We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the coveted Senior School of the Year award at the recent Independent School Awards run by TES – the leading publication in the education sector.

The school won the award based on its commitment to giving students a voice. Lead judge Bernard Trafford said the school demonstrated how it builds leadership opportunities “into almost every aspect of school life, describing vividly how unafraid and effective the school is in allowing its girls to decide what matters to them, building their confidence, providing the skills they need to find their voice and, ultimately, lead from the front”.

In February 2020, a group of sixth formers led a campaign #SetTheExample to raise awareness about female under-representation in film – this resulted in a three-day festival across the entire senior school. And with over 300 leadership roles which girls can apply for from years 7-13 along with more than 100 clubs and activities, students discover their passions and build their daring beyond classroom learning.

Matthew Shoults, Headmaster, said: “I’m just delighted for the school and for the girls. This award shows how the girls have taken on leadership roles – the way they organised our film festival was exemplary. It encouraged girls to be filmmakers and inspired them about world of filmmaking. Most importantly the students themselves organised so much of the festival – it’s an example of putting themselves forward and believing they can do it.”

The TES Independent School Awards celebrate the teachers and teams from independent schools across the UK that are raising the standards of education and making a positive impact on the personal and academic success of students and the wider community.