We are delighted to be recognised as the most progressive school in the UK at this year’s Private Education Awards, alongside Excellence in Holistic & Compassionate Education.
Following on from our award of Private Girls’ School of the Year 2025, we have been awarded two awards in 2026. The judges’ commented:
“We are delighted to recognise Sydenham & Dulwich GDST this year with the Most Progressive UK School 2026 and Excellence in Holistic & Compassionate Education 2026 awards at the Private Education Awards 2026. The school’s commitment to combining forward-thinking educational practice with a deeply supportive and values-led culture formed the foundation of our decision. Sydenham High presents itself as a school built around personalised education, empowering pupils to be ambitious, creative, courageous and curious, while also educating the whole person through a balance of mind, body and soul.
In recognising Sydenham as the Most Progressive UK School 2026, the judges were particularly impressed by the school’s modern and future-facing educational approach. Its curriculum is designed not only to deliver academic excellence, but also to develop critical thinking, problem solving, visual culture, digital innovation and emotional intelligence. The school’s bespoke Elevate Curriculum further reinforces this progressive outlook by focusing on independent enquiry, communication, collaboration, creative thinking, sustainability, and financial literacy – all of which reflect a clear commitment to preparing pupils for a rapidly changing world.
In awarding Excellence in Holistic & Compassionate Education 2026, we were equally struck by the school’s emphasis on personal development, pastoral care and inclusion. Sydenham High explicitly positions education as more than curriculum content, with a strong focus on helping girls know themselves, build confidence, resilience and character, and flourish within a culture of belonging. That compassionate ethos is also reflected in the school’s stated commitment to diversity and inclusion, its inclusive SEN provision, strong safeguarding, and its whole-community approach to meeting the needs of individual pupils with care, transparency and continuity.
This recognition highlights Sydenham & Dulwich Girls’ outstanding contribution to modern independent education in the UK. By combining progressive teaching, future-ready skills and a genuinely holistic model of compassionate pupil support, the school stands out as a highly deserving recipient of these awards in 2026.”