DukesAnnualReview26 v9 first edition

Founder’s Annual Review

TOGETHER WE’RE EXTRAORDINARY

Aatif Hassan

Founder & Chairman

Aatif Hassan founded Dukes Education in 2015 and holds positions as Chairman of Cavendish Education and trustee of St James Independent Schools. He holds a British Army officer commission and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2019 for his contributions to education. He is also Chair of Dukes Foundation, trustee of the British Asian Trust and founding trustee of The Queen’s Reading Room.

WELCOME TO 2026

This year marks a moment of deep pride and reflection. We have completed our first decade as Dukes Education.

Many organisations never reach ten years, and only a tiny handful go on to last a century. Ten years on, we have a moment to celebrate - and an even bigger opportunity to look ahead at the legacy we are building together.

What began in 2015 as a simple idea - to provide young people with an education that would allow them to achieve their true potential - has grown into a family of nurseries, schools, colleges and educational services across the UK and Europe.

Yet through every chapter of growth, one thing has remained constant: our purpose to give children not just a good education, but an extraordinary one.

We marked this milestone in the way that best reflects the heart of Dukes — through our people. Over 1,000 children performed at the Royal Festival Hall for our Festival of the Arts.

1,800 colleagues gathered at Wembley for our staff conference. We published the third edition of our Culture Book, Building the Crown, capturing ‘the

Dukes Way’ - our shared values, behaviours and approach to leadership - and we filmed a documentary telling the story of our origins and the moments that have shaped us.

These were moments of celebration, and a powerful reminder that our strategy is our culture, and our culture is our strategy. As we grow, they help ensure we remain 'intimately big'connected by a common purpose and a shared way of working which will guide us through the decades ahead.

A year of growth, resilience and ambition

Our strategic focus remains clear:

1. Quality of education

2. Brand

3. Sustainable business model

These priorities continue to anchor every decision we make.

Our expansion across Europe continued at pace. New schools in Warsaw, Braga, Lisbon and Thessaloniki joined the Dukes family. High Performance Learning also became part of our group, bringing a globally respected education methodology into the heart of our academic strategy. In Switzerland, Verbier International School joined forces with Copperfield School to create one of the best schools in the country - a powerful example of how we build excellence through partnership.

We now educate more students in Europe than in the UK. This

milestone reflects our global ambition - while remaining proudly rooted in the strength and heritage of UK education.

At the same time, our UK schools have shown remarkable strength. Despite a challenging external climate and persistent gloomy predictions for the sector, our schools have performed extremely well. I often speak about BQ, or Bounce Quotient. It is about the critical skill of resilience that sits alongside IQ and EQ. This year, our BQ has been outstanding. Our teams have adapted, held steady and continued to deliver exceptional outcomes for children. I remain deeply confident in the future of UK education, reinforced by our continued longterm investment in projects such as Cardiff Bay and Kneller Hall.

Leading the conversation on the future of education

Thought leadership accelerated this year. We enhanced our Global Education Advisory Board,

Where the magic really happens

Yet with all the growth, strategy and innovation, the heart of Dukes remains wonderfully simple. The magic happens in classrooms: in the relationship between teacher and pupil, in the lesson plan that sparks curiosity, the SEN support that boosts a child’s confidence, the boarding house that becomes a second home, the sports fixture that teaches teamwork and resilience, the nursery that nurtures wonder. And in the behind-the-scenes work - admissions, operations, finance, IT, HR, estates - that allows learning to flourish without friction.

bringing together some of the most respected educational minds to help shape our academic direction. We hosted AI summits in the UK and Europe to explore how artificial intelligence will influence classrooms in the years ahead - not as a replacement for great teaching, but as a tool to enhance learning.

Across podcasts, publications and national media – including a live appearance on the BBC, Dukes has continued to contribute meaningfully to the wider educational conversation. We are not content to follow trends; we aim to help shape them.

Alongside innovation in learning, we have continued to strengthen our responsibility to the world beyond our schools. Sustainability is now embedded across our curriculum, operations and decision-making, ensuring we are building an organisation that serves not only today’s children, but future generations too.

people. Every colleague - across nurseries, schools, colleges, boarding, Dukes Plus and central support plays a part in creating extraordinary lives for children. I am constantly humbled by the care, energy and professionalism I see across Dukes.

Looking ahead

We’ve come a long way - and there’s still much to do. That means staying restless, staying true, and never losing the joy and purpose that brought us here.

our colleagues, whose talent and dedication make everything possible. You continue to make my heart sing.

Together, we will continue building the crown - not for ourselves, but for the generations of children whose lives will be shaped by what we do today.

With thanks and confidence in the year ahead,

No strategy succeeds without the daily commitment of extraordinary

As we enter our second decade, I feel enormous gratitude - for our pupils, who inspire us; our families, who place their trust in us; and

Scan to listen... to Aatif's episode of the Duke's podcast, Extraordinary Together

Dukes Europe

2025 was a year of remarkable growth and meaningful consolidation for our European region. We were proud to welcome four exceptional schools into the Dukes Education family: Colegio Luso Internacional de Braga (CLIB) in Portugal, Mandoulides Schools in Thessaloniki, Greece, Thames British School in Warsaw, and The British School of Lisbon. Each of these schools brings a rich heritage, strong values, and a deep commitment to educational excellence - further enriching the diversity and strength of our group.

Collaboration was a defining theme across Europe this year. The rollout of the Dukes Hub has empowered our schools to connect more deeply than ever before - through vibrant learning communities, professional development opportunities, and inspiring events such as the Senior Leaders Development Days. This spirit of shared learning and mutual support will remain a strategic priority in 2026, as we continue to tailor development and collaboration opportunities to the unique contexts of our schools.

We were also delighted to host the Heroes Behind the Crown and Dukes Awards online, celebrating the extraordinary contributions of our colleagues across the region. These events have become cherished moments in the Dukes family calendar, reinforcing our shared identity and the sense of belonging that defines our community.

Our commitment to giving every child the foundations for an extraordinary life remains at the heart of everything we do. This year, we successfully introduced the School Education Quality Review (SEQR) process across Europe - a collaborative, reflective approach to school development.

By inviting schools to engage with trusted peers as critical friends, SEQRs not only highlight and celebrate areas of excellence but also provide constructive challenge where growth is needed. It’s a powerful tool for continuous enhancement and shared success. As we look back on 2025, we do so with immense pride and gratitude. This year’s achievements have only been possible because of the passion, dedication, and hard work of our

incredible staff, the enthusiasm and resilience of our students, and the unwavering support of our parents. We look forward to building on this success together in 2026.

David Fitzgerald Dukes Education, CEO Europe

Dukes UK, Ireland & Switzerland

Dukes is the leading provider of premium, independent education in the UK. Given the challenging climate for the sector at present, the advantages of belonging to a strong group are increasingly evident to staff, families, and other institutions.

Being part of Dukes means reciprocity of shared values across all settings and the security and confidence that come from collective strength. Prospective parents are reassured by the Dukes crown, a recognised symbol of quality. At a time when financial pressures often curtail so-called non-essentials like professional development, Dukes continues to offer an unrivalled range of training across all functions. Every day, workshops take place in our purpose-built training suite at Dukes House - from EYFS Storytelling and Mental Health First Aid to Safeguarding, Immigration and visa management – all

Tim Fish, Dukes Education CEO UK/IRE/CH

positively influencing the education of the young people we serve and supporting our mission to empower them to lead extraordinary lives.

Membership of the Dukes family also brings access to capital investment beyond the reach of individual institutions. Planning approval was granted in May for Radnor House to relocate to an exceptional new 30-acre campus at Kneller Hall, Twickenham, blending its historic architecture with state-of-the-art facilities ahead of a 2027 opening.

August saw the opening of Pippa Pop-ins’ new Peter Rabbit-themed nursery in Holland Park and Cardiff Sixth Form College once again topped the A-level league tables with 94.1% A*/A grades - 6% above its nearest competitor. Its enduring success will be honoured with a legacy campus opening in Cardiff Bay in September 2026, designed

for generations of high-achieving students from the UK and beyond.

In March, our 6th Dukes Renaissance Scholars' Symposium, held in Dublin, showcased its growing depth and ambition. The next symposium, in June 2026, will be hosted by Verbier International School, the newly merged VIS and Copperfield community, which opened its spectacular new building in September.

September also marked the launch of our Group Education department, dedicated to excellence in education and increased collaboration across our schools in Europe, the UK, and Ireland. Under Sally Cornelius’ energetic leadership, students delivered our first Pupil Earth Summit in October, combining onsite and online participation in an inspiring programme of talks and debates. Our Climate Campaign

now engages all settings in tracking climate data over the next decade, while the Dukes Sister Schools initiative has expanded to twelve schools working in partnership.

Our UK and Ireland efforts to embed Dukes Plus and advance the village strategy have delivered meaningful progress, from ‘future ready’ days to enhanced sharing of physical and human resources. As we enter 2026, we do so with optimism, purpose and the momentum to ensure excellence in education, strengthen Dukes as the brand of choice, and build a sustainable model that secures longterm benefits for all our communities.

Tim Fish Dukes Education CEO UK/IRE/CH

It’s

OCTOBER

The

WHAT DOES DUKES STAND FOR?

Leadership expands our

purpose & values

LEADERSHIP

Inspiring self-leadership, presence and collaboration in ourselves and our children.

HIGH -PERFORMANCE ADVENTURE&INNOVATION

SERVICE

An innate sense of the greater good. Facilitating the success of others. Being the best in your own terms – fulfilling potential at an individual level.

Cultivating curiosity, fun and discovery – making education more than just exam results.

PURPOSE:

To empower our children to live an extraordinary life through education.

VALUES:

We lead with heart. We love learning.

We’re a team. We do it well. MISSION:

VISION:

– Leader in Premium K12 and education services

– Operating in strong economies

– Thriving charitable foundation offering transformational bursaries

– Thought leaders

– Best place to work in education STRATEGIC

The Dukes Way

Our culture is what makes us distinctive. We call it the Dukes Way: a way of working, leading and caring for one another that has shaped us from the very beginning.

High Performance We set ambitious goals for our pupils or projects, then support each other to reach them.

Service

Step in to help, even when it’s not your job.

Innovation & adventure

Try at least one new idea each term, however small, and reflect on its impact.

Give feedback with honesty and kindness, even when it’s tough. We lead with heart

Help others to grow by mentoring, coaching, or developing their talent. We do it well

We're a team

We love learning

Put humility into practice: act with high ability, low ego.

Model vulnerability by admitting mistakes and showing how you grow from them.

QUALITY OF EDUCATION

One of Dukes Education’s three strategic priorities is ensuring an excellent quality of education for all our children and students.

Excellent quality of education across Dukes Education

Objectives

Embed a strong teacher recruitment, development and retention strategy

This will be delivered through:

Leading in educational excellence and innovation – enabling and empowering teachers to be their best

Driving high performance and excellent teaching – implementing the Dukes Teacher Standards and quality assurance of education processes

Embedding the Dukes Difference –Dukes Diploma, Dukes Young Leaders Award, Dukes Plus, extra-curricular focus

Enhance the Dukes Education brand and ensure the group is at the forefront of educational research, innovation and thinking

Structure and Reporting

Global Education Advisory Board

This non-executive, advisory Board oversees the work of the Group Education Team providing strategic support and expert advice.

Group Education Committee

Launched in September, the Committee is made up of the Managing Directors of the UK and Europe with Libby Nicholas, and Prof Mark Bailey. The committee meets each half term and reports to the Group Board. Its focus is on achieving outstanding outcomes for all children through innovation, collaboration, research and development and sharing best practices.

successful UK inspections

Inspections

Snapshot of 2025 ISI reports

"Leaders have implemented an ambitious and cohesive curriculum that focuses on pupils acquiring and applying new knowledge to real world situations."

"Teaching is purposeful and well matched to pupils' needs, as a result pupils make good progress from their starting points."

“Governors’ robust oversight provides them with a comprehensive understanding of the school’s successes.”

“Early Years, staff encourage children to collaborate and support one another emphasising the importance of kindness and respect.”

“Leaders have created a very supportive community where mutual respect and appropriate behaviours are readily understood."

“Pupils voice their views and opinions thoughtfully and with confidence. They are keen to do well and show determination in the approach to their work.”

Material Change Inspections

Radnor House School had a successful ISI material change inspection in June 2025 for an increase in pupil numbers to allow for the transition to Kneller Hall School opening in September 2027.

Significant Strengths

In 2024, two Dukes Education schools were awarded a coveted ‘Significant Strength’ by ISI. For Bassett House School, this referred to the school’s ability to enable pupils to create, ideate, and innovate in a rapidly changing world. At Eaton Square Prep, the significant strength referred to the school’s thorough approach to identifying and meeting pupils’ individual needs.

Registration Acceptance

Approval was granted by Ofsted for the new Princedale Road nursery operating under the Pippa Pop-Ins brand.

SEQR

Each Dukes school and college is visited by a team of senior leaders from other Dukes settings, alongside Managing Directors or members of the Group Education Team in a School Education Quality Review. The purpose is to help share good practice, promote excellent quality of education, and review regulation compliance including safeguarding.

This past year there have been 12 SEQRs, involving 47 different members of staff from 22 separate Dukes settings, with eight different Lead Reviewers. This year SEQRs have included a focus on marketing and admissions. SEQRs result in action plans monitored by the Governing Body of each school. These visits develop leadership and innovation among our senior staff and bring focus on areas for development and of excellence.

AI in Education

The priority for AI in 2025 has been safeguarding and compliance in accordance with the EU AI Act. With this solid and transparent foundation from which to innovate AI for good, the following developments are underway:

Strategic vision for AI in the short and medium term

Teachers and leaders’ capacity and capability across the group

Awareness and mitigation of risks and opportunities of AI

Practical support for schools in putting policy into practice

Achievements

in academic year 2024/25

The AI Task & Finish Group:

Implemented an AI policy for every school

Provided practical guidance on leveraging AI

Curriculum Working Group feeds into Dukes Diploma

Created an AI Champions group of early adopters

AI edition of Insight

Thought leaders from the group contributed to an AI-dedicated edition of Insight, the Dukes Education thought-leadership journal that communicated the Dukes belief in human-centred AI.

Digital Learning Summits

These events in London and Madrid shared best practices and created a common understanding of how AI can benefit schools and learners.

For academic year 2025/26, the focus is:

AI Summits in UK and Europe

AI policies – dissemination of clear, practical guidance for schools

Dukes AI Literacy: Foundations for Educators

– e-learning professional development accessible to all Dukes Education employees. Curriculum and competence framework

– a vertically and horizontally aligned

AI Literacy curriculum.

High Performance Learning

High Performance Learning (HPL) is a forwardthinking, cognition-based approach that empowers schools to foster ambition, excellence, and resilience, driving lifelong success for every student. Operating as a cohesive ecosystem, HPL integrates seamlessly with each school’s culture and values, creating an environment where academic success and personal growth go hand in hand. The evidence-based framework provides a long-term strategic pathway to cultivate exceptional teaching and learning practices, enabling students to achieve outstanding outcomes.

HPL has been running in five Dukes Education schools in the Autumn term of 2025.

“Although early days, HPL at Orchard House has already shifted staff mindset, as we now actively attempt to use language that avoids placing a glass ceiling on pupils and keeps ambition for all our pupils at the centre of our practice.”

– Henrietta Adams, Head, Orchard House School

“In just one term, HPL has already strengthened our teaching and learning culture, with inspectors recognising its tangible impact during our recent ISI visit. The combination of the HPL framework and Quest data is giving us a clear, research-backed pathway to accelerate outcomes for every child.”

– Adam Anstey, Head, Broomfield House School

“Benefits so far include a positive impact on staff reevaluating their lesson construction and resources, especially with exam feedback and revision resources and staff reconsidering processes of learning and pushing children out of their comfort zone, just enough for stretch without producing anxiety, helping our efforts to build resilience.”

– Susan Brooks, Head, London Park School Clapham

“Much of the focus this term has been on building staff confidence, being clear about why we are using HPL, and putting firm foundations in place so that HPL becomes consistent, visible, and meaningful across the whole school."

– Grant Ferguson, Director, Verbier International School

Dukes Competitions & Events

For the last two years, Dukes Education schools have hosted or participated in a growing number of competitions and events. These activities enhance collaboration between Dukes schools, the schools’ offering in terms of breadth of experience, and the students’ growth through teamwork, integration and competition. During the last year there have been team and individual events, including athletics, chess, cricket, cross country, football, hockey, netball and swimming. All involved support the host school with staffing, refereeing and pupil oversight - and the opportunities for staff to drive their areas forward have been clear to see.

The four schools in Portugal came together at Colégio Júlio Dinis – International School for their second Dukes Sports day that featured a vibrant mix of activities for all, including football, rugby, padel, and volleyball plus chess, music and painting. The event captured the essence of Dukes Education in Portugal: a united community inspired by learning, guided by teamwork, and committed to helping every student grow into a confident, curious, and compassionate individual.

Scan to watch... some of the highlights from the Dukes Competitions and Events 2025

BRAND

A strong brand is built through consistent experience, clear communication and meaningful connection.

In 2025, we invested in activities that strengthened the reputation of Dukes Education schools in the UK and Europe, brought our communities closer together, and reinforced our reputation for quality and care.

Co-Branding & School Identity

Celebrating identity, strengthening connection

This year we introduced consistent cobranding across Dukes schools - ensuring each school keeps its own character, while benefiting from the recognition and trust of the wider Dukes identity.

Flagship Events

Bringing our community together

1,000+ pupils performed at the Royal Festival Hall

1,800 colleagues gathered at Wembley

1,000 people joined our Festival of Stories 11 schools took part in the inaugural Pupil Earth Summit

The 6th Renaissance Scholars' Symposium was held at The Institute of Education, Dublin These large-scale events build pride, connection

Digital Presence & Communication

channels and video storytelling increased engagement with families and communities across the UK and internationally.

Thought Leadership & Content

NPS & Reputation

Listening to our communities

Sharing ideas and expertise

We launched the Culture Book, published 3 , and released podcasts and articles that share the thinking and practice of educators across the group - extending the Dukes voice beyond our schools.

We measure parent and staff satisfaction through Net Promoter Scores across the group. In 2025, NPS remained strong across all settings, reflecting high trust, advocacy and confidence in Dukes schools.

Highest-scoring schools: UK: The Lyceum, 85 Europe: Colégio Júlio Dinis, 38

Building global relationships

We hosted agent events, international family forums and partner visits – strengthening trusted relationships that support international recruitment and long-term school partnerships.

Dukes in the News

Dukes Education founder on Middle East plans, SEND outcomes and Brexit

The global private education industry is coming for Switzerland’s expensive schools

Verbier’s pandemic-era growth triggered an elite schooling boom — and a merger that could reshape private education in the Swiss Alps.

Jude Law opens Law Theatre at Hampstead Fine Arts College

Dukes Education opens Hybrid School provision

Britain’s first part time school, where children go in just once a week London Park School Hybrid is offering children affected by Covid lockdowns a way back into education.

The success of independent, fee-paying Cardiff Sixth Form College is putting Wales' capital on the map

Cardiff Sixth Form College was joined by four other Welsh schools in the list of top performing independent schools.

Interview with Ricky Tavares, Director, Dukes Plus

Over 1.9m total views/ listens across all platforms.

Hosted by Libby Nicholas, Group Education Director and Dr Ricardo Tavares, medical doctor turned educational entrepreneur, Extraordinary Together is an inspiring new podcast grappling with the problems faced by families across the world, offering insights and inspiring words of wisdom from special guests. In the first three episodes, Libby and Ricky spoke with Maya Raichoora, a mental fitness campaigner and visualisation expert, Aatif Hassan, Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education, and actor turned children’s wellbeing advocate, Sophie Winkleman - all with their own take on how to lead an extraordinary life.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL

£70m+

total CapEx in the year

Building a resilient organisation that delivers world-class environments across both existing and greenfield sites, underpinned by high-quality operations and robust systems, is one of Dukes Education’s three strategic priorities.

New settings continue to join the Dukes family and capital expenditure projects continue at pace across Dukes Education’s international estate, reflecting a long-term commitment to the quality, sustainability and growth of our schools.

Significant resources are being directed towards the ongoing refurbishment of existing sites, the careful maintenance and preservation of historic buildings, and the upgrading of core facilities to meet evolving educational needs.

Alongside this, Dukes continues to make major strategic investments in both new and existing schools, supporting expansion while enhancing the learning environments already in place. This continuous programme of reinvestment ensures that our staff and pupils benefit from modern, well-maintained and inspiring facilities, enabling the delivery of high-quality education within high-quality surroundings and reinforcing Dukes Education’s reputation for excellence across its global portfolio.

Cardiff Sixth Form College

Cardiff Bay Development to open September 2026

CSFC is engaged in one of the biggest building projects in the history of Dukes Education. In September 2026, the brand-new campus will open in Cardiff Bay, bringing together two historic buildings with the ‘Skyview’ tower. The new teaching facility will include stunning classrooms, laboratories, an auditorium and café suitable for up to 500 students. Situated next to the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, CSFC is building a seventeen-storey boarding complex complete with gym, medical centre, TV rooms and common rooms, where over 400 boarders will reside.

Scan to see... a first look at the new CSFC development in Cardiff Bay

Broomfield House

In response to demand, a new provision for children ‘rising 3’ was opened allowing younger children to join Broomfield House before the traditional PreKindergarten point at age 3. In addition, a former car park was converted into an outdoor learning space used for Forest School workshops.

Colégio Júlio Dinis

New facilities to support the Cambridge International Programme were designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Modern classrooms, enhanced digital resources, and dedicated study areas now provide an inspiring environment that supports both independent learning and group projects.

Eaton House Belgravia

A new Innovation Centre was created to provide a cutting-edge, dynamic learning space. A LEGO Wall introduces pupils to engineering, coding and problemsolving in an engaging and interactive way, ensuring that STEM education is both accessible and exciting for all and the centre also houses a state-of-the-art recording studio for filming and podcasting.

Elian’s British School of La Nucía

A new IB study room and multifunctional outdoor space was created to support Sixth Form students as well as a new art, DT and classrooms.

Engage International School

The Early Years areas have been completely redesigned with an innovative pedagogical approach. Open and continuous spaces that allow free movement and connection between areas, natural light and materials foster a calm, safe and aesthetically coherent atmosphere. The Primary Stage has been completely renovated following the same approach as Early Years with open plan classrooms, flexible collaborative work areas, relaxed reading areas and spaces for independent work.

Hampstead Fine Arts College

The college’s second campus on Parkhill Road, Belsize Park, opened in September and provides lecture rooms and classrooms as well as spaces for the performing arts, fine art, science, music and music tech, flexible outdoor space and a 120-seat auditorium, opened by former Fine Arts College parent, Jude Law. A new science lab was installed at the England’s Lane campus.

International Sharing School

Two major developments were completed at ISS, the full renovation of the sports field and upgrade of the skate park. The new sports field supports a wide range of sports, from football and athletics to team-building exercises

Kneller Hall redevelopment

Kneller Hall School to open September 2027

The redevelopment of Kneller Hall into a premium site for what will be the largest campus of any senior school in southwest London is underway. Following the planning application approval in May, the final conditions set by the Local Authority were discharged in the autumn term and work begins in earnest on the site in 2026.

By September 2027, Kneller Hall School will comprise a new purpose-built teaching block, refurbished Guard House housing the music department, refurbished Band Hall housing the drama department, a new sports pavilion, astro pitch and playing fields.

Pippa Pop-ins

A new nursery school was opened at Princedale Road, Notting Hill designed to support high-quality early years learning in an inspiring environment. The setting includes light-filled open-plan rooms, intimate teaching spaces and a garden for outdoor learning and play, all designed to support the Montessori EYFS blended curriculum.

Rochester Independent College

The new boarding house has been fully operational during 2025 and was named the British Boarding School Association’s Boarding Refurbishment of the Year.

The English School of Asturias

Significant developments across the campus have been made including renovated reception and administration areas and upgrading Early Years playground and the redesign of the school library.

United Lisbon International School

Campus enhancements were completed and the new auditorium and sporting facilities opened. These worldclass additions including changing rooms, storage areas, a dance studio, a visitor foyer, and a rooftop football pitch.

NEW ADDITIONS

5 new family members in 2025

High Performance Learning

Witney, Oxfordshire

High Performance Learning (HPL) is a forwardthinking, cognition-based approach that empowers schools to foster ambition, excellence, and resilience, driving lifelong success for every student. HPL was founded in 2016 by leading academic, Professor Deborah Eyre, following a meta-analysis of the global research into how the most successful learners think and learn. Operating as a cohesive ecosystem, HPL integrates seamlessly with each school’s culture and values, creating an environment where academic success and personal growth go hand in hand.

The Dukes family continued to grow in 2025. with High Performance Learning and four new settings joining in Greece, Poland and Portugal.

Colégio Luso Internacional de Braga

Braga, Portugal

Established in 1999, Colégio Luso Internacional de Braga (CLIB) serves over 370 students aged 3 to 18, providing a balanced, high-quality education for the Portuguese and international community. CLIB nurtures curiosity, fosters academic excellence, and builds a community grounded in respect, service and intercultural understanding.

Mandoulides Schools

Thessaloniki, Greece

Mandoulides Schools was founded in 1978 by Evangelos Mantoulidis to provide a modern Greek education with a European outlook. Serving over 1,900 students aged 2 to 18, the school prepares young people for the future through an innovative curriculum, high academic standards, sport and rich cultural opportunities.

Thames British School Warsaw

Warsaw, Poland

Thames British School Warsaw is the most internationally diverse school in the city. Founded in 2018, it is a vibrant, inclusive community across four campuses, serving over 700 students aged 2½ to 18 with a British-style education that offers a global perspective while respecting local traditions.

The British School of Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal

The British School of Lisbon was founded in 2019 and currently educates 450 children from nursery to Year 10. Its mission, “to be a world-leading school,” reflects a commitment to the highest standards, with an ambitious approach that goes beyond academic achievement to nurture character, critical thinking and a love of learning.

Meet the Family

Founded in 2015, Dukes brings together a carefully curated group of nurseries, schools, colleges, education consultancies and student experience organisations.

Our central teams are based in London and Madrid. From here, we serve our settings in the UK, Ireland and Europe, providing administrative support and training, whilst promoting high-performance, leadership, and wellbeing.

UNITED KINGDOM IRELAND Institute of Education

Bruce College

The English School of Asturias

Colegio Internacional de Valladolid

Colégio Luso Internacional de Braga

Colégio Júlio Dinis

United Lisbon International School

The British School of Lisbon International Sharing School

Colegio Inglés Zaragoza International English School of Castellón

Elian’s British School of La Nucía Engage International School

Beehive Square Primary School

Pražské humanitní gymnázium JK Education

American Academy in Prague

United Kingdom

Ireland Wales Institute of Education

Cardiff Sixth Form College Bruce College

Reflections Day Nursery & Forest School

Sancton Wood Nursery, Cambridge

Sancton Wood School, Cambridge

St. Andrew’s College, Cambridge

Cardiff Sixth Form College, Cambridge Campus

LONDON

Rochester Independent College

Earlscliffe

Hove Village Nurseries

Broomfield House School

Riverside Nursery Schools RICHMOND

KEY:

Educational Setting:

Nursery School

Preparatory School

Senior School

Sixth Form College

Dukes Plus:

Ultimate Activity Camps

Summer Boarding Courses

InvestIN Education

* Opening soon

Riverside Nursery Schools ST MARGARETS MONTESSORI

Riverside Nursery Schools TWICKENHAM PARK

Kneller Hall School*

Radnor House School

Radnor House Prep

Riverside Nursery Schools HOLLY ROAD

Riverside Nursery Schools GROSVENOR HOUSE

Hampton Court House School

Heathside School Hampstead

Devonshire House School

Bassett House School

Notting Hill Preparatory School

Hampstead Fine Arts College

Montessori Nursery School WORSHIP STREET

Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nursery School ANGEL Hopes and Dreams

Miss Daisy’s Nursery HYDE PARK

Orchard House School The Lyceum School

Pippa Pop-ins

Pippa Pop-ins The Acorn Nursery

Knightsbridge School

London Park School Mayfair

Dukes Education DUKES HOUSE, BUCKINGHAM GATE

Eaton House Belgravia School

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BROOK GREEN

Miss Daisy’s Nursery CHELSEA

Pippa Pop-ins

Prospect House School

Miss Daisy’s Nursery KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Kindergartens MOUSE HOUSE SW18

Kindergartens MOUSE HOUSE SW11

Broomwood Prep BOYS

Kindergartens CRESCENT II

Eaton Square Prep School

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BELGRAVIA

London Park School Sixth

Kindergartens THE PARK

Eaton House THE MANOR GIRLS SCHOOL THE MANOR BOYS SCHOOL

Broomwood Prep GIRLS

London Park School Clapham

Broomwood Pre-prep

The Pointer School

Our Highlights: Europe Spain

Elian’s British School of La Nucía

Students from Years 10 to 13 participated in the annual Model United Nations (MUN) conference for the first time, gaining valuable experience in diplomacy, debating and teamwork. From the Opening Ceremony and guest speakers to moderated and unmoderated sessions, delegates stepped into the roles of world leaders, representing different countries and articulating their positions with confidence, passion and respect. One of the key topics debated was the protection of children online, reflecting the conference’s engagement with urgent global issues.

Throughout the event, students developed essential skills for global citizenship, including active listening, negotiation, alliancebuilding and the drafting of resolutions. These competencies were applied in a collaborative, real-world setting, reinforcing the importance of dialogue and co-operation in addressing contemporary challenges.

The English School of Asturias

This year, the English School of Asturias had an exciting addition to its curriculum. Students across all year groups took part in a bespoke PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) programme, carefully designed to equip them with a broad range of skills that both complement their academic learning and prepare them for life beyond school.

As part of this initiative, in October, Year 7 students enjoyed a memorable team building trip to the beautiful mountains of the León region. Over three days, they took part in a range of challenging outdoor activities such as climbing, abseiling, caving, and archery,

as well as solving complex codebreaking tasks and hiking through the hills. The trip was an opportunity for students to step outside their

comfort zones, support one another, and develop teamwork, resilience, and friendship - making memories that will last a lifetime.

International English School of Castellón

In November, Year 10 students took part in an empowering, immersive, full-day Career Orientation Workshop. This specialised programme was made possible by leveraging the strength and

Alongside this, a particularly meaningful initiative at Elians was led by Year 13 IB student Andrea as part of her Creativity, Activity and Service programme. Andrea organised a collection of items for children in Saharan refugee camps, inspired by the experiences of a Saharan girl adopted by her family, demonstrating compassion, leadership and community engagement.

expertise within the Dukes Education family, in partnership with international student career experts, InvestIN. It was a collaboration that allowed the school to move beyond traditional classroom learning and actively connect academic studies with future professional pathways. The workshop provided high-value, practical insights across five crucial sectors: Business and Finance, Medicine, Creative Industries, Law, and Engineering. Students engaged in targeted activities and real-world case studies, exploring diverse fields through an enquiry-led approach.

Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive and they reported a significant increase in their understanding of future career possibilities. Following this successful start, the school is keen to continue developing a series of career workshops to deepen the career education curriculum, ensuring all our students are motivated and fully informed to make choices about their academic and professional journeys.

Colegio Internacional de Valladolid

At Engage International School, this year has marked the consolidation of our student-centred educational model which promotes academic, personal and emotional growth. Guided by our Four Cs Educational Project (Curiosity, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Communication), pupils have taken part in interdisciplinary projects, experiential learning and global thinking activities that foster independence and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

Colegio Inglés Zaragoza

The Colegio Inglés Zaragoza, with a history of over fifty years, continues to stand out for its commitment to bilingual excellence and

Academic and career guidance has begun from the early stages, with mentoring and vocational support programmes enabling students to make informed decisions about their futures.

Our trilingual immersion in English, Spanish, and French has remained one of the cornerstones of the year, strengthening pupils’ language competence in real-life contexts. All of this has been made possible thanks to a dedicated teaching team committed to innovative, emotionally aware, and rigorous education, transforming every classroom into a space for growth and purpose. At Engage, we believe that living an extraordinary life begins with an exceptional education.

international education. This year, the 4th Secondary students who took the C2 Proficiency level exam, achieved the highest Cambridge

Colegio Internacional de Valladolid has been awarded the Common Sense Media School badge, one of the few Spanish schools to receive this distinction. This is in recognition of our commitment to digital education and the online wellbeing of students. Staff help students to develop critical thinking skills in relation to technology, learn to manage their digital identity and make safe and balanced use of digital tools.

We educate responsible, critical and confident digital citizens in an increasingly connected world. This is possible thanks to the effort and dedication of our teachers who integrate digital education into

Portugal

Colégio Júlio Dinis

qualification, an exceptional milestone that very few 16-year-olds in Spain accomplish at this age. This certificate, equivalent to nativelevel proficiency, reflects both the students’ talent and the school’s long-term educational success.

Such results are no coincidence: they stem from a British-based methodology that promotes genuine language immersion from Early Years, led by native teachers and supported by rigorous Cambridge exam preparation. Exceptional teachers guide students and families through this process and are the key to maintaining these outstanding standards. In recent interviews, the students expressed how naturally they use English in academic and personal contexts, approaching the exam with confidence and ease.

the classroom, and our students, who take on the challenge of learning and growing in a digital environment in a conscious way.

The school is moving towards a future where technology is a resource for learning, development and wellbeing. Examples that illustrate the practice of handson learning methodology are the Robotix or Microbits programming projects that our students have carried out in the different stages of Primary School. Technology is used to create and innovate, not merely as a support, enabling students to respect and value these tools, giving their learning a practical and experiential approach.

Colégio Júlio Dinis International School reached a landmark moment in 2025 with the graduation of its first Year 13 class. This pioneering group of students marked a defining milestone for the school and a source of pride for the entire CJD community. The celebration took place aboard a boat cruising along the River Douro, offering a truly memorable setting as

students, teachers, and guests shared a beautiful sunset together.

Among those in attendance were Head of the International School, Helena Silva; CJD Principal, Marco Carvalho; and Dukes Education Managing Director Portugal, Matthew Tompkins.

The formal ceremony saw each graduate receive their diploma

in front of family and mentors, followed by inspiring speeches that recognised their academic achievements and personal growth. The evening concluded with a dinner filled with joy, reflection, and optimism, and a special surprise for the students. The first graduating class has set a wonderful precedent - one that will inspire generations of CJD students to come.

Colégio Luso Internacional de Braga

The House System lies at the heart of fostering a strong sense of community, teamwork, and healthy competition among students at CLIB. Each House embodies its own set of core values, guiding students to grow as responsible, compassionate members of the school community. Promoting the school’s values is an essential part of the CLIB community. For the first time, Lower School students will also join the House System, bringing their enthusiasm and energy to school projects and embodying the true spirit of CLIB.

The Tutoring and Mentoring Project at CLIB connects older students with younger peers to enhance learning, strengthen

relationships, and promote the school’s core values. Through this initiative, younger students receive both academic guidance and emotional support, while older students develop essential skills in leadership, responsibility, and service, all valuable for their CASE

(personal enrichment programme) evaluations and future university applications. By fostering these meaningful connections, the project helps cultivate a caring and supportive school community where students of all ages learn from and inspire one another.

International Sharing School

ISS continues to support and empower students to achieve beyond expectations. This year, 40% of students showed significant improvement, exceeding their CAT4 predictions by more than three points in their total scores. Even more impressively, 20% of students surpassed their predicted scores by six points or more –

an outstanding achievement that reflects the dedication, expertise, and continuous support of our experienced teachers and coordinators.

Seven MYP4 and MYP5 students represented International Sharing School at the Maths Olympics, hosted by St. Julian’s School in

Lisbon. Competing among 25 teams from international schools across the region, our students demonstrated remarkable teamwork, problem-solving skills, and determination.

While the Maths Sharks team achieved an impressive 2nd place overall, our other team also performed exceptionally well, showing great effort and enthusiasm throughout the competition. In preparation for upcoming events, two student-led Maths Clubs are now running, one focusing on the National Portuguese Maths Olympiad and another on the American Maths Competition. This initiative highlights our students’ passion for STEM learning and their commitment to academic excellence.

United Lisbon International School

United Lisbon International School is proud of its community of students that represents more than 50 nationalities, reinforcing the school’s identity as a truly international learning environment built on diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence. The innovative United Beyond Boundaries programme in Middle School continued to offer experiential learning in leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and service, equipping students with essential life skills beyond the classroom. Curriculum flexibility for Grades 9 and 10 was also expanded to better prepare students for success in the IB Diploma Programme.

Student life continued to thrive through enriched after-school programmes, strengthened partnerships with Sporting Lisbon, and the addition of new sports such as basketball and swimming.

United Lisbon also achieved NEASC accreditation, joining its existing CIS and IB accreditations. Together, these three prestigious recognitions reinforce one another, giving the school academic credibility, international prestige, and a progressive educational identityall underpinned by continuous improvement and shared values.

Greece

International School of Athens

This year marked a major milestone for International School of Athens (ISA) as we embarked for the first time on administering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP)

e-Assessment exams. Our Year 5/ Grade 10 students were the first cohort to conclude the MYP and begin preparing for these external exams. Year 5 e-Assessment exams are an innovative, digital format that reflects modern educational practices and strengthens both teaching and learning, providing a reliable, standardised, and globally consistent way to measure students’ knowledge and skills.

Furthermore, they encourage critical thinking, inquiry, and realworld problem-solving, providing structure, purpose, and motivation as students prepare for the next step in their academic journey. We are incredibly pleased with the results - students not only performed well but also approached the process with maturity, commitment, and a genuine sense of initiative. They embraced the challenge with confidence and determination, and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they represented themselves and the ISA community.

Mandoulides Schools

In a warm and optimistic atmosphere, Mandoulides Schools welcomed Aatif Hassan, celebrating the school’s integration into the international Dukes Education family. The event brought together executives, parents, educators, and state representatives.

Dr. Aspasia Chasioti, General Academic Director, emphasised that the collaboration ensures continuity and progress centred on children. Mrs. Aikaterini Mantoulidou presented a heartfelt overview of the school’s journey since 1978, honouring its founder Evangelos Mantoulidis and highlighting that joining Dukes Education was a strategic choice to secure the school’s long-term future while preserving its values. She also

introduced the leadership team including Lila Toutountzi as General Director and Aspasia Hasioti as General Academic Director.

Aatif outlined Dukes Education’s vision as a global network supporting schools through innovation and opportunity, while Dr. Ricardo Tavares presented the Group’s specialised academic and career services. David Fitzgerald

Rest of Europe

Thames British School, Warsaw

Thames British School underwent a strategic transformation focused on its campuses and student services. The Włochy Campus was fully redeveloped into a larger, modernised site, introducing a new Early Years Learning Centre and a dedicated Primary School. Simultaneously, the Mokotów High School Campus enhanced its learning environment by offering

A-levels (Cambridge) and the IB Diploma Programme, opening pathways to leading universities worldwide. Improvements also continued at the Ochota Campus, particularly in outdoor sports and play facilities.

Academically, the school reinforced its identity as both a Cambridge International School

introduced key Dukes executives, underlining their shared educational excellence. The event featured musical performances by the school’s orchestra and choir and concluded with a garden reception fostering dialogue and celebration among parents, staff and the other distinguished guests, including government officials and education leaders.

Verita International School, Bucharest

At Verita, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, we have hosted a wide

range of in-school events featuring inspiring external guests- leaders, innovators, and professionals from around the world who bring real-world knowledge directly to our students. These opportunities allow students to explore diverse perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and discover their aspirations while gaining skills that prepare them for an ever-changing world. By connecting with experts across varied fields, our students deepen their understanding of global issues and are motivated to think critically, lead confidently, and contribute positively to society.

The school excelled at the recent World Scholar's Cup competition, with teams achieving remarkable success: 3rd place in Team Writing, 1st place in Team Debate, and 5th place overall! All teams qualified for the Global Round, and students earned a host of well-deserved medals.

Consilium, Croatia and Czechia

and IB Diploma pathway institution. Regular professional training for teachers was prioritised to support curriculum development. The school also introduced and embedded its new CARE values - Collaborative & Compassionate, Authentic, Responsible & Resilient, and Enlightened - making them a central part of teaching, learning, and community life across all campuses.

In August, Thames British School joined the Dukes Education family, promising further excellence and resource integration and was also accepted into the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) marking a significant achievement for the school.

In October, Consilium schools, including the American Academy in Prague, Square Elementary, and Pražské humanitní gymnasium, launched the AI Initiative, a sixmonth project designed to give students practical experience with artificial intelligence.

The program began with an AI Week featuring lectures, discussions, and workshops that explored how AI is used in various fields such as business, media, and creative industries. Students experimented with AI-generated images, 3D modelling, and digital tools while learning about the ethical aspects of new technologies.

Throughout the project, student teams are developing their own AI-

based solutions from applications and chatbots to creative tools.

The most successful projects will be presented at the Consilium AI Fair in February 2026, highlighting how modern education can connect innovation, technology, and real-world problem-solving.

Our Highlights: UK, Ireland & Switzerland

Bassett House

This year saw the exciting addition of the Years 3 and 4 production to the Bassett House calendar – a new opportunity that further strengthens our commitment to an arts-rich curriculum. The pupils brought to life Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes with boundless energy and confidence, performing to a packed audience in full theatrical style!

From expressive storytelling to comic timing, every element reflected the children’s developing skills in language, teamwork and creativity. It was a genuine whole-school effort: live musicians accompanied the action; lights, microphones and face paints added professional polish; and staff across

Broomfield House

At Broomfield House, our teaching is as much about developing future ready skills as it is about mastering content. This year, our Year 6 pupils took part in a ten week ‘Mini-MBA’ style entrepreneurship programme designed to cultivate the top ten skills identified by the World Economic Forum for 2025, including critical thinking, creativity, complex problemsolving, collaboration, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

Through a series of immersive workshops, the children explored

the whole school came together to watch a stunning performance.

The result was more than just a performance: it was a joyful celebration of collaboration, imagination and self-belief. For

many pupils, it was their first experience of performing under stage lights, and they rose to the occasion superbly. The production has now established itself as a highlight of the year – here’s to 2026!

Broomwood

In the Spring, Broomwood welcomed 17 young pupils taking part in the British Immersion Programme. The children joined the four Broomwood locations for short periods, giving them and their families a true insight into attending a school in the UK - from learning English and experiencing the culture, to making lifelong friendships.

Careful planning and preparation ensured that the children and families felt welcome and were immediately swept up in the joy of school life. Everyone was impressed by how well the children adapted during their first visit and the school was thrilled to welcome back some familiar faces for further stays in April, June and July before the school closed for the summer. Watching how the young visitors grew in confidence, even to the point of

performing in assembly with great enthusiasm, was truly inspiring.

The feedback from the families was heartwarming and many have asked about attending

Bruce College

Broomwood on a more permanent basis; now that the school has been granted a UKVI sponsorship licence, this can become a reality.

business fundamentals such as marketing, finance, sustainability, and customer insight, while learning how to ideate, prototype, and pitch viable business concepts.

The experience culminated in a live ‘Investor Pitch’ event, where pupils presented their ventures to a panel of guest investors, followed by a vibrant Entrepreneurial Fair in which they sold their products and services to the school community.

This initiative reflects our belief that education should not only prepare children for exams,

but also equip them with the entrepreneurial mindset, confidence, and adaptability to be a catalyst for change and a force of good in the modern world.

This year at Bruce College has been marked by outstanding academic achievement and a continued commitment to student success with one student successfully achieving an outstanding and rare 8 H1’s in all Higher Level subjects. Our students

have once again demonstrated exceptional dedication, with record numbers attaining top grades in national exams. The Leaving Certificate class of 2025 achieved a remarkable set of results, with many progressing to competitive courses

in Medicine, Finance, Engineering, Law, and the Arts, both in Ireland and internationally. Bruce College remains committed to nurturing each student’s academic potential –ensuring not only success in exams but a lifelong passion for learning.

Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge

In June, students from CSFC Cambridge participated in our International Citizenship Programme, a transformative experience designed for aspiring medics. This unique initiative brought together students from both Cambridge and Cardiff campuses to explore global healthcare, deliver vital medical support to remote Maasai communities, and immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Tanzania.

As part of the programme, students supported a medical outreach initiative serving rural villages. They also undertook clinical placements in local hospitals, gaining handson exposure to healthcare in a real-world setting. Shadowing experienced doctors, students observed patient consultations, emergency treatments, and

Cardiff Sixth Form College

routine procedures, offering them a first-hand perspective on global medical practice. Students described the trip as a life-defining experience that strengthened their passion for medicine and confirmed their commitment to pursuing it at university.

Cultivating and maintaining relationships with universities is particularly important and our ‘Cambridge Edge’ exemplifies how we engage with the local academic environment and beyond to enhance career and university preparation.

Cardiff Sixth Form College was once again named number one in the whole of the UK for A-level results, with an astonishing 94% A*-A grades – a clear 6% above the school in second place. Behind this success

lies a determined focus to enrich the lives of all of the students at the college with a super-curricular programme and co-curricular activities which have seen Cardiff Sixth Form College named as the

Devonshire House Preparatory School began a new Football Development partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in September, bringing

professional-level football coaching directly to the school.

At the heart of the partnership is the appointment of a full-time Spurs

Football Development coach from the Premier League club, who will lead the newly created Devonshire House Football Academy. The programme is open to all pupils, with dedicated pathways for both girls and boys — building on the school’s strong tradition of inclusivity and sporting excellence. Every pupil, whether they play for fun or show real promise, now has the chance to grow through football as the partnership brings elite coaching into everyday school life and reflects the school’s belief in sport’s role in building confidence, resilience and teamwork.

The programme includes weekly training sessions and the chance to participate in development sessions or matches at the club’s training centre. Inclusion and inspiration are central to the vision for the football academy and Devonshire House hopes to echo the impact of the England Lionesses, whose success has transformed girls’ football across the UK.

Independent Schools’ Association Boarding School of the Year and Independent School of the Year for International Student Experience.

The exceptional Cardiff Sixth Form College Orchestra performed at the Dukes Festival of the Arts and the annual Cultural Event, held at the International Conference Centre, Newport, was an undeniable highlight. Cardiff Sixth Form College is a vibrant, busy, happy and successful community where the breadth of opportunities available to students matches the talent and determination they all bring to the College.

Earlscliffe

This year, Earlscliffe students achieved exceptional results in A-level Art & Design and A-level Photography, showcasing both their talent and hard work. With 85% A*-A grades and a value-added score of +2 grades across these two subjects, the art department goes from strength to strength.

These achievements represent remarkable progress, with all students exceeding expectations by an average of two grades above their predicted outcomes.

Such results highlight not only the dedication and creativity of our students but also the outstanding guidance they receive from their teachers.

The Art & Design and Photography department continues to nurture individuality, artistic expression, and academic excellence. The commitment of the staff, combined with the passion and resilience of our students, has created an inspiring environment where potential truly flourishes.

Eaton House Belgravia

The boys of Eaton House Belgravia achieved 14 coveted offers at 7+ from Westminster Under School, St Paul’s School and Kings College Wimbledon. This is an outstanding result from a non-selective school at 4+, representing a 50% pass rate on entry at St Paul’s, a 29% pass rate on entry at Westminster Under and a 33% pass rate on entry at King’s College, Wimbledon.

The school, which has been in existence since 1897, has sent generations to top schools.

Children soar academically with ambitious goals in a caring culture where excellence is supported by wellbeing. ‘School from 2+’ is new for 2025, with compound learning for the youngest pupils.

This is about building knowledge and skills step-by-step in a caring environment. Nursery pupils also receive early experience in frequent, short, structured lessons in maths and English skills, making them confident and ready to learn.

A new library and Innovation Centre have been designed to foster creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial teaching.

Eaton Square Prep

This year, Eaton Square Prep School focused on making learning inclusive and meaningful through a whole-school partnership with The World Reimagined. Pupils explored important themes such as identity, racial justice, and global citizenship across a wide range of subjects including History, Geography, PSHE, Art, Music, English, Maths, and Science. These topics were woven into everyday lessons, helping children connect ideas across disciplines and understand the world from different perspectives.

Hampstead Fine Arts College

Eaton House The Manor

It was a proud moment for Eaton House The Manor when pupil, Ayaan, was selected as one of the 2025 Westminster’s King’s Scholars. In a remarkable achievement, Ayaan came in 3rd overall and 1st in History.

To achieve this a pupil in Year 8 can take ‘The Westminster Challenge’ – possibly the most difficult in the world for rising 13-year-olds - which consists of papers in Mathematics,

English, French, Science, Latin, History and Geography, with an optional Greek paper.

Another Eaton House The Manor Prep pupil, Rehaan, also won the second of the ‘big three’ UK scholarships in 2025 -the John Colet at St Paul’s Boys, the school’s most prestigious academic award. In the Girls’ School, Ginevra was awarded the Millennium Scholarship at Brighton College.

Based on a 125-year heritage of academic excellence and founded on a caring culture of wellbeing, Eaton House The Manor has an unashamedly aspirational culture –whether in academics, music, sport or any other endeavour. We believe there is a place for every child to shine. These three pupils all did exceptionally well, earning particular praise from their subject leads.

A key moment came in June, when every class helped design and paint a fibre-glass globe celebrating the diversity of the African continent. The project included elements such as trade routes, natural resources, artistic styles, and mathematical symbols. It encouraged creativity, teamwork, and deeper thinking about African heritage and its global impact.

The finished globe now stands as a colourful and thoughtful reflection of our pupils’ learning, showing how education at Eaton Square Prep School goes beyond the classroom to promote curiosity, respect, and global awareness.

Each year, Fine Arts College students embark on an inspiring three-night study trip to Italytwo nights in Florence and one in Venice. This immersive experience brings to life everything they study in the classroom, highlighting the College’s distinctive blend of academic and creative learning. Students of Art History and the Creative Arts encounter the

Hampton Court House

The Hampton Court House Prepared for Life Sixth Form programme launched with a structure and intent unique amongst Sixth Form programmes in the UK. We aim to equip students with the confidence, resilience, and real-world skills they need to thrive in life beyond university.

Academic excellence is a key focus, but the Prepared for Life programme also integrates five pillars each designed and delivered by experienced professionals and rooted in evidence-based practices. Physical Wellbeing, supported through tailored gym and fitness plans designed by professional trainers, boosts concentration and wellbeing. Mental Health is nurtured through Mental Health Champions, mindfulness walks, a calming

masterpieces they have only seen in books, transforming their understanding through first-hand experience. Standing before works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Titian, they gain fresh insight into technique, context, and cultural significance.

Beyond the galleries and churches, students immerse themselves in

Italian culture - absorbing the rhythm of daily life, exploring architecture, and engaging with local traditions. The trip fosters independence and confidence, offering a taste of pre-university study and travel. It also strengthens the bonds between peers across disciplines, encouraging collaboration and shared curiosity. Whether sketching in a Florentine piazza or reflecting on Venetian light, students discover the connections between history, art, and contemporary creative practice. The Italy trip encapsulates Fine Arts College’s ethos: learning that is vibrant, experiential, and rooted in the world beyond the classroom.

Recharge Room, and support from Leo, our wellbeing dog. Cultural Literacy broadens horizons with trips, for example, to the Royal Opera House, alongside art and music lectures that help to develop conversational skills. Leadership

Development includes one-to-one coaching, inspiring workshops, and career simulations, equipping students to lead with clarity.

Community encourages students to mentor and provide support to younger students and those with English as an additional language and to participate in community service and charitable causes.

The result is an award-winning programme developing emotionally intelligent, self-confident and well-rounded young adults.

Heathside School Hampstead

Children at Heathside have embraced new academic challenges this year. Philosophy for Children provides an opportunity for pupils to make meaning between their own experiences and those of others. The children have looked at different stimuli such as Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon or a storybook about refugees – with the intention of deepening their understanding and willingness to evaluate and change their views critically.

The ‘Votes for Schools’ programme has been used to inform debating lessons - helping to cultivate informed, articulate, and socially aware pupils by promoting democratic engagement and supporting curriculum goals. Hosted by the Head, these

debating sessions give guidance and encourage pupils to think critically, express their opinions with confidence, and engage respectfully with different viewpoints.

The school also held an exciting Design and Technology Day,

Institute of Education

This year marked the strongest academic performance in the history of the Institute of Education. With five students achieving eight H1s and more than 140 students scoring over 600 points, it was our best-ever set of Leaving Certificate results. These outcomes reflect the depth of teaching and learning across the school and the shared commitment of students and teachers to academic excellence.

Classrooms were defined by purposeful learning and a strong culture of curiosity. Students explored subjects in depth, often moving beyond syllabus requirements to develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning and independent study habits. Our students’ achievements in STEM, maths, and sports were truly exceptional.

dedicated to creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning that allowed pupils to design, build, and test their own creations, exploring how imagination and engineering come together to make things move.

Knightsbridge School

Knightsbridge School pupils have excelled, both in the classroom and in their wider pursuits, showcasing the power of a well-rounded and happy education. From excellent academic results to wonderful extra-curricular achievements and weekly volunteering and giving back to the community, students have

London Park School Clapham

embodied the school’s commitment to learning and growth in all areas.

Senior students delivered stellar results; the 11+ cohort secured offers from a variety of the most prestigious London day schools, a testament to their focused preparation and the dedicated

teaching they received – and 13+ leavers headed off to top-tier boarding schools. At GCSE, the success continued, highlighted by one remarkable student achieving an outstanding ten Grade 9s.

The year also saw notable success in sports, with several pupils competing in Independent School Association national competitions for netball, cross country, swimming, skiing, and athletics. In Performing Arts, our students demonstrated great talent and confidence in their productions of Shrek the Musical and Mary Poppins, whilst our annual ‘KS Got Talent’ featuring guest judge Simon Cowell, reflected not only the flair of our pupils but also the brilliant community that is at the heart of Knightsbridge School.

Across sciences, economics, technology, humanities and languages, students engaged in challenging problem-solving tasks, collaborative projects and research-based learning that mirrored third level expectations. Debating, public speaking and creative studies further developed communication and expressive skills.

The wider school community also came together through mindfulness activities such as the Sunrise Walk, charity initiatives and sustainability projects. It has been a deeply rewarding year, brought to a fitting close by the exceptional Leaving Certificate results achieved this summer.

This has been a landmark year for LPS Clapham - one that celebrates both innovation in the classroom and academic achievement. Our first ever GCSE results this summer were an exciting milestone, reflecting the hard work, and resilience of our founding cohort and setting a strong foundation for future success.

Learning at LPS Clapham is dynamic, connected and deeply personal. Through our Integrated Learning approach, pupils explore broad themes and see how ideas link across subjects and disciplines. The LPS 'Learning Like a Londoner' philosophy extends our experiential approach beyond the classroom, with pupils having investigated physics at the Royal Institution, analysing history at the Imperial

War Museum and uncovering the stories of the Tower of London.

This year we have also embraced the High Performance Learning framework, embedding the mindset and learning habits that empower every student to thrive. Together, our

forward-thinking approach creates a culture of aspiration where pupils think critically, act compassionately and see learning as an adventure and sets them up for success not only for the next stage, but for life.

London Park School Hybrid

The Hybrid offer at LPS Mayfair has seen strong growth and continued interest. This exciting new model of learning, the only one of its kind in a British school, offers a true hybrid education

London Park School Mayfair

At LPS Mayfair, the first year under our new name captured the energy and ambition of a school that is both established and evolving. The LPS ethos - academic excellence through a focus on the individual, with a strong emphasis on compassion and collaboration - has shone across classrooms, co-curricular life and community initiatives.

From the national Mathematical Competition for Girls, where two of our students earned Certificates of Merit, to the Explore London programme that brings learning to life across the capital, our students have demonstrated the intellectual curiosity and confidence that defines our ambition ‘Learning Like a Londoner’.

with four days of live online learning and one day in school each week, blending in-person teaching, digital collaboration and personal mentoring. The success of our first-ever GCSE cohort, achieving results significantly above national averages, has been a powerful validation of this pioneering approach.

Students have flourished academically and personally. Their achievements - from a scholarship to UWC Atlantic to a place at the London Screen Academy - show how hybrid learning can unlock potential in unique ways.

In its first year, LPS Hybrid demonstrated that innovation and individuality can sit side by side - a place where students learn in ways that suit them best, supported by teachers who know them well.

The new academic year of 2025-26 has just seen a positive ISI inspection, affirming the school’s strength of purpose and culture of care. Alongside good GCSE results and a thriving student leadership team, this

Notting Hill Prep

This year, one of our most heartening and student-centred highlights at Notting Hill Prep has been how our woodland space has become a real hub for creative, inquiry-based learning. Pupils often use this space for open-

ended exploration, storytelling, and nature journalling: taking learning outside the classroom setting. For instance, in a recent Key Stage 2 English science-link project, children went into the woods to observe leaf morphology, sketch

Orchard House School

Orchard House School launched its innovative Learning Orchard Curriculum – a completely redesigned curriculum that gives children an education that not only prepares them for exams but equips them with the skills, knowledge, and character to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Rooted in the four guiding principles - Holistic Learning, Leadership, Powerful Knowledge, and World Readiness, the Learning Orchard places strong emphasis on fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

has been a year that has cemented Mayfair’s place as an exciting, outward-looking and compassionate senior school in the heart of London with a strong family ethos.

An example is the cross-curricular focus on sustainability and global citizenship. Pupils in Year 6 explored the question of whether economic development in a city should take

tree bark patterns, and collect fallen seeds; later they returned to class and wove these observations into descriptive stories and poetry. From measuring saplings to writing poems inspired by light through the trees, children have discovered that learning is not confined to four walls but thrives through exploration, dialogue and reflection.

At the same time, teachers have been engaging in an inquiry project exploring AI in education through De Bono’s Thinking Hats framework, modelling to pupils the very metacognitive strategies we teach. Staff used the Hats to evaluate the opportunities, risks and ethics of AI, then designed lessons that encouraged pupils to use AI thoughtfully, as a tool for creativity and critique.

precedence over environmental protection, sparking thoughtful debates and mature reflections.

Meanwhile, younger year groups engaged in hands-on projects such as gardening, linking their science learning with an understanding of food systems and biodiversity.

Pupils also took part in our ReGreen the Desert STEM challenge, tackling real-world problems by designing innovative solutions inspired by the UN Global Goals. This progressive thread running throughout the curriculum ensures that children not only acquire knowledge and a rich learning experience, but also apply it in meaningful, collaborative contexts.

Radnor House Twickenham

teachers and classmates, the various groups had the exciting opportunity of taking part in a Dragons’ Den scenario. In turn, they pitched their businesses to an eminent panel of successful dragons from the fields of business that comprised Dukes Education Founder and Chairman, Aatif Hassan, the Head of Prospect House, Kelly Gray and Bursar, Craig Bullen.

Sancton Wood

Over the summer term, Year 6 pupils dived into the dynamic world of finance through Financial Literacy workshops. From mastering the art of budgeting to unpacking the mysteries of banking, trading, and corporate finance, they laid solid foundations for financial understanding, giving them the skills to enter an Entrepreneurial Challenge. Teams presented their business blueprints, eagerly absorbing feedback before being entrusted with their £10 seed capital.

Radnor House Prep

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth the landscape artist, JMW Turner, pupils in Year 5 at Radnor House Prep School participated in an artist workshop in collaboration with Turner’s house in St. Margarets, Twickenham.

During the course of the threepart project, the pupils visited Turner’s house, learnt more about this work and investigated the use of watercolours to create abstract landscapes. In school, the pupils took part in two further activities with local artists. During the first of these sessions, they used pastels to create 3D effects, learning more about how to create shadow. In their final session, the pupils worked together to use acrylic paints to create their own landscape scenes on canvas.

After an Entrepreneurial Fair, where Year 6 had the opportunity to vie for the custom of their parents,

Each group had clearly worked hard to prepare their engaging and on-point pitches that outlined what their businesses entailed, to which charity they chose to donate a portion of their net profits, and the facts and figures that illustrated how successful their enterprises were.

This was a brilliant and engaging Art and History project that demonstrated the power of crosscurricular learning, inspired by

one of Britain’s most famous artists, and allowed children to use their inspiration to develop their own style of art.

GCSE and A-level grades hit historic highs at Radnor House this year and we are very proud of our valueadded which saw GCSE grades of nearly a whole grade higher than baseline data had predicted and A-level grades showing more than a third of extra value add based on GCSE starting points. 20% of all grades were the highest grades possible at both GCSE and A-level: 9s and A*s. Six Radnor pupils took part in the UKMT Mathematical Competition for Girls 2025 – an event for talented sixth formers across the UK. The team excelled with four Distinctions and one Merit.

The arts were strongly represented during the year when the Year 7

and senior choirs, and two Radnor House students, were semi-finalists in the Dukes’ Young Musician of the Year competition at the Festival of the Arts. The school’s annual musical theatre show was as extraordinary as ever. Pupils in Years 9-13 shone in the production of Our House built around the music of the ska band Madness.

Rochester Independent College

Rochester Independent College’s Textiles teacher is part of the Compass Project Educators Advisory Group at Imperial College London and Climate Cares - a pioneering initiative exploring how education can support young people to live, work and thrive in a rapidly changing world. The Compass Project brings together youth, educators, researchers and artists to co-create a climate education grounded in care,

Sancton Wood is proud to offer a mass of enrichment activities for every student at school. The creative approach to teaching in the enrichment sessions proves that students can have fun whilst developing skills. The inclusion of co-curricular learning in the timetable, an enrichment afternoon, and a huge range of planned trips and activities gives an offering like no other independent school in Cambridge.

creativity and action. We’re thrilled that RIC is part of that journey. Our students worked on exploring how Art, education and hope can be woven together. One of our students used textiles to express radical hope in the face of climate change - their Moss Suit imagines a future where nature and humanity live in unison, reminding us that transformation begins with imagination.

RIC also celebrated the launch of the RIC x UAL Foundation Diploma in Art with a special Student Art Exhibition in China. Set in one of the capital’s most iconic cultural venues — the Longfu Cultural Center, affectionately known as the Little Forbidden City and reborn as a vibrant centre for art, design, and cultural exchange — it was the perfect setting to showcase the imagination and talent of RIC students.

From horse riding and equestrian training to creative writing, stage makeup, set design, and darts, students can explore passions and develop new skills. Academic enrichment is equally strong, with STEM Club, Young Medics, Thriving Minds and the Economist’s programme of Topical Talks and a wide range of subjectbased opportunities. For those with a love of food or creativity, Cooking Club and other handson experiences ensure there is something for everyone.

The school firmly believes that education should extend beyond exams. The commitment to cocurricular learning empowers students to discover talents, build confidence, and prepare for life beyond school.

St Andrew’s College

At St Andrew’s College, 2025 has been an inspiring year of growth and achievement, with our students firmly at the heart of every decision we make. Our flexible and bespoke approach to learning has enabled young people to thrive in ways that celebrate their individuality and unlock their potential. This year, we have placed particular emphasis on developing inclusive pathways that nurture both academic success and personal confidence.

Students have engaged in dynamic, project-based learning, where collaboration and creativity are encouraged across subjects. Highlights included interdisciplinary projects that combined science, art, and technology, giving students real-world problemsolving opportunities in our University Foundation Programme. Individualised timetables have continued to provide the flexibility needed for learners to pursue their

passions, whether in advanced academics, vocational studies, or enrichment activities.

Perhaps most importantly, we have seen students grow in resilience, independence, and self-belief.

The Lyceum

Children at The Lyceum were completely engaged with the Little Big Me Day held this year. This was a collaboration day between parents and staff that helped the children understand more about different career pathways open to them. The day began with an assembly where members of staff outlined the dream careers they aspired to when they were six years old and their subsequent journey that led them to arrive at The Lyceum.

External speakers delivered workshops on conservation, fashion, architecture, starting your own business, medicine, Lego, and law – to name a few options available for the children to choose. It was a fantastic day,

full of fun and inspiration. Great outfits were worn by the children (dressed in their dream career costumes), including those dressed as pilots, vets, explorers, spies, artists, rock stars, and scientists.

The afternoon saw seven parents and two other guest speakers

deliver workshops to the children allowing them an opportunity to explore first-hand the ins and outs of the various careers. It was a true collaborative event between staff, parents and children, which reflected the community spirit that is fostered at The Lyceum.

The Pointer School

In the summer term Pointers’ pupils reached new heights when our keen chess players climbed the mighty O2 arena in London for a game of chess. At The Pointer School, chess is more than just a game. It’s a part of our panoramic curriculum, with every pupil in Years 1-6 having a chess lesson as part of their core curriculum. We find that chess nurtures focus, memory, creative problem solving,

Verbier International School

Students embraced the transition as two different schools (Copperfield and Verbier International School) came together over the summer to form one under the Verbier International School namefostering a spirit of inclusion and unity that has helped them excel in every field.

and helping every child grow as a confident, thoughtful learner.

To mark our commitment, our students played chess 52 metres above London on the roof of the O2 Arena. This year our chess team also made it through to the national finals of the National Primary Schools Chess Championship, with our U 11’s finishing in 3rd place - a hugely impressive achievement for an academically non-selective school. 2025 also happens to be a milestone year, The Pointer School is celebrating 75 years of inspiring young learners and shaping future leaders. From classroom breakthroughs to rooftop board battles, our journey continues.

The Mountain Leadership Programme (MLP) embodies Dukes Education’s vision of empowering young people to thrive through adventure, purpose and personal growth and is the crown jewel of the school’s educational journey – a transformative experience that blends outdoor adventure

with character and leadership development. Rooted in its alpine environment and holistic philosophy, the MLP encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, work together and develop confidence, independence and resilience. Through challenges such as expeditions and summit climbs, students learn to lead with courage and problem solving, applying classroom values to real world contexts.

The programme embodies the school’s ethos – every student’s individuality is celebrated, and learning extends far beyond academic success. Guided by expert mentors, students gain practical skills and transferable life lessons in responsibility, problem-solving and environmental stewardship.

Dukes Plus is a family of specialised consultancy services and educational experience providers with a clear vision: to empower young people to live a happy and successful life. Dukes Plus reaches over 1,500 schools

We are here, so you can get there.

and over 5 million users, and has over 100 corporate partners. 2025 has been a year of exciting developments and excellent growth for Dukes Plus, with more students reached and positively impacted than ever before.

Integration into Dukes Education Schools and Colleges

Dukes Plus continues to be a differentiator for Dukes Education schools. As a cradle-to-career offering, entirely available under one roof, Dukes Plus supports Dukes Education schools with the highest standards of university preparation, oncein-a-lifetime industry experiences, tuition, residential summer schools and day camps. Integrating the Dukes Plus expertise into our schools has resulted in enhanced recruitment, enhanced retention and enhanced outcomes. We do this by embedding our talents and knowledge into the daily life and curriculum of each Dukes Education school.

Dukes Plus Future Ready Programme – a comprehensive package of support designed to empower Dukes Education students to face their future with confidence. The Future Ready Programme,

exclusive to Dukes Education families, contains four key elements: a Career School; a University and Careers Accreditation for all Dukes Education careers advisors; an Online Careers Institute of lectures, featuring leaders from world-class universities and companies; and the Careers Centre of Excellence, a dedicated hub for careers and university advice within each Dukes Education school.

Collaboration – Dukes Plus supports the whole process of university applications for the Institute of Education’s international students.

Dukes Career School – students from across the UK and Europe partake in this unique programme, focused on 21st-century skills, which culminates in assessment centres where students are challenged and assessed across multiple key disciplines.

Year 6 Industry Insights Workshop – a half-day, career-ready workshop for all Year 6 students at Dukes House.

Free webinars and talks – empowering students with the tools they need to succeed.

Bespoke tuition – for Dukes Education students requiring extra, nurturing, one-to-one support.

We work closely with our schools to provide a full wraparound service for their students and parents so we are fully aligned and work as a team with the head teachers and class teachers. This allows each student and family to feel totally supported.

Supply tuition – Dukes Tutoring has provided outstanding supply teaching support to Dukes Education schools to ensure continuity and quality of teaching for their students.

University expert courses – on the key aptitude tests required for Oxbridge, Medicine and the US, for our schools and colleges.

Teacher CPD – providing up-to-date information and support to teachers at Dukes Education schools on university admissions, SEND, wellbeing, school transitions, the 11+, entrance exam preparation, revision skills and careers guidance.

Oxbridge Scholars Club – a free series of seminars for nominated Year 12 students, which take place during the school holidays and half terms from October 2025 to September 2026. The aim of this programme is to expose Dukes Education students to the style of teaching used at Oxbridge and other top universities, and to introduce new concepts within students’ subjects of interest to help support their super-curricular development.

Dukes Education workshops and revision camps – held at Dukes Education schools or at Dukes House and delivered by Dukes Tutoring. 11+ mock interviews – delivering interview support at Dukes Education schools.

Dukes Plus competitions – the first allschool Dukes Education Art Competition was held this year, judged by Candida Cave, Principal of Hampstead Fine Arts College.

Dukes Consultancy

As an integrated house of brands, the Consultancy team has been able to serve school partners more holistically this year. Their new partnership with the Institute of Education is testament to the strength of collaboration and depth of expertise within the Institute of Education and Dukes Plus. The teams have worked seamlessly to advise the Institute of Education’s international cohort on university applications to a wide variety of global schools. The Consultancy has taken this blueprint for joined up services and applied it to new programmes, such as the careers provision delivered at Burlington House, another

new schools partner this year. Despite a challenging market for the UK independent schools sector, Dukes Plus Consultancy maintains partnerships with leading schools in the sector and is proud to be trusted by over 80% of the UK’s top schools to deliver university guidance. New school partnerships this year include St Paul’s Girls’, Stowe, Notting Hill and Ealing, Bromsgrove and Millfield.

Selected students at Dukes Education schools now have free access to the Oxbridge Scholars Programme, a year-long schedule of super-curricular seminars.

This year

Oxbridge Applications had its best performance for Oxbridge offers issued to students on its Premier Service in seven years and was proud to have worked with over 500 Oxbridge offer-holders through private services as well as school partnerships.

A-List continued its flagship school partnerships with Westminster School and Wellington College this year and helped its students increase their chances of acceptance to the Ivy League to 4.5 times the global rate. As well as advising students on their best-fit, dream school, A-List advisors help them achieve this goal. Following a 25hour tuition programme, the majority of A-List’s students increased their SAT score by more than 250 points, which can make an incredible difference in their application outcomes as a whole. Over three-quarters of A-List’s students achieved a place at their top choice university.

The Medic Portal leveraged its global reputation for excellence to launch Premier Services in the style of Oxbridge Applications and A-List. This has been extremely well received with seven students joining the programme over the last two months. The Medic Portal’s students achieved brilliant results, with the average UCAT score for customers at 2,982 (vs national average of 2,523 - above the 90th percentile). 98% of Medic Portal customers got at least one offer to study Medicine or Dentistry.

The Lawyer Portal has grown its delivery of mock trials, drawing on the network of the wider consultancy. In terms of partnerships, The Lawyer Portal confirmed new partnerships with Clifford Chance and Freeths.

In 2025, the Consultancy launched Dukes Drama, a premium advising service for students applying for competitive drama school places. Students have been delighted to utilise the Dukes House theatre as their very own rehearsal space. Services have been designed to target the 'pain points' of the drama school application journey, and a network of professional actors and drama coaches has been assembled.

What our clients say

Dukes Tutoring is launching its new brand and website in January 2026, showcasing the benefits of accessing tuition powered by Dukes Education. Also in 2026, Dukes Tutoring will launch their exclusive partnership with High Performance Learning, with selected tutors receiving their accreditation.

Dukes Tutoring students achieved stellar results this year, continuing a legacy of quality established over 15 years. In 2025, 98.4% of 11+ students won a place at one or more of their top choice schools and 96% of GCSE and A-level students achieved or exceeded their predicted grades.

“Six school offers! Full of relief and pride. Seriously cannot thank you enough. Team effort. So happy. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts”

– Amy, proud parent, Clapham, 2025

“Dukes Tutoring irrefutably turned our son’s A-level education and probably his future around. The set-up is unbelievably bespoke, efficient, focused, and kind. They source and match first-class, highly caring tutors. Our only regret is that we did not discover the team sooner.”

– Dukes Tutoring parent, 2025

Scan to visit... the new Dukes Tutoring website

Experience Providers

In 2025, InvestIN delivered transformative Summer Experiences to over 2,600 students from 100+ countries, across 25 programmes in London. Student numbers grew by more than 300 year-on-year and 95% of participants said they would recommend InvestIN. Their TrustPilot score rose from 4.4 (June) to 4.7 stars (September).

This was also the first year students could have their programme work assessed to achieve a Level 3 Award in Work Experience (worth 8 UCAS points). InvestIN is the first provider in the summer school space to offer a UCAS-accredited work experience award, and uptake has been strong, with over 60% of summer attendees choosing to complete it.

Türkiye was a standout growth market with 190 enrolments, while the direct UK market also returned strongly, increasing by 14% year-on-year. This was supported by a successful lead-generation strategy using free webinars and the InvestIN Career Quiz, which generated 50k leads across the year.

InvestIN also expanded The Career School, bringing immersive careers education into classrooms through oneday workshops, skills modules and weekend programmes. More than 20 schools enrolled in the curriculum in 2025, and the team delivered workshops to 30+ schools (half in June alone). Summer school enrolments grew significantly among students taking part in a TCS product at school.

Looking Ahead

After a highly successful year, InvestIN’s priority is to sustain momentum while piloting low-cost, high-reward initiatives to boost lead generation and conversion, including international weekend programmes in Hong Kong, Dubai and Türkiye. InvestIN has also launched a new programme to fill a gap in its offer: The Young Media Manager Programme, giving students hands-on experience in digital media, content creation and communications/PR.

Global Reach

This year SBC welcomed over 2,000 students to its summer schools, representing 100+ countries worldwide. It was particularly exciting to include the first students from Burkina Faso and Trinidad & Tobago, further enriching the diverse and vibrant international community. In total, over 155 nationalities have been represented on SBC courses to date.

Empowering Futures

SBC supported 20 talented students with fullyfunded or partial scholarships, enabling them to participate in SBC programmes. This initiative reflects the organisation’s belief in making outstanding education accessible for all students worldwide.

UK’s Number One Summer School

For the eighth consecutive year, SBC has been named as the UK’s Number One Summer School provider by EL Gazette. SBC remains the only summer school provider to have achieved a perfect 15/15 areas of strength in a British Council inspection. Parent reviews have now seen SBC become a 5* ranked provider on Trust Pilot.

Award Nominations

SBC has been nominated for two industry awards this year: Language Training Provider of the Year at the Pioneer Awards, and Best Education Provider at the British Youth Travel Awards.

Stronger Together

When a UK boarding school entered administration just a week before the start of their summer programme, SBC worked closely with English UK to place over 20 students from Kazakhstan, France, and Italy to ensure that they could still have a memorable summer for all the right reasons.

Year of Progress

This year has been one of significant development for Ultimate Activity Camps, marked by new partnerships, expanding programmes, and continued commitment to supporting thousands of families from across the world to create lifelong memories.

We were pleased to maintain our strong relationship with parents, reflected in our 4.7 Feefo rating for the fifth consecutive year - a testament to the consistency and quality of our camps.

Our specialist programmes continued to flourish, with Ultimate Cookery and Ultimate Performance seeing particularly successful expansion. These initiatives continue to offer children valuable opportunities to develop their passions and confidence in new areas.

Our work with the Dukes Education family of schools also grew, with camps running at Broomfield House School, Broomwood Prep, Prospect House, and Sancton Wood Prep School. These collaborations have supported new student enrolments into Dukes Schools and strengthened our partnership with Summer Boarding Courses, welcoming children from across the world.

Community impact remained a priority, and we are proud to have raised over £8,000 for Helen Douglas House through the Ultimate Mile fundraiser, a team sky dive, online donations and bake sales — an inspiring collective effort from our staff, families, and children.

Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to further expand our specialist programmes in cookery, performing arts, coding and bushcraft, introduce new activities across our camps, begin a new charity partnership with Young Minds; and open at additional schools including Eaton House The Manor, Eltham College, and several new prestigious schools.

As we reflect on the year, we remain focused on delivering high-quality, enriching experiences for children and reliable support for families.

46 UK independent school locations

15,000+ children welcomed

700+ dedicated staff

7,000+ holiday childcare for families

£8,000+ raised for charity

Our Highlights

Hopes and Dreams - 2 settings

Hopes and Dreams has enjoyed a dynamic and successful year, guided by a clear vision to place the child at the centre of everything we do. The successful relocation

of the Hopes and Dreams nursery from Worship Street to The Lyceum building has strengthened the provision, with children and staff settling quickly and continuing to

Hove Village - 4 settings

Hove Village Nurseries have continued to grow and evolve, with significant developments across all settings. At Bloomsbury on the Beach, an extension to the provision has enabled more children to benefit from hands-on coastal learning and enhanced outdoor exploration in a unique shoreline environment.

At New Church Road, the introduction of a dedicated Beach School and investment in expansive garden spaces have created immersive, nature-rich

environments. These developments encourage curiosity, confidence, and meaningful connections with the natural world.

All four Hove Village settings have achieved ‘Good’ Ofsted ratings and 5-star EHO awards, reflecting strong leadership, high-quality teaching, and excellent standards of care.

The award of Eco-Schools Green Flag status further demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

flourish. We continue to deliver a high-quality, impactful curriculum that supports children in developing the skills and dispositions required for modern society. The pillars of the Little Dukes curriculum provide structure, stability, and coherence, enabling children to build a deep understanding of the world around them and Montessori principles remain embedded across all age groups. Exciting plans are underway to further enhance our intentional learning environments. This focus was reinforced during our staff INSET day and is supported by a highly effective leadership team and committed teachers who prioritise ongoing training and reflective practice.

Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools - 5 settings

Miss Daisy’s celebrated an exceptional year, with four nurseries rated Outstanding and one rated Good by Ofsted. These results reaffirm the strength of the provision and are reflected in the record number of children securing places at their chosen independent Prep

The Kindergartens - 4 settings

schools. Children benefited from a rich programme of experiences that brought learning to life, including animal encounters, farm visits, and outdoor adventures. These activities nurtured curiosity, joy, and a strong connection to nature.

Festive celebrations added further magic to the year, with visits from Santa and his donkeys and a special Christmas theatre trip. These memorable moments provided a joyful conclusion to a year filled with learning, growth, and shared experiences.

Pippa Pop-Ins - 5 settings

We were delighted to open our newest Pippa Pop-Ins nursery on Princedale Road in September and welcome many new families. The nursery has quickly developed into a vibrant, nurturing environment where children are thriving within bright, spacious learning spaces.

Reflections - 1 setting

Inspired by the Eco-Schools initiative, Pre-School children led a re-wilding project to transform a disused garden space. Through collaborative discussions and hands-on work, children prepared the area for planting and shared ideas for its future development.

As the project evolved, children introduced wildflowers, composting, insect habitats, and water sources for animals. They nurtured the space by watering plants, identifying growth, and learning about edible plants through tasting and exploration.

Regular engagement with the wild garden, beach, and forest has strengthened children’s resilience, curiosity, and mastery of outdoor learning, fostering respect and understanding for the natural world.

Riverside Nursery Schools - 5 settings

Riverside Nursery Schools reflect a strong commitment to quality and sustainability. Four of the five schools achieved Eco-Schools Awards, including Merit and Distinction levels, highlighting excellence in environmental education.

has further expanded with a new pre-school facility and purpose-built garden, enhancing outdoor learning opportunities.

This year marked the launch of a Forest School programme across all Kindergartens settings, reinforcing our belief in experiential learning. Older children now enjoy weekly visits to Wimbledon Common, where guided exploration fosters confidence, teamwork, and a lasting appreciation of nature.

Younger children benefit from onsite Forest School sessions tailored for ages six months to three years. Delivered by experienced staff, these sessions provide safe and engaging opportunities for even the youngest learners to explore the natural world.

We are proud of how children, families, and staff have embraced this initiative, which supports curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love of outdoor learning.

A Festive Open Day in November provided an opportunity for families to experience the setting first hand, meet the dedicated team, and engage with the inspiring environment created for the children.

Sustainability has been a strong focus this year, with Studio Cultivate and Forest School programmes encouraging children to explore and care for the world around them. We are proud that the four established Pippa Pop-Ins schools have been awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag in recognition of these efforts.

All nurseries continue to hold ‘Good’ Ofsted ratings, ensuring consistent, high standards of care and education across the group. Richmond Montessori

Investment in staff development has remained a priority, with 18 team members undertaking apprenticeship qualifications. This focus on professional growth strengthens practice across the schools and directly benefits children and families.

GLOBAL STUDENT RECRUITMENT

A growing international recruitment team delivering outstanding outcomes in UK boarding schools.

100+ nationalities across UK schools & colleges

1,000+ boarding capacity at 8 secondary schools

International students at Dukes schools in the UK

Northbank boarding at Rochester Independent College opened with capacity for 180 boarders

Cardiff Bay new campus on track to open in September 2026 with capacity of 425 boarders

171 new day school pupils recruited in 2025 CSFC 1st in UK for A* grades for 10 out of last 11 years

An integrated recruitment ecosystem

150+ international exhibitions 1,500+ education partners in our agent network

SBC & InvestIN courses offer taster experiences for full time study in the UK 22 global student recruitment managers in four continents

Team structure for international student recruitment

UK-based

Russian-speaking markets & Eastern Europe

Academic excellence at boarding schools

Cardiff Sixth Form College:

94% A–A*, 99.6% A–B*

Top of UK A-level league tables again, with the highest A rate ever in a non-Covid year.

Cardiff Sixth Form College was awarded Independent School of the Year for A-levels 2025

Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge:

90.6% A*–A grades

92% placed at Russell Group universities

Second consecutive year a CSFC Cambridge student gained a Medicine place at Cambridge University.

Fine Arts College:

Record acceptances at top art schools, and A*-A scores almost double pre-Covid rates.

Earlscliffe:

A-level students progressing to Bath, Edinburgh, Loughborough and other top UK universities.

GCSE one-year programme students achieving multiple 9–8 grades, including students joining with only B1 English.

St Andrew’s College:

Top ranked college in Cambridgeshire for Value Added according national statistics from the Department for Education meaning St Andrew’s College students achieve higher-than-expected grades compared with any other school or college in the county.

98% achieved first-choice entry, including one student at Oxbridge, marking the Foundation Programme’s highest-ever results

Rochester Independent College: 82% A*–C

Diverse university destinations including Warwick, Durham, King’s, UCL, St Andrews, Bristol, Liverpool (Medicine) and UAL.

Institute of Education:

Best results in Ireland again. 14 students achieved maximum 625 points.

Students progressing to Trinity College Dublin, Oxford and other global universities.

STUDENT SHOWCASE

Dukes Young Musician

Avram Harris, Hampstead Fine Arts College, was named winner of the inaugural Dukes Education Young Musician of the Year competition at the Dukes Festival of the Arts. Law Theatre opening Students at Hampstead Fine Arts College performed The Watsons by Laura Wade as part of the celebrations of the opening of the Law Theatre in the new Parkhill Campus.

Textiles award

Hazel, Rochester Independent College, achieved Grade 9 in GCSE Fine Art, Fashion and Textiles, and Photography. Hazel was the winner in the Independent Schools Association

London South Key Stage 4 creative awards for Fashion and Textiles.

Aspiring architect

Judy Tao, aspiring architect and Cambridge University applicant at Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge undertook an ambitious Extended Project

Qualification exploring the structural and cultural significance of mortise-andtenon joints through the construction of a self-designed scale model. The project focused on replicating the columnhead dougong system of the Foguang Temple - an iconic example of traditional Chinese timber architecture.

BSA photography winner

Lorenzo Yang, Rochester Independent College, was shortlisted in the Boarding School

Association’s Boarding Excellence Awards Kardije Saye photography competition.

Swimming success

Swimmer at Colégio Júlio Dinis, Lara Nunes, achieved an outstanding five national records and first place at the Winter Territorial Championships adaptive swimming.

The annual Cardiff Sixth Form College TEDx Event highlights the intellectual breadth and depth of the incredible CSFC student body. Head Student, Thara, captivated the audience with her talk on Fragile Truths.

Silver medal in AI

Dimitris Toulis, a 2025 graduate of Mandoulides Schools, earned the silver medal at the 2nd International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI 2025), held in Beijing, China, in August.

Team Maths triumph

Three teams represented the Institute of Education at the Team Maths national final, an annual competition run by the Irish Maths Teachers’ Association. Two teams placed joint 14th out of 40, while the third claimed first place. Each student received a trophy, and the Institute was awarded the George Boole Cup for the year.

Portugal rugby

Year 12 student António Schumann Magalhães at Colégio Júlio Dinis was selected to represent Portugal in the U18 National Rugby Team and is now training with the senior squad.

STEM Awards

The Institute of Education students were recognised for STEM achievement. At the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, Shaunak Mohapatra won the AMD Award and first prize in Senior Technology for his work on non invasive neural semantic decoding. Conor O’Neill and Alexander Vysotski won the Meta Award and first prize in Senior Technology for their project on adaptive learning in AI. Joel Emmanuel received attention from Met Éireann for his hurricane intensity research. Ziming (Michael) Fang earned the Top Gold award in the British Physics Olympiad.

Robotics Challenge

Joel Emmanuel from The Institute of Education represented Ireland at the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge in Panama.

DUKES ALUMNI

Cardiff Sixth Form College

Cardiff Sixth Form College held its annual Alumni Event in March. Former students from all years were invited to a London location for networking, catching up, and socialising with fellow students and staff. The next Alumni Event will be held on 20th March 2026.

Taekwondo champion

Lexie Bourke, student at The Institute of Education won the ITF World Taekwondo Championships 2025 held in Croatia.

U17 football

After winning the European Championship,four students from Colégio Júlio Dinis were crowned U17 World Champions while representing the Portuguese National Team, achieving a historic milestone for Portuguese football.

Music finalist

The Institute of Education 5th Year student, Sofia Hillebrenner, progressed to the finals of the North European Music Competition of Jugend Musiziert.

Where are they now?

Nadia Li, 1-year A-level student from Hong Kong, transferred from CSVPA, and graduated from Rochester Independent College with 3 A* at A-level in Digital Media, Fine Art and Graphic Design. She has entered onto the Art and Technology course at University College London’s Slade School of Fine Art.

Andrey Smirnov

Andrey Smirnov, 2-year A-level student from St. Petersburg, Russia took up a place at University College London to study maths. Andrey works at RIC part time as a Maths Assistant, to support his ambition of becoming a maths professor, inspired by his A-level teacher.

From Reception to Leadership

Two former Broomwood pupils, Dan and Georgia, have been named Head Boy and Head Girl at Wellington College - a tremendous achievement and a real reflection of their character, leadership and academic strength. Their journey began at Broomwood in Reception back in 2012. Over the next nine years, they thrived and both earned academic scholarships to Wellington in 2021.

Lexden Prize

Cardiff Sixth Form College student, Hiya, was named the Independent Schools Association Lexden Prize winner, 2025. Having won a scholarship to the college, Hiya, who performed in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, also excelled at debating and led the team who won the national ISA debating competition. She sat on the National Committee in the European Youth Parliament and spent her summer in India, supporting women in remote regions to receive life-changing micro-credit as well as local charity work in Cardiff. Hiya took up a scholarship to Yale University, where she is now a Freshman and was recently recruited onto the world-famous Yale debate team.

Notting Hill Prep alumnus achieved an outstanding set of GCSE results at Brighton College. Nathaniel received all 9s across eleven subjects and this led to Brighton issuing a partial academic scholarship for his final two years. Nathaniel was also honoured with a prestigious national award for achieving the highest mark in the country in English Literature. NHP is immensely proud of Nathaniel and his exceptional achievement!

Dom Brown

Dom, a former pupil at Sancton Wood school is now a student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York City for a 2-year Associated Degree in Acting.

TECS Patch award

Recent graduate of the Institute of Education class of 2025, Aditya Joshi has received a TECS Patch award. The goal of this highly competitive event is to inspire and reward those whose passions for Technology, Engineering, Creativity and Science will shape

our visions of the future. Already a champion in a series of STEM competitions (including Ireland’s BT Young Scientist and the EU Young Scientist Competition), Aditya now adds also Naughton Scholar to his list of accolades.

Rodrigo Mora

Colégio Júlio Dinis alumni, Rodrigo Mora continues to rise as one of Portugal’s most promising footballers. Now a member of FC Porto’s first team Rodrigo has impressed with his composure, technical skill, and maturity well beyond his years. Having made history as the youngest ever debutant and goal scorer in Portugal’s second division while representing FC Porto B, Rodrigo quickly progressed through the ranks to the senior squad. Rodrigo was called up to Portugal’s senior national team in May for the UEFA Nations League Finals.

After achieving an outstanding four A*s at A-level during his time at Earlscliffe, Mike went on to earn a BSc in Statistics from University College London, followed by a Master’s degree in Statistics at the University of Oxford, and has now completed his doctorate in Statistics at the University of Cambridge. In September, we were delighted to welcome Mike back to campus to meet new students and talk about his academic journey.

The Dukes Photography Competition invited pupils from across our family of schools to explore creativity, curiosity and visual storytelling through photography.

Responding to the theme 'Family', students captured thoughtful, personal images that reflected what family means to them – whether people, places or moments that create a sense of belonging. The inaugural competition received a wonderful range of entries, showcasing both technical skill and imaginative interpretation.

AWARD ONE INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES

Tom Healy, Colégio Luso Internacional De Braga

Noelia Rivas Gutierrez, Orchard House School

AWARD TWO PASTORAL CARE

Luisa Souza De Moura Lima, Verita International School

Hannah Sheehey, London Park School

Mayfair and Sixth

AWARD THREE CHARITABLE/ COMMUNITY

Loukia Kefallinou, The International School of Athens

Sunny Wallis, Ultimate Activity Camps

AWARD FOUR

WELLBEING INITIATIVE

Natalie Laranjeira,

United Lisbon International School Prospect House School

AWARD FIVE MARKETING INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

Francisca Fonesca, International Sharing School

Alex Wareing, The Pointer School

AWARD SEVEN SUSTAINABILITY

Richard Gregory Wreakes, The English School of Asturias Mackenzie Graden, The Lyceum

AWARD EIGHT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEARCENTRAL EUROPE

Maria Voulgaris, The International School of Athens

AWARD SIX CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Olga Ares Martin, Engage International School

Margaret McCabe, The Institute of Education

AWARD NINE STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEARPORTUGAL

Rui Oliveira, Colégio Júlio Dinis

AWARD TEN STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEARSPAIN

Benjamin Samuel Henderson, International English School of Castellón

AWARD ELEVEN STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEARLITTLE DUKES

Ben Murray, Little Dukes Central Support

AWARD TWELVE STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEARSCHOOLS

Henry Dinger, Broomwood Prep Boys

AWARD THIRTEEN STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEARCOLLEGES

David Loughrey, Bruce College

AWARD FOURTEEN STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEARDUKES PLUS

Caitlin Brennan & Rosie Johnstone, co-Managing Directors, InvestIN

AWARD FIFTEEN NEW STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Rebeca Zurita Humphreys, Elian’s British School of La Nucía

Chris Grierson, Hopes and Dreams Nurseries

AWARD SIXTEEN SERVICE ABOVE & BEYOND

Doria Iuliana Draghiciu, Verita International School

Richard Fletcher, Dukes Central Support

AWARD SEVENTEEN OVERALL SETTING OF THE YEAR

International Sharing School Rochester Independent College

AWARD EIGHTEEN BEST A-LEVEL SCHOOL IN THE WORLD

Cardiff Sixth Form College

AWARD NINETEEN HEAD PREFECT

Sofia Chamusca and Marco Carvalho, Directors of Colégio Júlio Dinis

EXTERNAL AWARDS

Europe

Elians British School of La Nuciá

Included in Micole, Best Schools in Spain, rankings

English School of Asturias

Included in Micole, Best Schools in Spain, rankings

International English School of Castellón

Included in Top 100 Schools in Spain by El Mundo

Engage International School

SECOND PRIZE, Excellence in Academic Career Guidance, Grupo Anaya and the Bertelsmann Foundation with the support of Henko Education

GOLD CERTIFICATE, Responsible Screens School

Colegio Internacional de Valladolid

Awarded Common Sense Media Badge

Colegio Inglés Zaragoza

Awarded Common Sense Media Badge

Mandoulides Schools

GOLD AWARD, Event / Experiential Event in Private Secondary Education, Education Leaders Awards

BRONZE AWARD, Connection with the Labour Market & Youth Entrepreneurship in Private Lifelong Education, Education Leaders Awards

Bassett House

SHORTLISTED, Small Independent School of the Year, Independent Schools of the Year Awards

Broomfield House

SHORTLISTED, Small

Independent School of the Year, Independent Schools of the Year Awards

Broomwood

WINNER, Best Independent Preparatory School – London, Private Education Awards

Cardiff Sixth Form College

Independent School of the Year for A-levels 2026, The Times Parent Power Supplement

Independent School of the Year in Wales for Academic Excellence in 2026, The Times Parent Power Supplement

Devonshire House School

WINNER, Supporting Sustainability, Education Choices Awards

Earlscliffe

WINNER, Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) Award for Supporting International Boarders

Eaton Square Prep

WINNER, Enveloping EDI in the Curriculum, Education Choices Awards

FINALIST, Supporting Sustainability, Education Choices Awards

FINALIST, Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Justice, Independent Schools of the Year Awards

FINALIST, Excellence in STEM, Muddy’s Best Schools Awards

SHORTLISTED, Charitable Champion, Belgravia Awards

Hampton Court House

WINNER, Developing Student Voice, Education Choices Awards

WINNER, Support for Life Beyond School, Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education

FINALIST, London Independent Schools of the Year

FINALIST, Opportunities in Art and Music, Education Choices Awards

FINALIST, Independent School of the Year, Education Today Awards

Knightsbridge

NOMINATED, Community Hero, Chelsea Awards

FINALIST, Environmental Achievement, Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education

SHORTLISTED, Independent School of the Year Awards

Notting Hill Prep

WINNER, Bursary Provision, Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education 2025

FINALIST, Developing School Partnerships, Education Choices Awards

FINALIST, Independent Prep School of the Year

Orchard House

SHORTLISTED, Primary Curriculum Leader of the Year, Tes Awards

Early Years Project of the Year, Education Property Awards

Prospect House

WINNER, Top Co-Ed Independent Prep School UK, Education Insider Europe

BRONZE WINNER, Early Years Team of the Year, Pearson National Teaching Awards

RUNNER-UP, Prep School of the Year, youHQ Wellbeing Awards

Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Merit

Radnor House

FINALIST, Sports School of the Year, Independent School of the Year Awards

FINALIST, Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing, Independent School of the year Awards

Rochester Independent College

WINNER, Boarding House Extension or Refurbishment Award, British Boarding Schools Association

FINALIST, Excellence in Sustainability, Independent Schools Association Awards

The Pointer School

FINALIST, Independent Schools Association Award for Innovation in Independent Education

The Lyceum

HIGHLY COMMENDED, Excellence in STEM (Prep), Muddy’s Best Schools Awards

SHORTLISTED, Small Independent School of the Year, Independent Schools of the Year

FINALIST, Supporting Sustainability, Education Choices Awards

FINALIST, T4 Education Global EdTech Prize Majors category

SHORTLISTED, Digital Innovation of the Year in the PIEoneers25 Awards

HIGHLY COMMENDED, Dr Ricardo Tavares, Emerging Leader of the Year EMEA, PIEoneers25 Awards

SAFEGUARDING COMPLIANCE AND

Guidance and support

The number of days of formal support provided by the Dukes Central team in 2025 increased by 26% from the previous year. This included live inspection support, health and safety audits, SCR / HR records administration, staff training workshops and telephone advice.

Development Day

The annual Designated Safeguarding Leads’ Development Day was held in May for safeguarding staff from all sectors of the Dukes family. Guest speakers included Laura Page who delivered a session on the culture of safeguarding and specialist safeguarding, and family law solicitors from Farrar & Co who delivered sessions on attendance recording, and family law.

Safer recruitment training was delivered by our own accredited Safer Recruitment Consortium trainer, who over the period of the year has delivered training for staff across Dukes Education.

Annual Safeguarding Reviews

Once again, a successful programme of annual safeguarding reviews of Dukes organisations ran through the year. All schools and colleges hold an Annual Safeguarding Review with their governors, in which there is an opportunity to reflect on trends from the past year and this will then inform the provision going forward.

All Dukes Plus companies held an annual safeguarding review attended by the Director of Dukes Plus, the Managing Director and their safeguarding advisor.

The Dukes Plus Safeguarding Advisory Board, made up of key staff in Dukes to advise Dukes Plus companies’ leadership and safeguarding staff, has been active to help companies prioritise safeguarding across their businesses.

All companies hold an Annual Safeguarding Review with board members and the board’s safeguarding advisor is on hand to support with training, policy development and live safeguarding issues throughout the year.

Little Dukes

Robust safeguarding audits and health and safety support / compliance visits have been successfully undertaken across the Little Dukes nurseries portfolio. A new role, Head of Safeguarding and Compliance EYFS, has been created to focus solely on the specific requirements of nursery settings.

A highly experienced former nursery Principal has was appointed to the role in September.

Head of Health and Safety

This role was created to provide oversight of health and safety matters in UK schools and a highly experienced health and safety professional was appointed in September.

UKVI

Fourteen Dukes Education schools now sponsor students across 12 UKVI sponsor licences. In the year, Broomwood, Devonshire House Prep School, and Prospect House School have been granted sponsor licences and four more schools will be applying in the coming months with the aim to be able to sponsor students for September 2026 enrolment. Support is provided by the immigration teamthe Director of Immigration, student immigration officers, and a senior member of Dukes staff acting as authorising officer for all licenses, with access to external legal advice.

Schools

A Head of Safeguarding – Schools was appointed to support Designated Safeguarding Leads and provide safeguarding governance in some of our schools. A highly experienced safeguarding professional was appointed in September.

Cluster Groups

Cluster Groups for Designated Safeguarding Leads in schools, Heads of Boarding, and school and college nurses continue to share of best practice across Dukes organisations, and we will be reviewing how these groups operate.

Safeguarding Panel

In recognition of the crucial importance of safeguarding children and to strengthen the support, supervision and training of Designated Safeguarding Leads in all our settings, Dukes has established a UK Safeguarding Panel. The members for 2025/26 are:

David Goodhew (Chair, Managing Director, London Schools North and West)

Suzie Longstaff (Managing Director, Schools South Central)

Rachael Friend (Head of Safeguarding – Schools)

Paul Ludlow (Compliance Director, Head of Safeguarding – Colleges)

Geoff Marston (Director of Inspections Compliance)

Naz Usman (Head of Safeguarding and Compliance EYFS)

Future plans

Inspection compliance oversight will be integrated within the wider audits of Schools Educational Quality Reviews (SEQRs) by the Group Education Team led by Libby Nicholas.

Support further safeguarding and health and safety audits of Little Dukes nurseries.

Continued meeting of Designated Safeguarding Lead cluster groups.

The Panel monitors trends and culture within safeguarding and reports to the UK Board. It oversees the process of annual safeguarding reviews, as well as commissioning external reviews. The intention is to capture any learning from these reviews, implement recommendations, share best practice and ensure that Designated Safeguarding Leads have the best possible support, guidance and training.

Key pillars of safeguarding

Consistent, robust policies and procedures

Delivered by regularly trained staff, monitored and reviewed by Governors, Senior Leadership Teams and Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Effective use of technology to track data and assess trends includes

Including:

SCR Tracker for safer recruitment

CPOMS – timely reporting and actioning of any concerns or allegations including low-level concerns

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Consistent and continuous monitoring and review

Weekly safeguarding reports to Safeguarding Governor/ Managing Director

Termly safeguarding report to the Governors

On-site safeguarding and compliance audits at all settings

Annual safeguarding reviews at settings to review effectiveness External advice and guidance sought in line with KCSIE guidance Annual DSL Development/ training days

Bassett House School AGES 2-11

Notting Hill Preparatory School AGES 4-13

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 1-5

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 1-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BROOK GREEN AGES 1-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery HYDE PARK • AGES 2-5

London Park School Mayfair AGES 11-16

Knightsbridge School AGES 3-16

Miss Daisy’s Nursery KNIGHTSBRIDGE • AGES 1-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery CHELSEA • AGES 2-5

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 1-5

Prospect House School AGES 3-11

Broomwood Prep BOYS • AGES 8-13

Dukes

Kindergartens CRESCENT II • AGES 0-5

Villages

Dukes deliberately creates clusters of nurseries and schools in ‘village settings’ to ensure that families can enjoy an allthrough education within the same area.

Hampstead AGES 2-13

Devonshire House School AGES 2-13

Heathside School Hampstead AGES 2-11

Devonshire House School AGES 2-13

Dukes Education DUKES HOUSE, BUCKINGHAM GATE

Eaton House Belgravia School • AGES 2-8

Eaton Square Prep School • AGES 2-11

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BELGRAVIA • AGES 1-5

London Park School Sixth • AGES 15-18

Dukes Central London Village

Broomfield House School AGES 3-11

Riverside Nursery Schools RICHMOND • AGES 0-5

Riverside Nursery Schools ST MARGARETS MONTESSORI • AGES 2-5

Riverside Nursery Schools TWICKENHAM PARK • AGES 0-5

Riverside Nursery Schools ST MARGARETS MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

Kneller Hall School* AGES 11-18

Riverside Nursery Schools

TWICKENHAM GROSVENOR PARK • AGES 0-5

Kneller Hall School* AGES 11-18

Broomfield House School AGES 3-11

Radnor House Prep • AGES 2-11

Riverside Nursery Schools

KEW MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

Riverside Nursery Schools HOLLY ROAD AGES 0-5

Broomfield House School AGES 3-11

Radnor House School • AGES 11-18

Bassett House School AGES 2-11

Heathside School

Hampstead AGES 2-13

The Acorn Nursery AGES 2-5

Hampstead Fine Arts College AGES 13-18

Dukes North London Village

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nursery School OLD STREET • AGES 0-5

Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nursery School CITY ROAD • AGES 0-5

Hampstead Fine Arts College AGES 13-18

Miss Daisy’s Nursery HYDE PARK • AGES 2-5

Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nursery School

The Lyceum School AGES 4-11

Devonshire House School AGES 2-13

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 2-5

Kindergartens POOH CORNER • AGES 2-5

Orchard House School AGES 3-11

Orchard House School AGES 3-11

Bassett House School AGES 2-11

Dukes South-West London Village

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BROOK GREEN • AGES 2-5

Notting Hill Preparatory School AGES 4-13

WORSHIP STREET • AGES 0-5

Radnor House Prep • AGES 2-11

Riverside Nursery Schools ST MARGARETS MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

Riverside Nursery Schools

Riverside Nursery Schools

TWICKENHAM GROSVENOR PARK • AGES 0-5

TWICKENHAM GREEN MONTESSORI AGES 0-5

The Acorn Nursery AGES 2-5 * Opening soon

Kneller Hall School* AGES 11-18

Radnor House School • AGES 11-18

Riverside Nursery Schools

Riverside Nursery Schools GROSVENOR HOUSE AGES 0-5

KEW MONTESSORI • AGES 0-5

Riverside Nursery Schools TWICKENHAM PARK AGES 0-5

Riverside Nursery Schools

Riverside Nursery Schools

RIVERSIDE, HOLLY ROAD AGES 0-5

TWICKENHAM GREEN MONTESSORI AGES 0-5

Hampton Court House School AGES 2-18

Hampton Court House School AGES 2-18

Hopes and Dreams

Montessori Nursery School ANGEL • AGES 0-5

Knightsbridge School AGES 3-16

London Park School Mayfair AGES 11-18

Hampstead Fine Arts College AGES 13-18

The Lyceum School AGES 4-11

Dukes Education BUCKINGHAM GATE OFFICE

Nursery School

Eaton House Belgravia School • AGES 3-11

Eaton Square Prep School • AGES 2-11

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BELGRAVIA • AGES 2-5

2-5

Acorn Nursery AGES 2-5 Hopes and Dreams

Miss Daisy’s Nursery KNIGHTSBRIDGE • AGES 2-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery CHELSEA • AGES 2-5

Miss Daisy’s Nursery KNIGHTSBRIDGE • AGES 2-5

Pippa Pop-ins AGES 2-5

Prospect House School AGES 3-11

Radnor House Prep • AGES 2-11

Riverside Nursery Schools

TWICKENHAM PARK AGES 0-5

Radnor House School • AGES 11-18 Hampton Court

Riverside Nursery Schools

RIVERSIDE, HOLLY ROAD AGES 0-5

Dukes

Clapham Village

Broomwood Prep BOYS • AGES 8-13

Kindergartens MOUSE HOUSE • AGES 2-5

Kindergartens CRESCENT II • AGES 0-5

Broomwood Prep BOYS • AGES 8-13

Prospect House School AGES 3-11

Kindergartens CRESCENT II • AGES 0-5

Kindergartens

Eaton Square Prep School • AGES 2-11

Miss Daisy’s Nursery BELGRAVIA • AGES 2-5

KEY: Educational Setting: Nursery School Preparatory School Senior School Sixth Form College

The Lyceum School AGES 4-11

London Park School Sixth • AGES 15-18

London Park School Sixth • AGES 15-18

London Park School, Clapham • AGES 11-18

Kindergartens

Kindergartens THE PARK • AGES 2-5

London Park School, Clapham • AGES 11-18

MOUSE HOUSE SW11 AGES 2-5

MOUSE HOUSE SW18 AGES 2-5

House

Broomwood Prep GIRLS • AGES 8-13

London Park School, Clapham • AGES 11-16

Broomwood Prep BOYS • AGES 8-13

Kindergartens CRESCENT II • AGES 0-5

Broomwood Pre-prep AGES 3-7

DUKES BY

82% of the UK’s top schools receive careers provision from Dukes Plus Consultancy

~25% of all Oxbridge applicants use our services or resources

4,000+ mock interviews

98% of students were accepted to at least one of their 11+ choices, with many receiving offers from them all

63

Dukes brands

25% of our students were accepted by an Ivy League school

94% of students would recommend an InvestIN career experience programme to a friend #1 ranked summer school provider based on British Council inspection reports Dukes employees by numbers

1 million+

98%

colleagues attended Dukes ‘The Heart of Education’ conference

1,900 children performed at Festival of Arts

1,000+ employees

Cardiff Sixth Form College A-level results

4.8k children attended Poetry Together events 4,500

users each year access The Lawyer Portal’s law guides and resources days booked and rated 4.7/5 on Feefo

79,964 of The Medic Portal’s students got at least one offer to study Medicine or Dentistry

OUR PEOPLE

Board of Directors

Business Development Team

Global Education Advisory Board

Central Teams

Education Leaders

Little Dukes

Tom Arrand Principal, CSFC Cardiff

Candida Cave Principal, Hampstead Fine Arts College

Annette Poulain Head, St Andrew’s College, Cambridge

Grant Ferguson Director, Verbier International School

Dr Julian Davies Principal, CSFC Cambridge

Emmy Schwieters Head, Hampstead Fine Arts College

Yvonne O’Toole Principal, Institute of Education, Dublin

Toby Mullins Interim Head, Earlscliffe

Alistair Brownlow Principal, Rochester Independent College

David Loughrey Principal, Bruce College, Cork

Dr Ricardo Tavares Director, Dukes Plus

Katie Krais Partnerships Director, Dukes Plus

Ryan Edwards Experiences Director

Caitlin Brennan Co-Managing Director, InvestIN Education

Will Finlayson Director, Summer Boarding Courses

Alison Bissell Director, Dukes Plus Consultancy

Rosie Johnstone Co-Managing Director, InvestIN Education

Luke Hayward Managing Director, Ultimate Activity Camps

Spain

Marco Carvalho Director, Colégio Júlio Dinis, Porto

Natalia Cáceres Head, The English School of Asturias Portugal

Carlien Shelley Principal, International Sharing School, Lisbon

Sofia Chamusca Director, Colégio Júlio Dinis, Porto

Martin Harris

Executive Director, United Lisbon International School

Helena Pina Vaz Head, Colégio Luso Internacional de Braga

Stephen Spicer Head, The British School of Lisbon

David Russell Head, International English School of Castellón

James Batten Head, Elian’s British School of La Nucía

Sylvia Pineda Picado Head, Colegio Internacional de Vallodolid

Central Europe

Pavel Novák Head, American Academy in Brno

Magda Nedvědová Head, Bambíno

Dr. Christina Tsibiridi Head, International School of Athens

Eleftheria Toutountzi General Director, Mandoulides Schools

Lenka Titerova Head, American Academy in Prague

Šárka Ochmanová Head, Beehive School and Square

Lila Vasilescu Head, Verita

Aspasia Chasioti General Academic Director, Mandoulides Schools

Carolina López Sanchez Head, Engage International School

Carolina Gopal Head, Colegio Inglés Zaragoza

Carly McCann Head, American Academy in Zagreb

Lukáš Borovička Head, Pražské humanitní gymnázium

Berrin Schofield Executive Director, Thames British School

Ondřej Lepka Director of Schools, Consilium

HEROES BEHIND THE CROWN

In every successful organisation there will be a team of people working behind the scenes; these are the people out of the limelight, the ones that work diligently, quietly and with humility, sometimes without wider recognition.

As well as many finalists and winners of Dukes Awards, there are many unsung heroes in the Dukes family that colleagues want to recognise and thank. The Dukes Heroes Behind the Crown Awards are given to these extraordinary people.

In May, we held the first Heroes Behind the Crown Awards in Europe. The online event was an opportunity to celebrate these people, the ones who always go the extra mile, who clean up when everyone else has gone home, who notice the shy child on their own and make them laugh, the ones who keep schools open in freezing weather, or serve tasty food day in day out. The four Dukes values remind us why we do what we do every day: We lead with Heart, We love learning, We are a team, We do it well. Our Heroes Behind the Crown are the embodiment of these values.

The Award winners were presented with a certificate in a celebration event at their school.

“There are many unsung heroes in the Dukes Family that colleagues want to recognise and thank.”

Aatif Hassan Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education

Internal communications and employee engagement

Education and to celebrate the organisation’s distinctive culture. The Dukes Way is a way of working, leading, and caring for one another that has shaped us from the very beginning. This book explains and codifies the culture enabling new and existing staff to understand our values and how we behave towards each other and our stakeholders.

UK and Europe employees featuring an introduction by the Chairman and relevant CEO, and news and updates from across the Dukes family. The employee-related news highlights examples of the three strands of the Dukes leadership model and celebrates individuals and settings’ achievements.

Lunch & Learn

Dukes House staff enjoy regular Lunch & Learn sessions throughout the year. These talks by colleagues on a wide range of topics are designed to inform and entertain on work related or personal interests. Subjects covered in 2025 range from walking the Camino de Santiago, the spread of the Black Death, and the fall of the Roman Republic to contract law, negotiation training and trends in US university applications.

Book of the Week

To mark the UK Department for Education’s National Year of Reading in 2026, employees from any Dukes Education setting are able to share a book recommendation on our new Book of the Week post.

Quote of the Week

The weekly quote posted on bob continued in 2025. Employees from any Dukes Education setting have been able to share a favourite quote – wise, funny or profound words to inspire colleagues across the group.

Scan to read... Building the Crown: The First 10 Years

Staff survey

In November, we conducted comprehensive employee surveys in Europe and the UK. With response rates of 67% in Europe and 38% in the UK, the surveys provide a strong evidence base for understanding employee experience across Dukes Education.

Staff across both regions report high levels of engagement, with a consistent culture characterised by belonging, inclusion and strong collegial relationships. Most employees understand how their role contributes to their school’s mission and identify strongly with Dukes values. Employee Net Promoter Scores (eNPS) are positive on average across the Group, although, of course, results vary by individual school.

A clear trend emerges across both the UK and Europe: schools that have been part of the Dukes Education Group for longer tend to demonstrate higher engagement and stronger advocacy. This highlights the long-term impact of integration, shared practice and alignment to group culture.

The surveys also identified priority areas for development. These include clearer career pathways across Dukes, focus on wellbeing and work-life balance, stronger leadership communication, and a deeper sense of connection to Dukes Education beyond individual schools.

Europe

87% of staff clearly understand how their role contributes to the school's mission

60%

believe that joining the Dukes family is having a positive impact on their school community

You said…we did…

UK 83% of comments about culture were positive

8.4/10

average rating for “At my school or setting we live the Dukes values”

In response, new programmes for staff are already being introduced. From January, all employees in the UK will have access to a new wellbeing benefit, the Wellhub digital plan. Wellhub provides access to top-rated apps on fitness, mindfulness and nutrition and discounted access to sports facilities.

Colleagues in Europe are now able to invest in their professional development by spending time in other schools across Europe to experience other cultures, teaching methodologies and curriculum. The experience from the host school is then shared back to their home school to complete the circle of learning. This academic year we expect 6 – 8 exchanges to take place across Europe. From September 2026, we hope to expand this to include non-teaching staff and longer periods of exchange.

In order to support the wellbeing of our employees in the workplace and at home we have, a fully confidential, multi-lingual Employee Assistance Programme is available free to all staff.

1,700 copies distributed to Dukes settings and education agents around the world.

CAREER IMMERSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Insight

Themes

in 2025:

The

Human Form, Artificial Intelligence and ESG.

Based upon serious journals such as the Harvard Business Review, the Dukes Education Insight journal is our opportunity to be thought-leaders in the education sector.

Articles are written by members of staff from across the group and copies are distributed to all Dukes Education settings and education agents worldwide.

Editor-in-Chief, Tim Fish, sets a theme for each issue and this high-quality publication helps position Dukes as a premium, intelligent and progressive organisation.

You can view past copies by visiting the Dukes Hub and Dukes Education Website. Previous editions are archived in the British Library.

articles written to date

If you would like to contribute to the Insight journal in 2026, please get in touch:

marketing@dukeseducation.com

Scan to read... the latest copy of Insight

WELLBEING

Our wellbeing offer for the community has a clear, two-fold focus: supporting staff directly, and equipping staff to better support the students in their care.

Supporting staff directly

Alongside our employee assistance programme and our annual programme of mental health first aid training, including MHFA-accredited Adult courses and SFA-accredited online and face-to-face provision, we introduced a webinar series focused on everyday challenges that many colleagues experience. These sessions address topics such as stress management, procrastination, imposter syndrome, seasonal affective disorder, and sleep.

Complementing this, we offer a growing suite of e-learning modules covering areas including letting go of worry, making the most of your time as an educator, reconnecting with your purpose, menopause awareness, and understanding why diversity matters.

Supporting staff to support students

Our webinars and e-learning resources focus specifically on supporting young people, with topics such as involving parents and guardians in mental health conversations, gender identity, recognising when a student is struggling, having effective mental health conversations with students, identifying signs that a student needs immediate help, supporting anxiety in mainstream schools, resilience, and developing a growth mindset. In the UK, we have continued to deliver the Youth MHFA course and have expanded this offer to include both Youth and Adult MHFA refresher courses.

All of our Heads understand the importance of supporting staff wellbeing and they, and their senior leadership teams, offer local initiatives and solution tailored to their staff and setting.

Employee Assistance Programme

The Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) are available to all staff (from March 2026 in Europe) and provides a confidential telephone service with trained counsellors available 24/7, 365 days a year. The telephone calls are 100% confidential and can support staff in dealing with personal and professional problems that could be affecting home or work life, health or general wellbeing.

Wellhub digital platform will be available for all UK employees from January 2026 providing access to wellbeing apps and discounted sports facilities, including:

SUSTAINABILITY

Dukes Education

Our Ambition

Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. As a responsible education group, Dukes Education upholds its core values while preparing pupils to be global citizens. This commitment is reflected in our strategic planning, daily decision-making and educational philosophy.

Sustainability is understood not as a standalone initiative, but as a way of being - embedded across our operations, curriculum and culture. Through this integrated approach, we aim to cultivate global citizens who understand their impact on the world and are committed to making a positive, lasting change.

Dukes Education is guided by a comprehensive four-pillar sustainability strategy that reflects a deep commitment to environmental responsibility, stakeholder engagement and educational excellence.

Achieving our sustainability goals requires a holistic framework that encompasses environmental, social and governance (ESG) development, operational transformation, engagement and education.

Our Four-Pillar Approach to Sustainability

Reducing our carbon emissions and embracing sustainable procurement. Enhancing biodiversity by reimagining our outdoor spaces and exploring inset/offset opportunities.

Our sustainability plan and approach are documented in our strategy.

Achieving our goals requires a holistic framework encompassing:

Encouraging staff, pupils, parents, and communities to embrace sustainable practices

Sharing our sustainability actions widely, building awareness, and celebrating progress.

ESG Development

In February 2025, Dukes Education published its Environmental, Social and Governance report, outlining achievements to date and setting out a clear roadmap for future progress. The report reinforces transparency and accountability while strengthening stakeholder trust and engagement.

Key objectives include:

Demonstrating progress across environmental, social and governance priorities

Communicating our pathway towards carbon net zero

Embedding ESG principles into organisational decision-making

To support delivery, a cross-organisational ESG Working Group was established, bringing together senior leaders and subject matter experts. The group is responsible for ensuring accountability, driving progress across all four sustainability pillars and embedding ESG principles into operations.

Decarbonising our estates, improving efficiency, and ensuring responsible supply chains

Increasing biodiversity by transforming our spaces and engaging local communities

Decarbonisation of the Estate

Building on previous carbon footprinting, the focus in 2024–25 was to benchmark Scope 1 and 2 emissions while developing an indicative Scope 3 baseline. This has now been achieved, with Scope 1 and 2 emissions recorded at 1,768 tCO2e.

This work has enabled Dukes Education to review its supply chain, enhancing operational efficiency and aligning supplier practices with our carbon net zero ambitions. A new Carbon Tracker Tool has been developed to monitor emissions associated with suppliers and provide actionable insights for future engagement.

Green energy and infrastructure

Throughout 2025, Dukes Education continued transitioning to green energy tariffs, supporting lowcarbon electricity sourcing. The rollout of smart meters and LED lighting continues, and feasibility discussions have begun around heat pumps and solar installations in selected settings to support long-term decarbonisation.

Waste and circular economy

Dukes Education remains on track to meet its target of 80% zero waste to landfill by 2030 (UK). Waste suppliers continue to be reviewed, and staff across England-based settings have been trained on the new Government Simpler Recycling: workplace recycling legislation 2025. Better segregation, tracking and exploration of circular economy solutions are helping to reduce waste and promote reuse and recycling across the estate.

Water efficiency

A 5% reduction in water usage has been targeted by 2028. Several schools have benefited from water board audits, informing future plans. A more detailed review of water usage and management is planned for 2026.

Reducing digital footprint

A review of IT systems is underway, covering software efficiency, device lifecycle management and user protocols. Dukes Education is exploring greener cloud solutions, energy-efficient hardware and increased device recycling to reduce the carbon impact of digital infrastructure.

Greener travel

Schools are actively developing greener travel strategies, supported by initiatives such as Cycle to Work schemes and electric bike discounts. Combined school bus routes are being trialled to reduce vehicle use. From 2026, a centralised travel company will manage and monitor international travel to enhance sustainability and accountability.

Sustainable procurement

Key operational suppliers, including cleaning and stationery providers, are being reviewed to reduce waste, prioritise recycled materials and streamline ordering.

Engagement and culture

At the heart of Dukes Education’s sustainability approach is engagement and behavioural change. Sustainability principles are embedded through staff INSET days, pupil assemblies, leadership development events, business updates and internal communications.

All settings develop tailored sustainability plans led by a Sustainability Champion and supported by staff green teams. Pupil-led sustainability groups operate in every school, and in 2025 the newly established Youth Advisory Board played a key role in driving engagement.

A Sustainability Community Hub provides shared resources, while staff benefit from three dedicated sustainability development days each year alongside online CPD via the UN Global Compact Academy. Schools also share a calendar of national and global awareness days, including Earth Day and World Ocean Day, to foster collective action.

Sustainability in education

Dukes Education’s ambition for young people to lead extraordinary lives is grounded in high-quality education. Following a six-month consultation, Serving Global Society was identified as one of the four pillars of the Dukes Diploma.

The Dukes Education Sustainability in Curriculum Report (March 2025) highlights the breadth of approaches across schools that support pupils in understanding the economic, social and environmental impacts of their decisions, empowering them to become responsible global citizens.

Partnerships and social value

In 2025, Dukes Education strengthened its partnership with the UN Global Compact Network, hosting its AGM at Dukes House in London. The group also joined the UK Sustainable Schools Network and continued collaboration with organisations aligned with the Department for Education’s Climate Action Strategy.

A review of charitable activity across 17 UK and Ireland schools showed that £284,478 was raised for 68 local, national and global charities, demonstrating strong social value and community impact.

Campaigns & Events

Climate Awareness Campaign (launched September 2025): pupil-led teams measure monthly climate indicators, with data displayed on an interactive map to encourage discussion and comparison across schools. Dukes Pupil Earth Summit (November 2025): 11 schools, each representing a UN Sustainable Development Goal, participated in the first summit at Dukes House, supported by UN Global Compact speakers.

Sustainable Innovation Engineering Workshop: 50 Year 12 pupils explored sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience with industry experts.

Biodiversity and habitat creation

Habitat creation and biodiversity initiatives continue across the group, supporting nature-positive outcomes and enhancing learning environments.

Scan to watch... how sustainability is being embedded across Dukes

Case Studies

Hampton Court House School

Hampton Court House School’s Sustainable Thinking curriculum, Harmony, as been accredited by The Harmony Project – making us one of only a few schools in the country to gain this accreditation. Inspired by Harmony, the book by His Majesty King Charles, the programme educates children on the seven principles of harmony in nature. These principles have been embedded into our Prep school curriculum with one principle explored each half term. Harmony is taught as a weekly, timetabled lesson across the Prep year groups laying the foundation for students to develop responsible design thinking.

Rochester Independent College

At Rochester Independent College, sustainability and regeneration are at the heart of our curriculum. We integrate Permaculture principles, drawing inspiration from natural ecosystems, to create hands-on, immersive lessons for Key Stage 3 students, making learning both enjoyable and meaningful. This ethos extends beyond the classroom, influencing everything from estate management to procurement and building design. Through this approach, students learn to design systems that care for the earth, support communities, and create a resilient future.

Heathside School Hampstead

Hampstead Heath is more than a backdrop to Heathside School, it is an extension of the school and one of our most inspiring teachers. From welly boot shelves in the halls and ducklings in the classroom to Forest School sessions on the Heath and our commitment to eliminating singleuse plastics, every experience teaches our children to respect, protect, and thrive within the natural world. This is embedded into the schools’ vision to empower pupils so they become independent, lifelong learners who can make a positive and lasting impact on the world they will inherit.

The Lyceum

The Eco-Refill shop was created to inspire the school community to reduce single-use plastics at home. The team sells hand soaps, body wash, washing-up liquid, and laundry detergent, all packaged in reused plastic bottles. The large 5 litre containers used in the shop are returned to the supplier for refilling, ensuring zero plastic waste. The shop has prevented around 50 single-use plastic bottles from entering circulation during its opening day alone.

Sharing the Story

Progress and ambition are shared through dedicated webpages, social media, national and global initiatives, an ESG-focused edition of the Dukes Education Insight journal, and a series of short films documenting the group’s sustainability journey.

Awards & Recognition

Among Dukes Education's awards and recognition for sustainability:

95% of UK settings hold an eco-related award

All Little Dukes nurseries achieved Eco Nurseries status (2024)

Hampton Court House School received the Harmony Award

Eaton Square Prep achieved Level 1 of the RHS School Gardening Award

UN Sustainable Development Goals

For the second year, Dukes Education participated in the ‘Fly Your Flag’ 2025 campaign, demonstrating its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and raising awareness across schools and communities.

Goals for 2026

– Carbon Footprint Measurement

Continue to measure our carbon footprint and aim to achieve full Scope 1, 2, and 3 reporting in alignment with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

– Nature-Positive Strategy

Further develop our nature-positive strategy, ensuring it complements and strengthens our carbon reduction actions.

– Sustainable Supply Chain Engagement

Continue to review and engage with our supply chain to adopt a more efficient and sustainable approach, supporting our ambition to build a resilient and responsible business.

– Stakeholder Engagement & Campaigns

Build on the success of our 2025 engagement campaigns, creating new opportunities to promote, inspire, and influence all stakeholder groups across the Dukes Education family.

WHAT MAKES DUKES

The Dukes Difference

The extra opportunities, support and stability that come from belonging to a family of schools.

All leading to one goal... An Extraordinary Life for Our Children

For Pupils

Being part of Dukes Education opens doors that no single school could provide alone.

In practice:

Academic excellence

Broader educational experiences and shared enrichment across schools

The Dukes Young Leaders Award, building character and leadership skills

Dukes Plus and Dukes Club programmes, events and mentoring beyond the classroom

Inter-school sports, music, debating and cultural festivals

What it means:

More opportunity, more confidence, more ways to discover strengths and passions.

For Parents

Parents get the best of both worlds: a local school with the backing of a trusted group.

In practice:

Each school retains its unique identity, supported by group stability and long-term investment

Shared safeguarding standards and wellbeing training across all settings

Clear communication and consistent systems from admissions through to learning support

What it means:

Peace of mind, security and trustwithout losing the feel of a close-knit school community.

For our People

At Dukes, teaching is a profession with support, connection and room to grow.

In practice:

Group-wide learning and development programmes and leadership pathways

Subject networks and shared best practice across schools

The Dukes Hub platform for resources, collaboration and professional community

What it means:

Better support, enriching careers and a community of colleagues to learn from.

For Schools

Dukes strengthens the foundations so schools can focus on what matters most: education.

In practice:

Shared systems for finance, HR, IT and compliance

Safeguarding expertise and quality assurance frameworks

Capital investment and operational support for growth and development

What it means:

Less time on administration, more time on delivering exceptional learning.

Learning & Development

2025 in review:

participants engaged in live training 1,527 97%

recommendation rate across all courses 99%

Average satisfaction with course content: 96%

Leadership Development & Community Collaboration

Flagship programmes like LAMS have seen recordbreaking interest, with over 60 applications received this year -the highest to date. Community Coordinators have helped foster subject-specific connection and growth through STEM collaborations, Teach Meets, and shared project work. These informal, staff-led initiatives remain a valued and vital part of the Dukes Education development culture.

The Bi-ennial Dukes Conference

Looking Ahead

Average satisfaction with facilitation:

10,000+

completed e-learning enrolments on the Dukes Hub

1,500

hours of instructor-led training delivered

The 2024–2025 academic year has been a period of growth and innovation for Learning & Development at Dukes Education. With 185 training events delivered and over 1,527 staff members taking part, this year’s L&D offering has reached more colleagues than ever before. The breadth of training— spanning leadership, wellbeing, pedagogy, operations, and compliance— continues to support professional development across every corner of our community185 training events delivered across the academic year.

Growing Reach and Engagement

Engagement with the Dukes Hub continued to rise over the year, with over 3,411 staff now supported by the platform. By October, over 1,162 users (34%) had accessed the platform, and 721 users (21%) had enrolled in a course - a strong upward trend that reflects the growing appetite for high-quality, accessible training opportunities.

The Dukes Hub has also laid the foundations for next-level collaboration with the upcoming ‘Ask & Share’ module - a new feature launching in 2026 to help staff exchange knowledge, ask questions, and problem-solve together across roles and settings.

Our 2025 Bi-ennial Dukes Conference brought together 1,850 colleagues from across the UK and Europe. Over 75% of respondents said the event was useful, relevant, and interesting. From sector-leading speakers and practical AI sessions to powerful moments of recognition during the Awards, the day showcased the energy and ambition that defines professional learning at Dukes.

The year ahead brings a major Dukes Hub redesign featuring a more intuitive interface, streamlined navigation, and a fresh visual identity. Combined with new e-learning pathways, including role-specific modules and interactive content, Dukes is setting the stage for even more personalised, accessible, and impactful learning opportunities in 2026.

Community Coordinators

Being part of the Dukes family means coming together to share ideas, expertise, and support one another. One way we do this is through our Community Coordinators. Their role is critical to the success of the Dukes Hub, engagement in Teach Meets and in supporting forums across key subjects.

Community Coordinators cover a range of disciplines across both primary and secondary education and are now in place across many subject areas. Each Coordinator has received training on the Dukes Hub and serves as a point of contact for best practice and peer support.

The Coordinators hosted the first round of Teach Meets in November, with the aim of fostering a stronger sense of community and encouraging cross-institutional collaboration.

Who are the Community Coordinators?

SUBJECT COORDINATORS

11+ and 13+

English James Gillick

English Lauren Carver Williams

Sport Jack Hallas

Science Laura Street

Maths Donal O’Sullivan

PSHE Chelsea Bendall

SEND Kerry Nicols

Computing Dee Edwards

Office Admins Jane Zinopolous

SUBJECT COORDINATORS

English Chris Firth

Chemistry Robert Goldman

Physics Gareth Jenkins

Sport Edward Payne

Maths Samantha Donaghey

Biology Matthew Sison

PSHE Nikki Firth

French Nadège Gandemer

Photography Michael Daks

Dukes Foundation is the charitable arm of Dukes Education. Our mission is to change lives, create opportunities and spread hope by connecting children, families and communities to the compassionate and empowering spirit at the heart of Dukes Education.

Bursaries

Last year, Dukes Foundation announced that it was embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to becomes the UK's largest provider of transformational bursaries.

The ambitious bursary campaign will provide 400 fully funded transformational bursaries each year for talented young people from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. By removing financial barriers, these bursaries; unlock opportunity, lose attainment gaps, enrich classrooms with diverse, dynamic, peer groups, and nurture the next generation of leaders - creating longlasting change as they shape future decision making.

The campaign is gaining traction with meetings with founding donors well underway. 53 full bursaries are already in place across the group.

Our vision is to make excellence in education accessible to all, regardless of background. A fair, transparent process will identify students with exceptional potential and clear financial need. Each bursary will cover the full cost of education - including tuition, enrichment, trips, technology, uniforms, mentoring, and pastoral care.

Why Now?

The need has never been greater. In Britain today, a child’s future is still determined more by their parents’ background than by their own talent.

By age 16, disadvantaged students are 18 months behind their peers.

Just 1 in 8 progress to higher education, compared with 1 in 2 from affluent households.

Post-pandemic, the disadvantage gap has widened to its highest level in almost a decade.

Demand for bursaries across Dukes Education schools has doubled since 2020, while provision remains under strain.

This is not only unjust - it represents a profound waste of national potential.

Why Bursaries work:

Years of research and our programme data demonstrate that bursaries transform lives:

Students supported by bursaries are 40% more likely to achieve top grades and gain places at competitive universities.

85% of bursary recipients at leading independent schools progress to Russell Group universities, triple the national rate for children from similar backgrounds. Early exposure to enriched learning environments accelerates learning and development, giving disadvantaged students the equivalent of 30 extra months of academic progress.

Over a lifetime, bursary-supported students experience a 25% uplift in earnings and are 70% more likely to enter high-status professions.

These outcomes are tangible evidence of the systemic power of well-targeted bursaries. Every student supported will thrive academically, socially, and professionally, creating a ripple effect that strengthens communities and the wider society.

Across OECD countries, disadvantaged students attending advantaged schools score 78 points higher than those in disadvantaged schools In Finland, Macao, Norway and Poland disadvantaged students perform equally well in

Dukes Education's scale, values, talented staff and commitment to positive change make us ideally placed to ensure that ability and potential - not affordability - defines who benefits from world-class teaching, outstanding pastoral care, and a network of peers that can shape worldview and ambition. By investing in education, we can unlock the potential of countless young people, stimulate economic growth, fortify communities, and build a more equitable society.

Youth Advisory Board

A Youth Advisory Board has been formed made up of students aged 1118. The Youth Advisory Board provides guidance on the issues that matter to them most, works on project teams to fundraise and promote sustainability and importantly, hold us accountable in our work.

The Pupil Earth Summit was an enlightening educational experience. As a facilitator, I was highly impressed by the detail and care put into the presentations by the attendees and whilst facilitating the panel, learnt a lot of insightful information pertaining to the world that we live in. It was a great way to kick off the first Dukes YAB event and really captured what we hope to achieve with the board."

– Aila Hassan, Vice Chair,

Dukes Foundation Youth Advisory Board

Grant-making

After a rigorous selection process the Dukes Foundation supports charitable or voluntary organisations that work to advance the Foundation’s overall mission and strategic goals with commitments to: Mental Health, Education, Our Planet and Children’s Healthcare.

Our Youth Advisory Board voted to support ecoACTIVE.

ecoACTIVE

ecoACTIVE is an innovative environmental education charity with a reputation for using hands-on, practical approaches to explore complex issues of sustainability. ecoACTIVE’s mission is to create a world where young people and communities are agents of change for creating a better planet.

PAPYRUS

The donation supported the ongoing service costs associated with operating HOPELINE247, PAPYRUS’s confidential suicide prevention helpline for young people. Funding contributed towards recruitment and training of an Adviser which enabled webchat availability to increase from three hours to 24 hours a day.

The Bridge

Dukes Foundation funding supports talk²sort, a mediation service preventing youth homelessness by addressing family conflict among vulnerable young people aged 11–19 across Leicestershire. This year the service supported 57 young people and their families, with 100% remaining in safe accommodation.

The Mix

Dukes Foundation funding supported Mental Health Innovations to engage 12 young ambassadors in co-designing new promotional materials for The Mix, an early-intervention mental health service for young people. The campaign achieved its core goal of increasing the proportion of under-18s accessing The Mix, rising from 34% to 47%.

EMBRACE Badjao

EMBRACE Badjao is committed to improving the lives of the Badjao community through targeted educational, nutritional and medical initiatives. As an ethnic minority, the Badjao experience high levels of discrimination and social exclusion. Many grow up without access to formal education, limiting employment opportunities and making it difficult to support their families.

London Youth

The first year of this iteration of our Good for Girls programme ran from June 2024 to March 2025, providing underserved young women and girls with access to early-intervention mental health support in trusted, grassroots youth spaces. In 2024/25, with support from the Dukes Foundation, the programme engaged 195 girls and young women across 10 youth organisations.

Rwanda Action

With support from the Dukes Foundation, Rwanda Action is piloting a district-wide disability inclusion model in Rusizi. The refurbished Rusizi Centre for Inclusion now hosts training and coordination, and 18 Special Needs Education Coordinators (SNECOs) have been recruited and trained, reaching over 1,000 teachers through cascaded CPD.

Scan to learn more... about the Dukes Foundation

Dukes Club is a vibrant community of families, staff and alumni that is committed to using the power of the collective to offer elevated experiences, valuable resources and exciting opportunities for families to connect.

We understand the importance of family time, so are driven to create special opportunities for families to learn, explore and make memories together.

Each year, we offer fresh and exciting events designed to inspire, challenge and create magical moments. Our parent talks also allow us to work in partnership with families to offer expert advice in areas that matter to them the most. We also commission articles written just for our members with recommendations of the best things to see and do when they’re looking for things to keep them entertained.

What we’ve been up to

Our budding bakers took part in their very own Bake Off.

We returned to Kneller Hall to learn from Bear Grylls Survival Academy.

Keen skiers enjoyed an evening with one of Britain’s leading professional free skiers and internationally acclaimed coach, Warren Smith

In response to the TV drama, Adolescence, Alicia Drummond of The Wellbeing Hub, gave a talk on the complexities of teenage relationships.

Award-winning author and New York Times journalist Jenny Frost gave a parent talk on fostering a love of learning.

Plans for 2026 include;

Slime workshop

A gooey Slime Science Show, where we explore the wonders of slime, share weird and slimy facts and get hands-on with the world’s weirdest slimes.

Pottery Class

This introductory pottery session in a beautiful London studio is a brilliant way to get a feel for working with clay on the wheel, a practice which is known as ‘throwing’. Each participant will throw multiple pots and can choose one to be glazed and fired.

Mail Rail at the Postal Museum

Guests can take a spin on the Mail Rail, one of London’s best kept secrets. They will ride through the hidden tunnels and discover a unique piece of industrial heritage while hearing the story of the postal service’s subterranean world beneath the streets of London.

5-night stay at Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort

The family-friendly beach resort is set within a protected natural park overlooking the beautiful Martinhal Beach in the western Algarve. They have designed a package exclusively for Dukes Education families which includes a Little Dukes led beach and forest school programme.

Parent talk: How to Grow Great Minds - a High Performing Toolkit for Parents & Carers

We will introduce a High Performance Learning Philosophy and Framework and offer practical guidance for parents and carers on how to grow the minds of their children, both for success in school and in life beyond the classroom.

London Bus Afternoon Tea

Guests will sip, savour and sightsee as they step aboard the iconic vintage London Routemaster bus and learn about our capital city in a way like never before.

Dinosnores at The Natural History Museum

Guests will enjoy a night of exploration and adventure among the Museum’s most incredible creatures. This will be a sleepover they’ll never forget. After setting up camp in one of the amazing galleries they’ll be treated to an evening of awesome activities with plenty to learn and discover along the way.

Parent Talk: Feeding the body and mind

Parents will learn how good nutrition can have a positive impact on children's physical and emotional wellbeing.

Parent Talk: How to help your child to find the right balance

David Goodhew, Dukes Education Managing Director, will deliver a talk on how to help children find the right balance between school life, homework, hobbies and downtime.

Our new home

The Dukes Club now has a new home. This new and improved platform is a space where members can access events, resources and discounts. A key feature is the automatic verification that a subscriber is a member of the Dukes family to ensure this value-added service remains exclusive.

Scan to join the club... You are warmly invited to join our extraordinary community and enjoy its exciting benefits

Poetry Together was founded by Gyles Brandreth, is run by Dukes Education, funded by Dukes Foundation, and wonderfully supported by Her Majesty the Queen Camilla.

A Critical Need

A 2025 report by the National Literacy Trust which highlighted a decline in children reading for pleasure at home has given added impetus to Poetry Together’s work. Jonathan Douglas, the charity’s Chief Executive commented, “the futures of a generation are at risk”.

Promoting the benefits of literacy is a cause The Queen, Gyles, Dukes Education, and Dukes Foundation share and will continue to address though initiatives such as Poetry Together. Studies have shown that learning poetry by heart improves academic performance at school, aids concentration, and supports better sleep.

For older people, evidence shows that learning poetry by heart can give you a happier and more successful life. It improves the ability to communicate and strengthen relationships, improves memory, increases brain capacity and can help keep dementia at bay. It’s amazing stuff really. Learning poetry together changes lives!

It aims to connect younger and older generations through the joy of poetry. It continues to grow year on year.

Poetry Together adds a further dimension - the well-documented benefit of younger and older generations working together. Gyles said, “There is something quite special about people from two ends of the generational spectrum, connecting and having a chat over a cup of tea. It is a wonderful way to bringing communities closer together.”

“There is a lot of research on the benefits to young and old by reciting poetry but marry that with the value of intergenerational connection and it’s really quite special.”

– Gyles Brandreth

Spreading the Word

This November, Poetry Together headed north where over 500 people, young and old, came together in Manchester, the City of Literature, to immerse themselves in all things poetry.

The event was hosted by Poetry Together’s founderwriter, broadcaster and poetry-lover Gyles Brandreth. Guests received workshops from top local poets; Matt Goodfellow, Dom Conlon, Ruth Awolola and Nicole May. The Lord Lieutenant, Diane Hawkins also joined us on the day.

We received the most wonderful feedback from younger and older people inspired by the day. One school wrote:

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful Poetry Together event. Our students had a great time and wrote some fantastic poems! Many of our students were particularly inspired by Matt Goodfellow. His workshop really resonated with one of our students in particular, it was inspirational to hear how he, someone with the same neurodiversity, uses his poetry to cope. The student sat

A Royal Visit

and drafted a poem, and she is now planning on visiting our headteacher to ask if she will authorise the budget for him to visit our school! Thanks again for offering our students such an empowering day.”

ITV’s This Morning joined us for a live feature with performances from St Winifred’s School and their grandparents and this year’s competition winners Minsa (11) and Frank (78).

‘A

Friendship Woven in Time’

By Minsa, aged 11 – 2024 competition winner on the theme of Friendship. Oasis Academy Fir Vale, Sheffield. A poem for her Grandma.

Wrinkles carved with kindness and care, Echoes of laughter that we share.

She is a quilt, stitched with care, Her laughter is an heirloom, a breath of fresh air.

Her memories bound in the leather of her years, Passing down the knowledge to me and my peers.

Her flame so steady, she lights up the room, Only by her side shall I stunningly bloom.

She is my haven, my angel, my fairy, In her arms is my only sanctuary.

She is a treasure chest of fables and stories, Which are full of untold glories.

Her companionship is like a song, Soothing and comforting, just where I belong

The Poetry Together day also saw Her Majesty The Queen visit a school in Wales to see Poetry Together’s latest initiative, ‘Poets on the Road’ in action. This year, for the first time, Poetry Together offered schools the chance to host a visiting poet for a day of workshops and performances.

Award-winning, published poets, Kate Wakeling and Rhiannon Oliver, have travelled all over the country supporting schools in the simple but powerful experience of learning about poetry and using it to bring children and older people together.

Let’s Celebrate

The theme of this year’s Poetry Together competition is ‘celebration’ and younger and older communities have been getting together all over the country to share their poems over tea and cake, with incredible outcomes.

We have people writing to tell us their stories of connection all the time: we were told of an ex-teacher with dementia whose ‘spark was reignited’ when the children came to visit their care home, a young boy from a school for early childhood trauma who bonded with his newly adoptive grandfather through the poetry competition, even neighbours connecting. Many go on to continue their relationships, we’re told of ‘profound meaningful connections’. The poem a lady created with a pupil meant so much to her, that her family wrote to tell us that her granddaughter read it at her funeral.

One get-together saw 120 children visit a community living home. The organiser commented, “what struck me was watching both residents and children arrive quietly but leave smiling and laughing. Hearing my residents excitedly chatting afterwards reinforced how valuable intergenerational activities are.”

Dukes Education celebrated its 10th birthday with a spectacular celebration at London’s Royal Festival Hall in February. One thousand children from 25 Dukes Education schools in the UK, Athens, Dublin and Lisbon took part in a spectacular ‘Festival of the Arts’ in aid of the Dukes Foundation which featured a massed choir of 750 children, individual performances, chamber choirs, ensembles, poetry, prose, musical theatre and a parent choir. The event was hosted by friend of Dukes Education, Gyles Brandreth, and accompanied by a 10-piece band made up of Dukes Education music teachers.

The event included the final of the Dukes Young Musician of the year 2025 competition. The five exceptionally talented finalists played violin, piano, cello and the marimba for the sell-out audience. Avram Harris, a 15-year-old cellist and student from Hampstead Fine Arts College gave a superb performance of Gaspar Cassando’s Suite for Solo Cello: Prelude-Fantasia to be named the competition winner. Aatif summed up the event perfectly, “Happy birthday Dukes and thank you to the people inspire us the most – our pupils.” Happy 10th Birthday Dukes Education

The first ever Dukes Festival of Stories was a roaring, Narnia-inspired success. Brilliant author sessions, puppets, book signings and illustrator draw-alongs made it a fun-packed day.

With tickets for over 1,000 people from Dukes Education schools, local primary schools, and members of the public from the Clapham area and far beyond, visitors enjoyed a fantastic celebration of stories. Central to it all was Dukes Education’s mission to re-ignite children’s enthusiasm for books and reading and to help play a part in turning the tide on declining reading rates.

The Festival of Stories was held at Eaton House The Manor School, Clapham, on Saturday 29th November. The all-day event for children from 2-12 years old was celebration of stories and one of the only UK book festivals focused entirely on children.

The day of storytelling, illustration and imagination featured some of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors and illustrators including Rachel Bright, Chloë Inkpen, MC Grammar, Laura Elllen Anderson and Rob Biddulph. Additional activities for families included a book shop and book signings, a performance by The Long Nose Puppets, story time sessions,

facepainting, bubbles, puppets, crafts, and special appearances by the Gruffalo and Peter Rabbit.

Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education Aatif Hassan said, “We know that children’s reading is in crisis nationally – both the frequency and enjoyment of reading. According to the National Literacy Trust, only 1 in 3 children and young people ages 8-18 said they enjoyed reading – the lowest level since records began in 2005. The Department for Education has designated 2026 the National Year of Reading to address this.”

“Through the Festival of Stories, we hope we sparked the love of reading in the children who come along to share the fun and imaginative adventures that can be found between the pages of a good book.”

“Our thanks go to the wonderful authors, illustrators and performers who delighted our guests of all ages and to the amazing Dukes Education staff team who made it happen.”

Dates for your Diary

Spring Summer Autumn

JANUARY

15th January:

Dukes Plus InvestIN Year 5 ‘Stretch Your Skills’ careers workshop

20th January: Dukes Plus University and Careers

23rd January:

29th January: Dukes Inter-School Cross Country

30th January: Dukes Inter School Swimming Gala

FEBRUARY

13th

Dukes UK Conference

Stadium

5th