The June Week 2 Education Roundup: Latest Independent School News

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

Independent School News: June Week 2, 2025

Salisbury Cathedral School Celebrates Major Pre-Prep Anniversary

Last Saturday, Salisbury Cathedral School welcomed families, friends and more than 100 alumni to its grounds for a sunny garden party to celebrate 40 years of its pre-prep.

The day began with singing, dancing and a recorder performance by the children, who were dressed as insects, suns and rainbows in colourful costumes. Guests also enjoyed an photograph exhibition of the pre-prep’s history and a school vs alumni cricket match (won by the alumni team).

Head of Salisbury Cathedral School Sally Moulton said it was ‘incredibly special’ to see so many former pupils, staff and families come together.

Discover Salisbury Cathedral School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/salisbury-cathedral-school

Equestrian Success for King’s Hawford 

King’s Hawford’s equestrian team has qualified for the renowned NSEA Grassroots Championships after a string of impressive individual and team performances.

At the NSEA competition on June 8, the prep school’s pupils completed a total of 19 rounds across four competitive classes. The 14-strong team are now looking forward to the championships, set to be held at Hickstead in West Sussex in August.

Moulsford Prep Brings Full Co-Ed Move Forward

Moulsford Prep School will begin its move towards full co-education a year earlier than planned, with year three girls now able to join from September this year.

The school in Oxfordshire had previously announced plans to welcome girls from September 2026, extending its co-ed system from the pre-prep, which educates both boys and girls from ages three to seven. Despite being founded as an all-boys school in 1961, Moulsford hopes to have girls in every year group by September 2030.

Headmaster Ben Beardmore-Grey explained that ‘societal changes form the background’ of the decision, as many Moulsford families are increasingly looking to educate their children together in a co-ed environment.

Discover Moulsford Prep School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/moulsford-preparatory-school

Bromsgrove School Honoured for Excellent Cyber Security Education

In recognition of its work teaching children about cyber security, Bromsgrove School has been awarded gold CyberFirst status.

Gold status is granted only to schools who demonstrate the highest standard of cyber security and computer science education. Bromsgrove is one of only three schools in the west midlands to be awarded this honour.

According to head of computer science, Fran Round, the key to the school’s success is the effort it puts into making its cyber-related curriculum ‘interesting and relevant’.

Discover Bromsgrove School: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/bromsgrove-school

New Daily Transport Service Announced for Papplewick Pupils

Travel to and from Papplewick School is to become easier for many families as the school launches a daily transport service from Fulham to Ascot from September.

With the school in Ascot approximately 27 miles from Fulham in London, this new route will benefit a large number of pupils living in nearby areas such as Wandsworth and Putney. It will be the school’s fourth London transport service; current routes run to and from Gloucester Road, Brook Green and Chiswick.

The service will operate every day, with pick up and drop off times to be announced soon.

Discover Papplewick: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/papplewick

The Downs Malvern Raises Over £10,000 for Cancer Ward

On June 1, The Downs Malvern hosted a charity concert in honour of a former teacher currently undergoing cancer treatment.

Money raised from the concert – which has already reached over £10,000 – will be donated to the MacMillan Renton Unit at Hereford Country Hospital. This unit has been caring for former French teacher Stéphanie Ingram, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after working at the school for 24 years.

A highlight of the concert was the mass choir, which brought together 120 pupils and past teachers – including Stéphanie herself – for a fantastic closing performance.

Anyone still wanting to donate can do so here.

Discover The Downs Malvern: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/the-downs-malvern

Abbey College Manchester Hosts Successful Year 13 Graduation

Abbey College Manchester recently celebrated its year 13 graduates at a joyous ceremony at the historic Unitarian Chapel.

In addition to certificates presented to each student, prizes were awarded to those who demonstrated exceptional performance and commitment to the school community. This included Boarder of the Year Liujia and A level Student of the Year Bahar – who hopes to go on to study medicine at the University of Nottingham.

The Oratory School To Offer First BTEC Option

From September, pupils at The Oratory School will have the opportunity to study business as a sixth form BTEC course.

This two-year programme is a direct alternative to an A level and marks the first BTEC to be offered at the school. BTEC qualifications have been gaining popularity in recent years, particularly among students looking for a more practical approach to learning.

The course will allow students to study topics such as marketing, recruitment and business development and strategy. For The Oratory’s head of economics and business, Vishal Handa, the BTEC is an opportunity to add a ‘“real world” dimension to students’ learning’.

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

St Peter’s York Extends No-Smartphones Policy

St Peter’s School, York will be bringing in a no-smartphones policy for years nine and ten from September 2025.

This is an extension of its current phone ban for years eight and below, which sees pupils’ devices kept in locked pouches during the day. The school says the reduction of ‘unnecessary screen time’ has so far been a success, helping to reduce distractions and improve wellbeing.

From September 2026, this policy will be extended further to the end of year 11.

Discover St Peter’s School, York: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/st-peters-york

National Writing Prize Awarded To St Augustine’s Priory Pupil

A year ten pupil at St Augustine’s Priory has won an award for her writing in a prestigious national competition.

On 16 June, Anoushka was presented with the GSA Senior Writing Award 2025 in the 14-18 age category. Her story The Day Everything Split, which reflects this year’s competition theme ‘be bold’, captures a pivotal moment in the lives of two young sisters.

‘From the opening sentence which grabbed me immediately, this piece is outstanding,’ competition judge and award-winning journalist Hannah Barnes said of Anoushka’s entry. ‘It stayed with me long after I had read and read-read it.’

Discover St Augustine’s Priory: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/st-augustines-priory

The Oratory Prep Announces Summer Holiday Camp

The Oratory Prep School has released the details of its summer holiday camp, taking place this year between 7 July and 22 August.

Open to ages eight to 12 (day camp from age four), children will have the chance to take advantage of the school’s 65-acre site in the Oxfordshire countryside, as well as its indoor swimming pool. Activities will run from 09.00-17.00.

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

Eastbourne Celebrates Dedicated DofE Pupils

Duke of Edinburgh pupils at Eastbourne College spent almost 3,500 hours volunteering in the last year, from litter picking on the beach to coaching sport.

As a celebration of their commitment to helping the local community, headmaster Tom Lawson invited the pupils to a barbecue in his garden. Emilia, 17, is currently completing her Gold DofE and said: ‘Volunteering for DofE taught me the value of giving back; turning time and effort into real impact for others; and unexpected growth for myself.’

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

Two Loughborough Boys Crowned County Sports Champions

Exciting news from Loughborough Grammar School, whose pupils Jonathan Ward and Harry Spicer have been crowned county champions in three sports each.

While Jonathan has earned Leicestershire county titles in rugby, football and cricket, Harry has achieved the same success in cricket, football and the 200m sprint. According to Jo Hackett, director of sport for Loughborough Schools Foundation, this is a ‘rare and outstanding accomplishment’.

She added: ‘Jonathan and Harry are shining examples of what’s possible with the right environment, encouragement and coaching.’

Wychwood School Announces September Open Morning

Wychwood School has announced its autumn open morning, taking place on September 27 at its site near Oxford city centre.

Between 10.00-13.00, families will have the chance to tour the co-ed secondary school in person as well as meet the head and teachers. In addition to its long-standing success in sport and thriving academics, Wychwood offers a wide variety of extracurriculars, from theatre and music to rowing.

Discover Wychwood School, Oxford: countryandtownhouse.com/schools/wychwood-school-oxford

All photos courtesy of the respective schools.