Stories

St Dunstan’s College is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for Independent Senior School of the Year at the Tes Schools Awards 2025. 

The Tes Schools Awards, known as the Oscars of education, recognise the very best teachers and schools from UK state and independent schools, across early years settings, primary and secondary. 

Speaking about the news, Head of Senior School, Jade McLellan, explained: ‘We are all delighted with this news, especially as the nomination comes only three years after winning the same category.  

‘St Dunstan’s is a school that has led educational thought ever since its foundation in 1888 and we are proud to continue this tradition now, pairing outstanding academic outcomes with a moral ambition that inspires staff and pupils alike. We truly are an independent school like no other with our unparalleled innovative curriculum, vibrant inner-city location and diverse pupil body, and we are proud that our nomination reflects these strengths.’ 

Last autumn, St Dunstan’s become one of the first schools in the country to receive two significant strengths as part of its ISI inspection. The report praised the broad and varied curriculums on offer to students at St Dunstan’s, explaining: ‘Leaders have put in place an ambitious, timetabled curriculum which provides extensive opportunities for pupils to acquire the broadest of learning experiences. Leaders have taken great care in the design of this multi-faceted programme which is included as part of the school day.  

‘There are four separate strands; together these provide the full range of curriculum subjects, an extensive offering of broader learning experiences, a programme of teaching skills for the future and one that focuses on building pupils’ wellbeing and self-awareness. The breadth and relevance of this curriculum and leaders’ decision that all pupils participate in these opportunities, is a significant strength.’ 

The second ‘significant strength’ applauded the school’s dedication to celebrating diversity within the school. 

‘The school’s ethos supports leaders in creating a strong community where diversity is celebrated,’ the report found. ‘This works through many facets of school life: through the curriculum, through the varied groups in school, led by pupils which celebrate diversity, and through producing events such as the annual St Dunstan’s festival. All these promote respect and understanding among the pupils for everyone in their own school and in the wider local community. This is a significant strength of the school.’ 

St Dunstan’s Education Group, CEO, Nick Hewlett added: ‘I am thrilled with this news and the shortlisting is an endorsement of the courageous and creative educational choices that have been made for the students in receipt of an education in the St Dunstan’s Senior School. St Dunstan’s is now one of the top performing schools in the country and I pay tribute to Jade for her leadership and all the staff, students and families who have helped transform the school into the place it is today.’  

An expert panel of judges comprised of leaders in education selected a shortlist for 22 categories. 

Jon Severs, Editor of Tes Magazine, said: ‘We’ve seen some incredible entries nominated in this year’s awards. The Tes Schools Awards are a highlight of the year, and it’s important that we properly recognise the fantastic work that's been done in education across the academic year.’ 

St Dunstan’s won Independent Senior School of the Year at the Tes Schools Awards in 2022. Most recently, the school was named Most Progressive Independent School in London and Most Progressive Independent School in south-east England at the Private Education Awards 2023 and 2024, respectively. St Dunstan's sport department was also praised for its Diversity and Inclusion efforts at the Education Choices Awards 2024. 

Winners will be announced on Friday 20 June at a glittering gala at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London.