Independent School News: April 2026 Week 3

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

Orchard House Partners With Chiswick House & Gardens

Orchard House School has been working with Chiswick House & Gardens Trust on the piloting of its expanding schools programme. Based at the trust’s kitchen garden, the programme introduces young people to how plants become food and is open to primary schools across London. Through support from Orchard House pupils and teachers, state school pupils across west London will be able to benefit and learn from the Chiswick House kitchen garden.

Discover Orchard House: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/orchard-house-school

Professional Rugby Success For Taunton Students

Two year 13 students from Taunton School have signed professional contracts with rugby union club Bristol Bears. Caspar and Monty have been part of the Bristol Bears Academy for a few years and will now progress to the senior academy alongside 11 other players. ‘Both players have demonstrated outstanding dedication, resilience and professionalism,’ said Taunton’s director of rugby, Ben Thomas. ‘They fully deserve this opportunity.’

Discover Taunton School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/taunton-school

Belmont Grosvenor Pupils Given Award For Helping Songbirds

Pupils at Belmont Grosvenor School have completed an award teaching them how to help songbirds survive the winter months. Created by UK charity SongBird Survival, the Ruby Robin Award saw the children make bird feeders, identify local species and learn how to support them in colder weather. ‘The award was a fantastic way for our pupils to learn about nature and the birds they see every day,’ said the school’s eco-club coordinator, Nicola Shillam. ‘All our children in years one and two took part and they really enjoyed learning more about how they can help wildlife.’

Hurst College Hosts Successful Charity Day

Last Friday, Aqua house pupils at Hurst College Junior Prep School held a charity day and raised over £800 for for Hope House Haiti. Pupils bought toys, books and games that had been donated as well as cake. All the money raised will go towards helping Hope House Haiti support children in poverty by providing them with food, education, health checks and a place to live.

Sherborne Girls Receive Sixth Form Certificates Of Achievement

This week, upper sixth students at Sherborne Girls had the pleasure of meeting former BBC chief news correspondent Kate Adie as she presented them with their sixth form baccalaureate certificates of achievement. These certificates record and grade each girls’ extracurricular ventures, becoming ‘a testimony of the girls’ time at school and a record of the challenges they have embraced’, said head of sixth form David Banks. The ceremony featured an inspiring speech from Adie, who encouraged them to ‘always do something you feel is worthwhile’.

Discover Sherborne Girls: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/sherborne-girls-school

Benenden Speaks Up About School Phone Ban

In light of the government’s new plan to ban phones in schools by law, Benenden head Rachel Bailey has noted that boarding schools offer the perfect environment for managing phone use. ‘Phones have become far less about connection and more about constant access to entertainment. In a boarding school, where life is intentionally full, purposeful and – crucially – shared, that challenge is naturally diminished,’ said Bailey. ‘Here, connection is immediate and tangible, and students understand that phones are tools, not companions.’

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

Malvern Student Secures Cricket Contract

A 16-year-old pupil at Malvern College has signed his first professional cricket contract, with Warwickshire Cricket Club. From July 1, bowler Charlie Taylor will be a rookie for two years, after which his contract will be extended to a full-time professional one until the end of the 2028 season. ‘I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can and pushing myself to improve in the years ahead,’ said Charlie, who has been playing the sport since age seven. ‘It’s something I’ve worked towards for a long time.’

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

Badminton Spotlights Single-Sex Education Research

As the only single-sex early years’ provider in Bristol, Badminton School is spotlighting growing research showing the benefits of an all-girls early years education. The school is keen to share evidence with parents that suggests girls in single-sex settings show higher levels of confidence and engagement as well as a more positive attitude towards learning. ‘When girls are encouraged to lead, collaborate and explore from the very beginning, it transforms not only how they learn, but how they see themselves,’ said researcher and head of early years Vince MacLeod.

Discover Badminton School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/badminton-school

New Heads & New Schools

Alleyn’s Oakfield: Current deputy head pastoral of Notting Hill Prep, Peter Whitmell, has been appointed head of Alleyn’s Oakfield. He will join the school in September and brings with him years of leadership experience in the UK and abroad.

St George’s Schools: St George’s School Ascot and St George’s School Windsor Castle have announced plans to come together to create a new coed through school. The proposed new school – St George’s School, Windsor and Ascot – will educate ages three to 18 with access to facilities across the two exiting sites.

Discover St George’s Ascot: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/st-georges-ascot

Discover St Georg’e School Windsor Castle: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/st-georges-school-windsor-castle