Independent School News: March 2026, Week 3

Considering independent education? Find the best school for your child here. Otherwise, read on for the latest independent school news (March 2026).

Queen Ethelburga’s Champions Inclusivity In Sport

Queen Ethelburga’s has announced a new partnership with Her Game Too, a national campaign promoting gender equality in sport. The organisations will work together to create inclusive sporting opportunities across the Queen Ethelburga’s community as well as educational initiatives bringing awareness to sexism in the sport industry. The school said that the collaboration marks a ‘significant step forward in our ongoing mission to empower students through sport and ensure every young person feels safe, supported and celebrated in their athletic pursuits’.

Discover Queen Ethelburga’s: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/queen-ethelburgas-collegiate

Students from Haberdashers’ Monmouth and other Welsh schools recently visited Parliament to present their work in sustainability

Haberdashers’ Monmouth’s Parliament Presentation

Three Haberdashers’ Monmouth students recently visited Parliament to present their work in sustainability to Minister for Climate, Katie White MP. Alongside children from four other Welsh schools, the Habs Monmouth students explained how their campaigns promoting deforestation-free school meals have encouraged schools and local authorities across Wales to take action. The students also met Maggie Charnley, head of the government’s International Forests Unit, who told them: ‘I have no doubt in my mind that you will be leading decisions in the future. I’m sure every single one of you will do something extraordinary.’

North London Collegiate School’s Canons Choir has been crowned Junior Choir of the Year for the third time

North London Collegiate Awarded Top Junior Choir

North London Collegiate School’s Canons Choir has been crowned Junior Choir of the Year for the third time. Competing against 12 other schools at the GSA National Grand Final Choral Competition, the choir impressed a large audience and a panel of distinguished judges with their performances. ‘I am so proud of all the girls for delivering such a breathtaking performance,’ said NLCS director of junior school music Chao Cox. ‘It has been a true privilege to celebrate the joy of choral music alongside so many talented and inspirational young singers.’

Discover North London Collegiate School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/north-london-collegiate-school

Inspired Launches Innovative Learning Model

Inspired Education has announced a new, AI-enhanced learning model set to launch in the group’s global schools from next year. Inspired Edge Academy blends core academics with life skills: primary-age children will study subjects like English, maths and science in the morning followed by financial literacy, public speaking, entrepreneurship and more in the afternoon. The programme, which aims to help children learn faster and broader with the help of AI, will be first launched in central London in January 2027.

Heatherton Girls’ parents visited the school to discuss their work as doctors in celebration of British Science Week

Heatherton Girls Explore Careers In Medicine

Last week, Heatherton Girls’ parents visited the school to discuss their work as doctors in celebration of British Science Week. From nursery to year six, pupils heard from the parents about brain development, radiography, medicine development and more, and even took part in mini experiments for a hands-on exploration of the world of medicine. The school said: ‘It was deeply inspiring to be able to welcome so many female doctors into the school, proving to Heatherton girls that their gender should never hold them back from a career in STEM.’

New Schools, New Heads & New Partnerships

Bede’s: From September 2027, the Bede’s prep campus will expand its provision to year 11 with a new, on-site upper school. From year seven, pupils will have the freedom to choose whether to stay at the Eastbourne campus or move to the dedicated senior school in Upper Dicker. The new Bede’s Upper School will be day-only, offering lower fees and a familiar setting for pupils as they move from prep to senior.

Discover Bede’s Prep: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/bedes-prep-school

Discover Bede’s Senior: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/bedes-senior-school

Thomas’s Clapham: Thomas’s Clapham has appointed Jessica Mair as its new head from September. Mair is current head of John Betts Primary School in Ravenscourt Park and also has leadership experience at Queen’s Manor Primary School in Fulham and St Andrew’s Scots School in Argentina. She takes over from Nathan Boller and looks forward to ‘leading the school toward an even more exceptional future’.

Discover Thomas’s Clapham: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/thomass-clapham

Amesbury: Amesbury School has announced it will join the Charterhouse family of schools on 1 August. It will become the third school to join the group following Edgeborough in 2021 and Windlesham House in 2025, with Amesbury retaining its own identity and leadership while benefitting from Charterhouse’s support and expertise.

Discover Amesbury: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/amesbury-school

Wrekin College: Steve Green, current senior head at Queen’s College Taunton, has been appointed as head of Wrekin College from September. Outside of his years of experience at top UK schools, Green enjoys various sports including cricket, golf and distance running, and looks forward to leading the school into its 150th anniversary in 2030.

Discover Wrekin College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/wrekin-college