Independent School Parent magazine is delighted to announce the shortlisted schools for Independent Schools of the Year 2023. Now in their sixth year, the awards continue to thrive with hundreds of schools from across the country submitting entries in all 23 awards categories.

The purpose of the awards is to celebrate the life-affirming, life-enhancing benefits which an independent education delivers to its students, and to highlight the enormous contribution our schools make to the wider community.

Reading through this year’s entries, the judges have been struck by the depth and breadth of the student experience provided by our independent schools across the country. With stories of beach schools to elite-level sporting achievements and cultural festivals to innovative academic programmes, there is no doubt that the sector continues to lead the way.

This year, the judges have been particularly impressed by the significant impact that schools make on their wider communities through the diverse and innovative educational partnerships they build, both locally and nationally. This is complemented by the extraordinary investment many schools are making in their bursary programmes and the lasting impact this is having in terms of promoting social mobility. The stories of success of many, many bursary students which we have read this year are awe-inspiring.

Independent education is one of the great traditions of the UK and, on the strength of this year’s entries, there can be no doubt about the consistent level of excellence being achieved.

Finalists will be announced on 6 September and the winners, chosen by our independent panel of expert judges, will be revealed at an awards ceremony in central London in October.

Many congratulations to all schools that have been shortlisted.