ISA Awards 2025
The ISA Awards 2025 are now open! 🎉
Entries for the ISA Awards will close Friday 25 July.
They offer an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your school’s high quality provision, and to celebrate your success with staff and fellow ISA Members. The Awards also allow you to promote your achievements both to existing and prospective parents, and the wider community, by providing schools with national publicity and the chance to proudly promote this via their own marketing platforms.
Awards criteria
*ISA Junior School of the Year Award
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
ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Early Years
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 School of the Year Award
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
ISA SEND School of the Year Award
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).
ISA Award for International Provision
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.
ISA Award for Outstanding Sport (*Small School)
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.
ISA Award for Outstanding Sport (*Large School)
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
ISA Award for Excellence in Performing Arts
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.
ISA Award for Excellence in Fine Arts and Design
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.
ISA Award for Outstanding Engagement in the Community
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.
ISA Award for Future Readiness
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.
ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
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.
ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing
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.
ISA Award for Excellence in Sustainability
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.
ISA Award for Innovation in Independent Education
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.
Winners and judges comments, 2024
ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Early Years
Little Downsend School
Judge’s comments:
“Little Downsend School wins this award because of the clear and creative way in which it fulfils its Future Skills vision for all children. This is achieved by developing a child’s underpinning physical development, then providing the motivation to write purposefully and finally completing the process through nurturing children’s vocabulary and language structure. Along the way the school uses an imaginative array of strategies – Write Dance Program, Message Centres, Every Child a Talker and Talk to Writing amongst others. The school’s excellent outcomes provide ample evidence for the success of their approach.”
ISA Junior School of the Year Award
Fulham Pre-Prep
Judge’s comments:
“With the introduction of Philosophy to KS1, Fulham Pre Prep are enabling creative and open thinking in their young pupils, offering the opportunity to think both independently and collaboratively. Teachers facilitate discussion, encouraging pupils to have courage in thought and expression. This has helped pupils to develop confidence which they articulate across the curriculum... in the words of a wise 7-year-old, 'Sometimes the life you have is better than the life you think you want.”
ISA Senior School of the Year Award
The Faculty at Queen Ethelburga's
Judge’s comments:
“Queen Ethelburga’s wins this award because its application shows the clear cause and effect between a range of innovatory strategies and the intended outcomes in two areas of the Faculty’s work. The flexibility of a twin A level and BTEC qualification offer, the provision of structured opportunities for developing excellence in sport and dramatic arts, and the innovatory Esports BTEC provide excellent opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds and prior educational challenges to excel. The use of several student profiles to showcase the effectiveness of QE’s approach was highly effective.”
ISA SEND School of the Year Award
The Holmewood School
Judge’s comments:
“This school now provides near perfect provision for its neurodiverse population so that not only do they achieve academic standards comparable with mainstream peers, but their methodology covers whole life needs, so social and emotional needs are explored and provided for as well as academic ones. They write “Our mission is to understand each student’s unique profile and interests, constructing personalised learning pathways that engage and motivate them.”. Their new “Work and Life Experience Programme” offers a wide variety of simple opportunities, which are altered frequently, and their mostly autistic students are helped through it to understand and respond to change, which many on the spectrum find difficult. They continually adapt and refine their curriculum and teaching methods to support their students’ changing needs. There is rigorous monitoring of progress, and they also work hard to develop and support their staff. Their case studies were exciting to read, and they boldly describe their school as “a life changing experience” which I suspect that it really is!”
ISA Boarding School of the Year Award
Cardiff Sixth Form College
Judge’s comments:
“Cardiff sixth Form offers opportunities to day students and boarders alike. From participation in early and late activities to full access of weekend provision all students are able to fully embrace the boarding culture. Being offered 3 meals a day expand the possibilities for those who have a distance to travel each day. Their teaching and learning strategy aims to fuse the creative pedagogy and rich questioning of Western cultures with the intellectual discipline of Eastern education systems. Students are taught PPE alongside the traditional PSHE topics in order to enrich cultural literacy, thus broadening their horizons and preparing them for the rigour of university, with 80% gaining places at universities in the Top 100 world rankings.”
ISA Award for Outstanding Sport (Small School)
Maple Walk School
Judge’s comments:
“Maple Walk's creative use of facilities in the local community is exemplified in its sports programme. Alongside considerable success in traditional activites Maple Walk has developed a programme of inclusivity with mixed gender teams and the introduction of sports such as seated volleyball, goalball and Boccia. As a result of this, these inclusive sports are now played across the borough at inter-school events, showing that a little ingenuity, a lot of hard work and an ethos of innovation and inclusivity truly provides 'Sport for All'.”
ISA Award for Outstanding Sport (Large School)
Gosfield School
Judge’s comments:
“Judging this category was challenging due to the high quality of the entries. It was inspiring to see the variety of sports available and the emphasis on inclusivity, making sure that everyone has the chance to participate. Gosfield School stood out as the overall winner, demonstrating a strong commitment to providing every child with the opportunity to engage in sports, regardless of their ability or experience.”
ISA Award for Excellence in Performing Arts
ArtsEd
Judge’s comments:
“The breadth and extent of performing arts provision across the ISA schools that entered was staggering. The quality level was high across all submissions, but the standout entry was ArtsEd for its unique curriculum. Recognised by ISI for inspirational teaching and outstanding results, it nurtures students' individual talents while fostering inclusivity. With numerous productions, high exam success rates, and a track record of preparing students for top conservatoires or universities, ArtsEd exemplifies excellence in performing arts education.”
ISA Award for Excellence in Fine Arts and Design
Faraday School
Judge’s comments:
“Faraday Prep is a school with creativity at its core, where the teaching of art and design is innovative, interdisciplinary and experiential. Using the city of London as an extension of its classrooms the school encourages pupils to learn about the world through an artistic lens, fusing the teaching of art with other subjects, creating a window into different cultures and perspectives. Faraday Prep School offers incredible opportunities for children to work with professional artists and have their work exhibited, and pupils take part in a range of innovative projects, with many securing art scholarships. Teaching is imaginative and innovative, and the school's art and design offering is outstanding.”
ISA Award for Outstanding Engagement in the Community
Quinton House School
Judge’s comments:
“Very impressive, passion-driven project to tackle knife crime and county lines in Northampton. Pupils at Quinton House reached out to all local schools, the University and Police to organise a series of awareness raising events that aim to help the local community regain control of local streets. This project shows the power every independent school can have to make a difference in their local community.”
ISA Award for Future Readiness (Sponsored by School Fee Plan)
Leighton Park School
Judge’s comments:
“Leighton Park School is wholly committed to preparing its pupils to be future changemakers, through innovative educational approaches that extend beyond the traditional. The school's unique curriculum and STEAM programme help pupils develop a wide range of future ready skills to play an active role in tackling global challenges. Leighton Park takes a broad and holistic approach to future readiness, which goes beyond embracing technology alone. By nurturing self-awareness and community engagement, Leighton Park gives its students the skills to make a meaningful difference, while delivering impact for the local community and the wider world beyond.”
ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Rosemead Preparatory School
Judge’s comments:
“The quality of submissions from all schools shows how far we have come within the last few years when considering EDI, with it now embedded in the fabric of the institutions and fostering a deep sense of belonging within the schools and in wider society. The curriculum development at Rosemead stood out, with the work on Windrush: A Portrait of a Generation, where work from Nursery to Year 6 was impressive, including the collaborative artwork inspired by the Royal Collection portraits.”
ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing
Slindon College
Judge’s comments:
“Mental Health and Wellbeing is at the core of the school’s ethos. Slindon College have innovated with a new way of encouraging pupils to self-regulate and also self-calibrate their Learning Energy. This is an exciting scheme which deserves to enter the mainstream. Slindon College is at the forefront of excellence and innovation in promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing and is a sector leader.”
ISA Award for Excellence in Sustainability
Liberty Woodland School
Judge’s comments:
“Liberty Woodland School's commitment to sustainability is truly outstanding. The school places environmentalism at the centre of its curriculum and sustainability is also woven into the fabric of school operations, with the school campus serving a living model of sustainable practices. The school's holistic approach to sustainability enables students not just to learn about environmental issues - but to develop the skills to address them. Through innovative hands-on projects, community engagement and imaginative collaborations, Liberty Woodland is inspiring its students to become future custodians of our planet.”
ISA Award for Innovation in Independent Education
Westbourne School
Judge’s comments:
“Technology, especially AI, played a prominent role in the entries for this category. While many schools have found creative ways to integrate technology into their curriculum, Westbourne School has truly raised the bar with their use of 'hologram teachers,' which students have praised as a 'game changer'.”