Our judges want to hear the story of your school in 2025–26 – in your own words. Tell them why you’re proud to work there, what makes your school tick, how you are building resilience into your operation, and why the children in your care enjoy such a rich and memorable experience.

Bring it to life with examples and a touch of evidence (but please, no bullet-point lists!). Above all, paint a picture of school life as it would look if the judges were wandering through your gates, seeing classrooms, playgrounds and corridors alive with learning.

Resilience is very much the watchword of the moment in our sector, prompting a clear-eyed focus on the future amongst leadership teams up and down the country. So please weave an explanation of how your school is taking sensible, forward-thinking steps to shore up its long-term stability into your answers.

Focus on your role as prep school – we want to know what makes your school special:

• What makes your school stand out?
  What is it about your community that sets you apart from other prep schools? Which achievements and successes from the past year really show why your school should be considered “best in class”? (Around 200 words)
• How have you delivered for your students?
  Show us how your prep provision has met the needs of your pupils in 2025–26. Were there any projects, initiatives or innovations this year that made a real difference and that you’re particularly proud of? (Around 150 words)
• What values guide your school?
  How have you built resilience into your school operation? What are the core principles that shape life at your school, and how do they impact your pupils? How are you preparing them for the next stage of their educational journey? (Around 150 words)

In short: be engaging, be honest, and let us feel the energy and spirit of your school through your words.