestry Commission and South Downs National Park.

Seaford has been extremely active with o cers of the South Downs National Park in creating beautiful wild ower and butter y meadows. These were visited this year by a member of Sussex Wildlife Trust, who published an extremely positive article about Seaford’s conservation initiatives. Seaford also planted a garden to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. The green space has a focus on gardening sustainably, and is registered with the Queen’s Green Canopy Scheme. The Wildlife Pack has been planted to establish food and shelter for wildlife and create a living legacy for future generations. To complete the garden, with a focus on wellbeing, there’s oak seating and benches for the community to enjoy the peaceful setting and landscape views. The garden is a fantastic example of thinking globally and acting locally. seaford.org

I’m very proud of the Seaford community for winning the Green Award. At the heart of life at Seaford are many opportunities to have a positive impact on the environment, and Seaford’s long-term focus remains embedding sustainability throughout the curriculum, the co-curriculum and operations. Seaford’s environmental work and education will continue in the long term, with Seafordians taking their commitments for change into their lives in the future, in the hope that they can make a di erence.

John Green, Headmaster

This national recognition for our ambitious educational and cocurricular programmes is fantastic – I am so proud of our school community.

Nicholas Weaver, Headmaster

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL HIGHLY COMMENDED

IpswichSchool

adulthood

Founded circa 1399, it’s one of the oldest schools in England with a rich heritage – it’s the only school to ever be mentioned in a play by Shakespeare and counts Cardinal Wolsey amongst its former pupils. Ipswich School is surrounded by protected areas of outstanding natural beauty, but is within an hour of both London and Cambridge.

Lessons are dynamic and interactive, with small class sizes and an exceptionally broad curriculum that o ers nearly 30 A-level options. Life Skills are an important part of the curriculum throughout the school, culminating with The Edge programme at sixth form which includes a Mental Health First Aid certi cation.

Ipswich students develop a spirit of service and an understanding of their role as global citizens. Every Thursday afternoon is dedicated to activities that widen horizons and promote volunteering; these include assisting at primary schools, talking to residents at care homes, Combined Cadet Force and environmental work.

Student initiative is widely encouraged and student-led clubs are proli c – covering a diverse range of interests from Musical Choir, Model House of Commons, History or even Butter y Club. Consciousness Club is one such student-led initiative in which sixth formers debate and promote issues around equality, diversity and inclusion. These students helped sta to launch a digital app which records any discriminatory behaviour which might otherwise go unreported and helps to further promote the inclusive ethos. The music, sport and drama provision is extensive, and sees dedicated performers compete at national level. Music is a popular activity, with more than half the school taking part in one or more of the ensembles. The orchestra performs at the worldrenowned Snape Maltings Concert Hall made famous by local composer, Benjamin Britten. Sport is taught by a team of highly quali ed coaches, and team achievements span all ages. Teams are regular National Cup nalists for both hockey and rugby from U13 upwards; the U15 girls cricket team are T20 national champions and the U18 boys hockey team are recent indoor champions.

ipswich.school

Combining a strong educational heritage and future-led learning, this high-ranking East Anglian school prepares its boys and girls for

BE YOUR VERY BEST

A new name and branding aims to take the education provision at south-west London’s Northwood Schools to the next level

In 2022, Northwood Schools was proud to be shortlisted for six Independent School of the Year awards – for pastoral care, innovative approach, teamwork and support, and above all, the all-round quality of the pupil experience o ered across all the schools – an achievement that demonstrates not only the excellence of the education provided, but its breadth too.

l Prep School of the Year

l Unsung Hero of the Year

l Student Wellbeing x 2

l Outstanding New Initiative

l Pre-Prep School of the Year

A new name for 2023

In 2023, the group hopes to build on this success and highlight the wonderfully rich and high quality of education on o er – but it’ll be doing so under a new, single name: BROOMWOOD. Working together as one school under one Principal, but with separate sites under autonomous, yet collaborative Heads, Broomwood will continue to equip and inspire boys and girls to #BeYourBest by giving them the very best of all worlds: a joyful

co-educational start to education at the age of three or four in a bespoke, specialist Early Years centre within a wider school setting, with a seamless transition to single sex, yet collaborative, prep schools at the age of seven.

Inspiring and preparing children for a bright future

These changes consolidate the excellent education that the schools are known for (ISI Inspections for all schools were ‘Excellent’ in May 2022). By building on the heritage of the past, yet making appropriate changes, the individual schools will ensure that Broomwood continues to provide children with the very best preprep and prep education, while preparing them for some of the best and most demanding schools in the country.

However, the school group believes that a truly excellent prep school does much more than simply get its pupils into the ‘right’ senior school. It treats education as a voyage of discovery and releases pupils from a fear of failure. Critically, it gives them permission to be true to themselves, unearthing as yet undiscovered talents and, indeed, intelligences.

Broomwood’s schools do all of the above, providing pupils with

BELOW: Broomwood Pre-Prep pupils enjoy their playtime

a broad and rich multitude of experiences throughout their time there, so that each child enjoys and endures both success and failure, knows the pleasure of discovering something new, and recognises the value of resilience, teamwork, and creative thought.

Of course, Broomwood is also academically ambitious, prepares children to high academic standards and is proud to see them move on to some of the best schools in the country, but never at the expense of a child’s right to be a child. It believes that happiness is fundamental to school life; its pupils know that they’re safe to try something new and to understand that growth and development comes as much from mistakes as it does from getting it right.

As a community, Broomwood is immensely proud that its pupils leave with the con dence and willingness to ‘have a go’; an attitude that will help them turn knowledge into the wisdom that they need to succeed in their future schools, as well as their lives beyond.

Broomwood truly believes that this is what the best kind of prep school education looks like, and the school group hopes to continue demonstrating this in all that it does, and to be able to showcase its success in future and ongoing awards.

LEFT: Teamwork and resilience are key values of the school group’s ethos

TOP: Outdoor learning at Broomwood Prep

BELOW: Broomwood Prep boys and girls play sports together

Inspiring and equipping children ages 3-13 to #BeYourBEST

Little Broomwood: boys and girls aged 3-4 (opening 2023)

Broomwood Pre-Prep: boys and girls aged 4-7 (previously Broomwood Hall Lower School)

admissions@broomwood.com

Broomwood PrepBoys: ages 7-13

(previously Northcote Lodge)

Broomwood PrepGirls: ages 7-13

(previously Broomwood Hall Upper School)

As a community, Broomwood is immensely proud that its pupils leave with the confidence and willingness to ‘have a go’

BROOMWOOD

BOYS’ SCHOOL

Entries from across the country went head to head in this hotly-contested award category

LEFT: Warwick boys bene t from access to more than 80 extracurricular activities

BELOW: Newcastle School for Boys was the Highly Commended School in this ISOTY category

Each finalist in this category demonstrated excellence, with initiatives and programmes tailored to enrich and enhance the way boys learn. After considerable deliberation on the part of the judges, Warwick School was awarded the top prize. Combining proud tradition with a forward-looking approach, the school ensures that all pupils are fully equipped to deal with 21st century life. Most signi cantly, the school tailors its teaching to suit the way that most boys learn. While no single approach works for everyone, teachers understand that boys learn more e ectively when provided with practical opportunities to discover things for themselves. The curriculum has been designed to provide an extensive range of subject options and educational experiences, with a focus on group discussions, team exercises and building con dence in independent study. Boys like to experience the world rst hand, so a wide range of conferences, trips, lectures and university links are on o er, to expand horizons even further.

Co-curricular opportunities are structured to inspire imagination, foster con dence, and provide meaningful social, mental and physical experiences for pupils, resulting in a programme of more than 80 clubs and activities. Resilience is also instilled through a Wellbeing Hub, o ering a constant, helpful respite from stress.

School

The winner, for its explicit focus on teaching boys how to grapple with the pressures of the current climate and world, is Warwick

Helen Wright

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL

LEFT:

5o Ukrainian students have become integrated members of the BSB community BELOW: Brighton College Bangkok was also a nalist

With state-of-the-art campuses and rigorous academic programmes, the British International School nalists were typically exceptional, but The British School of Brussels’ (BSB) quick outreach action marked it out as the clear winner.

Once news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine broke, the school’s leadership team immediately convened and planned its response to the crisis. Within 48 hours, BSB’s board of governors had unanimously decided to amend the admissions policy to allow Ukrainian students eeing the war to study at the school for free. Within days, the rst Ukrainian students were admitted. Extra sta was organised, support classes were set up, and teachers and students uent in Russian and Ukrainian volunteered as mentors.

BSB is proud to say that 50 Ukrainian students have joined the school, from kindergarten to secondary school; students such as Theo, a keen scientist who saved his school’s geckos and brought them with him, and Margot, who arrived in Belgium alone and will now complete her A-levels at BSB.

By applying its Guiding Statements at a time of great need, BSB helped the Ukrainian students move on from the ‘one day at a time’ mentality they’d been forced to adopt and gave them a semblance of normality, a routine, and sense of community.

The winner, for its rapid and impressive response to the crisis in Ukraine, is The British School of Brussels

From extraordinary outreach programmes to exceptional academic provisions, this award category was stronger than ever

COEDUCATIONAL

LEFT: Nottingham High School is committed to nurturing con dent, happy boys and girls

BELOW: Royal Hospital was a strong nalist in this category

With a host of finalists boasting strong academic support and pastoral carefor all, this award was hotly contested. However, after some deliberation, Nottingham High School won out.

Respect, empathy and equality are values the school holds dear. The student voice re ects the school’s commitment to nurturing con dent, happy children who work together for the good of all.

Since welcoming girls in 2015, the school has been committed to an ambitious diversity and inclusion strategy, driven by a passionate committee of sta and students. New initiatives have included the PLUS group where LGBTQ+ students and allies support one another and the Festivals group educating peers about di erent religious celebrations. Schoolwide participation in both LGBTQ+ and Black History months also resulted in amazing artwork, which will be housed in the forthcoming, sector-leading Wellbeing Centre, which will bene t all student body members.

Children are provided with equal opportunities to shine in sport, with mixed and single-sex sessions, while the exible uniform policy supports students in their gender identity. A school life that builds girls’ and boys’ independence, con dence and emotional resilience through collaboration, cooperation and healthy competition is what has been achieved.

The winner, for its sensitive approach to being co-ed and respecting shared spaces, is Nottingham High School

Inclusive curricula and well-considered wellbeing support for all made many schools stand out in this competitive category

FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE

From fun runs to fashion shows and everything in between, the finalists in this category showed initiative in their charity action

LEFT: HabsDash, the 3.5km campus run, raised more than £135,000 for school bursaries

BELOW: Knightsbridge School’s strong fundraising earned it a nalist spot

Whether raising funds for charity organisations or their bursary programmes, all of the nalist schools in this category demonstrated integrity and ingenuity. Ultimately though, the Habs’ Elstree Schools were triumphant.

At 9am on 1 March 2022, the Habs’ Elstree school group launched its rst-ever giving day. The Boys’ School had done little fundraising, and the Girls’ School had done none. This was the rst big project that brought both schools together.

By 9pm on 2 March, 850 sta members and students had decided to run 3.5km around campus, to raise funds for bursaries, hardship funds, greatest needs and other school priorities.

The goal: £3m a year is spent on bursaries, but it’s not enough. The school group want a Habs that is entirely needs-blind.

The strategy included forming a steering group from key constituencies, including students, sta , alumni and parents; getting students involved – not as fundraisers, but as advocates; spreading the word through presentations at sta meetings and student assemblies; scheduling the main giving day event, HabsDash, for a day that wouldn’t disrupt the school calendar. And the results of that lunchtime run were extraordinary, with a whopping total of £135,609 raised (the goal was £55,000).

And the winner, for its honest and di erent take on giving days, and for bringing two communities together, is Haberdashers’ Elstree

GIRLS’ SCHOOL

LEFT: South Hampstead High School provides selfdefence classes

BELOW: Putney High School was Highly Commended in this category

From enriched stem facilities to feminist principles, the nalists all o er an exceptional single-sex education. But, after much deliberation, South Hampstead High School was chosen.

South Hampstead has a long legacy of empowering girls to stand up for what they believe in and to make a di erence. SHHS girls have a real sense of purpose: beyond outstanding grades and externally-validated achievements in everything from sport to music, pupils give the very best of themselves, and contribute to at least one social-action initiative each.

Equality and leadership are championed at South Hampstead. The award-winning Debate Hub empowers hundreds of young women to nd their voice through regular coaching and competitions, while LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity issues are championed by the whole community. In the wake of the Everyone’s Invited movement, the school collaborated with neighbouring boys’ schools to discuss consent, and the Head Girl team successfully lobbied to introduce self-defence training.

On Free Thinking Fridays, sixth formers go o timetable to broaden horizons and the Speaker Series welcomes high-pro le guests. Meanwhile, Positive Perspectives courses, wellness weeks and school dog Maple all augment pupil wellbeing.

The winner, for its unwavering commitment to feminism and dealing with challenging issues, is South Hampstead High School

Empowering approaches to educating young women, this category’s finalists’ field was especially strong this year

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

LEFT: Students from more than 30 countries come together as a community at St Leonards

BELOW: DLD College London was also a nalist

With exceptional boarding communities and schoolwide bonding activities, many schools shone in this eld. But, after much thought, St Leonards was honoured with the award.

Scottish in tradition but global in outlook, St Leonards is a microcosm of the vibrant town of St Andrews. It’s a second home to pupils of more than 30 nationalities: all of whom follow the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

This cultural and linguistic diversity is celebrated daily, with pupils encouraged to take pride in their heritage and share it with others. Older pupils read stories in their mother tongue to younger pupils, dumpling workshops are run to mark Lunar New Year, and the diverse menu celebrates student multiculturalism.

Fynn, from Germany, who came to St Leonards because of the world-leading golf programme run in partnership with St Andrews Links Trusts, says: “What I love most about the school is that the teachers push us to form our own opinions.”

Meanwhile, Keyuri, from India has thrown herself into all areas of school life because the nurturing environment has encouraged her to pursue her passions. She says: “I’m extremely happy to be part of the St Leonards family. In my boarding house, there’s always someone to talk to. It’s my happy place.”

The winner, for its rich, embedded strategies, and clear examples of students connecting across cultural boundaries, is St Leonards

With global outlooks and strong community spirit, a number of finalists stood out in this very competitive field

PREP

With finalists combining exceptional pastoral care records and outdoorlearning provisions, this eld was hard fought, with Ardvreck and Mill eld Prep taking the joint prize.

Ardvreck has always valued the importance of outdoor learning. The school’s tradition of spending time outdoors is what makes it special. There’s a whole-school approach to delivering an outstanding programme of balanced learning activity (physical, academic, creative and outdoor) in order to provide developmental experiences, build resilience and enhance con dence, progressions, self-esteem and wellbeing.

Weekly Forest School sessions, as well as daily games sessions and specialist outdoor learning sessions, have been introduced. There’s problem solving, team work, communication, cooperation, cognitive development and healthy physical activity at play here – and pupils thrive on it.

At Mill eld Prep, more than 135 boarders and 255 day pupils returned from 27 countries, where they experienced very di erent pandemic circumstances. Consequently, the school focused on pupils’ emotional needs and equipped them with the tools to adapt to a post-Covid life. Its Wellbeing Curriculum was launched in response, teaching pupils to identify poor wellbeing and empowering them with the skills to improve it. Its concepts link seamlessly to the school’s values Be Kind, Be You, Be Curious, Be Challengers and Be Brilliant. Years seven and eight have one wellbeing class each week, in addition to PSHEE and PE lessons, covering meditation, mindful walk and talk, slip-stream, alfresco pursuits, yoga, soul food, movement to music and self-care.

We have joint winners in this category, the first for its wellbeing curriculum, and the second for its energy and focus on the outdoors. These schools also exemplify some of the geographical, size and other diversity in the sector

With a commitment to instilling a lifelong love of learning and pupil wellbeing, the finalists in this award category were strong

LEFT: Ardvreck pupils thrive through a curriculum that embraces the outdoors

BELOW: Mill eld Prep focuses on its pupils’ mental wellbeing

RISING STAR

From brilliant personal achievements to inspiring acts of compassion and courage, this award was one of the toughest to judge, but after much discussion, the panel picked Elin Jones.

Ellesmere College nominated Elin Jones in recognition and celebration of her dedication, tireless campaigning and legacy for the improvement of mental health support at school.

Elin came to the college in sixth form to study A-levels, and began to develop what’s now an integrated, ongoing schoolwide programme: MHESS – Mental Health at Ellesmere Support System. Using her own experience of severe depression, she wanted to ensure there was a whole-school approach to helping students with mental health issues of any size or severity.

With the assistance of nursing sta , pastoral heads and Director of Rugby, Alex Murphy, Elin arranged funding for a number of students and sta to take a Mental Health Awareness training programme, to help them to recognise and support peer groups. She also set up a Wellness Suite and charity days for Young Minds.

Elin’s legacy is that the college still invests in the training of students and sta to continue the commitment to the emotional wellbeing of the school community. She achieved all this while studying for A-levels and engaging in co-curricular pursuits.

The award goes to Elin Jones, who drove the launch of MHESS, which now underpins the school’s approach to mental health

With an array of innovative, inspiring and high-achieving youngsters nominated, this category was especially hard for the judges to call

LEFT: Elin Jones accepts the Rising Star award at the ISOTY 2022 ceremony from Ellesmere College Head, Brendan Wignall

BELOW: Elin with her award

SMALL SCHOOL

LEFT: Pupils at St Ives School Haslemere enjoy Forest School sessions BELOW: Perrott Hill Prep School was a nalist in this category

with one-on-one pastoral care and smaller class sizes, these nalists exude educational brilliance. But, after much discussion, the panel made St Ives School Haslemere the winner.

With 140 pupils (aged 2 to 11 years), it’s a small school with a big heart and a lot of soul. Under the helm of Headteacher Kay Goldsworthy, there has been a 65-per-cent increase in numbers in the last ve years. However, despite this growth, the school’s core values have never wavered: an excellent standard of education is provided, with the wellbeing and happiness of its pupils lying at the heart of everything. This is achieved through small class sizes, talented teachers and a real understanding of every child.

Academic standards are exceptionally high at this prep, despite it being non-selective, with 70 per cent of year six pupils gaining scholarships to their senior schools this past year, and 100 per cent of them being o ered a place at their rst-choice school. This aspect only makes up one part of developing the whole child, however. The breadth of experiences o ered at St Ives School allows children to develop as individuals, foster a lifelong love of learning, and progress.

An already broad curriculum is enriched through Forest School, trips, festivals, charity days and inter-house sports competitions.

The winner, for its engaging entry, highlighting the energy and buzz of the school, is St Ives School Haslemere

Small but mighty, these finalist schools proved that communities of all sizes can provide academic, social and extracurricular excellence

SOCIAL MOBILITY

LEFT: Dulwich College champions diversity and inclusion

BELOW: Oundle School was another strong contender in this category

With all of the finalists offering unprecedented levels of bursary support, the judging panel had a tough decision on their hands, before nally opting for Dulwich College.

Since its foundation in 1619, it has been committed to helping academically-talented local children achieve their potential.

More than £4m is granted each year to support 200 bursary awards in and adjacent to the school’s borough of Southwark. Almost three-quarters of its bursary award-holders (148 pupils) are supported with between 75 and 100 per cent of their fees. Two pupils in receipt of 100 per cent boarding bursary awards came to the school via the Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation, which shares Dulwich College’s commitment to social mobility and empowering community organisations. Spending on bursaries has doubled within a decade, and the college aims to o er needs-blind admission in the near future.

Every pupil is fully integrated into the community, with devices being provided for all bursary recipients during lockdown.

Equity, service and excellence lie at the heart of the school’s ethos, preparing pupils for the future – apt, as most of 2021’s bursary alumni went on to Russell Group universities, Oxbridge or coveted apprenticeships.

The winner, for its embedded strategy of equity, service and excellence, demonstrated in practice is Dulwich College

With all of the finalist schools o ering more and more life-changing bursary provisions, this was a highly-competitive category

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY

LEFT: Christ’s Hospital’s distinctive school uniform includes a blue frock coat and yellow socks

BELOW: The school has been based in Horsham, West Sussex since 1902

with a rich, centuries-long heritage, Christ’s Hospital is an independent co-educational boardingand day school with an equal mix of boys and girls aged 11 to 18, nestled in the countryside between London and Brighton.

The school is the UK’s leading charitable school and largest bursary charity. The school was established in 1552 and provides free or substantially reduced cost places to more than 630 of its 900 pupils – this is more than any other organisation in the UK. Through a rst-class education and exceptional pastoral support, Christ’s Hospital provides each pupil with stability and the opportunity to thrive and ful l their potential. A huge 98 per cent of leavers go on to university, taking with them the con dence and resilience needed to achieve success, and to make a meaningful contribution to society in life. Pupils’ fees are assessed according to family income, so that it’s a child’s ability and potential to bene t from a Christ’s Hospital education that determines their selection. This results in a social and cultural diversity that enriches the community and o ers pupils unique opportunities as they prepare to take their place in the world.

The total bursary (fee assisted) support given by Christ’s Hospital each year is more than £18m.

We feel that it’s important –and timely – that this school is recognised for its work in the field of social mobility

This school’s first-class education reaches children with the potential to be transformed by its enriching environment, making it the very worthy recipient of this award

UNSUNG HERO

LEFT: Dan Millington has led more than 130 multiday expeditions during his time at Wellington

BELOW: Windermere School’s LesleyAnne Allonby was recognised as a nalist in this category

The finalists in this category highlighted many teachers, teaching assistants and members of sta who go above and beyond every day for their school community. After much consideration, the senior management team at Chelsea Magazines decided to honour Dan Millington.

Dan Millington has been an integral part ofWellington School for 26 years, but his previous career as a Royal Marine Commando was just as extraordinary. Arriving as a geography teacher, his passion for the subject has inspired generations of students.

As Head of Sixth Form for 21 years, he mentored thousands of students on pastoral and academic matters. His work as UCAS Co-ordinator has given him encyclopaedic knowledge of the university entry system. He has written references, advised on personal statements and provided superb post-results advice.

The enrichment element of the sixth form has burgeoned under his leadership, with Future Steps, Challenge of Leadership and Academic Enrichment programmes enhancing the experience.

Dan comes into his own when creating memorable experiences for students, and has led more than 130 multi-day expeditions. He has some of the highest quali cations in the outdoor industry, with International and Winter Mountain Leader awards.

As Head of Sixth Form for 21 years, and a leader of life-changing adventures, Dan is a legend to students past and present

This award category proved especially inspirational, with the spotlight being shone on school sta who truly make a di erence

FINALISTS: Claremont Fan Court School • Plymouth College • Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate • Windermere School

WELLBEING

Epsom College sixth formers volunteer at care homes for the elderly BELOW: Lincoln Minster was also acknowledged as a nalist in this category

With finalists demonstrating excellent mental health and mindfulness provisions, this award eld was hotly contested. However, the judges agreed that Epsom College was the winner.

In 2021, Epsom College was awarded Gold status for its “outstanding whole-school approach to the mental health and wellbeing of its pupils, sta and wider community” by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, re ecting the importance its leadership places on this care.

Epsom is one of just four UK boarding schools to achieve this.

Pupil welfare is a lived experience, with sta receiving mental health rst-aid training. Lower school pupils have timetabled wellbeing lessons, there are weekly periods of re ection in chapel, pupils have access to two counsellors (and a therapy dog!), while senior students train to become peer mentors.

Crucially, this work doesn’t stay within the college. Pupils are involved in an extensive, timetabled, community-service programme, in which sixth formers volunteer with children with mental health concerns and physical disabilities, elderly people in care homes, and cancer patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital. They address issues such as stigma, loneliness, bereavement, and o er a vital befriending service to the isolated and vulnerable.

The winner is Epsom College for its evidence-based, externally-validated student wellbeing programmes

With finalists showcasing powerful mental health and volunteering campaigns, there were many worthy schools in this category

LEFT:

THE FINALISTS: Liberty Woodland • Lincoln Minster • Repton • Shrewsbury High School • Wycombe Abbey

Hanford School

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

BOARDING SCHOOL FINALIST

Hanford Girls are given freedom to enjoy their childhood and have fun, but also work hard. They climb trees, ride ponies, garden, make clothes and play games. The girls achieve excellent results, inside and outside the classroom. hanfordschool.co.uk

Ludgrove School

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

BOARDING SCHOOL FINALIST

This Berkshire, fortnightly boarding prep has big ambitions for its 186 boys. Whether it’s reaching their academic potential, mastering a sport, trying new extracurricular pursuits or taking a risk with outward-bound challenges, the ethos remains the same: nothing is beyond your reach, so always aim high! ludgrove.net

Lockers Park

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

BOYS SCHOOL FINALIST

An academically-focused school with a tailored approach to education that allows boys to achieve superb outcomes alongside celebrating an enthusiasm for life. Flexible boarding, classes of 16 or less and sport everyday boost boys’ confidence in a uniquely supportive environment. lockerspark.co.uk

Sherborne School

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

BOYS SCHOOL FINALIST

Sherborne boys are supported to become the best version of themselves in an all-boys, full boarding and day environment in beautiful rural Dorset. Kind, courageous and forward-thinking, our boys ourish and benefit socially from our unique collaboration with Sherborne Girls. Separate, yet together. sherborne.org

Eastbourne College

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

CO-EDUCATIONAL FINALIST

Based on the UK’s sunshine coast, astbourne College helps pupils find their own superb. We promote quality in every facet of education and celebrate academic aspiration in healthy balance with everything else on offer. Our pupils’ achievements are remarkable, so we can confidently say, ‘extraordinary starts with Eastbourne.’ eastbourne-college.co.uk

MaySchooleld

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

GIRLS SCHOOL FINALIST

Mayfield is a happy, vibrant and inclusive community in which girls, free from stereotyping, are encouraged to challenge themselves in order to fulfil their potential and make a positive difference in the world. m field irls.or

St Andrew’s Prep

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXPERIENCE FINALIST

Inspiring Modern Minds a stone’s throw away from the sea and at the foot of the South Downs, St Andrew’s Prep stimulates the imagination, creativity and inventiveness of each of its pupil while equipping them with the essential qualities of self-discipline, resilience, honesty, kindness and compassion. standrewsprep.co.uk

Moon Hall School

OUTSTANDING

NEW

Mill eld Prep School

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

PREP SCHOOL OF THE YEAR WINNER

For ages 2-13, Millfield Prep helps pupils discover their brilliance, whatever their passion and nurtures it to the full. Outstanding pastoral care is central, the launch of the innovative Wellbeing Curriculum supports pupils’ mental health through activities like yoga and meditation. millfieldschool.com/prep

Wells Cathedral School

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

PRE PREP SCHOOL FINALIST

At the heart of Wells Cathedral School’s pre-prep curriculum lies the important value of creativity. The child-led, dynamic syllabus and enriching opportunities, nurture young minds and spark curiosity. This truly innovative and inspiring offering sets children off on the perfect trajectory to navigate this everchanging world. wells.cathedral.school

Coworth Flexlands

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

SMALL INDEPENDENT FINALIST

Discover a school where happiness gets results! Every pupil is valued, celebrated, inspired to learn and nurtured to follow their passions. Pupils ourish and grow into happy, confident and curious learners, ready to embrace new opportunities and make the most of the world ahead of them. co or h e l ds.co.

Rydes Hill Prep School

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

SMALL INDEPENDENT FINALIST

The parents at Rydes Hill often coin a phrase that the school is ‘small but mighty’ as their achievements reach far beyond their small stature. Indeed, it’s their small size that enables the creation of individualised learning paths and more. rydeshill.com

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2022

Abberley Hall

Commended

Ballard

Abberley, Worcestershire WR6 6DD

Abbot’s Hill School

Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP3 8RP

Abercorn School

28 Abercorn Place, London NW8 9XP

ACS International School

Egham

London Road, Egham TW20 0HS

Adcote School

Little Ness, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 2JY

Alice Smith School

2, Jalan Bellamy, Bukit Petaling, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50460 Kuala Lumpur

Appleford School

Shrewton, Nr Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 4HL

Ardvreck School

Crie , Perthshire PH7 4EX Scotland

ardvreckschool.co.uk

01764 653 112

admissions@ardvreckschool.co.uk

Ardvreck School, in the heart of rural Perthshire and within an hour’s reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, is a hidden gem of a boarding and day preparatory school, o ering a unique, educational experience to children from the age of 3 to 13.

Ashbridge Independent School

Lindle Lane, Hutton, Preston PR4 4AQ

Fernhill Lane, New Milton BH25 5SU

Bar eld Prep

Guildford Road, Runfold, Farnham GU10 1PB

Beaudesert Park School

Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9AF

Bede’s

Duke’s Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7XL

Bede’s Senior School

Upper Dicker, Hailsham BN27 3QH

Bedford Modern School

Manton Lane, Bedfordshire MK41 7NT

Bed ord Prep School

De Parys Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 2TU

Bedford School

De Parys Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 2TU

Beechwood Park School

Pickford Road,Markyate, Hertfordshire AL3 8AW beechwoodpark.com

01582 840333

admissions@beechwoodpark.com

Beechwood Park is a leading prep school for boys and girls aged 3-13. Equal focus is placed on academic results, pastoral care and co-curricular opportunities. A strong community spirit underpins an engaging curriculum that equips pupils for future success and happiness.

Benenden School

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AA benenden.school

01580 240592

registry@benenden.school

Founded in 1923, Benenden is one of the leading boarding schools in Britain — o ering every girl A Complete Education in which she realises her academic potential, grows as an individual and is well prepared for life beyond school.

Berkhamsted Schools Group

Overton House, 131 High Street, Berkhamsted HP2 2DJ berkhamsted.com

01442 358001

admissions@berkhamsted.com

A family of leading independent schools based in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire for boys and girls aged 5 months to 18 years. Berkhamsted o ers a well-rounded education that develops pupils into remarkable people. New Sixth Form building opening 2024.

Blackheath Prep

4 St Germans Place, Blackheath, London SE3 0NJ

Blundell’s Preparatory School

Blundell’s Road, Tiverton, Devon EX16 4NA

Blundell’s School

Blundell’s Road, Tiverton, Devon EX16 4DN

Bolton School

Chorley New Road, Bolton, Lancashire BL1 4PA

Bootham School

49-57 Bootham, York YO30 7BU

Bournemouth Collegiate School

College Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset BH5 2DY

Brambletye School

Lewes Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3PD

Breaside

Preparatory School

41-43 Orchard Road, Bromley BR1 2PR

Brighton College

Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 0AL

Brighton College

Abu Dhabi

175 Das St, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Brighton College Bangkok

15 Hua Mak, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok 10240, Thailand

Brighton College Dubai

Al Barsha 2 South, Dubai

Brighton Girls GDST

Montpelier Road, Brighton BN1 3AT

British Embassy School

nkara

Sehit Ersan Caddesi 46 / A, Çankaya 06680, Ankara, Turkey

British School Muscat

PO Box 1907, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman

British School Salalah, Oman

PO Box 71, 214 Salalah

Broo eld ouse School

10 Broom eld Road, Richmond TW9 3HS

Broomwood Hall

Lower School

192 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8RQ

Broomwood Hall

Upper School

68-74 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8NR

Bryanston School

Blandford Forum DT11 0PX

Bury Grammar School

Tenterden Street, Bury, Lancanshire BL9 0HN

Bute ouse Preparatory School for Girls

Luxemburg Gardens, Hammersmith, London W6 7EA

Caldicott

Crown Lane, Farnham Royal, Bucks SL2 3SL

Cardiff Sixth Form College

1-3 Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Road, Cardi CF24 0AA

Carfax College

39-42 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford OX1 2EP

Casterton Sedbergh Preparatory School

Casterton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth LA6 2SG

Chepstow House School

108a Lancaster Road W11 1QS

chepstowhouseschool.co.uk

020 7243 0243

info@chepstowhouseschool.co.uk

Creating a happy, sustainable learning environment in which the children develop the skills of resilience and perseverance and are valued as individuals. Chepstow House aims to discover the best in every child and challenge them to go beyond their expectations.

Caterham School

Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YA

Chapter House Preparatory School

Thorpe Underwood Estate, York, North Yorkshire, England YO26 9SS

Charterhouse

Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DX

Cheltenham College

Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7LD

Cheltenham

Ladies’ College

Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3EP

Chinthurst School

52 Tadworth Street, Tadworth KT20 5QZ

Christ’s Hospital

Horsham, West Sussex RH13 0LJ

Claremont Fan Court School

Claremont Drive, Esher, Surrey KT10 9LY

Clare ont Prep School

East Sussex

Baldslow, St-Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN37 7PW

Cothill House

Cothill, Abingdon OX13 6JL cothillpst.org

01865 390 800 admissions@cothillpst.org

Cothill is a small school, but a big family. Our dedicated sta instil a love of discovery and learning, both in the classroom and beyond. We see ourselves as the protectors of childhood whilst giving our boys, whether day boys or boarders, the skills they need for a bright future. A Cothill boy is a happy boy, a busy boy, a polite boy and a kind boy.

Cranleigh School

Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QQ cranleigh.org

01483 273666

reception@cranleigh.org

Cranleigh is Surrey’s leading coeducational independent school, o ering boarding and day education for pupils aged 13 to 18. Providing a range of opportunities in a nurturing, rural location. Pupils lead busy lives - academic, sporting and extracurricular, while preparing for life beyond.

Claremont Senior SchoolEast Sussex

Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UJ

Concord College

Acton Burnell Hall, Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury SY5 7PF

Cottesmore School

Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage, Crawley RH11 9AU

Cumnor House

Co-Educational Nurseries

91 Pampisford Road, Croydon, South Croydon CR2 6DH

13 Woodcote Lane, Purley CR8 3HB cumnorhouse.com

0208 660 3445

admissions@cumnorhouse.com

Our two co-educational Kindergarten and Pre-Schools are located near to both our main schools and o er families a term-time and year round provision. Each site has full access to extensive grounds, Forest School and specialist teachers.

Cumnor House School for Girls

No.1 Woodcote Lane, Purley CR8 3HB cumnorhouse.com

020 8668 0050

admissions@cumnorhouse.com

Each pupil at Cumnor House is given the opportunity to develop not just on an educational level, but also socially. Our curriculum is varied, ensuring that every child gets the most out of the time they spend at school.

Cumnor House School for Boys

168 Pampisford Road, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 6DA cumnorhouse.com

0208 660 3445 admissions@cumnorhouse.com

Cumnor House is a successful independent Nursery and Prep School for children aged 2-4, boys’ Reception to Year 8. Cumnor House aims to provide an inspiring and nurturing environment of the children to learn and develop, located centrally with a ten-acre sports eld.

Coworth le lands Prep School & Nursery

Chertsey Road, Chobham, Woking GU24 8TE

aiglen Preparatory School

68 Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill IG9 5LG

Dean Close School

Shelburne Road, Cheltenham GL51 6HE

Downsend School

1 Leatherhead Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8TJ downsend.co.uk

01372 372311

admissions@downsend.co.uk

Downsend is an innovative and forward-thinking independent school, for ages 6 months to 16, with a new vision; to inspire a generation to embrace the future, shaping incredible people who will make change in our world.

DLD College London

199 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7FX

Dorset House School

Church Lane, Bury, Pulborough RH20 1PB

Downe House

Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham RG18 9JJ

Dubai College

Al Sufouh 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dulwich College

Dulwich Common, London SE21 7LD

Dragon School

Bardwell Road, Oxford OX2 6SS dragonschool.org

01865 315405

admissions@dragonschool.org

Dragon School in North Oxford has been at the forefront of Prep education since it was founded in 1877. It is a happy, vibrant, relaxed community where children discover and develop their talents both within the classroom and beyond.

ulwich Prep Cranbrook

Coursehorn, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3NP

Durham High School

Farewell Hall, South Road, Durham DH1 3TB

Durlston Court Prep School

52 Becton Lane, Barton on Sea, New Milton BH25 7AQ

Eagle House School

Sandhurst, Berkshire GU47 8PH

Eastbourne College

Old Wish Road, Eastbourne BN21 4JY

Eaton House The Manor Girls School

58 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 9RU

Ellesmere College

Shropshire SY12 9AB

Falcons Pre-Preparatory Chiswick

2 Burnaby Gardens, Chiswick, London W4 3DT falconschiswick.co.uk

020 8747 8393

admissions@falconschiswick.co.uk

Falcons Pre-Prep Chiswick are specialists in Early Years education. With a co-ed Nursery for 2-4 year olds and all boys from 4-7 years old, our students are happy due to our expertise that is unrivalled in the local area.

Epsom College

College Road, Epsom, Surrey KT17 4JQ

ESMS Junior School

11 Queensferry Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3EQ

alcons Prep ich ond

41 Kew Foot Road, Richmond TW9 2SS

Elstree School

Woolhampton Hill, Upper Woolhampton, Reading RG7 5TD elstreeschool.org.uk 0118 971 3302 o ce@elstreeschool.org.uk

“You can feel a gentle buzz at Elstree. It is calm, reassuring and above all, happy – just as it should be. It is our rm belief that happiness breeds success. Children can be children at Elstree. Whilst we’re academically ambitious, the emphasis is on building con dence, developing talent and maximising potential.”

Eltham College

Grove Park Road, London SE9 4QF

Emanuel School

Battersea Rise, London SW11 1HS

Embley

Embley Park, West Wellow, Romsey SO51 6ZE

Falcons School for Girls

11 Woodborough Road, London SW15 6PY

Farleigh School

Red Rice, Andover SP11 7PW

Farringtons School

Perry Street, Chislehurst BR7 6LR

Felsted School

Felstead, Essex CM6 3LL

Francis Holland School, egent s Park

Ivor Place, London NW1 6XR

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square

39 Graham Terrace, London SW1W 8JF

hyll oyd School

Preschool

Greystone Manor, Ilkley Road, Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley LS29 7HW

iggleswick unior School

Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 0DG

iggleswick School

Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 0DE

Godolphin and Latymer School

I ey Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0PG

Gordonstoun

Elgin, Moray IV30 5RF

Gresham’s

Cromer Road, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6EA

Grimsdell, Mill Hill Pre Prep

Winterstoke House, Wills Grove, London NW7 1QR

Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, Elstree

Butter y Lane, Elstree, Herts WD6 3AF

Haberdashers’ Girls’ School

Aldenham Road, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3BT

Halcyon London International School

33 Seymour Place, London W1H 5AU halcyonschool.com

020 7258 1169

admissions@halcyonschool.com

Halcyon is a leading International Baccalaureate school for students aged 11 to 18 – the only not-for-pro t IB school in London.

Our mission is to provide an exceptional education that draws out the unique potential of each student.

Halliford School

Russell Road, Shepperton TW17 9HX hallifordschool.co.uk

01932 223593

registrar@hallifordschool.co.uk

Halliford is an HMC Independent Day School for Boys 11-18 and Girls 16-18. Rated ‘Excellent in all areas’ by ISI, we inspire Hallifordians within a community founded on high-quality teaching, outstanding pastoral care and rst-class sporting, cultural and extra-curricular activities.

alstead Preparatory School for Girls

Woodham Rise, Woking GU21 4EE

Hamilton College

Bothwell Road, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire ML3 0AY

Hanford School

Child Okeford, Blandford Forum DT11 8HN

Harrogate Ladies’ College

Clarence Drive, Harrogate HG1 2QG

Harrow International

School Hong Kong

38 Tsing Ying Rd, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong

Highgate School

North Road, London N6 4AY highgateschool.org.uk

020 8340 1524

admissions@highgateschool.org.uk

Highgate is a co-educational school welcoming pupils aged 4 to 18. We want our children and young people to leave us intellectually and emotionally prepared for higher study and for work, and to help them play a transformative role in their communities.

Heath Mount School

Woodhall Park, Watton-at-Stone, Hertfordshire SG14 3NG

eath eld School

London Road, Ascot SL5 8BQ

Herne Hill School

The Old Vicarage, 127 Herne Hill, London SE24 9LY

eywood Prep

The Priory, Priory Street, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0AP

igh eld and Brookha

High eld Lane, Liphook GU30 7LQ

igh eld at arrogate

Ladies’ College

Clarence Drive, Harrogate HG1 2QG

igh eld Prep School

2 West Road, Maidenhead SL6 1PD

Hill House Schooll

17 Hans Place, London SW1X 0EP

Holme Grange School

Heathlands Road, Wokingham RG40 3AL

o e eld Preparatory School

Western Road, Sutton SM1 2TE home eldprep.school

020 8642 0965

registrar@home eldprep.school

Home eld Prep is an academically selective school for boys aged 4-13 that invests in an ambitious curriculum. The breadth and depth of specialist teaching ensures a wider ful lment of their boys’ individual potential across the ‘head, hand and heart’.

Ibstock Place School

Clarence Lane, London SW15 5PY

Ipswich Prep School

3 Ivry Street, Ipswich IP1 3QW

Ipswich School

25 Henley Road, Ipswich, Su olk IP1 3SG

James Allen’s Girls’ School

144 East Dulwich Grove, London SE22 8TE

James Allen’s Pre Preparatory School

2 Dulwich Village, London SE21 7AL a es llen s Preparatory School

144 East Dulwich Grove, London SE22 8TE

JESS Dubai

28 8 B St, Al Safa, Dubai, UAE

eble Prep

Wades Hill, Winchmore Hill, London N21 1BG

Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong

7 Lam Hing St, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong

Kent College

Old Church Road, Pembury, TN2 4AX kent-college.co.uk

01892 820218

admissions@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk

Day and boarding school from 3-18 years set in 75 acres of beautiful Kent countryside. Kent College is on a mission to be the school of choice for its forward-thinking, creative and adventurous approach to life and learning.

ent College Pe bury

Old Church Road, Pembury TN2 4AX

Kilgraston School

Bridge Of Earn, Perth PH2 9BQ

King Edward VI High School for Girls

Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UB

King’s College School

Wimbledon

Southside, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 4TT

King’s Hawford

Hawford Lock Lane, Claines, Worcester WR3 7SD

King’s House School

68 King’s Road, Richmond, TW10 6ES kingshouseschool.org

020 8940 1878

email

King’s House is a prep school and nursery for children aged 3 to 13, and o ers a high-quality, broad and balanced education where pupils can discover their unique talents and passions. Pupils thrive and ourish in a happy and relaxed environment.

King’s International College, Canterbury

Malthouse Road, Canterbury CT2 7JA international.kings-school.co.uk principals@kings-school.co.uk

King’s International College is a leading school for 13-16 year olds from around the world, o ering a soft landing in British boarding and outstanding academic opportunities.

It is part of The King’s School, Canterbury, whose educational heritage dates from 597AD.

King’s High School, Warwick Banbury Road, Warwick CV34 6YE

King’s St Alban’s Mill Street, Worcester WR1 2NJ

ings onkton School

6 West Grove, Cardi , Glamorgan CF24 3XL

Kingswood House School

56 West Hill, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8LG

Knightsbridge School

67 Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD

L’Ecole de Battersea

Trott Street, Wandsworth SW11 3DS

L cole des Petits

2 Hazlebury Road, London SW6 2NB

Lady Eleanor Holles

102 Hanworth Road, Hampton TW12 3HF

Lady Eleanor Holles Junior School

Burlington House, 177 Uxbridge Road, Hampton TW12 1BD

Leighton Park School

Shin eld Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7ED leightonpark.com

0118 987 9608

admissions@leightonpark.com

Leighton Park won Best Co-ed School, South East England 2022. Our Sixth Form students achieve the best academic progress in Berkshire, nurtured in a vibrant learning community, winning the national ISA Award for Excellence in Pupil Personal Development 2022.

Lewes Old Grammar School

140 High Street, Lewes BN7 1XS

Liberty Woodland School

May eld Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park, New Malden KT4 7PU

Lincoln Minster School

The Prior Building, Upper Lindum Street, Lincoln LN2 5RW

Little Downsend ownsend School

13 Epsom Road, Leatherhead KT22 8ST

Lockers Park

Lockers Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1TL

Longacre School

Hullbrook Lane, Shamley Green, Guildford GU5 0NQ

Lord Wandsworth College

Long Sutton, Hook RG29 1TA

Ludgrove School

Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AB

LVS Ascot

The Licensed Victuallers School, London Road, Ascot SL5 8DR

ickle eld

School

10 Somers Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 9DU mickle eldschool.co.uk

01737 224212

admissions@mickle eldschool.co.uk

Mickle eld is a vibrant independent prep school with a warm, family environment. We are dedicated to encouraging our children to develop a love of learning and to discover their own strengths in a caring atmosphere where every child is valued.

Magdalen College School

Cowley Place, Oxford OX4 1DZ

Marlborough House School

High Street, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4PY

ay eld School

The Old Palace, High Street, May eld TN20 6PH

ill eld Preparatory School

Edgarley Hall, Glastonbury BA6 8LD

ill eld School

Butleigh Road, Somerset BA16 0YD

Monkton Combe School

Church Lane, Monkton Combe Bath BA2 7HG

monktoncombeschool.com

01225 721100

admissions@monkton.org.uk

Monkton, just a mile from the World Heritage City of Bath, is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 2-18. We are setting standards for life, giving young people the qualities of character they need to become trusted employees, inspiring leaders and valued friends.

oon all

School eigate

Burys Court, Flanchford Road, Reigate RH2 8RE

oor eld School and Nursery

17 Ben Rhydding Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 8RL

More House School

22-24 Pont Street, London SW1X 0AA

ouls ord Prep School

Moulsford, Wallingford OX10 9HR

Mowden Hall School

Newton, Stocks eld, Northumberland NE437TP mowdenhallpst.org

01661842147

admissions@mowdenhallpst.org

We believe that our high ideals, excellent pastoral care and traditional family values help Mowdenians to grow up happily and honourably, with self-respect, con dence and a strong sense of responsibility and consideration for others and the wider community.

Northcote Lodge

26 Bolingbroke Grove, London SW11 6EL

Northwood College for Girls

Maxwell Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2YE

Northwood College for Girls Junior School

Maxwell Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2YE

Norwich High School for Girls GDST

95 Newmarket Road, Norwich NR2 2HU

Norwich School

71a The Close, Norwich NR1 4DD

Notre Dame School

Burwood House, Cobham KT11 1HA

New Hall School

Avenue Lodge, The Avenue, Boreham, Chelmsford CM3 3HS newhallschool.co.uk 01245 467588

admissions@newhallschool.co.uk

New Hall School is a Catholic independent boarding and day school, operating the distinctive ‘diamond model’ of education for children aged 1-18. Set within 70 acres of Tudor palace grounds, New Hall is where heritage and tradition meet innovation and nurtured curiosity to o er ‘the best start in life’.

Myddelton College

Peakes Lane, Denbigh LL16 3EN

Newcastle School for Boys

30 West Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4ES

orland Place School

162-166 Holland Park Avenue, London W11 4UH

North London Collegiate School

Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7RJ

Notre Dame Senior School

Burwood House, Convent Lane, Cobham KT11 1HA

Notting Hill & Ealing High School. GDST

2 Cleveland Road Ealing, London W13 8AX

otting ill Prep School

95 Lancaster Road, London W11 1QQ

Nottingham Girls’ High School

9 Arboretum Street, Nottingham NG1 4JB

Nottingham High Infant & Junior School

13 Waverley Street, Nottingham NG7 4DX

Nottingham High School Waverley Mount, Nottingham NG7 4ED

ld Buckenha all School

Old Buckenham Hall, Brettenham Park, Ipswich IP7 7PH

Oundle School

The Great Hall, New Street, Oundle PE8 4GH

Our Lady of Sion School

Gratwicke Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 4BL

Oxford High School

High School, Belbroughton Road, Oxford OX2 6XA

Parkside School

The Manor, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham KT11 3PX

Pennthorpe

Church Street, Rudgwick, Nr Horsham, West Sussex RH12 3HJ

Perrott ill Prep School

North Perrott Road, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 7SL

Pits ord School

Pitsford Hall, Pitsford NN6 9AX

Ply outh College

Ford Park, Plymouth PL4 6RN

Prest elde School

London Road, Shrewsbury SY2 6NZ

Putney igh School S

35 Putney Hill, Putney, London SW15 6BH

Pocklington School

West Green, Pocklington, York YO42 2NJ

pocklingtonschool.com

01759 321200 admissions@pocklingtonschool.com

Pocklington is an inclusive, family focussed, academic day and boarding school o ering incredible experiences inside and outside the classroom for children aged 2-18 years. Pocklington School lies 12 miles east of York in a vibrant, friendly market town, on a 50-acre campus.

Queen Margaret’s School for Girls

Escrick Park, Escrick, York, North Yorkshire YO19 6EA

Queen Victoria School

Dunblane, Perthshire FK15 0JY

Queen’s College Preparatory School

61 Portland Place, London W1B 1QP

Queen’s College, London

43-49 Harley Street, Regent’s Park, London W1G 8BT

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

Thorpe Underwood Estate, York YO26 9SS qe.org

01423 333330 admissions@qe.org

Welcoming children from three months old to 19 years, allowing them to build strong relationships with fellow pupils and their teachers. Chapter House is one of four schools in the Collegiate, o ering provision from 3 months to Year 5.

edcli e ardens School

47 Redcli e Gardens, London SW10 9JH

eigate ra ar School

Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0QS

eigate St ary s

Chart Lane, Reigate RH2 7RN

endco b College

Rendcomb, Cirencester GL7 7HA

epton

Willington Road, Derby, Derbyshire DE65 6FH

Rowan Preparatory School

41 Gordon Road, Claygate, Esher, Surrey KT10 0PJ rowanprepschool.co.uk

01372 462627

school.o ce@rowanprepschool.co.uk

Girls thrive in the nurturing and inspiring environment at Rowan, a highly successful Preschool and Prep school in Surrey. Girls enjoy opportunities and experiences that create a love of learning and an appreciation of the world around them.

oedean School

Roedean Way, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 5RQ

ose ill School

Rydes Hill House, Aldershot Road, Guildford GU2 8BP

ossall School

Broadway, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 8JW

oyal ussell School

Coombe Lane, Croydon CR9 5BX

Royal Hospital School

Holbrook, Su olk IP9 2RX royalhospitalschool.org

01473 326200

admissions@royalhospitalschool.org

Set in 200 acres of stunning Su olk countryside and within an hour of London, Royal Hospital School is a leading, co-educational boarding and day school. Boasting a broad and inspiring curriculum with over 100 co-curricular activities and a world class sailing academy, the school’s values are enriched by a unique naval heritage.

Sancton Wood School

2 St. Paul’s Road, Cambridge CB1 2EZ sanctonwood.co.uk

01223 471703

admissions@sanctonwood.co.uk

9 months - 16 years

Sancton Wood believe that a happy child is a learning child. Their nurturing approach to academic excellence delivers impressive GCSE results, proven by a 1.5-2.5 point increase in predicted grades to those achieved. An innovative and creatively enriched curriculum allows each child to thrive.

ugby School he ugbeian Co unity

School House, Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 5EH

ugby School hailand

7/2 Moo 2, Bang Lamung 20150

ydes ill Preparatory School and Nursery

Rydes Hill House, Aldershot Road, Guildford GU2 8BP

Spratton Hall School

Smith Street, Spratton, Northamptonshire NN6 8HP sprattonhall.com

01604 847292

registrar@sprattonhall.com

Spratton Hall embodies the values of a traditional, rural prep school and academic achievement is always encouraged and rewarded. However, we are an all-round school, and as such, we help children develop their strengths wherever they lie, be they in Sport, Drama, Art, STEM, Music, or across our 65 extra-curricular clubs.

Saint onan s School

Water Lane, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 5DJ

Sarum Hall School

15 Eton Avenue, Belsize Park, London NW3 3LJ

Scarborough College

Filey Road, Scarborough YO11 3BA

Seaford College

Lavington Park, Petworth GU28 0NB

Sedbergh School

Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5HG

Shebbear College

Shebbear, Devon EX21 5HJ

Sherborne Girls

Bradford Road, Sherborne DT9 3QN

Sherborne School

Abbey Road, Sherborne DT9 3AP

Shiplake College

Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 4BW

Shrewsbury High School, GDST

32 Town Walls, Shrewsbury SY1 1TN

Shrewsbury School

The Schools, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY3 7BA

Sidcot School

Oakridge Lane, Winscombe BS25 1PD

Solihull School

Warwick Road, Solihul, West Midlands B91 3DJ

South Hampstead High School GDST

3 Mares eld Gardens, London NW3 5SS

St ndrew s Prep

Buckhold, Pangbourne RG8 8QA

St ndrew s Prep

Eastbourne

Meads Street, Eastbourne BN20 7RP

St Edmund’s College

Old Hall Green, Ware, Herts SG11 1DS stedmundscollege.org

01920 821504

enquiries@stedmundscollege.org

England’s oldest Catholic school o ering an all round co-education for students from 3 to 18 and for families from all faiths. Our historic campus o ers modern facilities in a magni cent country setting in rural Hertfordshire, providing a safe and stimulating environment for young minds.

St ugustine s Priory Hillcrest Road, London W5 2JL

St Christopher s Prep

33 New Church Road, Hove BN3 4AD

St Christopher’s School & Nursery Epsom

6 Downs Road, Epsom KT18 5HE

St George’s School

Windsor Castle

Windsor, SL4 1QF stgwindsor.org

01753 865553

enquiries@stgwindsor.org

Nurturing children to be kind, resilient, inquisitive, internationallyminded and Real World Ready, “families who want a liberal, outwardlooking education delivered by bright-eyed teachers in a small and nurturing urban haven (plus castle) may nd their child’s happy ever after here.”

St Christopher’s School, Epsom, Surrey

6 Downs Road, Epsom KT18 5HE

St David’s College

Gloddaeth Hall, Llandudno, Conwy, Denbighshire LL30 1RD

St Dunstan’s College

Stanstead Road, Catford, London SE6 4TY

St Dunstan’s College Junior School

Stanstead Road, Catford, London SE6 4TY

St Dunstan’s College

unior School Pre Prep

Stanstead Road, Catford, London SE6 4TY

St Gabriel’s School

Sandleford Priory, Newtown Road, Newtown, Greenham, Newbury RG20 9BD

St George’s School

Garscube Terrace, Murray eld, Edinburgh EH12 6BG

St George’s, Ascot

Wells Lane, Ascot SL5 7DZ

St Helen and St Katharine School

Faringdon Road, Abingdon OX14 1BE

St Joseph’s In The Park

St Mary’s Lane, Hertingfordbury

Hertfordshire SG14 2LX

stjosephsinthepark.com

01992 513810

admissions@stjosephsinthepark.co.uk

St Joseph’s In The Park is a successful independent prep school and nursery in which happy children discover a love of independent learning and grow in con dence. Situated in beautiful parkland with a Forest School, located on the edge of Hertford.

St Hugh’s School, Woodhall Spa

28 Arnhem Way, Woodhall Spa LN10 6TQ

St Ives School Haslemere

Three Gates Lane, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2ES

St Leonards

St Andrews, Fife KY16 9QJ

St Mary’s Colchester

91 Lexden Road, Colchester CO3 3RB

St Mary’s Junior School, Cambridge

6 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 7EB

St ary s Preschool and Junior School, Cambridge

6 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 7EB

St Mary’s School, Cambridge

Bateman Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1LY

Staines Preparatory School

3 Gresham Road, Staines Upon Thames TW18 2BT stainesprep.co.uk 01784 450 909

admissions@stainesprep.co.uk Staines Prep is a non-selective co-ed school for children aged 3 - 11, with your child’s development and wellbeing at the heart of all that we do. This holistic approach achieves outstanding results with pupils going on to a mix of grammar and selective independent schools with con dence and a fascination for learning.

St Michael’s Church of ngland Preparatory School

198 Hadleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2LP

St ichael s Prep School

Otford Court, Row Dow, Otford, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5RY

St eot s Preparatory School

St Neot’s Road, Eversley, Hook RG27 0PN

St Paul s School

Lonsdale Road, Barnes, London SW13 9JT

Stoke College

Stoke Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DG

Stonyhurst

Stonyhurst, Clitheroe BB7 9PT

Strathallan School

Forgandenny, Perth, Perth and Kinross PH2 9EG

Sunningdale School

Dry Arch Road, Sunningdale, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 9PY

Surbiton High School

Surbiton Crescent, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 2JT

Sutton igh Prep School

GDST

55 Cheam Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2AX

Sutton High School GDST

55 Cheam Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2AX

Swanbourne House

Swanbourne, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK17 0HZ

Sydenha igh Prep School GDST

19 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL

Sydenham

High School GDST

19 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL

aunton Prep School

Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6AE

Taunton School

Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6AE

Taunton School International

206-216 Greenway Road, Taunton TA2 6LJ

The Abbey School

Kendrick Road Reading, Berkshire RG1 5DZ

The Beacon

15 Amersham Road, Chesham Bois, Amersham HP6 5PF

The British School of Brussels

Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium

The Edinburgh Academy

42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh EH3 5BL

The Glasgow Academy

Colebrooke Street, Glasgow G12 8HE

The Lyceum School

65 Worship Street, London EC2A 2DU lyceumschool.co.uk 020 7247 1588 registrar@lyceumschool.co.uk

The Lyceum is a unique school for boys and girls aged 4-11 in the heart of the City of London. It’s a happy place where learning is rich, ful lling, exciting and our pupils make exceptional progress in their time with us.

The High School of Glasgow

27 Ledcameroch Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 4AE

The King’s School, Worcester

5 College Green, Worcester WR1 2LL

The Leys, Cambridge

The Fen Causeway, Cambridge CB2 7AD

The National Mathematics and Science College

2 Westwood Way, Coventry CV4 8JB

The Elms School

Colwall, Worcestershire, WR13 6EF elmsschool.co.uk

01684 540344 o ce@elmsschool.co.uk

The Elms School is a co-educational prep school with day, exi and full boarding options, situated at the foot of the Malvern Hills.

To arrange a visit, please contact registrar@elmsschool.co.uk or visit our website

The Ryleys School

Ryleys Lane, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK9 7UY theryleys.com

01625 583241 reception@theryleys.com

The Ryleys School, a co-educational preparatory school for children from 12 months to 11 years, set in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Contact us to nd out more.

Thorngrove School

The Mount, Highclere RG20 9PS thorngroveschool.co.uk

01635 253 172 admin@thorngroveschool.co.uk

Thorngrove is a family-orientated, co-educational day prep school in Hampshire which allows children to make the most of their childhood, whilst providing them with a broad curriculum that challenges them and instils skills for their future selves.

he White ouse Prep 24 Thornton Road, London SW12 0LF

Thornton College College Lane, Milton Keynes MK17 0HJ

Thorpe House School

Oval Way, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 8QA

ockington anor School and Nursery

Washingpool Hill Road, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4NY

Tonbridge School

High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1JP

Trinity School, Croydon

Shirley Road, Croydon CR9 7AT

Truro High School For Girls

Falmouth Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2HU

Truro School

Trennick Lane, Truro, Cornwall TR1 1TH

Town Close School

14 Ipswich Road, Norwich NR2 2LR townclose.com

01603 599030 admissions@townclose.com

Town Close School is a leading independent, co-educational day school for children aged 3 – 13. The beautiful wooded site in the centre of Norwich gives children space and freedom and contributes substantially to its reputation as an outstandingly happy school, where children are polite and inquisitive and keen to embrace all that the future brings.

University College School

Frognal, Hampstead, London NW3 6XH

Walhampton

Walhampton, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 5ZG

Warwick Preparatory School

Myton Road, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 6PP

Warwick School

Myton Road, Warwick CV34 6PP

Wellesley House School

114 Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2DG

Wellington College

International Bangkok

18 Krung Thep Kritha Rd, Saphan Sung, Bangkok 10250, Thailand

Wellington School

South Street, Wellington TA21 8NT

Wells Cathedral School

The Liberty, Wells, Somerset BA5 2ST wells.cathedral.school 01749 834 200 admissions@wells.cathedral.school Founded AD909, Wells is a forwardthinking School, boasting stunning medieval halls, Georgian boarding houses, a 21st century concert hall and pristine sports facilities. Perfectly located in the safe and beautiful city of Wells, surrounded by amazing countryside, the School aims to equip all pupils with the ability to enjoy a lifetime of discovery, to be aspirant, curious and open-minded, but above all to be kind.

West Buckland School

Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0SX

Westbourne House School

Coach Road, Chichester PO20 2BH

Westbourne Prep School

60 Westbourne Road, She eld, South Yorkshire S10 2QT

Westbourne School

60 Westbourne Road, She eld, South Yorkshire S10 2QT

Westholme School

Wilmar Lodge, Meins Road, Blackburn BB2 6QU

Whitgift School

Haling Park, South Croydon CR2 6YT

Winchester House

44 High Street, Brackley NN13 7AZ

Windermere School

Patterdale Road, Windermere LA23 1NW

Windlesham House School

Pulborough, Washington, West Sussex RH20 4AY

Woldingham School

Marden Park, Woldingham, Caterham CR3 7YA

Woodcote House School

Snows Ride, Windlesham GU20 6PF

Wrekin College

Sutherland Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 3BH

Wotton House

International School

Horton Road, Gloucester GL1 3PR wottonhouseschool.co.uk

01452 764248 info@iveuk.com

5 - 11 year olds.

At Wotton House Prep School we provide a bespoke world-class education. With excellent teachers, unique facilities and an exciting and progressive curriculum building 21st century skills while restoring a connection with nature. Wotton House is school, but fun!

Wycombe Abbey

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 1PE

Yarm School

The Friarage, Yarm TS15 9EJ

Yorston Lodge Prep School

18 St Johns Road, Knutsford WA16 0DQ

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

The Independent Schools of the Year 2023 awards campaign is back and now in its sixth year. Read on to learn more about the criteria and categories – and find out how your school can enter celebrating excellence in independent school education

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE YEAR 2023

The Independent Schools of the Year awards, brought to you by the team at Independent School Parent magazine, are now well established as the independent-school education’s leading awards programme, securing category winners the national and international recognition which goes hand in hand with a surge of new enquiries.

The focus of the 2023 awards will be to celebrate the demonstrable bene ts of an independent school education and to showcase the life-a rming, future-enhancing student experience which pupils in our schools receive.

At a time when the role, purpose and value of the sector is under debate in certain quarters, we believe that the 2023 awards provide a perfect platform for schools to celebrate and promote everything they’re achieving in the many and varied areas of school life.

To find out more about the awards and to download your entry form, visit

ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: The 2022 prizes; judging panel Chair Helen Wright and Chelsea Magazine Company’s Managing Director James Dobson introduced the 2022 ceremony

The focus of the 2023 awards will be to celebrate the demonstrable benefits of an independent school education

TOP: The ceremony CENTRE: Judge Julie Robinson presented Dulwich College with the award for Contribution to Social Mobility

LEFT: Judge Philippa Scudds presented the Marketing Award for Brand Commun -ication to Woldingham School

We believe that independent schools should also receive recognition for the enormous and often-overlooked contribution they make to wider society through such initiatives as partnership working with the maintained sector and the ever-expanding needs-blind bursary programmes, which have kickstarted so many successful careers. Several of the 23 award categories for 2023 have been tailored to capture and highlight inspiring stories of the great work being undertaken in these areas, and a new award has been introduced to acknowledge the enhanced emphasis on safeguarding issues.

So, in 2023, let’s not be backward in coming forward in sharing all of our good-news stories about independent-school education, and trumpeting the vital contribution that these schools make to both young peoples’ futures and national life.

The awards are free to enter for all independent schools belonging to any association which is a member of the Independent Schools Council. They will be judged by a distinguished group of educationalists. The judging panel will once again be chaired by Dr Helen Wright, international education advisor and former Vice-Chair of the ISC.

To find out more about the awards and to download your entry form, visit

Several of the 23 award categories for 2023 have been tailored to highlight inspiring stories of the great work being undertaken

TOP: Prep Category winners Mill eld and Ardvreck, alongside judges Durell Barnes and Donna Stevens

CENTRE: James Dobson

RIGHT: Judge Philippa Scudds and judging Vice Chair David Moncrie

2023 AWARDS

This year the categories are:

• Independent Pre-Prep School of the Year

• Independent Prep School of the Year

• Co-educational Independent School of the Year

• Independent Girls’ School of the Year

• independent London School of the Year

• Independent Boys’ School of the Year

• Independent Boarding School of the Year

• The British International School of the Year

• Small Independent School of the Year

• Independent School of the Year for Student Careers

• Independent School of the Year for Outstanding Educational Partnerships

• Independent School of the Year for Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ)

• Independent School of the Year for Sporting Achievement

• Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts

• Independent School of the Year for Environmental Achievement

• Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing

• Independent School of the Year for International Student Experience

• Independent School of the Year for Contribution to Social Mobility

• The Innovation Award for an Outstanding New Initiative

• The Marketing Award for Brand Communication

• Development Award for an Outstanding Fundraising Achievement

• Rising Star of the Year Award

• Unsung Hero of the Year Award

TOP: Social Mobility award winners Dulwich College with their prize CENTRE: Guests enjoying mingling after the prizegiving

LEFT: Putney High School GDST were highly commended in the Girls’ School category

GENERATION Z

From a project o cer at the Home O ce to a textile designer, these independent school alumni are proving their worth in the world

MATTHEW JACKMAN Project O cer, UK Home O ce, and Lieutenant in Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment

Fettes College, Edinburgh

At Fettes I participated in academia, drama, music, CCF and sport at a high level. Fettes College instils a desire for variety and challenge. From this desire, Fettes led me to the Morehead-Cain scholarship to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I continued to develop all the skills and academic interests I began at school. Having completed a master’s in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy in 2021, I am currently deployed in the Middle East, serving as a Lieutenant in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, working with the Royal Army of Oman. In my civilian capacity, I work in the Home O ce.

Fettes College made me a well-rounded thinker and leader.

MINHAZ ABEDIN Trustee, Opera North and Advisory Board, Future Talent

The Grammar School at Leeds

I began my journey aged 11 lobbying Parliament for youth service funding in Leeds and by the age of 18 I had addressed the House of Commons, the UN General Assembly in New York, and voiced the opinions of millions of young people across forums around the world. When I left GSAL, I studied Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University. After joining the international charity World Merit, I was appointed to the board at age 20 after leading projects in the US, UK, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Portugal. I then founded a marketing agency that organically reached over half a billion people with an impressive roster of clients. During this period, I joined the advisory boards of Heroic and Bench and was appointed as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee for Opera North.

FREYA RICHMOND Textile Designer

Royal Hospital School, Su olk

I founded home furnishing brand F.ROZE which was initially a lockdown textiles project and turned it into a successful brand and business within just 18 months. F.ROZE o ers bold, bespoke, screen and digital print designed home furnishings. Cushions, rugs, and soft furnishings are among my designs inspired by gra ti art and retro prints. Everything is original and bespoke and a personalised, slow approach is taken. These special products are sold as one of a kind, just like pieces of art. I have immersed myself in the world of textile design ever since my school days. After school I studied textile design at the University of Brighton.

ABOVE: Matthew Jackman

BELOW: Freya Richmond

BELOW: Minhaz Abedin