The Boarding Schools’ Association has announced the winners of its annual Supporting Excellence Awards. Winners were unveiled at the two-day BSA Annual Conference for Heads, sponsored by Schoolblazer, at York Racecourse on 6-7 May 2025.
A record number of entries were received for BSA’s annual awards this year. The awards are designed to celebrate the those making a meaningful difference within the boarding community. Just 45 were shortlisted from over 300 entries across 14 categories, each a fine example of the hard work and dedication of schools and individuals within boarding.
The awards presentation took place on the evening of May 6 and hosted by conference after-dinner speaker, Alice Phillips, Head, St Catherine’s, Bramley.
Highlights included the special moment when the Emma Pattison Award for Compassionate Leadership was awarded jointly to both Lotte Tulloch, Head, Denstone College and Dr Mary Plint, Deputy Head, Learning and Wellbeing, Cheltenham College. Judges said both individuals were “shining examples” of compassionate leadership in their own right – so much so that they were deemed equally worthy of this special award.
Rochester Independent College enjoyed a successful evening after winning not one, but two award categories. Their submission for the ‘Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award’ showcased the launch of their fantastic new purpose-built Northbank campus. Judges were impressed by the strong focus on the building’s accessibility and design-led approach. One student was quoted as saying “Our school’s new building isn’t just a place to live—it’s home.”
Rochester’s second success saw young photography student, Lorenzo Yang, win the hotly contested Khadija Saye Photography Award with a stunning portfolio of cityscapes “showing a strong appreciation and understanding of technique, composition, colour and perspective.”
Culford School was named winner of the ‘Wellbeing and Mental Health Initiative Award’ after they submitted a stand-out entry which introduced a safe space for boys to focus on self-reflection, emotional intelligence and coping strategies. Judges said the “positive results from the initiative were clear to see and although aimed at boys, the results have benefitted the whole school community.”
The Stephen Winkley Award was the final category to be announced and commends the achievements of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the cause of boarding. It is BSA’s longest running award in memory of Stephen Winkley who was BSA Chair (2003), and Headmaster of Uppingham (1991-2006) and Rossall Schools (2008-2013). The presentation of this award was made particularly special as it was presented by Stephen Winkley’s son, Leo Winkley, Head, Shrewsbury School.
Tim Head, Wellington College was announced the deserving winner of this award. Judges said: “His commitment to all things boarding, as a housemaster, in admissions, and through many other duties, across 114 terms over 39 years is truly inspiring. Generations of boarders, literally, have benefitted from his warm pastoral care and support, which is what great boarding is all about.”
Reflecting on this year’s awards ceremony David Walker, Director, BSA said: “The response to this year’s awards has been fantastic and I am delighted to see this celebration of boarding excellence grow steadily each year. Entries were at such a high standard, certainly no easy task for our judging panel, and we thank all those who took the time to enter. Congratulations to all of our finalists and winners this year.”
Please see below a full list of the winners and finalists from this year’s BSA Supporting Excellence Awards in the order they were presented:
Best Community Work via BSA ‘On Board’ Initiative Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Wellington School
FINALISTS: Abbey College, Cambridge and Tonbridge School
Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award sponsored by Witley Jones
WINNER: Rochester Independent College
FINALISTS: Bredon School, Handcross Park School and Sevenoaks School
Boarding Innovation Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Thomas Adams School
FINALISTS: Earlscliffe and TASIS The American School in England
Sustainability in Boarding Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Tonbridge School
FINALISTS: Kingsley School, Devon and Wellington School
Wellbeing and Mental Health Initiative Award sponsored by Yes We Can Youth Clinics
WINNER: Culford School
FINALISTS: ACS International School, Cobham and Queen Anne’s School
Supporting Junior Boarders Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Dauntsey’s School
FINALISTS: Milton Abbey School, Queenswood School and Summer Fields School
Supporting International Boarders Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Earlscliffe
FINALISTS: Abbey College, Cambridge and Scott Webster, DLD College, London
Supporting International Boarders Award – Guardians and Agents sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Elite Anglo-Chinese Services
FINALISTS: ApplyEasyPro and International Student Guardianship, Ireland Ltd
International School of the Year Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Marlborough College, Malaysia
FINALISTS: Jerudong International School and Swiss International School, Dubai
Belonging and Inclusion Initiative Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Charterhouse
FINALISTS: Cheltenham College, Villiers School and Wellington College
Best Artwork Project Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Tamara E, Heathfield School
FINALISTS: Nicole Tan, Bootham School and Andy Wu, St Joseph’s College
Khadija Saye Photography Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Lorenzo Yang, Rochester Independent College
FINALISTS: Kinan Solh, Charterhouse, Wang Jyun Siang (Jeff), Concord College and Anna Kristofa, DLD College
Emma Pattison Award for Compassionate Leadership sponsored by Schoolblazer
JOINT WINNERS: Lotte Tulloch, Denstone College and Dr Mary Plint, Cheltenham College
Stephen Winkley Award sponsored by Schoolblazer
WINNER: Tim Head, Wellington College
FINALISTS: Jacqui David, Dean Close School and Tom Cheney, Pangbourne College
For more information about BSA’s Supporting Excellence Awards, please visit https://www.boarding.org.uk/media-centre/bsa-awards/.
Categories: Sector News
