ISA Awards 2025

ISA Junior or Prep schools are among the best in the country, but this award isn’t about resources or buildings. To be ISA Junior School of the Year, applicants will be able to demonstrate how their school makes a positive difference to the outcomes of the children in its care. Those outcomes can be in any/multiple areas of a school’s operation, such as special educational needs, sport, the arts, curriculum, or the co-curriculum. It could be sustained excellence in personal or academic outcomes, or even the success of an individual child over and above expectations. The winner of this prestigious award will be able to demonstrate the clear cause-and-effect between decisions made by the school and the exceptional outcomes achieved. You don’t have to enter other awards categories to be eligible for this award.

*ages 0-13

Applications are sought from schools that can evidence the outstanding quality of their Early Years setting (open to any ISA school with Early Years, Pre-Prep or Nursery provision, including Reception). Evidence can be wide-ranging and may include EYFS inspection outcomes, value-added data, or evidence for innovation in all aspects of EYFS setting. Other criteria for this award include: nurturing a love of learning through innovative and engaging practices; developing confident, curious, and resilient young individuals; leading the way in fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking; and making a positive impact on the lives of your youngest learners.

ISA Senior schools are among the best in the country, but as in the Junior Award, this isn’t about investment in resources or buildings. To be the ISA Senior School of the Year, applicants will be able to demonstrate how the school makes a positive difference to the outcomes of the pupils in its care. Those outcomes can be in any/multiple areas of a school’s operation, such as special educational needs, sport, the arts, curriculum or the co-curriculum. It could be sustained excellence in personal or academic outcomes, or even the success of an individual pupil over and above expectations. The winner of this prestigious award will be able to demonstrate the clear cause-and-effect between decisions made by the school and the exceptional outcomes achieved. You don’t have to enter other awards categories to be eligible for this award.

*ages 11-18

To be the ISA SEND School of the Year, applicants should be able to demonstrate how they recognise and celebrate inclusive practices and empower their pupils. Schools applying for this award may wish to say what they do to recognise each child’s needs, what imaginative support they have put in to match those needs, how they monitor progress, or how they help all their staff to have an input into each child’s development. Entrants are encouraged to show clear outcomes for each pupil, and to provide some success stories that may demonstrate innovative approaches (these do not have to be linked to exam results). 

To win the ISA Award for International Provision, applicants will be able to demonstrate how their school stands out in an international context. This could be through global outreach, tours/trips and/or pedagogy. ‘International’ in this context constitutes a breadth of opportunities such as overseas partnerships, I.B. provision, MFL or an aspect(s) of international schools’ provision that has a ‘global’ focus. Naturally, this award includes but is not limited to international schools. The winner of this award will be able to demonstrate the clear cause-and-effect between international opportunities and experiences, and the exceptional outcomes achieved. This could be in the form of specific case studies and/or statistical analysis.

Applications are sought from small schools that demonstrate evidence of their outstanding sporting provision in relation to opportunities offered to pupils. Judges are looking for schools that have successfully implemented an all-round and/or innovative approach to sport, and applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their school encourages a culture of participation and inclusivity in sport, as well as outlining individual sporting achievements. 

*Under 100 pupils, or, under 200 pupils with single form entry.

Applications are sought from large schools that demonstrate evidence of their outstanding sporting provision in relation to opportunities offered to pupils. Judges are looking for schools that have successfully implemented an all-round and/or innovative approach to sport, and entrants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their school encourages a culture of participation and inclusivity in sport, as well as outlining individual sporting achievements. 

*Over 200 pupils, or, over 100 pupils with multiple form entry

Judges are looking for evidence of going the extra mile in terms of performing arts provision and achievement, including innovative teaching techniques, or an offering of extraordinary opportunities for all pupils, with clear evidence of how this has helped to enhance their learning. This category covers dance, drama, instrumental music and choral singing. Schools wishing to apply may evidence just one or all of these areas.

Judges are looking for evidence of going the extra mile in terms of art and design provision and achievement, including innovative teaching techniques, or an offering of extraordinary opportunities for all pupils, with clear evidence of how this has helped to enhance their learning. This category covers fine art, sculpture, design and photography. Again, schools wishing to apply may evidence just one or all of these areas.

Applications are sought from schools that can evidence an outstanding contribution to the wider community, and the positive impact it has on all those involved. This could include local community projects, partnerships with state schools, sharing best practice or facilities, initiatives with schools and communities overseas and whole-school charitable work.

This award recognises a school that is actively preparing for the future, demonstrating vision, adaptability, and innovation.  The winning school might be able to demonstrate a strategic and financial plan to transform itself for future success, a pupil programme to prepare them for life in a changing world, or a plan for an innovative and forward-looking curriculum. This award is open to all phases.

Applications are sought from schools that can evidence a commitment to promote equity, diversity and inclusion for all pupils and staff, regardless of any protected characteristics (including age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or background). Judges will be looking for innovative ways that schools celebrate diversity and promote inclusion throughout the whole school community. This may be through initiatives such as transforming staff recruitment and retention, a whole school focus on a culture of inclusion, pupil-led projects, diversifying the curriculum, or increasing diversity on the governing body.

This Award welcomes applications from schools with forward-thinking methods of ensuring pupil and staff wellbeing. Judges will be looking for innovative projects that schools have implemented to support pupils and staff with mental health issues, as well as evidence of how the school promotes a whole-school positive culture. This may include projects involving mindfulness or resilience, or initiatives that help with prevention and enhance student and staff welfare, self-esteem and inclusion within the school.

This Award encourages applications from schools that have engaged with environmental education within the curriculum or have demonstrated their green credentials in reducing their carbon footprint or working in the community or further afield to improve habitats and encourage biodiversity. Schools should demonstrate how they are inspiring the next generation, to make the changes necessary to avoid the irreversible impact that global warming will have on our planet.

Independence gives ISA Members the opportunity to do things differently where it will be in the best interests of their pupils. It means they can tailor what they offer to the young people in their care and provide a personalised and high-quality education for them. This award is designed to celebrate the different ways that schools across our membership have been able to offer innovative approaches to education.

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate ways in which their school is developing and implementing innovative approaches to education. Judges will be happy to consider innovation in the broadest sense. They will be looking for evidence of both innovative approaches and the positive impact on pupils.