LONDON – Five London schools were recognized for excellence at the 2025 Tes Awards, with Oasis Academy South Bank taking the coveted Secondary School of the Year award. The annual ceremony, now in its 17th year, celebrates outstanding achievements across both state and independent schools in the UK.
Children spend a significant portion of their lives at school, making the quality of education, environment, and support critical. The Tes Awards aim to highlight institutions that excel in these areas, from innovative teaching to exceptional student outcomes.
This year’s awards, held on June 20, spanned multiple categories, including Inclusive School of the Year, Teaching Assistant of the Year, and Subject Lead of the Year. Among London’s winners:
• Oasis Academy South Bank: Recognized for its high teacher retention, positive student outcomes, and nurturing atmosphere. Tes praised the academy for providing “a warm, inclusive, and supportive learning community that sets pupils up for life,” noting that attendance is among the highest in the borough despite challenging circumstances for many students.
• Rosemead Preparatory School and Nursery: Awarded Independent Prep School of the Year. Judges highlighted its forward-thinking approach, including AI-enhanced learning, robotics on the curriculum, and innovative assessment methods. One expert described it as “a school to watch.”
• Harris Federation: Named Trust of the Year (10 schools or more) for consistently high attainment levels and strong Ofsted ratings.
• Abingdon House School: Won Best Use of Technology for leveraging specialized tools to support neurodiverse students.
• William McWhirter, Kingsdale Foundation School: Recognized as Subject Lead of the Year for his work as head of PE.
These awards shine a spotlight on London’s schools providing high-quality education in both state-funded and independent settings, ensuring children are supported academically and personally.
While private institutions often make the headlines, state schools like Oasis Academy demonstrate that exceptional education is available without tuition fees. Parents looking for guidance can also consult other league tables, including the Sunday Times Power Guide and Which School Advisor rankings, to explore top-performing comprehensive and selective schools across the UK.
