Independent School News: April 2026 Week 4

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

Wetherby Prep Marylebone and Wetherby Pre-Prep Kensington will start their transition to coeducation from September 2027

Wetherby Schools Announce Move To Coeducation

Wetherby Prep Marylebone and Wetherby Pre-Prep Kensington will start their transition to coeducation from September 2027. The move will offer a clear and easy pathway for pupils to move onto Wetherby Pembridge senior school which, since opening in September 2025, has seen strong demand from families wanting a high-quality coeducational environment for their children. As part of the new development, the schools will also be renamed as Wetherby Pembridge Prep and Wetherby Pembridge Pre-Prep.

Leweston Launches Transformative Bursary For Catholic Families

Through a new bursary at Leweston School, a limited number of Catholic families will receive a £3,000 reduction on annual boarding fees. Named after the school’s patron, St Antony of Padua, the St Antony Community Award has been introduced by the Catholic Schools Trust, of which Leweston has been a part since December 2025. ‘Leweston was founded as a Catholic school, and that remains the foundation of everything we do,’ explained head John Paget-Tomlinson. ‘The award is out commitment to ensuring Catholic families always have a genuine path to Leweston.’

More than 320 student and families at Wycliffe College recently took part in a 5k colour run to raise money in support of a fellow classmate with cystic fibrosis

Wycliffe College Fun Run Fundraises For Cystic Fibrosis

More than 320 student and families at Wycliffe College recently took part in a 5k colour run to raise money in support of a fellow classmate with cystic fibrosis. The drive – which raised £1,700 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust – was led by year 13 Amelie Davies, who was diagnosed with the condition at just five days old. ‘One of the best physical therapies for cystic fibrosis is running, as it helps to clear the lungs and breathe freely,’ she explained, ‘so it was wonderful to see everyone out together running, showing we can all do our bit.’

Discover Wycliffe College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/wycliffe-college

Sixth form biology students at Rugby School are working with a Stanford University professor on a fruit fly study to find cures for life-altering human diseases

Rugby Students Work On Life-Changing Scientific Study

Sixth form biology students at Rugby School are working with a Stanford University professor on a genetic study to find cures for life-altering diseases. Led by Seung Kim, Stanford’s professor of developmental biology, the Stan-X study focuses on identifying genetic mutations in fruit flies, which will create a better understanding of how scientists can cure human diseases like pancreatic cancer and diabetes. The six Rugby students involved will be presenting their research at a scientific conference in Georgia in the US next week.

Discover Rugby: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/rugby

King Edward’s Bath Pilots New Smartphone Scheme

King Edward’s School (KES) Bath has announced a new pilot scheme to support healthy smartphone use in its sixth form. Through a digital wellbeing platform developed by students at the University of Bristol, KES Bath pupils will learn to manage their own digital usage at school by activating a personalised ‘focus mode’ on their phones, which blocks unessential apps. ‘We hope this will be a positive step in supporting pupils to engage fully with their learning and with one another while at school,’ explained senior deputy head pastoral, Will Quayle.

Discover King Edward’s School Bath: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/king-edwards-school-bath

Wellington College Offers Art Fund Expertise

Now that the Wellington College Arts Fund has been active for over five years, the school is inviting other independent schools to follow in its footsteps. Having grown from a desire to boost arts initiatives in schools, the fund has donated a total of £140,000 to over 80 local primary and secondary schools, with the money going towards buying vital equipment for creative projects. Partner schools are also invited to Wellington College for events and performances as well as art teacher conferences. ‘I would be more than happy to share the process with other independent schools if they wished to do a similar project,’ said director of arts and music, Simon Williamson. ‘It’s more than just a grant; it is the gateway for other arts-related engagement with local schools.’

Discover Wellington College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/wellington-college

Kew House School recently came away from the Rotary Youth Speaks public speaking competition with double wins for its junior and senior teams

Double Triumph For Kew House In Public Speaking Contest

Kew House School recently came away from the Rotary Youth Speaks public speaking competition with double wins for its junior and senior teams. Both teams were crowned borough champions, with the junior team debating whether Shakespeare still serves a purpose for education in schools and the senior team discussing whether eradicating competition would better society. Despite train delays meaning one Kew House speaker had to compete via Teams, the students delivered powerful speeches and became double champions.

Discover Kew House School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/kew-house-school

National Recognition For Eastbourne Students

Eastbourne College is celebrating as two of its students have achieved national recognition for excellence in the arts and engineering. Year 12 Mia Liu recently achieved ‘highly commended’ in the Royal Ballet and Opera Design Challenge, with her creative costume design for Fasolt from Wagner’s Das Rheingold standing out among thousands of entries nationally. Meanwhile, year 11 Herbert Phillips has been confirmed as an Arkwright engineering scholar after excelling in the national selection process for one of the UK’s most prestigious scholarships for aspiring engineers.

Discover Eastbourne College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/eastbourne-college

Hanford Prep has announced that Sophie Blewitt will soon be joining the school as its next head

New Head For Hanford Prep

Hanford Prep has announced that Sophie Blewitt will soon be joining the school as its next head. Currently interim head at Hanford, Blewitt has a wealth of experience in all-girls’ education, including leadership roles at Sherborne Girls and Ryde School on the Isle of Wight. ‘I have loved living and working here these past months,’ said Blewitt. ‘My ambition in simple: I want every girl who experiences Hanford to feel she has had a magical childhood and to be absolutely ready for whatever comes next.

Discover Hanford Prep: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/hanford-school

Berkhamsted Student To Release Debut EP For Charity

Year 13 student at Berkhamsted, Harry V, is gearing up to release his debut EP in partnership with youth charity War Child UK. Named Songs I Wrote on a Dog Walk, the album features five original songs – all of which Harry wrote while walking in his local park, inspired by the starry night sky. The release is part of a national fundraising competition, granting rising talent the opportunity to record a live EP alongside raising money for War Child UK. ‘It’s a really awesome opportunity to get a bit of industry feedback, and have a lot of fun doing it,’ said Harry.

Discover Berkhamsted: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/berkhamsted-schools-group

Halliford School recently hosted its annual inter-house photography competition, which invited students to explore the theme of ‘symmetry’

Halliford School Hosts Photography Competition

Halliford School recently hosted its annual inter-house photography competition, which invited students to explore the theme of ‘symmetry’. From reflections on water to symmetrical architecture, ‘the entries demonstrated thoughtful competition and an impressive understanding of balance and form’, the school said. The winner was upper sixth student Felix, with Laurence (upper sixth) and Matthew (year seven) coming close behind.