The Boarding Schools’ Association celebrated the winners of its annual Supporting Excellence Awards at the BSA Conference for Heads, sponsored by I-GTM and Veracross, in Stratford-upon-Avon on May 5-6, 2026.
BSA welcomed another record number of award entries from member schools this year, with 54 out of almost 400 entries shortlisted across 15 categories. Each finalist is acknowledged as a fine example of commitment and dedication within the boarding sector.
Embellished in silver to celebrate BSA’s 60th diamond anniversary year, a glittering awards presentation took place on the evening of May 5. During the drinks reception, guests were entertained with live performances from Bromsgrove School, Sidcot School and Felsted School as part of BSA’s Boarding Rocks campaign supported by The Band Project, before enjoying a special awards dinner at the venue.
Hosted by after-dinner speaker, Richard Harman, CEO, AGBIS, the awards are now in their ninth year and continue to showcase outstanding achievements, dedication and innovation demonstrated by schools and individuals across the boarding sector.
The Best Artwork Project Award was split into Junior and Senior age-groups this year and remains one of BSA’s most popular categories. Kamila Adegunwa from Brambletye School impressed judges with her “striking, expressive portrait, whose presence exudes vivacity through the use and application of contrasting colour” and Sean Winward from Bedford School submitted a vibrant piece which beautifully depicted a celebration of friendships, inclusivity and diversity in British boarding.
Another highlight saw Villiers School picking up the Belonging and Inclusion Initiative Award after their entry demonstrated an inclusive school culture where students and staff feel a deep sense of belonging. Judges said the school gave impressive examples of “clear thought leadership, with influence at a national level in a bid to ensure more equitable outcomes for children.”
This year, two very special individuals with outstanding dedication to boarding were recognised during the ceremony.
Ally Onions, Head of Safeguarding and Mental Health, St George’s Windsor Castle was presented the Emma Pattison Award for Compassionate Leadership for “tirelessly pushing through innovation after innovation” with her passion to make a meaningful difference and improve the lives of others. Ally’s ongoing contributions to boarding clearly exemplify compassion and kindness, making her a deserving recipient of the award.
The final award of the evening was BSA’s longest-running category, the Stephen Winkley Award, which recognises individuals who go above and beyond in their support of boarders. Cathryn Rogerson of Cottesmore School was named this year’s winner in recognition of an extraordinary 55 years of dedication to boarding. Judges praised her exceptional contribution, commenting that “generations of boys and girls have had the best start in life thanks to her gentle pastoral care, commitment and encouragement.”
Reflecting on this year’s awards ceremony David Walker, Director, BSA said: “It is always a great pleasure to recognise boarding excellence in this way and the quality of entries never fails to impress! We were delighted to see another record number of submissions across this year’s categories, and it is particularly pleasing to see popularity grow as the BSA awards enter their tenth year. Thank you to all those who took the time to enter and many congratulations to this year’s deserving finalists and winners.”
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
WINNER: Haileybury
FINALISTS: Gordonstoun, Wellington School and New Hall School
Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award
WINNER: Holmewood House School
FINALISTS: Bilton Grange Prep School and Brighton College Prep Handcross
Boarding Innovation Award
WINNER: More House School, Frensham
FINALISTS: Brambletye School, City of London Freemen’s School and St George’s Castle School, Windsor
Sustainability in Boarding Award
WINNER: Wellington School
FINALISTS: Bromsgrove School, Jerudong International School (JIS) and Marlborough College, Malaysia
Wellbeing and Mental Health Initiative Award
WINNER: Wellington College
FINALISTS: Rochester Independent College, Roedean School and Taunton School
Supporting Junior Boarders Award
WINNER: Monkton Combe School
FINALISTS: Cranleigh School, Hazlegrove School, Sedbergh School and Strathallan Prep School
Supporting International Boarders Award
WINNER: ACS Cobham
FINALISTS: UWC Atlantic and The Leys
Supporting International Boarders Award – Guardians and Agents
WINNER: UKGuardianship
FINALISTS: Connexcel, Edukatus and Zeta Brent Education
International School of the Year Award
WINNER: International School, Brunei
FINALISTS: Dulwich International High School Programme, Suzhou, Jerudong International School (JIS) and Taunton School
Belonging and Inclusion Initiative Award
WINNER: Villiers School
FINALISTS: Clifton College and Rochester Independent College
Best Junior Artwork Project Award
WINNER: Kamila A (Brambletye)
FINALISTS: Erin M (New Hall School) and Ruyi Q (Marymount International School London)
Best Senior Artwork Project Award
WINNER: Sean W (Bedford School)
FINALISTS: Natalia M (Strathallan) and Kendra S (Mayfield School)
Khadija Saye Photography Award
WINNER: Somerset (Orwell Park School)
FINALISTS: Sam P and Oliver B (Shiplake College) and Vani (Wellington College)
Emma Pattison Award for Compassionate Leadership
WINNER: Ally Onions (St George’s School, Windsor Castle)
FINALISTS: Guy Emmett (Scarborough College) and Nicki Beaumont (The Pilgrim’s School)
Stephen Winkley Award
WINNER: Catheryn Rogerson (Cottesmore School)
FINALISTS: Paddy Rockett (Reed’s School) and Ben Maddox (Royal Alexandra & Albert School)
For more information about BSA’s Supporting Excellence Awards, please visit www.boarding.org.uk/media-centre/bsa-awards/.
Categories: Sector News
