Independent School News: May 2026 Week 4

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

Gold Environment Award For Highfield & Brookham

Highfield and Brookham School has been honoured with a gold award in the Woodland Trust’s Green Tree Schools programme. The scheme rewards schools who take part in environmental projects, with Highfield and Brookham progressing from bronze through outdoor activities, nature education and sustainability initiatives led by the school’s ‘eco warriors’. ‘What makes this so special is it hasn’t been driven from the top down,’ said head Suzannah Cryer. ‘Our children have taken ownership of their environment, asked questions and made real change happen. That is exactly the spirit we want them to carry with them long after they leave us.’

Discover Highfield and Brookham: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/highfield-and-brookham

Thirty-eight members of the Aldwickbury School community walked 27 miles to Great Ormond Street Hospital, raising more than £37,000 for the charity in honour of a pupil undergoing cancer treatment

Aldwickbury Raises £37,000 In Honour Of Pupil With Cancer

Thirty-eight members of the Aldwickbury School community walked 27 miles to Great Ormond Street Hospital last week, raising more than £37,000 for the charity in honour of a pupil undergoing cancer treatment. Max, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in December, has been receiving care from Great Ormond Street and joined the group near the end of the marathon to take them over the finish line – where there wasn’t ‘a dry eye in sight’, recalls head Paul Symes. The walk took 11 hours, beginning at 5am at Max’s future senior school, Haileybury.

Wycliffe Pupils Take On Ice Cream Entrepreneurship Challenge

In an Apprentice-inspired challenge, year seven pupils at Wycliffe Prep recently designed a brand new ice cream flavour and created their own marketing plans for the delicious product. Pupils were able to see the ice cream production process for themselves at nearby Marshfield Farm before pitching their ideas for the flavour, branding and marketing to a panel, practising teamwork, communication and creativity. The project was part of the school’s Discovery Programme, designed to help pupils develop life skills beyond the classroom.

Discover Wycliffe Prep: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/wycliffe-prep-school

Lancing College Announces Plans For New Sport Facilities

A new £6.5m investment will see Lancing College’s sport facilities transform over the next two years. The project begins with the reopening of the school’s indoor pool in June following a nine-month refurbishment, with improved swimming facilities and a new reception area. Future plans include developing a multi-sport facility (due to be completed by September 2027) and a new multi-sport AstroTurf which, subject to planning permission, will open in September 2028. Pupils at Lancing’s three prep schools will be able to enjoy all the new facilities, as well as the college’s own students.

Discover Lancing College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/lancing-college

Responsible AI Award For Sydenham & Dulwich Girls

Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST has been recognised for its responsible integration of AI into school life with a Gold AI Quality Mark. Presented by the Good Future Foundation, the gold award is the highest achievable, with assessors highlighting the school’s ‘impressive’ AI-integrated curriculum, ‘exemplary’ AI training for staff, and ‘strong’ safeguarding policies. Overall, the school was praised for demonstrating ‘exemplary intent and implementation of AI’.

Discover Syndenham & Dulwich Girls: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/sydenham-dulwich-girls