All independent schools which are members of an association in membership of the Independent Schools Council or members of COBIS are invited to enter Independent Schools of the Year 2025. The nominations process is simple and the information below will help you prepare your entry.

1. Applications must relate to activity primarily undertaken in the 2024-25 academic year.
2. Entrants must warrant the validity of the claims made and the facts provided in their entry forms.
3. By entering, entrants confirm that they are independent schools which are members of an association in membership of the Independent Schools Council or COBIS.
4. Entrants must confirm the current inspection status of their school at the time they submit their entry and advise if this changes during the course of the awards process.
5. Entrants must advise if any material challenges to the good reputation of their school emerge during the course of the awards process.
6. Entrants must accept the decision of the Judging Panel as final and binding.
7. Nominations open 25 March 2025. Close on 5 June 2025.
8. Schools may enter more than one award category. Each entry must be submitted using a separate nomination form and should be tailored to address the criteria set out for the appropriate category.
9. The overall Independent School of the Year award cannot be entered as a standalone category; it will be selected from one of the winners of the other categories (excluding the Rising Star of the Year and the four Regional awards).
10. The winner of The Rising Star of the Year award will be decided by the Independent School Parent magazine’s editorial and publishing team.
11. Entrants should fill in all sections of the entry form and supply their contact details in full.
12. Entrants must upload a school logo with their entry form. Additional images to supplement a nomination are encouraged, but must be supplied as a vector file (EPS/AI) or a high-resolution image (3MB+). Video may also be used to supplement a nomination. A link to an online hosting platform, YouTube or Vimeo, etc should be the methods by which these are submitted.
13. Any entry forms not filled in correctly or which are incomplete maybe disqualified at the discretion of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the judges.
14. In providing information and images in support of their application, entrants agree that The Chelsea Magazine Company, the publishers of the Independent School Parent portfolio, may use the materials provided to promote the awards and to feature the stories told in Independent School Parent magazine and associated guides and websites; thereby they warrant that all the necessary permissions have been obtained. Schools may withdraw their permission for Independent School Parent to use awards nomination information by emailing isoty@chelseamagazines.com
15. Independent School Parent reserves the right to re-allocate entries into relevant categories if deemed appropriate; schools will be notified of any changes.
16. Independent School Parent reserves the right to cancel or merge categories if there are insufficient entries (entrants will be notified of any changes) and also to make awards to joint winners at the discretion of the judging panel.
17. Independent School Parent reserves the right to alter dates above as necessary.
18. If more than one image is uploaded Independent School Parent reserves the right to choose the photo used for marketing purposes.
19. Independent Schools of the Year 2025 Categories: Independent Pre-Prep School of the Year, Independent Prep School of the Year, Co-ed Independent School of the Year, Independent Girls’ School of the Year, Independent Boys’ School of the Year, Regional Independent School of the Year: Central, Regional Independent School of the Year: South, Regional Independent School of the Year: North, London Independent School of the Year, Independent Boarding School of the Year, The British International School of the Year, Small Independent School of the Year , Independent School of the Year for Outstanding Fundraising Achievement, Independent School of the Year for Best Use of Education Technology, Independent School of the Year for Student Careers, Independent School of the Year for Outstanding Educational Partnerships, Independent School of the Year for Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ), Independent School of the Year for Sporting Achievement, Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts, Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing, Independent School of the Year for International Student Experience, Independent School of the Year for Contribution to Social Mobility, The Marketing Award for Brand Communication, School Trip of the Year, Rising Star of the Year Award.

*Any British International School which is a member of COBIS or of a constituent association of the Independent Schools Council situated anywhere in the world other than the UK is eligible to apply for the British International School Award as well as the other specialist awards.