Independent School News: October 2026, Week 4

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

Habs Monmouth Launches Community Support Event

A variety of Monmouth businesses and organisations recently came together at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for its inaugural Championing Monmouth Together event. Inspired by the Autumn/Winter issue of School House, which included a travel guide to Monmouth as part of its The Town Behind the School series, Habs Monmouth hosted representatives of local businesses for an evening of networking and celebration of the local area. The event was a big success, with the next edition planned for March 2027.

Portsmouth High School GDST hosted a whole-school festival celebrating women’s history, achievements and experiences

Portsmouth High School Puts Women’s History Centre Stage

Earlier this month, Portsmouth High School GDST hosted a whole-school festival celebrating women’s history, achievements and experiences. HerStory saw the school community enjoy exhibition displays and performances, both by pupils, telling the important stories of inspirational women. ‘My favourite inspirational woman is Olympic weightlifter Emily Campbell,’ said year seven Bella, who last weekend became the British Weight Lifting champion in the U12 57kg category. ‘Emily does my dream job.’

Judy Murray OBE and Sophie Kelly recently visited St Swithun’s School to celebrate the opening of its new indoor netball and tennis centre

Sporting Legends Celebrate New St Swithun’s Centre

Sporting stars Judy Murray OBE and Sophie Kelly recently visited St Swithun’s School to celebrate the opening of its new indoor netball and tennis centre. After a morning of tennis coaching by Murray, pupils played on the new netball courts for the first time with Kelly, England Roses A player and St Swithun’s graduate. The new sports centre will be used year-round by both prep and senior pupils as well as available to hire by local and regional clubs.

Worth Tackles New Environment Restoration Project

Worth School is embarking on a new habitat restoration project on its Sussex estate, giving pupils more opportunities to engage with nature and protect biodiversity. The project, which is in partnership with Biofarm, will restore around 25 hectares, creating areas of grassland, lowland meadow and new trees. It marks part of the school’s wider approach to protecting its surrounding environment, with an orchard of 50 young apple trees due to be planted this autumn.

Discover Worth: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/worth-school

Mayfield School’s equestrian team collected 12 awards at the NSEA National Championships

Equestrian Success For Mayfield Girls

Last week, Mayfield School’s equestrian team collected 12 awards at the NSEA National Championships, comprising seven team prizes and five individual victories. Twenty-five riders represented the school across dressage, show jumping, arena eventing and combined training, with Mayfield crowned team champions in all categories. ‘The girls’ success is the result of hard work, dedication and a genuine team spirit,’ said director of riding Jill Barker. ‘It was wonderful to see them grow in confidence and learn more from every round.’

Discover Mayfield School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/mayfield-school

Heathfield Students Triumph In ISA Art Competition

Three Heathfield students recently took home top prizes in the regional ISA Art Competition, with another two highly commended. Martha, Sofia and Molly placed first in the KS5 Textiles, KS5 Fashion and KS4 Drawing categories respectively, and are all moving on to the national finals, with the winners announced in November. Meanwhile, Savannah and Amber received special recognition in the KS5 Drawing and KS3 Sculpture categories respectively. ‘To see so many Heathfield students receiving recognition amongst such strong competition is a wonderful accomplishment,’ said head of art Angela Farrugia.

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

Students at Hall School Wimbledon (pictured) and Beech Hall School recently completed a relay swim across the English Channel

Blenheim Schools Complete Record-Breaking Channel Swim

A group of students at Hall School Wimbledon and Beech Hall School recently completed a relay swim across the English Channel. Raising money for Mencap – the number currently stands at almost £30,000 – the six students took turns swimming one-hour legs from Folkestone all the way to France. The swim took just under 11 hours in total, marking the fastest Channel swim time ever achieved by a team under the Blenheim Schools group.

New People, New Partnerships, New Schools & More

Downside School: Mike Randall has been appointed as the new head of Downside School after seven years as deputy head. Since 2025 he has also served as the school’s interim head following the retirement of Andrew Hobbs.

Discover Downside: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/downside

Kew College Prep: In September Kew College Prep officially joined the Hampton Schools’ Trust, a new group of independent schools in southwest London. The trust’s four founding member schools are Hampton, Hampton Prep and Pre-Prep, Newland House School and Kew College Prep.

Discover Kew College Prep: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/kew-college-prep

Brighton College: The first Brighton College in Japan will open in September 2028, beginning with a prep school and followed by a senior school and sixth form one year later. Brighton College Kansai Gaidai is located in Osaka and is in partnership with Kansai Gaidai University Educational Foundation.

Discover Brighton College: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/brighton-college

King Edward’s School Bath: Freya Geary-Smith has joined KES Bath as its bursary support and educational partnerships lead, a new role focused on strengthening its bursary programme and partnerships with schools, charities and local organisations.

Discover King Edward’s School Bath: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/king-edwards-school-bath

Clifton College: Clifton College Education Group has acquired Pathways School Gurgaon, a top IB school in India. As part of a partnership between Clifton and Lighthouse Learning, the school will rebrand to PSG Clifton International School.

Truro School: The Ode, a new music and performance centre, has officially been opened at Truro School. Comprising a performance hall, rehearsal space, recording studio, specialist rock room and more, the centre will be used by Truro pupils as well as musicians in the surrounding Cornwall area.