Yorkshire schools make the finals of the Independent Schools of the Year Awards

Harrogate Ladies’ College, which earlier in the year was shortlisted for the Girls’ School of the Year accolade, has now made the final five finalists in the prestigious awards - the only school in the North of England to have reached the final stage in the category.

Harrogate Ladies’ College Principal Sylvia Brett said "We are delighted to have reached the final of the Independent Schools of the Year Awards and named as one of the top five girls’ Schools in the UK. This an achievement that is testament to the collective hard work of our outstanding staff and pupils, and we are extremely proud of our entire school community."

Elsewhere a Burley-in-Wharfedale school is also in the running for a top award as Ghyll Royd School, Pre-School and Nursery is a finalist in the Small Independent School of the Year category.

It is the third time the school has been shortlisted in the awards, and the second consecutive year the local prep school has made the finals.

Last year, David Martin, the Head teacher for Ghyll Royd School, Pre-School and Nursery, attended the national finals in London, missing out as the winner but emerging as the top school in the North of England in the Small School category. This year, the school hopes to go one step further and bring the award home to the Wharfe Valley.

Mr Martin said: "This is wonderful news to end our 130th year and kickstart the new school term! It is an honour to be recognised nationally with the four other schools in our category."

In the past 12 months, Ghyll Royd’s SATs results have been ranked in the top 10 in the country in the Sunday Times Schools Guide. Parents praised the school for its handling of the lockdown in March with all pupils enjoying a full timetable and live teaching online for ten weeks before returning to school for the remainder of the Summer term.

In total, 706 assignments were set for pupils in reception to year 6 and the teachers spent 187 hours online teaching live and facilitating virtual events for the children to socialise with their friends.

Mr Martin added: "The finalist nomination reflects the work of our dedicated teaching staff and our children’s enthusiasm for learning. We always strive to provide the very best educational experience and this commitment did not falter when the lockdown restrictions came into effect back in March. This would not be possible without the support of our staff and families – thank you for your good luck messages."

And Sedbergh School, located between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, is a finalist in the International Student Experience category.

The Independent Schools of the Year Awards highlight the quality of student experience and celebrate the outstanding achievements across independent schools. The awards this year received a record number of nominations this year with hundreds of schools from across the country submitting entries in all twenty award categories.

The winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, October 8, 2020.

See all the finalists for The Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2020 here.

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