Top independent schools and their staff from across the country have been named as finalists in the TES Schools Awards 2023.
Leading schools including Eton College, Alleyn’s School, Hurstpierpoint College and Shrewsbury School are among many to make the shortlist.
Leading heads such as Emma McKendrick at Downe House, Nick Hewlett at St Dunstan’s in South London and Heather Hanbury at Lady Eleanor Holles are also in the offing for Independent School Head of the Year.
The shortlist for the Tes Schools Awards 2023, one of the biggest nights in the education calendar, includes inspiring educators from across the UK from both the private and state sectors.
There are four categories specifically for independent schools, while leading independent schools have also made the shortlist in ten other categories.
The panel of awards judges include school leaders, experts and education researchers.
Tes editor and chief judge of the Tes Schools Awards Jon Severs said: “With these awards we honour the education community, whom we have served for over 112 years. This year has seen some incredibly high quality entries. So every teacher and school who has been named in this shortlist should be very proud – it’s a fantastic achievement.
“We are looking forward to showcasing, as we do every year, just how vital our education professionals are to every facet of this country. Teachers, leaders and support staff all play such an important role in schools: this is our chance to say thank you for all that they do.”
The winners of the Tes Schools Awards will be announced on Friday June 23 at a gala awards night at the Grosvenor Park Hotel in London.
Headteacher of the Year (Independent)
- Emma McKendrick – Downe House, Berkshire
- Heather Hanbury – Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH), London
- William Trelawny-Vernon – Saint Ronan’s School, Kent
- Nick Hewlett – St Dunstan’s College, London
- Eugene du Toit – Wellington School, Somerset
- Joanne Chinnock – Westbourne School, Vale of Glamorgan
Boarding School of the Year
- ACS International School, Cobham
- Canford School, Dorset
- Eastbourne College, East Sussex
- Felsted School, Essex
- Milton Abbey School, Dorset
- Port Regis School, Dorset
- Scarborough College, North Yorkshire
- Shrewsbury School, Shropshire
Independent Prep School of the Year
- Burlington House School, London
- Cottesmore School, West Sussex
- Eaton House The Manor Prep School, London
- Eversfield Preparatory School, West Midlands
- Latymer Prep School, London
- Ruckleigh School, West Midlands
- St Dunstan’s College, London
- The Abbey Junior School, Berkshire
Independent Senior School of the Year
- Alleyn’s School, London
- Caterham School, Surrey
- Francis Holland School Sloane Square, London
- Hurstpierpoint College, West Sussex
- Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH), London
- Leighton Park School, Berkshire
- Notre Dame School, Surrey
- Shrewsbury School, Shropshire
The independent schools named in the other general categories are:
Best Use of Technology
- Eltham College, London
- Eton College, Berkshire
- Wellington College, Berkshire
- Giggleswick School, North Yorkshire
- Westbourne School, Vale of Glamorgan
- Langley School, Norfolk
Community Engagement Initiative of the Year
- Hurstpierpoint College, West Sussex
Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year
- Eltham College, Greater London
- Queen’s College, London
- Sherborne Girls School, Dorset
Excellence in Creative Arts
- Eltham College Junior School, London
- Wellington College, Berkshire
- Shrewsbury School, Shropshire
Teaching Assistant of the Year
- Judit Sandor – Falcons Pre-Preparatory Chiswick, London
- Ann Johal – Forest Preparatory School, Cheshire
- Martin Finn – Pembridge Hall, London
- Sheila Mitchell – Crosfields School, Berkshire
Central team leader of the year
- Sarah Grantham – Barfield Prep School, Surrey
Subject Lead of the Year (Secondary)
- Nicole Rayner – Ashford School, Kent
- Stephen Coote – Sheffield High School for Girls (GDST), South Yorkshire
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Setting of the Year
- Blundell’s Prep School, Devon
- Brighton College Prep School, East Sussex
- Truro High School For Girls, Cornwall
- Sutton High School, Surrey
Inclusive School of the Year
- Wimbledon High School GDST, London
Specialist Provision School of the Year
- LVS Hassocks, West Sussex
- Moon Hall School, Surrey