Independent School News: March 2026, Week 1

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

St Mary’s Pupils Meet UK Politicians

This week, upper sixth politics students at St Mary’s Calne met a host of top UK politicians at a conference in London. The PolEcon conference welcomed hundreds of A level students alongside speakers including Zarah Sultana MP, Zack Polanski, Alastair Campbell, West Streeting MP and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg. The students had the chance to question the politicians about policies and current issues, and even met some of them to get books signed.

Discover St Mary’s Calne: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/st-marys-calne

Bryanston’s annual upper sixth charities weekend featured events such as a dance show

Bryanston’s Successful Charity Weekend

Bryanston’s annual upper sixth charities weekend recently raised a record £91,000 for non-profits in the UK and abroad. Organised by the students themselves, the weekend featured events such as a dance show, a dog show, an art exhibition and a haircutting station, with the largest portion of fundraising (£86,000) coming from a silent auction and JustGiving donations. All money raised will go towards supporting seven charities: MS Trust, Little Princess Trust, Child Action Lanka, Ayati, UNHCR, Milgis Trust, and Child of Hope.

Discover Bryanston: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/bryanston

Sold-Out Fashion Shows At Heathfield

Heathfield School recently hosted two sold-out fashion shows showcasing almost 100 innovative designs created entirely by the students. Titled NEXUS, the showcase ‘was a bold artistic statement about the intersection of tradition and technology’, said Heathfield. Students works as designers, models, stylists, technical directors and production teams to deliver a show that was praised as beyond the calibre of professional events by Charlotte Stockdale, Heathfield alumna and renowned stylist.

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

Highfield and Brookham pupils recently achieved a 100 percent ‘distinction’ rate in their February LAMDA exams

Perfect Scores At Highfield And Brookham

Highfield and Brookham is celebrating a perfect set of recent performing arts results, with pupils having achieved a 100 percent ‘distinction’ rate in their February LAMDA exams. One pupil even achieved a 100 percent score in their LAMDA Grade 1 Acting exam, which requires entrants to perform two scenes from memory. Head Suzannah Cryer said: ‘The arts are central to school life, and it is a joy to see our pupils flourish with such creativity and pride.’

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

Freemen’s Shortlisted For Marketing Award

City of London Freemen’s School has been shortlisted for two categories in the 2026 AMCIS IMPACT Awards. The awards celebrate schools whose admissions and marketing initiatives have a positive impact on their communities. Freemen’s is under consideration for the Branding award for its recent campaign (titled Think You Know Freemens? Think Again.), while its associated brand film is up for the Digital award.

Discover City of London Freemen’s School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/city-of-london-freemens-school

Pupils at Pocklington School gathered 1,422 plastic tubs for recycling as part of the Greene King Tub2Pub campaign

Pocklington School Takes Part In Recycling Campaign

Pupils at Pocklington School have gathered an impressive 1,422 plastic tubs for recycling as part of the Greene King Tub2Pub campaign. The initiative’s aim is to stop as many plastic tubs – such as Christmas chocolate selection boxes – as possible from entering landfill, and instead recycling them by dropping them off at Greene King pubs. All money raised from the sale of the recycled plastic will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Repton School’s new café is named Cloisters 1557, reflecting the year Repton School was founded and its location in the cloisters

Repton Opens Historic New Café

Repton School has opened a new café and workspace located on one of the most historic parts of its campus. Set within the cloisters and beneath Pears School – a Victorian-era, Grade II-listed building – the space is named Cloisters 1557, reflecting the year Repton School was founded. It is open to staff and sixth formers as a dedicated workspace during free periods and serves as a community space for all at break times.

New Heads, New Schools and New Partnerships

Framlingham College: Framlingham College has become the 13th school to join Mill Hill Education Group. The merger is expected to complete by the end of June and will see Framlingham benefit from enhanced opportunities as part of the schools group, while maintaining its individual identity.

Discover Framlingham: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/framlingham-college

Rugby School Hanoi: Rugby School Group has announced it is opening a new school in Hanoi, Vietnam in September. The coeducational school will start with a pre-prep, which will welcome children from next academic year, followed by prep and senior provision in 2027. It will become the ninth school to join the Rugby group.

Discover Rugby School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/rugby

Cobham Hall: Doug Brown will be joining Cobham Hall as its new head from September, succeeding Wendy Barrett after 33 years leading the school. Brown joins from a decade of headship at Hertford Prep, having recently achieved ‘significant strength’ in an ISI inspection of the school.

The King Alfred School: In September, The King Alfred School will welcome Stephen Campbell as its new head. Campbell has leadership experience at Kingswood School and Haileybury as well as a Teacher Education Msc from the University of Oxford. He takes over from Robert Lobatto, who has been head of for 11 years.