School House Awards 2024 – The Winners

It’s time to announce the winning schools in this year’s awards. Yet again, we were thrilled to receive so many impressive entries – but in each category there could only be one winner. So with fanfare and trumpets, please meet this year’s School House Awards winners.

Social Mobility Champion (Sponsored by Christ’s Hospital School)

WINNER: JAMES ALLEN’S GIRLS’ SCHOOL, DULWICH (JAGS)

James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS)

One of the most vital functions of modern independent schools is how well they improve the life chances of their least privileged students, something Christ’s Hospital (CH) is widely admired for. The shortlist for this award consisted of James Allen’s Girls’ School, Dulwich (JAGS); Reed’s School, Surrey and Wellington College, Berkshire. CH’s Director of Development Hugo Middlemas was impressed with all three schools but picked out James Allen’s Girls’ School, Dulwich (JAGS) as the winner. He stated that the school ‘should be recognised for the steps it has made in growing its bursary programme. In its commitment, it is a good role model for other schools to follow.’ Middlemas suggests that all schools could improve their approach by looking at improving social mobility measurement.

Alumni Relationships Champion

WINNER: ST CATHERINE’S SCHOOL, BRAMLEY, SURREY

St Catherine’s School, Bramley

The three finalists of this new category were Trinity School, Croyden; St Catherine’s School, Bramley and Queen Anne’s School, Caversham – with St Catherine’s taking the prize this time. The school maintains a close relationship with more than 5,000 alumnae, offering a wide range of social activities from Rock Choir and cultural trips to Europe, to bringing former pupils together for book clubs, cookery classes and more. Judge Annabel Heseltine says: ‘It’s great to see that two of the finalists are girls’ schools, not least because it reflects the ways in which women are crashing through glass ceilings in their careers and inspiring younger women. It’s also often true that the girls’ schools tend to have smaller funds because they are either younger schools or because – by definition – their elder alumni didn’t always go on to have careers, and therefore less independent wealth.’

Sustainability Champion

WINNER: ST PAUL’S GIRLS’ SCHOOL, LONDON

St Paul’s Girls’ School, London

One of the most hotly contested categories, our sustainability champion came down to a choice between St Paul’s Girls’ School, London; Dulwich College, London and Berkhamsted School, Herts. Judge Annabel Heseltine confirmed that it was not an easy decision, explaining ‘St Paul’s came out on top because of its leadership initiative in starting the London Eco Schools Network as well as its own action committee.’ She adds: ‘Dulwich and Berkhamsted were also strong contenders, not least because of their commitment to ‘greening’ their school in line with 2050 governmental Net Zero targets.’

Animal Support Champion

WINNER: York House School, Herts

York House Prep School, Herts

Looking to divide the rosettes in this category were York House Prep School, Herts; Bede’s School in East Sussex and Hanford Prep School, Dorset. Annabel Heseltine points out that it is very difficult comparing these three schools, especially as Bede’s entry focusses on the senior school. Overall, she says, ‘I feel that York has clearly put a great effort into the diversity and range of how and what it offers with a variety of animals and husbandry, as well as a special awareness of the value of complete immersion for neurodiverse pupils; I felt that this was the most original take.’

Pastoral Care Champion

WINNER: SYDENHAM HIGH SCHOOL GDST, LONDON

Sydenham High School GDST, London

The three finalists in this category – Sydenham High School, London; Wells Cathedral School, Somerset and Notting Hill and Ealing High School, London – all offer impressive pastoral support to pupils. In the end, Sydenham won, with judge Chloe Billington praising its bespoke Mind, Body and Soul programme in particular. This is central to the school’s commitment to educating the whole child. There was also praise for the way it celebrates the diversity of the local community and practices engagement with the neighbourhood. Parents are involved with events such as ‘Brain Bootcamp’, which advises on healthy eating.

Mind/Mental Health Champion

WINNER: FRAMLINGHAM COLLEGE, SUFFOLK

Framlingham College, Suffolk

Eaton House The Manor, Clapham; Framlingham College, Suffolk and Berkhamsted School, Herts were our three finalists in this category. The judges were impressed with all the schools’ approach to mental health but Framlingham came out on top. The school has Wellbeing Ambassadors and a specific Wellbeing prefect, plus a resident clinical psychologist who offers drop-in sessions for pupils and staff every week. Its latest scheme – a Wellbeing podcast – has proved hugely popular. The judges noted the three mental health awareness focused weeks per year during important times such as exam season or the start of a new term.

Charity Champion

WINNER: NOTTING HILL AND EALING HIGH SCHOOL GDST, LONDON

Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST, London

The shortlist for this category comprised of Francis Holland School, Sloane Square; Cranleigh School, Surrey and Notting Hill and Ealing High School, London – with the latter winning for the way it used its recent 150th anniversary to renew its culture of volunteering – and deepening its already sustained relationships with local charities. The judges liked the way the school really engaged in its community and the innovative ideas that emerged for fundraising as a result. Moreover, a volunteering day with every student participating meant that more than 3,500 hours were logged in charitable efforts.

Local Partnership and Community Champion

WINNER: COTTESMORE SCHOOL, SUSSEX

Cottesmore School, West Sussex

Finalists Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park; Cottesmore School, Sussex and King’s College School, Wimbledon all impressed. Ultimately, Cottesmore won with its formation of the Buchan Group, together with local state schools, to provide an avenue for mutual support and sharing best practice. Chloe Billington was impressed with its forward thinking research into use of AI, and that ‘the group itself appears to be collaborative and gives the impression of mutual respect… rather than “charity”.’ She also wanted to give a nod to Francis Holland’s ‘ambitious and extensive reach with every academic department running its own partnership programme.’