Independent Education Roundup: September 2025 Week 1

Considering independent education? Find the best school for your child here. Otherwise, read on for the latest independent school news (September 2025).

Independent School News: June Week 2, 2025

New Head For Wycliffe Prep

This month, Wycliffe Prep School welcomed Elizabeth Knight as its new head. Knight joined the school in Gloucestershire from her role as head of strategy at IAPS (formerly the Independent Association of Prep Schools), and has over 15 years of senior leadership experience. ‘I have been struck by the sense of care, ambition and community that underpins everything Wycliffe stands for,’ Knight said. ‘It is clearly a very special place, and it will be a privilege to work with the wider community to help shape the next stage of its journey.’

Discover Wycliffe Prep School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/wycliffe-prep-school

Nottingham Girls’ Makes History For 150th Anniversary

Last Saturday, Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST commemorated its 150th anniversary by walking the length of Nottinghamshire – approximately 180km – in only two days. Students, parents and staff took part in the relay walk, with the school’s head of outdoor learning, Carly Whitehead, saying: ‘From our research, we don’t believe that anyone has ever attempted to walk the length of the county of Nottinghamshire, so we believe our students have made history.’

Discover Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/nottingham-girls-high-school-gdst

Staff, parents and students taking part in Nottingham Girls’ 150th anniversary relay walk

Parent Wellness Morning At The Oratory

The Oratory Prep School has announced a free wellness morning for parents, packed full of restorative activities. It will take place from 8.30am to 1pm on Saturday 20 September at the school in Oxfordshire, and guests can expect workshops from yoga and breathwork to swimming, art and dance. The wellness morning will also be raising funds for a charity to be chosen by the school’s pupils, with donations welcomed on the day.

For more information or to book a place, contact Hannah Thomas, marketing manager on [email protected]

Bryanston Prep Pupils Win National Equestrian Title

Just before the new school year kicked off, Bryanston Prep pupils celebrated an impressive win at the NSEA Grassroots Championships in Hickstead. Jess F, Sofia A and Paola A were awarded first place in the Team National Grassroots 60cm Championship alongside their horses Storm, Laddie and Seb. More Bryanston Prep pupils saw individual success at the competition, with Paola A winning first place in the 50cm class and Max H finishing eighth in the 40cm National Championships.

Discover Bryanston Prep: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/bryanston-prep

Jess, Sofia and Paola, Bryanston equestrian champions

Channing School Publishes Inaugural Social Impact Report

This week, Channing School released its first ever social impact report, covering the academic years 2023 to 2025. The report details the impact of the north London school’s community engagement initiatives, revealing stats such as the amount of money spent on bursaries each year (£1.2m) and the number of state school children attending Channing School clubs and partnership activities each week (100+). ‘It is clear from this publication that when we work together for the good of our community,’ said headmistress Lindsey Hughes, ‘we are more effective and achieve so much more than when we act alone.’

The Leys Welcomes New Head

The Leys School has officially welcomed Clare Ives, its new head from September 2025. Ives joined the school in Cambridge from Sevenoaks School, where she was senior deputy head; before this, she held a variety of leadership roles at Canford School and spent eight years as a civil servant. With this year marking The Leys’ 150th anniversary, joining the school at such a ‘significant moment in its history is a tremendous honour,’ said Ives. She continued: ‘I look forward to working with pupils, staff, parents and alumni to ensure that The Leys continues to thrive as a place of opportunity, belonging and ambition.’

Discover The Leys School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/the-leys-school

Clare Ives, head of The Leys in Cambridge

Clifton College Pupils’ Art To Feature In Local Gallery

Upper school pupils at Clifton College will soon have their artwork featured in an exhibition at Studio 74, a contemporary art gallery in Bristol. The exhibition, which will display work created by pupils for the the college’s annual house art competition, will be open to the public between 23-28 September. All visitors will have the chance to vote for their favourite artwork to decide the winner of the competition; this piece will then be on display in the window of the gallery for a full weekend.

Bolton School Leader Appointed Chair of Heads’ Association

The head of Bolton School’s bursary foundation has been elected chair of HMC, a professional organisation for heads of leading independent schools across the world. Philip Britton spent a year as chair elect of HMC and noted it was a ‘privilege and professional honour’ to now be taking over as chair. He continued: ‘It also also good for Bolton School to be present on the national stage through my involvement; when colleagues are out an about in their professional worlds, there is a some stronger sense of what Bolton School is and what we do.’

Bolton School in Bolton

Upcoming Open Days

Parsons Green Prep: Families are invited to explore Parsons Green Prep in person on Saturday Saturday 20 September from 9.30am. Educating girls and boys aged four to 11, the school in Fulham recently achieved its best ever 11+ results, with its 2025 cohort winning six scholarships and  receiving 65 offers from senior schools such as St Paul’s Girls’ and Wimbledon High.

For more information, contact the head of admissions on 020 7610 8085 or [email protected].

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

The White House School: From 9.30-11.30am on Saturday 11 October, prospective parents and children will have a chance to meet the headmaster, teachers and pupils at The White House in Clapham, south west London. Educating girls and boys aged three to 11, the family-run school has an impressive academic reputation: over 40 percent of leavers consistently achieve scholarships and achieve 11+ offers to senior schools including Dulwich College, Alleyn’s, JAGS and Westminster.

To book a place, contact admissions on 020 8674 9514 or [email protected].

Discover The White House School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/the-white-house-school

All photos courtesy of the respective schools.