St Ives Announced a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year Awards
Liza Askew
/ Categories: General, In the press
This week, St Ives School in Haslemere is celebrating being named a Finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards in the category for Small Independent School of the Year.
The Independent Schools of the Year Awards is an awards programme established by Independent School Parent magazine which aims to celebrate the extraordinary student experience the independent education sector provides. The judges were looking for schools to share stories of success underpinned by supporting evidence.
St Ives School’s entry focused on its ‘With Wellbeing at Heart’ strategy, which was introduced after Covid to understand the impact school closures may have had on pupils. The school appointed a member of staff as a ‘Wellbeing Champion’ who has, in turn, introduced weekly wellbeing drop-ins as well as individual sessions for those who need it in their recently refurbished Wellbeing Room. This is in addition to an already exceptional pastoral programme.
St Ives School is currently thriving under the helm of Head Teacher, Kay Goldsworthy. Pupil numbers have increased by 48% in the last 5 years, but despite its growth, the school’s core values have never wavered. St Ives provides an excellent standard of education with the wellbeing and happiness of their pupils at the centre of everything they do. They achieve this through small class sizes, a team of talented, specialist teachers and a real understanding of every child. Kay firmly believes that ‘happy children make the best learners’ which is evident in its outstanding results. Last year 70% of Year 6 pupils received scholarships to their senior schools, with 100% receiving an offer from their first choice school. Scholarships were gained in all disciplines from academics, to art, to drama, to sport, which further proves the depth of offer at St Ives.
Of the accolade of being made a Finalist at the Independent School of the Year Awards, Kay Goldsworthy said “We are thrilled to have been named a Finalist in the Small Independent School of the Year category and are delighted with the glowing feedback we have 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 its wonderful to see this being recognised.”