Pupil Prizes
ISA Pupil Prizes
ISA Pupil Prizes celebrate outstanding pupils within our Member schools. We offer three awards for different age groups:
- Maxwell Prize – Year 6
- Whitbread Prize – Pupils following their post-Year 11 examinations
- Lexden Prize – Sixth Form
All ISA Member schools are invited to nominate their most remarkable pupil for one of the prizes. Nominated pupils should have demonstrated involvement in any area of school or community life that goes above and beyond expectations, as well as showing excellent potential for the future. Nominations are limited to one pupil per school.
2026–27 Pupil Prizes
For the 2026–27 academic year, all three pupil prizes will follow the same opening and closing dates, making it easier for schools to plan and submit their nominations.
Nominations open: Friday 11 September 2026
Nominations close: Friday 8 January 2027
Each prize will be judged separately by its own judging panel, with judging taking place during the same period. This means that each prize will have its own winner, selected against the relevant criteria for that award.
The successful pupils will be announced in February 2027, with all three winners formally presented with their awards at the ISA Annual Conference on Thursday 6 May 2027. Each winning pupil will receive a voucher, glass trophy and certificate in recognition of their achievement.
Please see the individual prize pages below for the full criteria and information on how to nominate a pupil.
Maxwell Prize
The Maxwell Prize celebrates the achievements of Year 6 children in education at the schools of ISA Members. The prize is non-academic and rewards a holistic approach to school and community life.
Lexden Prize
The Lexden Prize, named in honour of our Honorary President, Lord Lexden, celebrates the most remarkable sixth form students at ISA members' schools. Their achievements can be in any aspect of school or community life, and do not have to be academic.
Whitbread Memorial Prize
The Whitbread Memorial Prize recognises and celebrates outstanding involvement in school and community life, in conjunction with achieving academic excellence in year 11 exams (including GCSEs, iGCSEs or other).