The March Week 3 2025 Education Roundup

All the latest UK news from schools in the past weeks can be read below. Alternatively, find the best school for your child here.

Springwatch Star Michaela Strachan Visits Bede’s Senior School

Bede’s Senior School welcomed renowned wildlife presenter and recent runner-up of Dancing on Ice, Michaela Strachan, as the latest speaker in their Pyemont Lecture series.

Michaela entertained pupils, parents and staff with various stories from her impressive 30-year career in wildlife conservation and broadcasting. Best known for her nature and wildlife programmes, including the long-running BBC series Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, Michaela has become a beloved figure on British screens.

Michaela also visited Bede’s Senior School’s very own zoo. Accompanied by pupils, BTEC Animal Management teachers and the zookeeping team, she learned about the range of over 70 species of mammal, reptile, amphibian and bird housed within the school’s facility.

Jump Jockey Champion Harry Cobden Visits his Old School Hazlegrove

Harry Cobden, Champion Jump Jockey and Racecourse Ambassador for Cheltenham and Aintree, visited his old school Hazlegrove Prep to talk about his career and provide some inspiration to the current crop of students.

Harry was honoured as the Champion Jump Jockey for 2023/24 cementing his place in history as just the eighth rider to win the championship since the 1980-81 season.

Harry visited Hazelgrove with a team from BBC Points West and said, ‘When you go racing now it’s typically an older generation, so if you can come here and inspire the next generation to possibly go racing then it’s only a good thing’.

Mill Hill School Welcomes England Golf Coach of the Year 2024 John Watson

With the golf season fast approaching, Mill Hill School was delighted to welcome England Golf Coach of the Year, England Girls’ National Coach and Advanced PGA Professional, John Watson.

John gave students a chance to make the most of the finest biodynamics technology available, with sensors and cameras employed to analyse their swings. John teamed up with Mr Dean Halford, Director of Golf at Mill Hill School and Advanced PGA Professional, to interpret the data and pass on their findings to the student golfers.

Plenty of pupils from Mill Hill have already earned international acclaim and recorded wins in national school golf competitions. The school’s golf programme is a cut above the rest, with pupils also having the unique opportunity to play at some of the finest golf courses in North London.

Dauntsey’s 1st XV Rugby Team Crowned National U18 Plate Champions

Dauntsey’s 1st XV rugby team triumphed in the RFU Continental Tyres National Plate Competition with a stunning 55-35 victory over St Anselm’s College.

The team was crowned National U18 Plate Champions after an exciting final. Almost 2,000 spectators, including 500 Dauntsey’s students, were in attendance for this exhilarating culmination against St Anselm’s College, Birkenhead, at Ealing Trailfinders Stadium.

The national tournament began back in September with 128 teams. In their road to the final, Dauntsey’s secured victories against some of the country’s finest rugby schools including Bishop Wordsworth’s, Bryanston, The Oratory, Blundell’s, and The Skinners’ School.

U17 England Rugby Pathway Call-up for Finborough Student

Finborough School student Charlie Tamani, 16, recently joined England Rugby for a development camp at St. George’s Park in Burton on Trent last weekend, Saturday 8th March. Charlie, who plays club rugby for Northampton Saints, was part of a 57-player cohort for the England U17 Men’s pathway development camp.

After the culmination of the Academy League last month, Charlie and fellow Finborough student Henry Lumley were invited to attend the England Under 18 training camp at the prestigious training facility in Bisham Abbey, Berkshire. Both students will be eligible for selection for forthcoming fixtures against Japan and Ireland, and for selection in the U18 Six Nations in April.

Head of Rugby at Finborough School, Mitch Turner, said, ‘We are extremely proud of how our pupils have been rewarded for their determination, hard work and dedication.’

Eastbourne College Lands Historic Back-to-Back Double Gold at the Olympic Pool

Eastbourne College has made history at the independent schools’ swimming relay nationals with an impressive double gold for the boys and double silver for the girls in the Olympic Pool in London.

The boys’ team clinched back-to-back victories in both the freestyle and medley relays at the renowned Bath Cup, marking their fifth win in the Aldenham Cup and fourth in the Dunelm Cup. Their medley win, determined by a thrilling final touch, set two new national records.

The girls’ team, featuring a young squad, earned double silver, showing remarkable progress compared to last year.

This achievement follows valuable training with ex-Olympic swimmers and coaches. Director of Sport Mike Harrison and Head of Swimming Jess Simmonds commended the team’s commitment, emphasising their exceptional teamwork and dedication.

Inspiring Future Leaders at Burgess Hill Girls: Tomorrow’s Women Student-Led Conference

Burgess Hill Girls recently hosted a student-organised conference, Pioneers of Progress: Women Leading the Way, featuring female leaders from diverse industries, including Abi Mellor, Co-Founder and MD of MOREVER, an independent creative agency; Dr Kathy Romer, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Sussex; Louise Street, Director of Worldwide Airports at British Airways; and Burgess Hill Girls BOLD girl Natasha Arbon-Stuckle, a Strategy Analyst at PA Consulting.

These industry-leading speakers discussed strategies for women to succeed in male-dominated fields, challenge perfectionism, and create opportunities for career advancement, leaving the students inspired and empowered to pursue their future careers.

Burgess Hill Girls Lower Sixth students gained valuable leadership experience while organising the conference itself, which also welcomed girls from local schools for an educational exchange.

Thought-Provoking Post-Colonial Conference at St Helen’s School with Keynote Speech by Daljit Nagra

St Helen’s School hosted its second annual Post-Colonial Conference, where Year 12 students explored post-colonial themes in literature, history, art and politics.

The event featured a keynote speech by award-winning British-Indian poet Daljit Nagra, whose work reflects on identity and cultural legacy. Students also participated in diverse workshops led by St Helen’s staff, with topics including decolonisation, political systems in post-colonial states, and art as resistance.

The conference sparked dynamic discussions on the legacy of empire and its continued impact on contemporary society. The conference also welcomed students from Pinner High School, reinforcing the importance of collaborative learning.

Royal Hospital School Hosts Literary Festival for Local Primary Schools with Guest Appearance by Cressida Cowell

The Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Suffolk, recently hosted a memorable Literary Festival for 170 Year 5 pupils from local primary schools. The event began with a captivating talk by Cressida Cowell, author of How to Train Your Dragon, who shared insights into her writing journey and the inspiration behind her famous books. 

Students were thrilled to meet her and get their books signed. Following her presentation, the pupils participated in various hands-on activities including lessons on dragon biology, building dragon shelters in Minecraft and a library treasure hunt.

Nicole Burns, Librarian at Royal Hospital School, commented on the success of the event, saying: ‘I couldn’t be happier with how well the Literary Festival went! The energy and enthusiasm from everyone was amazing.’

Students Set to ‘Make a Difference’ at Berkhamsted School Academic Gala on the Theme of Sustainability

Berkhamsted School recently hosted its annual Academic Gala, focusing on sustainability. The keynote speaker, Mrs. Nicola Stopps, Founder and CEO of Simply Sustainable, shared some of her invaluable experience creating ESG and sustainability strategies for major companies.

Deputy Head Mrs. Becky Miles praised the event for encouraging academic curiosity and developing skills highly valued by universities and employers. The gala provided students interested in sustainability an opportunity to explore the field and perhaps to take the first step toward future careers.

Milton Abbey Student finished 2nd in the U16 Mount Kenya Classic Race

Milton Abbey School student Archie S, Fourth Form, successfully completed the challenging Mount Kenya Classic Race during half-term. 

The race, featuring tough uphill climbs, took Archie through moorlands, farm tracks, wheat fields, and the scenic Ngara Ndara forest. Despite a puncture, Archie showed impressive resilience, finishing 50th overall and securing second place in the under-16 category. He completed the race in 5.5 hours, navigating the hot savannah at 4,000 feet.