FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY ARE YOU LAUNCING THE 2020 AWARDS AT THE TIME THE COUNTRY IS CONFRONTING THE COVID-19 VIRUS?
Independent Schools are – like the rest of the country – facing a challenge like no other with the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Schools throughout the UK are facing up to the likelihood of extended closures and the complete suspension of ordinary activities. So, we need to start to look ahead beyond the immediate crisis right now. Independent education is one of this country’s proudest traditions and the sector will bounce back from this hiatus with all its accustomed energy and commitment. In September we hope and believe schools will be back showcasing what they do and making their case to prospective parents and students.
So, come the Autumn, we want to use the announcement of the Winners of the Independent Schools of the Year 2020 awards to support this recovery and amplify the message that our independent schools are back on the front foot and delivering student excellence in all its forms.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR AN AWARD?
All independent schools which are school members of one of the membership associations of the Independent Schools Council* are eligible to apply for the awards.
CAN MY SCHOOL APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE AWARD?
Yes. Schools are invited to apply for any award for which they are eligible and where they believe they have a compelling story to tell. We particularly encourage schools – including pre-prep and prep schools – to consider submitting entries for the specialist awards as well as for their own school category.
ARE THE AWARD CRITERIA OPEN TO INTERPRETATION?
Yes. We are keen for you to tell us why us why your story is relevant and means you should win a particular award rather than us telling you exactly what we are looking for but please make sure you tailor your entry to address the published award criteria and refrain from submitting only lightly re-versioned entries for several categories.
HOW WILL THE AWARDS BE JUDGED?
The Chair and Vice Chair of the judging panel will study every entry received against the published awards criteria and create a shortlist of Commended schools from which, in turn, the Finalists will be selected.. The full entry from each of the Finalists will be supplied to the judging panel which will meet to choose the winners.
WILL SCHOOLS BE TOLD THEY HAVE BEEN COMMENDED?
Yes. We plan to tell schools they have been shortlisted on Thursday, 25 June 2020.
WHAT SORT OF EVIDENCE DO I NEED TO PROVIDE TO SUPPORT AN APPLICATION AND HOW SHOULD I SUBMIT IT?
Supporting evidence could take the form of photos, video content, evaluations, testimonials, newspaper cuttings and inspection reports, etc. Schools are asked to submit their written submissions, photographs and videos using the online forms provided. Any additional supplementary information may be sent by post to: Independent Schools of the Year, c/o The Chelsea Magazine Company, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ.
WILL THERE BE PUBLICITY ABOUT THE WINNERS?
Yes. During the Autumn and Winter of 2020-21 Independent School Parent plans to put the stories of the winning schools at the heart of a positive media story run across their portfolio of magazines which celebrates the successes of the independent school sector and their impact on the wider community. Schools need to tell us if they do not seek publicity of this nature and do not want us to use their stories when they submit their applications.
CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE AWARDS AND ADVICE ON HOW TO APPLY?
Yes. If you have any queries or concerns please email us at isoty@chelseamagazines.com
TIMELINE FOR AWARDS
16 March 2020 Nominations Open
22 May 2020 Nominations Close
25 June 2020 Commended Schools announced
7 September 2020 Finalists announced
8 September 2020 Judging Panel meets to select winners
5 October 2020 Winners announced