Sunninghill Prep wins national award

Sunninghill won the award at a ceremony last night (14 November) for its work with state schools and DASP (Dorset Area Schools Partnership). The category was the highly topical Best Independent-Maintained Schools Collaboration, in which  Sunninghill Prep was up against two large senior schools: Brighton College and King Edward’s School, Birmingham, shortlisted from over 30 entrants.

Andrew Roberts-Wray, headmaster, said: “We’re extremely proud to win this award and I share it with all the school heads in DASP, who work so hard to make this an effective partnership. We’re grateful to Dr Liz Sidwell, former schools commissioner, for giving us some invaluable advice. We have set ourselves some major challenges with DASP and it’s great to be recognised for that.”

Since joining DASP, Sunninghill Prep has opened its doors to include local state schools in science, sports and history days.

The awards judges were education professionals with many years’ experience in some of the UK’s top independent schools, plus leaders of organisations such as the Teaching Awards Trust, Independent Schools Inspectorate, University of Buckingham, National College for School Leadership and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. The speaker was journalist and Radio 4 ‘Excess Baggage’ broadcaster John McCarthy CBE.

Andrew Roberts-Wray added: “This award shows that the independent sector does take seriously the importance of working with state schools. DASP shows how it can be done and although there’s a long way to go, we’ve always believed that the DASP model could work nationally. All headteachers – independent or state sector – want the best for their pupils in their care and in partnership we can reach that goal.”

www.sunninghillprep.co.uk