This is for a stand-out member of the independent school community, at any level, who has shown a sustained contribution to the sector. At least three independent testimonials from staff, governors or students will need to be included with the nomination. Please check with the nominee beforehand that they are happy to have their name put forward for this award.

This award recognises measurable excellence in the use of education technology by a school. Judges will be looking for evidence that the technology has had a positive impact on educational outcomes of students through its use, inside or outside the classroom, supporting teaching and learning directly or by easing the pressure on teachers and administrators.

This award is for independent schools that put creativity at the heart of their work. This isn’t about individual projects in art, drama, music or design – or even in science, technology or humanities (although it could take in one or all of these subjects): it is about enabling children to think differently, perhaps beyond the strictures of the conventional curriculum.

Ideally, there should be a whole-school or cross-curricular approach to one or more projects; entries should emphasise the practical aspects of this approach and its impact. It is a given that schools have a strong ethos, so submissions are encouraged to focus on writing concisely about what was done, along with tangible outcomes.

While creativity may be hard to measure, we would like to see evidence that the scheme (or schemes) has benefited either the entire school or a targeted group of pupils, whose creativity is blossoming as a result.

A good school reputation is everything; maintaining or enhancing it is at the heart of the most effective marketing. This award recognises a powerful strategy to promote some aspect of the school to a wider community. It can include both offline and online projects.

Evidence of effectiveness and impact must be provided.

This award recognises initiatives that involve working and cooperating effectively with a state school or schools. The benefits to all parties must be made clear.

Evidence of effectiveness and impact must be provided. The judges will be looking for projects that demonstrate creativity, energy and a business-like approach in delivering great results.

This award will recognise a school that demonstrates commitment to excellence and participation in school sport, and in promoting health, wellbeing and exercise among its pupils. Good-quality evidence of success and impact must be provided.

To impress the judges, a school’s submission text should address all aspects of these criteria. Supporting material should provide as much additional detail as possible, including relevant statistics but without unnecessary repetitions. The application should reveal how a school’s sports programme is succeeding on a broad front.

Education is the business of schools. The independent school sector is renowned for its innovation in this regard. This category recognises initiatives in improving learning outcomes for pupils and helping them to fulfil their potential. It can be a school-wide initiative or one that is year or subject specific. It may be an internal project or even one that was subsequently used commercially for other schools.

Evidence of success and impact must be provided.

This award recognises a project accomplished by students to demonstrate a clear learning outcome. The project could be student or teacher led and could involve an individual or group. The initiative would have taken place during the 2019-20 academic year.

Evidence of how the project relates to the learning objective must be provided.

This award should highlight an impressive initiative to improve mental health at your school.

While wellbeing may be hard to measure, we would like to see evidence that the scheme (or schemes) has benefited either the entire school or a targeted group of pupils.

This award recognises initiatives that involve working with external groups, such as parents and the local community (either within or outside a charitable school’s objectives). Submissions should demonstrate a benefit to all parties involved.

Judges will need to see evidence of effective engagement and a demonstration of how the school is the beating heart of its community. Please supply a minimum of three testimonials from members of the community that the school works with.

This title will be awarded to a boarding school in the UK for its performance in the 2019-20 academic year. It is equally applicable to schools that have experienced rapid improvement and those that are maintaining continued excellence.

The judges want to see more than academic achievement: entries should demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop children in ways that go beyond the league tables. You should provide evidence to support your application in the form of inspection reports, parent testimonials, data analysis or anything else you feel is relevant.

This title will be awarded to a prep school in the UK for its performance in the 2019-20 academic year. It is equally applicable to schools that have experienced rapid improvement and those that are maintaining continued excellence. All-through schools with prep departments may also apply.

The judges want to see more than academic achievement: entries should demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop children in ways that go beyond the league tables. Please provide supporting evidence to validate your application.

This title will be awarded to a pre-prep school in the UK for its performance in the 2019-20 academic year. It is equally applicable to schools that have experienced rapid improvement and those that are maintaining continued excellence. All-through schools with pre-prep departments may also apply.

The judges want to see more than academic achievement: entries should demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop children in ways that go beyond the league tables. Please provide supporting evidence to validate your application.

This title will be awarded to a day school in the UK for its performance in the 2019-2020 academic year. It is equally applicable to those that have experienced rapid improvement and those that are maintaining continued excellence. It is for senior day schools or all-through schools that have a senior department.

The judges want to see more than academic achievement: entries should demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop children in ways that go beyond the league tables. You should provide evidence to support your application, whether inspection reports, parent testimonials, data analysis or anything else you feel relevant.

And finally…the winners of the pre-prep, prep, senior and boarding categories will automatically be entered for this award. The winner will be announced as the finale to the evening