Independent School News: May 2026 Week 1

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

The Brighton College family of schools is expanding into Hove for the first time as Windlesham School & Nursery becomes Brighton College Prep Hove in September

Brighton College Expands Into Hove With New Prep School

The Brighton College family of schools is expanding into Hove for the first time as Windlesham School & Nursery becomes Brighton College Prep Hove in September. Led by the former deputy head at Brighton College Prep, Philip Smith, the school will educate children aged three to 11 and will be transformed with a £3m investment towards new playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces. The new school, which is holding its first open day on 13 June, will also welcome pupils from Brighton College-run St Christopher’s School from September 2027.

Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield pupils recently received handwritten letters from Sir David Attenborough in response to their petition to mark his 100th birthday with a national holiday

Sir David Attenborough Writes To Harrogate Ladies’ College Pupils

Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield (Duchy College from September) pupils recently received handwritten letters from Sir David Attenborough in response to their petition to mark his 100th birthday with a national holiday. After launching the campaign on petition website change.org, pupils wrote and sent letters to Sir David – and were delighted to receive replies. In the letters, the famous conservationist admitted he would be ‘extremely embarrassed’ by a national day in his honour but added he was ‘very happy’ for the school to hold its own annual celebration marking his birthday.

Milton Abbey Students Create 100th Anniversary Time Capsule

Lower sixth pupils Nadiia and Lucy recently organised a time capsule project in honour of Milton Abbey School’s 100th anniversary. Buried in the school grounds and due to be opened in 28 years on 1 May 2054, the capsule brings together meaningful items like letters, photos of the school and pieces of clothing from students and staff. ‘I put a detailed letter in the capsule to my 41-year-old self about my hopes and dreams, my current worries and the best parts of my school years,’ shared lower sixth student Alize. ‘I loved the sentimentality behind the idea.’

Discover Milton Abbey: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/milton-abbey

After a long year of fundraising, the head girl team at Portsmouth High School GDST recently presented a £10,416.87 cheque to Sophie’s Legacy

Portsmouth High School Raises £10,000 For Family Hospital Charity PIC

After a year of fundraising, the head girl team at Portsmouth High School GDST recently presented a £10,416.87 cheque to Sophie’s Legacy. The charity, which is based locally in Hampshire, aims to improve children’s and parents’ time in hospital and was created in honour of ten-year-old Sophie Fairall, who died just a year after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Raised through various activities over the last academic year, Portsmouth High School’s donation will make a huge difference to thousands of families. Head girl Rosie said: ‘It has been an honour to support Sophie’s Legacy. I couldn’t be happier with the total we’ve reached thanks to everyone’s generosity.’

Discover Portsmouth High School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/portsmouth-high-school-gdst

Conservationist Isabella Tree Inspires Students At Churcher’s College

This week, Churcher’s College welcomed conservationist and author Isabella Tree for a lecture on rewilding and biodiversity. A large audience of pupils, parents and members of the wider school community gathered at the Churcher’s senior school to watch Tree, who spoke about the importance of working with nature and how even small mindset changes can have a significant environmental impact. Her words particularly encouraged students to reflect on how sustainability and environmental responsibility connect with not only their current studies, but their ambitions and career goals for the future.

Discover Churcher’s College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/churchers-college

A team of five year 11 students at Westminster School recently travelled to the University of Pennsylvania to take part in the final of the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

Westminster Students Impress In Global Investment Competition Final

A team of five year 11 students at Westminster School recently travelled to the University of Pennsylvania to take part in the final of the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition. As the youngest group taking part, the Westminster team presented how they would triple a client’s £0.5m by making strong investment decisions across equities, bonds, cash and other asset classes. While a team from New York ultimately won the competition, the Westminster team were highly commended for the depth of their research and presentation skills, with team member Saverio adding: ‘Being one of only two UK teams was incredible special; presenting in person completely reshaped how I interact with the world.’

GDST Bans Mobile Phones Across All Schools

All 25 Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) schools will become mobile phone-free environments from September for pupils up to year 11. As the largest network of all-girls’ schools in the UK, GDST plans to work with its schools’ heads to discover the best way to implement the ban in a way that works for each unique school environment. With locker systems and Yondr pouches already in place at some of the schools, this move aims to further ‘promote calm, focused learning environments, positive behaviour and strong pupil wellbeing’, said GDST director of education Philip Purvis.

Last Friday, year 12 pupils at Bryanston slept outside overnight on the school’s AstroTurf, raising £3,000 for YMCA Bournemouth

Bryanston Pupils Sleep Out For Homelessness Charity

Last Friday, year 12 pupils at Bryanston slept outside overnight on the school’s AstroTurf, raising £3,000 for YMCA Bournemouth. Now in its fifth year, the event builds on the charity’s Sleep Easy initiative, which encourages young people to spend a night outdoors ‘so others do not have to’. Pupils constructed and decorated cardboard shelters and interviewed each other about their reasons for taking part, with the school’s head of charities and outreach, Hannah Fearnley, adding that it was ‘inspiring to see such a strong sense of community among the pupils’.

Discover Bryanston: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/bryanston

New Schools, New Groups & New Classes

Three Choirs Schools Group: Three historic cathedral schools – The King’s School Gloucester, The King’s School Worcester and Hereford Cathedral School – have partnered to form a new schools’ group. Three Choirs will see the schools deliver joint events, share resources and co-develop stronger curriculums while each retains its individuality.

CLIP – Oporto International School, Portugal: Leading independent schools’ group Dukes Education has announced an expansion to its family of schools with CLIP – Oporto International School, Portugal. The coeducational, all-through school educates 1,200 students and is located in Porto, becoming Dukes Education’s sixth school in Portugal.

St Catherine’s Bramley: From September, the preschool at St Catherine’s Bramley will be made up of two classes due to growing demand from prospective families. The school said: ‘With this expansion, even more girls will benefit from the care, attention and high-quality early years’ education that sets the foundation for future success.’

Discover St Catherine’s Bramley: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/st-catherines-bramley