The Big May 2025 Education Roundup

Considering independent education? Find the best school for your child here. Otherwise, read on for the latest independent school news.

Bryanston Prep Appoints New Headmaster

Bryanston Prep has appointed a new head: Dominic Floyd, current head of Mount Kelly Prep, will join the school from September.

Floyd has a wealth of prep school experience, having previously been assistant head of Hazlegrove, head of Ashdown House and housemaster at Cothill House.

He also has a personal connection with the school – one of his children is Bryanston alumnus – and says he is ‘extremely proud and excited’ about his new position.

Blue Plaque at NLCS to Honour London’s First Black Headteacher

A blue plaque honouring educational pioneer and London’s first Black headteacher Dr Beryl Gilroy will be unveiled at North London Collegiate School on 6 June.

Born in Guyana in 1924, Dr Gilroy moved to the UK as a teacher in 1951. Just 15 years later, she became head of Beckford Primary School in Camden – making history as the first Black headteacher in the capital.

Her plaque will be the 115th installed by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, a charity which aims to celebrate and commemorate Black British history.

Box Hill School Joins RGS Group

Box Hill School is to relaunch as RGS Surrey Hills from June as it joins the RGS (Reigate Grammar School) Group.

RGS Surrey Hills – a co-ed 11-18 day and boarding school near Box Hill – will remain independent from Reigate Grammar, but the partnership will expand opportunities for both pupils and staff, says Surrey Hills headmistress Hayley Robinson.

This includes access to improved facilities and new post-16 options including studying the IB and sixth form boarding.

Surrey Hills will be joining RGS Group schools such as Micklefield (nursery and prep), Chinthurst (prep) and Reigate Grammar.

Milton Abbey School Hosts Successful Round Square Conference

Over 100 students from around the globe came together at Milton Abbey School during May half-term for its first ever Round Square conference.

The week-long event in Dorset saw 12-14 year olds experience a wealth of activities from mountain biking and treasure hunts to fashion and design workshops, gaining leadership and teamwork skills in the process.

Founded in 1956, Round Square is a non-profit organisation with a community of 150 member schools in 40 countries. Its mission is to empower young people to make an impact on the world and equip them with valuable skills to do so.

New Report Reveals Importance of Specialist Education for Dyslexic Learners

A new report by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) has highlighted the difficulties young people with dyslexia face in mainstream education.

It reveals that just 40 percent of students with a Specific Learning Difficulty, including dyslexia, passed their English and maths GCSEs – compared to 72 percent of non-SEN students.

Moon Hall School, the UK’s leading school exclusively for dyslexic learners, says this report highlights the importance of ensuring children with dyslexia receive education tailored to their specific learning needs.

In 2024, 60 percent of Moon Hall pupils passed their English and maths GCSEs – 20 percent more than those in mainstream education.

Moon Hall’s executive headteacher Michelle Catterson is also chair of the BDA. She says: ‘The need for specialist provision has never been greater. It’s not just about attainment – it’s about dignity, self-esteem, and long-term life chances.’

Moor Park’s Charity-Filled Colour Explosion

Over 100 children and parents gathered at Moor Park School on 30 April for a charity colour run, which raised over £1,000 for Hope House Children’s Hospices.

At the first ever Moor Park Colour Run, participants were showered with colourful powder while tackling an obstacle course on the school grounds.

Three children were also particularly thrilled to win the raffle prize: a chance to gunge Moor Park’s headmaster James Duffield with 10kg of blue slime.

Tockington Recognised as Top South West Nursery

Tockington Manor School’s on-site nursery has been recognised as one of the best in south west England.

It placed in the top 20 of 1,314 nurseries at the daynurseries.co.uk 2025 awards, which recognise the highest rated providers in each region based on parents’ reviews. It was also the only nursery in the top 20 attached to an independent prep school.

Tockington Manor headmaster Stephen Symonds says he is ‘absolutely delighted’ with the news, adding that it is a testament to the creativity and hard work of the nursery’s staff.

Revision Specialists Announce Intensive Summer Course

Oxford Science Studies (OXSS), an organisation offering bespoke study courses, has announced the return of its annual summer school.

Available for one to three weeks of study, either on a day or residential basis, the OXSS summer course is open to GCSE, IGCSE, IB and A Level students who want to continue learning during the school break.

Tutors employ a teaching approach based on the tutorial system used at Oxford and Cambridge universities, meaning groups are small and tailored to students’ individual needs.

Swiss International Schools Announce Exciting Merger

Two schools in the Swiss Alps – Copperfield International School Verbier and Verbier International School (VIS) – are to merge in August.

Director of the newly unified school will be Grant Ferguson, current director of Copperfield. He hopes the new institution will build on the rich legacies of Copperfield and VIS while offering a broader curriculum (including IB and High School Diploma), enhanced facilities, a close-knit environment – and plenty of skiing.

Leweston Students Win National Band Competition for a Second Year

Leweston School’s rock band The Lites has been crowned winner of the key stage three category in the 2025 National ISA Band Competition – for the second year running.

Made up of eight students across drums, guitar, keyboard and vocals, The Lites’ winning entry was a creatively shot video performance of Coldplay’s We Pray.

Competition judge Greg Mudd praised the ‘astonishing range’ of musical styles and high standard of this year’s entries.

He added: ‘It was truly inspiring to see so many students demonstrating not only technical skill but a shared love for creating music together.’

London Schools’ Films Competition at Mill Hill School

On 23 May, young filmmakers were honoured at the third London Schools Film Competition awards, which took place at Mill Hill School.

Pupils from Hitchin Boys’ School, Queen Elizabeth’s School and Mill Hill School took home first place prizes in the Junior, Short Film and Senior categories respectively, with winners chosen by a panel of judges from all corners of the film industry.

Bryanston Entrepreneurship & Innovation Advisory Board

Bryanston School has formed its new Entrepreneurship & Innovation (E&I) Advisory Board, bringing together successful founders to mentor pupils interested in an entrepreneurial future.

Board members include Bryanston alumni Flinty Bane (Dragon’s Den winner and founder of beauty app SKIN) and Dr Leo Evans (founder of online tutoring platform The Profs).

The new E&I board will support Bryanston’s mission to ‘nurture the qualities that successful entrepreneurs embody: creativity, curiosity, commitment and the confidence to challenge the status quo’, says head of EIE Caroline de Mowbray.

Head of BBC Radio 2 Inspires Harrogate Ladies’ College Students

Harrogate Ladies College students were left inspired by the head of BBC Radio 2 after she shared her wisdom at the college’s 2025 Speech Day.

Helen Thomas – who has been at the top of Radio 2 for the last five years – urged the audience of 600 pupils, parents and staff to ‘experience life in technicolour’ during her keynote speech at the annual event.

Thomas had some valuable advice for the Upper 6 pupils: ‘Squeeze as much opportunity as you possibly can out of the next few years.

‘You are at the very beginning of your journeys; this is your chance to flex and experiment, this is where the growth comes.

‘Enter into everything with an open mind and an open heart.’

All photos courtesy of the respective schools.