School House: Scholarships, Bursaries and Champions 2024/25

School House is proud to present the latest edition of our annual Scholarships, Bursaries & Champions magazine. It’s a chance to discuss how best to share those educational innovations with the children who can benefit most. And it’s also a moment for us to showcase some of the extraordinary pupils we are introduced to: the brightest minds, the most talented musicians, the highest achieving sportsfolk.

This issue is also very special to us as it plays host to the winners of our annual School House awards. As ever, we have been inundated with entries for our categories which focus on what schools are doing for mental health, happiness and satisfaction inside the gates, and how they work with the wider community beyond. We’re delighted to honour schools for the way they are working to reduce their carbon footprint and how they use animals to support their pedagogy. But no spoilers here – turn to p12 for the full results and prepare to be wowed.

Of course, no October edition would be complete without a closer look for parents at how to apply for a bursary for their child and, on p22, Alice Smellie has the answers and tips you need to get started.

On p32, Sally Jones looks down the other end of the telescope to reveal how schools are finding new ways to increase those bursary places.

In this issue, we’re also taking a look at a brilliant charity called the Iris Project, which aims to inspire a new generation of young environmentalists (p26) and taking time to meet Ed Orr, dedicated school governor (p29) for whom service to his sons’ school is aimed at helping others to make the most of their experience there.

Lastly, as ever, you’ll find thoughtful contributions from head teachers across the independent sector who have been generous enough to share their time and thoughts on topics around assisted places – enormous thanks to David Goodhew of Duke’s Eduction and Will le Fleming of Thomas’s College. We’re grateful as ever for their insights.

Dulwich College, London is pictured on the cover.