Independent School of the Year 2020
Shrewsbury was the recipient of two prestigious National Awards in a stellar year for the School.
Shrewsbury School was thrilled to be named the Independent School of the Year at a virtual national awards ceremony held on 8 October 2020, where it also received the award for Community Outreach 2020.
These accolades were awarded at the Independent Schools of Year Awards, where Shrewsbury School was recognised for the positive impact and contributions its pupils and staff have made by working with and supporting communities and was awarded the top award as the overall Independent School of the Year for 2020.
Hear from Headmaster, Leo Winkley, following the announcement.
A few additional comments...
…outstanding contribution to student experience in their own school and beyond, working tirelessly and positively, changing the lives of their own students, and the lives of people in the much wider community. It is a great honour to be named Independent School of the Year 2020. This recognises the breadth and vitality of the student experience at Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury impressed the judges with the sheer breadth and scope of their community outreach especially during the national lockdown. Community outreach has always been part of our essence and particularly during current times we have worked to share and collaborate with our local community.
A Culture of Kindness
Shrewsbury School actively works with schools and other education settings, health and social care organisations, community groups and charities, locally in Shrewsbury, across Shropshire and throughout the UK. Our culture of kindness, which has a long history at the school, enables pupils to develop an experienced understanding of social responsibility leading to lives that positively impacts others, and was a leading factor in us receiving this award.
All pupils at Shrewsbury School are involved in volunteering and community support during their educational journey. An example of this is the unique relationship between Shrewsbury School and The Shewsy. Regular, joint activities take place with The Shewsy, ranging from residential programmes, sporting fixtures, and organised Fun Days for the Junior Club.
Shrewsbury School pupils and The Shewsy children worked exceptionally well together to help others, having undertaken community service with a charity called ‘Medic Malawi’, which runs a hospital, children’s centre and school in a village in Malawi.
Supporting Communities
We encourage pupils to lead their own initiatives broadening opportunities to support additional communities or charities, ranging from homework club for refugee children, hosting tea parties for local elderly residents, delivering a major food bank Christmas fair, and visiting the local frailty ward at Christmas. The school community also supported care homes, conservation projects and local schools, as well as raising money for national and international charities.
During the national lockdown, the School adapted to support urgent local needs. We donated and manufactured thousands of items of PPE for frontline workers, encouraged and promoted fundraising and charitable action from our own community across the country and abroad. We also adapted our community volunteering programme to work virtually by streaming musical performances into care homes and writing letters to the elderly to mitigate increased social isolation.
After receiving this award our community and partnership work continues to evolve. We have expanded our strategy of ‘Sharing Shrewsbury’; a successful joint bid with the Marches Multi-Academy Trust for DFE Partnership has enabled us to further develop and enhance our joint work in Mathematics and Careers with local schools, and we are also part of a STEM partnership with Imperial College London to support local year 10 pupils by raising aspirations in the sciences and Maths.
