In October 2019, we were awarded the Small Independent School of the Year Award at The Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

Praised by judges for the outstanding student experience we provide to pupils across all years, St Ives beat stiff competition from over 250 entrants from across the UK.  The awards are run by Independent School Parent magazine and open to independent schools from across the country. 

Kay Goldsworthy said: 

“We are thrilled to have received this award and are delighted with the glowing feedback we received from the judges. 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 have always believed we have the best pastoral care in the country and it’s wonderful to see this being recognised.” 

The awards asked 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, Chair of the Editorial Advisory Board at Independent School Parent magazine who run the awards, said: 

“Following the huge success of the inaugural competition last year, which saw more than 250 school nominations entered, we are delighted to have surpassed that figure for Independent Schools of the Year 2019. The awards were once again 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 had a tough job on their hands picking the winners from the shortlisted entries, but the winning schools are hugely deserving. 

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