Independent School News: September 2026, Week 2

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

New Head For Papplewick School

Papplewick School in Ascot has welcomed its new head, Nina Kingsmill Moore, to kick off the new year. Previously head of Wetherby Prep and Glendower Prep in London, Kingsmill Moore is committed to single-sex education and has a reputation for nurturing young boys to go on to top senior schools such as Eton, Harrow and Winchester. She takes over from Tom Bunbury, who led Papplewick for over 20 years.

Discover Papplewick: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/papplewick

The vibrant Amersham in Bloom trail now features a badger sculpture by pupils at The Beacon School

Amersham Community Gains The Beacon’s Badger

The vibrant Amersham in Bloom trail now features a sculpture by pupils at The Beacon School: a shimmering 3D mosiac of a badger. Year five pupils spent months working on the piece with local artist Colin Pells and head of art Michelle Jackson, using mosaic tiles and recycled materials like chicken wire and salvaged fabric. The sculpture, which ultimately aims to celebrate local wildlife and promote the importance of sustainability and conservation, stands in the Old Amersham Memorial Gardens – just a short walk away from another of the pupils’ creations, a bat made of recycled cans, in Amersham Market Hall.

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

Musical Milestones at Haberdashers’ Monmouth

Pupils at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School have achieved impressive results in the Go for Gold Musicianship qualification, an equivalent to grade five music theory developed by the National Youth Choir of Scotland. Four distinctions, three merits and one pass were awarded to the pupils, who all began the two-year programme while in years seven and eight. ‘I am so pleased to have got this exam and thrilled with the mark,’ said Arthur A, one of the pupils who completed the qualification. ‘I have already seen the benefit of this course because on my National Youth Choir of Great Britain course this summer, I was able to join the advanced musicianship masterclasses because I had done my gold award.’

Moreton Hall’s lacrosse squad were recently crowned runners-up at the Lacrosse Prague Cup

Moreton Hall Girls Take Home Silver Lacrosse Medals

Moreton Hall’s lacrosse squad were recently crowned runners-up at the Lacrosse Prague Cup after a fierce final game against the U20 Czechia team. The 15 girls, including three U15 players, reached the final after beating the national teams of Germany, Poland and Scotland as well as Queen Anne’s School and the South East Women’s Lacrosse Association team. While the close game ended in Czechia’s favour, Moreton Hall’s head of lacrosse, Carina Walsh, said that the community ‘couldn’t be prouder’ of how the girls represented the school throughout the competition.

National Lacrosse Success at St Mary’s Calne

Lacrosse players have also been busy at St Mary’s Calne: the school’s two senior teams recently competed in the Bath Eights, the UK’s traditional season opener for the sport. More than 600 players joined the tournament, with St Mary’s Calne’s U18A team reaching the final after a string of victories against club and university teams. The girls ultimately took home silver medals, narrowly losing out to Stockport but beginning the season on a high.

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

Archie Watson, 2026 graduate of The Oratory School, recently gained the title of junior world champion in real tennis

The Oratory Leaver Becomes Real Tennis Champion

Archie Watson, 2026 graduate of The Oratory School, recently gained the title of junior world champion in real tennis after a tense final in Hayling Island. Watson beat US junior number one, Jonah Serotta, in the three-set match – the culmination of a week-long championship featuring the world’s top 16 junior players. Watson started playing the sport at The Oratory, which is one of only four schools in the country to have a real tennis court.

Discover The Oratory: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/the-oratory-school

Open Days, Acquisitions & New Heads

Inspired Edge Academy: On 26 September and 3 October, families are invited to have a first look at AI-enabled primary school Inspired Edge Academy London ahead of its opening next year. Impossible Mission: Find Your Edge, a 90-minute interactive experience for children aged six to 11, will encourage them to tackle challenges in teams through a series of hands-on missions.

Parsons Green Prep: On 19 September, Parsons Green Prep welcomes families to its west London campus for its first open day of the new academic year. Visitors will meet the leadership team, tour the school and learn about its new wraparound care provision as well as its educational approach for pupils aged four to 11.

Discover Parsons Green Prep: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/parsons-green-prep-school

Magdalen College School: Alan Bird will become new master of Magdalen College school in August 2027, taking over from Helen Pike after 11 years. Bird, who is currently head of City of London School, brings years of leadership experience at top institutions including Tonbridge and Brighton College.

Discover Magdalen College School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/magdalen-college-school

Arnold House School: St Paul’s School Group will soon grow further as it officially acquires Arnold House School in November. The boys’ prep school in St John’s Wood joins the group alongside Durston House and Shrewsbury House School and will benefit from a number of St Paul’s initiatives while retaining its own leadership and culture.

Sherborne Schools Group: Ruth Sullivan has been appointed as the first ever CEO of Sherborne Schools Group, marking the next step in bringing Sherborne Prep, Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls together as one unified Sherborne. She will work alongside head of schools Simon Heard as the three schools prepare to offer a shared all-through pathway from age three to 18.

Discover Sherborne Boys: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/sherborne-boys

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