Independent School News: February 2026, Week 1

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

West Lodge Joins St Dunstan’s Group

St Dunstan’s Education Group will acquire coed prep school West Lodge in August 2026. The south-east-London-based school will be the fourth to join the group, which currently comprises St Dunstan’s Junior, St Dunstan’s Senior, St Christopher’s The Hall and Rosemead Prep and Nursery. ‘West Lodge is a superb school,’ said the group’s CEO, Nick Hewlett. ‘I have no doubt we will enjoy learning from one another as we continue to trailblaze our forward-thinking approach to education.’

Students at Eastbourne College performed at the 2026 China-UK Youth Cultural & Arts Exchange

Eastbourne Students Perform At China-UK Cultural Exchange

Earlier this week, students at Eastbourne College performed at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the 2026 China-UK Youth Cultural & Arts Exchange. With Eastbourne being the only UK school invited to perform, its students presented a programme of choral and instrumental works alongside musical theatre to an audience of over 2,000 people and seven leading schools from China. ‘The students’ contribution brought real energy and artistry to the programme,’ said event organiser Leon Zhang. ‘The whole evening felt joyful, collaborative and full of promise.’

Discover Eastbourne College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/eastbourne-college

Brentwood Student Named Essex Young Person Of The Year

Sima, a year 12 boarder at Brentwood School, has been awarded the title of Young Person of the Year for Essex by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). The accolade recognises individuals aged 14 to 24 who have made a positive impact on the local tennis community, with Sima praised by judges for her commitment to mentoring junior pupils at Brentwood. She is now under consideration for the national title, with the results announced this March.

All-boys school The Beacon will welcome girls from September 2027

The Beacon Moves To Coeducation

For the first time in its history, all-boys school The Beacon will welcome girls from September 2027. The Buckinghamshire prep school, which was founded in 1933, will become coeducational at the usual entry points of reception, year three and year seven, with its nursery continuing to educate both girls and boys as usual. The move comes out of a desire ‘evolve’ and ‘enrich the educational experience of all pupils during their journey the school and in the future’.

Discover The Beacon School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/the-beacon-school/

Oxbridge Triumph For Shrewsbury Students

Six students at Shrewsbury School have received offers to study at Oxbridge from September 2026, with courses including Education (Cambridge), Medicine (Cambridge) and Law (Oxford). Earlier this month, student Richard W also received an offer to study at the prestigious Harvard University, while others have secured places on courses at leading UK universities including Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh and Durham.

Discover Shrewsbury School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/shrewsbury-school/

Students at Francis Holland Sloane Square performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shaftesbury Theatre

Francis Holland Students Take To The West End Stage

Last weekend, students at Francis Holland Sloane Square performed at Shaftesbury Theatre for a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The opportunity to perform the annual school production in the West End was ‘invaluable for [the] young actors’, said head Alexandra Haydon, who continued: ‘It was a hilarious, beautiful and contagiously joyful performance, and was an extraordinary feat to pull off.’

Wetherby Senior Joins Prestigious Heads’ Association

Wetherby Senior School has been invited to join HMC (The Heads’ Conference), a membership association for heads of the world’s top independent schools. Founded in 1869, HMC offers members a wide range of development opportunities including headteacher training, access to global education research and collaboration with other member schools. The school said: ‘Accreditation from HMC is a huge endorsement, providing a fantastic sense of momentum for the years to come at Wetherby.’

Discover Wetherby Senior School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/wetherby-senior-school/

Wycombe Abbey recently hosted its annual Model United Nations (MUN) conference

Successful MUN Conference At Wycombe Abbey

Wycombe Abbey recently hosted its annual Model United Nations (MUN) conference, welcoming 250 students from 15 schools to debate pressing global issues. Topics included civilian rights and occupied territories and protecting healthcare in areas of conflict, with students collaborating to present persuasive solutions. With over 100 UN member states represented, the event was filled with diverse perspectives, encouraging students to think critically and consider a wide range of political viewpoints.

New Heads, Buildings & Schools

Moon Hall School has partnered with Copthorne Prep to open a new specialist school for dyslexic learners. The prep school, which will open in September 2026 on the Copthorne campus in Crawley, brings Moon Hall’s award-winning SEN education to the south east and will deliver evidence-led teaching by specialist staff.

United Lisbon International School (ULIS), part of Dukes Education, recently welcomed the mayor of Lisbon to officially open its new performing arts and sports centre. The new space adds 3,600sq/m of specialist facilities to the school campus, including a 300-seat auditorium, a rooftop football pitch, a dance studio and an indoor sports hall.

Tockington Manor School has appointed Graeme Thompson as its new head from September 2026. Currently deputy head pastoral at Bedales Prep and Pre-Prep, Thompson takes over from Stephen Symonds as he retires after 13 years and will move to the Tockington grounds will his family later this year.

Discover Tockington Manor School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/tockington-manor-school-nursery