Independent School News: May 2026 Week 2

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

Reddam House Honoured With Top Award For Play Provision

This week, Reddam House Berkshire was awarded the highest possible accreditation for its play provision by OPAL (Outdoor Play And Learning). The platinum award is given to primary schools whose play provision is in the top one percent nationally, achieved through two years of rigorous planning and improvements. ‘This is a tremendous milestone, reflecting our belief that children learn just as much beyond the classroom walls as they do within them,’ said head Rick Cross. ‘The impact [of our improved provision] has been remarkable, not only in the playground but across wellbeing, confidence, behaviour and relationships through the school community.’

A group of students at Malvern College recently raced almost 200 miles across the country in a single day for charity, aiming to find their way from Wales to Worcestershire with no phones and no maps

Malvern College Students Raise £4,000 In A Race Across The Country

A group of students at Malvern College recently raced almost 200 miles across the country in a single day for charity, aiming to find their way from Wales to Worcestershire with no phones and no maps. The Race the Sun challenge saw the 22 teenagers split into pairs before starting at Llandudno at sunrise, where they relied on teamwork and kindness from strangers to get to the Worcestershire Beacon before sunset. Members of the public offered lifts, free food and cash donations along the way, helping the students raise £4,000 for NHS Blood and Transplant. One half of the winning team, 15-year-old James Turton, chose the charity in honour of his grandmother, who was diagnosed with lung cancer 24 years ago. Despite being given a six-week prognosis, she still lives an active life thanks to plasma exchange treatment, with James’ family hoping the money donated will go on to similarly save lives.

Discover Malvern College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/malvern-college

Brighton College Alumna Makes Sporting History

Former cricketer and Brighton College alumna Sarah Taylor has made history as the first woman to coach an England men’s side in a major sport. Regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history, Taylor played 226 times for England between 2006 and 2019 and will now be England’s fielding coach for the team’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand. ‘Taylor’s historic appointment is an enormously proud moment for Brighton College and for sport as a whole,’ said principal Richard Cairns. ‘Her achievement is a wonderful example of the value of coeducation [and how it] prepares pupils for the real world, where young people grow up learning alongside one another as equals.’

Discover Brighton College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/brighton-college

New Hall Celebrates Shared Heritage With Belgian Students

New Hall School recently welcomed 72 students and teachers from Heilig Graf School in Belgium for a celebration of the schools’ shared Catholic heritage. The inaugural Holy Sepulchre Community Festival – which reflects both schools’ founding by the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre – featured a weekend of activities, including an open mic night, a Belgian cookery masterclass and glow-in-the-dark badminton. ‘We were delighted to be gifted with artefacts from Heilig Graf’s archives – unique parts of history tied to our school’s founding in Liège and our shared heritage,’ said New Hall’s vice principal, Paul Tiffen.

Discover New Hall School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/new-hall-school

Francis Holland Prep recently held its annual dog show, raising almost £2,000 for school supplies charity School in a Bag

Francis Holland Prep Hosts Successful Charity Dog Show

Last week, Francis Holland Prep held its annual dog show, raising almost £2,000 for school supplies charity School in a Bag. With a record number of dogs taking part, this year’s show crowned five pups across five categories, which included ‘best dressed’, ‘puppy love’ and ‘most fabulous fella’. All the money raised will go towards UK-based School in a Bag’s mission to ensuring children from low-income families don’t miss out on their education due to not having the proper materials and resources to learn.

New Heads & New Developments

Wetherby Notting Hill: Ross Montague has been appointed as the new head of Wetherby Notting Hill from September, taking over from interim head Mark Snell. Montague is ‘thrilled’ to be joining from Eaton House Belgravia; he also has leadership experience at Hampstead Hill School, and is even a former professional footballer for Brentford FC.

St Swithun’s Prep: St Swithun’s Prep in Winchester is developing an on-site nursery, expected to open between September 2026 and January 2027. It will sit alongside the existing preschool to become St Swithun’s Nursery and Preschool and will offer coeducational provision for children aged nine months to four years, with a simple transition for girls through to St Swithun’s reception.

Queen’s College, London: A new partnership with DLD College London will see Queen’s College, London offer sixth form boarding places from September 2027. Up to 12 Queen’s College students will be able to board at DLD’s facilities in Waterloo, placing it as the only single-sex school in central London to offer a boarding option.

Oxford Millwood School: Oxford Millwood School in Elsfield, Oxfordshire recently changed its name from Oxford Montessori School to ‘better reflect [its] unique setting’. Paying homage to the mills in the local area as well as its woodland location, the school’s new name will be celebrated with a rural-themed open day on 21 May.