St Swithun’s celebrates a hat-trick of national accolades

Published by St Swithun's School on Monday 14th of September 2026

St Swithun’s School in Winchester is celebrating the start of the new school year with news of three major pieces of national recognition.

Firstly, the school has been named as joint winners of the prestigious Alice Rose Award in the annual Talk Education Awards alongside Elstree School, a Preparatory School in Woolhampton, Berkshire. The award, named in honour and remembrance of Alice Rose the co-founder of Talk Education, recognizes schools that “support growth and learning but allow their pupils to find their passions, get stuck in, muck in and feel safe and supported. In short, schools where confident, nurtured, happy children are given the freedom to enjoy their childhood and adolescence to the fullest.”

The Alice Rose Award was awarded by the whole Talk Education team, as well as Alice’s husband James and her three boys.

The all-girls’ school has also been named as a finalist in the Independent School of the Year Awards in the category for ‘independent girls’ school of the year’. The school’s headmistress Jane Gandee will travel to London in mid-October for the awards ceremony to see if the school is named as the best girls’ school in the country.

Last but certainly by no means least, the school has once again been featured in the Tatler Schools Guide, which celebrates the leading schools across the UK. The guide praised the school's desire to ‘balance study with fun, kindness and compassion’ while highlighting a ‘lovely tradition on Valentine’s Day when pupils received a (loaned) book from the librarians…based on their likes and dislikes’.

Jane Gandee said, “While learning is measured by far more than results it is hugely pleasing to have received these accolades. We teach girls to think independently and act with purpose with a sprinkling of fun. These awards highlight the work we are doing and make us even more determined to continue to light the way for future generations of girls and women.”

Liz Norris prep head added, “We know that children learn and develop best when they are given room to grow but feel safe and supported whilst doing so. We feel proud to receive these honours knowing that children from their very first steps are benefiting from a St Swithun’s education.”

Find out more about what makes a St Swithun’s education special at our upcoming prep and senior school open events. Book your places at https://www.stswithuns.com/visit-us