15 Sep 2023

ISA Awards 2023 – Finalists Announced

ISA is delighted to announce the Finalists and Highly Commended schools for the ISA Awards 2023.

The ISA Awards recognise the excellence and innovation practised across the independent sector. 15 individual award categories allow us to celebrate the breadth of achievements across the diverse range of schools within our Association.

With the continued growth of ISA, now formed of 646 Members, the 2023 Awards reflect the Association going from strength to strength with last year’s record number of entries trumped.

Finalists have showcased an outstanding impact to the students they educate, in a variety of fields. Judges have also awarded Highly Commended honours to schools who were not shortlisted, but whose work is deemed worthy of special recognition.

ISA thanks all schools who entered the ISA Awards 2023. The sheer number of entries reflects the commitment of educators to celebrate excellence and innovation, and crucially to use this to inspire best practice not only across ISA, but the education sector as a whole.

Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), added:

“Once again, the ISA Awards are a celebration of the diverse, innovative, and excellent approaches to education from across the full range of ISA schools. This year we have had a record number of entries, making the awards more competitive than ever. We also have new categories of awards to reflect the wide range of ways that schools can have an outstanding impact.

“Getting shortlisted for an award is a real achievement and there is an incredibly impressive set of nominees this year, but the standard of entries was very high in general and the annual Awards ceremony in November - where the winners will be announced - will be a celebration of all the schools that entered as well as recognition of the outstanding achievements of those who win.”

The ceremony will take place alongside the ISA Autumn Study Conference. For more details and to book your tickets, click here.


This year’s Finalists and Highly Commended schools are:

ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Early Years 
Finalists 
Emmanuel School, Gosfield School, Scarisbrick Hall School
 
Highly Commended 
Goodwyn School
 
ISA Junior School of the Year Award 
Finalists 

Finborough School, Old Vicarage School, St. Margaret's Preparatory School 

Highly Commended 

One School Global UK 

ISA Senior School of the Year Award 
Finalists 

Leighton Park School, Moon Hall School Reigate, Scarisbrick Hall School 

Highly Commended 

Maple Hayes School 

ISA SEND School of the Year Awar
Finalists 

LVS Hassocks, Red Balloon, Wribbenhall School 

Highly Commended 

Riverston School, Frewen College

ISA Boarding School of the Year Award (New for 2023)  
Finalists 

Cardiff Sixth Form College, Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate, TASIS England 

Highly Commended 

ACS Cobham International School 

ISA Award for Outstanding Sport (Small School) 
Finalists 

Brooke House College, Old Vicarage School, Polwhele House School 

Highly Commended 

Beech Hall School, St Peter's School 

ISA Award for Outstanding Sport (Large School) 
Finalists 

Alleyn Court Preparatory School, Copthill School, King's High School, Warwick 

Highly Commended 

New Hall School 

ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Performing Arts 
Finalists 

Claremont Senior School, Bournemouth Collegiate School, Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate 

Highly Commended 

Ballard School 

ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Art and Design 
Finalists 

 Braeside School, Eaton Square Prep School, ICS London 

ISA Award for Outstanding Engagement in the Community 
Finalists 

ACS Cobham International School, Claires Court Schools, King's High School, Warwick 

Highly Commended 

Duke of Kent School 

ISA Award for Future Readiness (New for 2023)  
Finalists 

Colchester Prep and High School, Dwight School London, King's High School, Warwick 

Highly Commended 

Arco Academy 

ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 
Finalists 

Chelsea Hall School, St Wystan's School, The Worthgate School 

Highly Commended 

Colchester Prep and High School, The Levels School 

ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing 
Finalists 

Colchester Prep and High School, Normanhurst School, Rookwood School 

Highly Commended 

Highfield Priory School, St Mary's School Gerrards Cross 

ISA Award for Excellence in Sustainability 
Finalists 

Heathfield Knoll School, Holme Grange School, Leighton Park School 

Highly Commended 

Ayscoughfee Hall School,  Hemdean House School 

ISA Award for Innovation in Independent Education 
Finalists 

Maple Hayes School, The King Alfred School, The Pointer School 

Highly Commended 

Red Balloon