Caterham Prep School: Finalists in the Independent Schools of the Year 2019

Pupils and staff are celebrating after being praised by judges for the outstanding student experience we provide to pupils across all years.

Eyes are now on the next stage of the Independent Schools of the Year 2019 which would see us being crowned winners at the finals later this month!
Caterham Prep School is one of a number to make it through to the final stage of the competition, which is run by Independent School Parent magazine and open to independent schools from across the country.

Ben Purkiss, Headmaster said:
“We are thrilled to have been named as finalists. This accolade reflects the hard work and dedication of both our staff and the children, and our commitment to ensuring we provide our pupils with the very best educational experience there is to offer. We look forward now to sharing this success with the whole school community, including our parents, students, and our teaching teams.”

The awards ask to see evidence of success stories that feature both individuals and innovative practice, for a judging panel that is made up of heads, governors, parents and representatives of membership associations from across the sector and chaired by Dr Helen Wright, former President of the Girls School Association and Vice-Chair of the Independent Schools Council.

David Moncrieff is Chair of the Editorial Advisory Board at Independent School Parent magazine who run the awards. He said:
“Following the huge success of the inaugural competition last year, which saw more than 250 school nominations entered, we are thrilled to have surpassed that figure for Independent Schools of the Year 2019. The awards have again been designed with the student experience at their heart and to provide schools with a platform to showcase their stories of innovation and success. The judges now have a tough job on their hands picking the winners from the shortlisted entries that were of such a consistently high standard.”

Neil Kirby is Marketing Director of Bupa Global, Sponsor of Independent Schools of the Year 2019. He said:
“We are delighted to be supporting the Independent Schools of the Year 2019 awards, and to see so many schools taking up the opportunity to showcase the exceptional experience they offer their pupils. The entries gave a powerful insight into the choice and flexibility being afforded to students in the independent sector, and we are pleased to be part of such a new and exciting celebration of the hard work and dedication of all those involved in private education in the UK.”

This year saw a record number of entries from a wide range of schools; from tiny rural pre-preps through to large urban secondaries from a broad range of geographical areas. There were twenty different categories, a reflection of the depth and breadth of the independent school experience.