Kent schools and headteacher shortlisted for 'Oscars of education' as south east dominates UK nominations

Mary Harris

5 May 2024 at 8:08 am·3-min read

HAWKHURST, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall tours St Ronan's School with Headmaster William Trelawny-Vernon as part of an away-day to Kent on October 15, 2014 in Hawkhurst, England. Camilla. Duchess of Cornwall's late brother Mark Shand attended the school from 1959 - 1964. The Duchess viewed a new sports facility named in memory of her brother called the 'Shandy-ba' all weather pitch. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Mr Trelawny-Vernon is in a black cape and is talking in a corridor to Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall — Headteacher at the independent Saint Ronan's Prep School in Hawkhurst near Cranbrook, William Trelawny-Vernon, is shortlisted for the Headteacher of the Year (Independent) Award. He is photographed speaking Queen Camilla, who was then the Duchess of Cornwall, during a visit to the school her late brother attended -Credit:Chris Jackson Collection/Getty Images

Two schools, a headteacher in Kent and an academy trust based in Orpington have been shortlisted as the best in the UK ahead of awards dubbed the "Oscars of education". The names have been released ahead of the ceremony in London for the Tes Schools Awards 2024.

The South East saw the joint highest number of entries, including the three for Kent. Headteacher at the independent Saint Ronan's Prep School in Hawkhurst near Cranbrook, William Trelawny-Vernon, is shortlisted for the Headteacher of the Year (Independent).

The schools is a traditional co-educational pre-prep and prep school for children aged from three to 13 years. Woodpecker Court in Eythorne in Dover has been shortlisted for Specialist Provision of the Year. It is an alternative education provider with specialist post-16 status, set in rural location.

It offers post-16 courses in animal care, catering, or occupational studies, enterprise and employability, alongside functional skills in English and Maths. Its students have an Education Health Care Plan or have exhibited a struggle to access education.

Shortlisted for Independent Senior School of the Year is Sevenoaks School. It is a highly-selective coeducational private school, and has around 1,200 day pupils and boarders, who are aged between 11 and 18.

Beautiful Sevenoaks School is said to have been first established in 1432 -Credit:Sevenoaks School

London South East Academies Trust has been shortlisted for Trust Team of the Year (nine schools or fewer). The trust aims to "provide outstanding education and training for young people across the region, bringing together specialist provision to provide a real alternative to mainstream education".

However, the trust which is based in Orpington states it has 10 mainstream, special and alternative provision academies, together with an outreach service and a music hub across Bromley, Bexley, Surrey and Lambeth.

The editor of Tes Magazine Jon Servers said: “The standard was so high this year despite the challenges schools face. It is critical we celebrate excellence and share it widely so we can ensure that the fantastic work happening in education is properly recognised.”

The Tes Schools Awards 2024 shortlist was announced on Friday morning (May 3) to celebrate the UK’s best in education. A total of 26 schools and teachers in the south east region were named on the list, spread across Surrey, Berkshire, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, and Oxfordshire.

Teachers and schools in the south east were represented in 14 of the 21 categories. The region tied in joint first place with the highest number of shortlisted entries alongside the Northwest.

The awards are judged by a panel which includes school leaders and experts. It highlights teachers and both state and independent schools from early years to primary and secondary stages. Winners will be announced on June 21 at a gala night at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane.

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