Independent Education Roundup: September 2025 Week 3

Considering independent education? Find the best school for your child here. Otherwise, read on for the latest independent school news (September 2025).

Wycliffe College Introduces New Bursaries

Wycliffe College has announced it is introducing ten new bursary awards for sixth form pupils. The new Wycliffe Futures Awards will offer a fee discount of up to 50 percent, and are available exclusively to those who currently attend a state secondary school and live within a 30-mile radius of Wycliffe College. While academic potential is important for applicants, there are also awards available for all-round ability and for pupils for whom the headmaster believes a Wycliffe education would be transformational.

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

Beech Hall Pupils Swim The Channel

Six pupils at Beech Hall School swam the English Channel for charity this month, setting a new record time for the school in the process. The 21-mile relay swim took the team 11 hours and 32 minutes, with the pupils encountering difficult weather conditions and even a swarm of jellyfish on their journey from Dover to France. The team’s efforts have so far raised over £17,000 for Mencap, a learning disability charity.

DofE Comes To Minerva Virtual Academy

Despite being an entirely online school, Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA) has received a license to run its own Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) programme. The London-based virtual school, which has experience organising in-person trips and events for pupils, will run all elements of the award: volunteering, sport to sending pupils out on hiking and camping expeditions.

Art Workshop At Westbourne House

Year eight pupils at Westbourne House School recently took part in a painting workshop with Sussex-based artist Shazia Mahmood. As a sea and landscape artist, Shazia coached the pupils through creating landscape paintings, giving tips on how to best use colour and brush techniques. ‘I am blown away by what the pupils achieved,’ she said, adding that she was impressed by their passion and attention to detail throughout the workshop.

Discover Westbourne House School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/westbourne-house/

Canford And Dumpton Join Forces

Two co-educational schools in Dorset, Canford and Dumpton, have announced they will merge to form The Canford Schools Group. While each will keep their own individual identity, the new partnership between Canford senior and Dumpton prep will allow them to share resources and facilities. According to Canford’s headmaster Chris Wheeler, this is ‘an exciting first step in establishing a new group of leading independent boarding and day schools that share common values’.

Discover Canford: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/canford-school/

Heathfield’s Sixth Form Turns Co-Ed

Heathfield School, Ascot has announced it will welcome boys into its sixth form from September 2026. While the rest of the school will stay girls-only, Heathfield believes that moving to a co-educational sixth form will bring ‘more diverse perspectives and collaboration across productions, clubs and student leadership’.

Discover Heathfield School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/heathfield-school/

Summer Of Success For Bede’s Cricketer

Bede’s Senior School is celebrating the success of lower sixth pupil Jake Vosloo after his impressive string of achievements in cricket over the summer. As well as playing for multiple teams and earning several high-profile selections, the 16-year-old became the youngest player to debut in the Disability Premier League. Jake has ‘enjoyed meeting so many new people through cricket’ and looks forward to continuing his sporting success.

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

Phoneless Voyage For A+ World Academy

Students at A+ World Academy, a high school based on a ship that sails around the world, have gone phone-free for the 2025/26 academic year. With the help of Yondr pouches, students’ phones are locked away while at sea, allowing them to focus on their studies as well as the demands of sailing the ship. This year, 72 students aged 15 to 19 are onboard; they set sail in August and will tour four continents over the year.

Bloxham Launches Annual Sustainability Challenge

Bloxham School has launched its national sustainability challenge for the third year. Schools such as Rochdale Sixth Form College and Maidstone Grammar School for Girls will take part in the initiative, which helps young people better understand environmental challenges as well as explore careers in sustainability.

New Sixth Form Centre for RHS

This week, the Royal Hospital School (RHS) officially opened its new sixth form centre. With features including a café, quiet study zones and social spaces, the centre gives year 12s and 13s at the Suffolk school a dedicated space to work and relax. ‘This is more than just a building,’ said RHS headmaster Irfan Latif. ‘It is a launchpad for the next stage of our sixth formers’ lives.’

Discover Royal Hospital School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/royal-hospital-school/

Abbot’s Hill Senior Goes Co-Ed

Abbot’s Hill has announced plans to extend co-educational provision into its senior school. Following the introduction of boys into the prep school earlier this month, the first boys will be admitted in year seven from September 2026. According to the school’s head Sharon Schanschieff, the move is in response to ‘a growing number of enquiries from families looking for a co-educational environment for their sons’.

Benenden Acquires Orwell Park

Yesterday, Benenden School announced that Orwell Park will be joining its family of schools. With Benenden educating girls aged 11-18 and Orwell Park educating girls and boys aged 2-13, the schools believe that this partnership will offer new perspectives as well as build on their shared values of courtesy, respect and a commitment to community.

Discover Benenden: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/benenden-school/

Discover Orwell Park: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/orwell-park/