They are the schools that show off the very best that the independent sector has to offer.
This evening, the winners of the Tes Independent School Awards 2018 have been announced at a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
They range from a school that aided a local partner when it suffered the worst imaginable tragedy, to an initiative that saw SEND pupils help restore a canal for the community, and work to preserve sporting opportunities in their city.
The independent school of the year is Latymer Upper School, which one judge described as “putting the best possible case for being a public school in this day and age”.
Testimonials from local schools it works with spoke in sparkling terms about its impact, and when the Grenfell Tower tragedy forced Kensington Aldridge Academy to close its site, Latymer stepped in to offer itself as a base for lower-sixth pupils.
And this year’s award for special services to independent education goes to Peter Bellenger, of Brighton College.
Colleagues cited his passion for chemistry, his exciting practicals and his commitment outside lessons.
The school rallied around him after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and the judges said: “Peter Bellenger is deemed to be an inspirational teacher, supported by his results, and his stoic defiance in the face of a debilitating illness is to be admired.”
Ann Mroz, editor of Tes, said: “We congratulate this year’s winners; all of them should be justly proud of their achievements and success this evening.”
The full list of winners is:
Independent school of the year
Latymer Upper School
Senior leadership team of the year
Wolverhampton Grammar School
Marketing campaign of the year
Loughborough Grammar School
International school of the year
Prince of Wales Island International School - Penang, Malaysia
Boarding school of the year
Wellington College
Best use of technology award
Caterham School
Special services to independent education award
Peter Bellenger, Brighton College
Senior school of the year
Latymer Upper School
Pre-prep/prep school of the year
Clifton School and Nursery
Whole school community initiative
of the year
Bolton School
Special needs initiative of the year
Wilds Lodge School
Independent-state school partnership
Latymer Upper School
Wellbeing initiative of the year
The Holmewood School
Strategic education initiative of the year
St Faith’s
Creativity award
Surbiton High School
Financial/fundraising initiative of the year
King Edward VI High School for Girls
