Bishop's Stortford College

Thank you to all the families who joined us for our Boarding Open Evening yesterday.

It was wonderful to welcome you to the College and to share an insight into our boarding community. We hope you enjoyed touring our Houses, meeting our staff and pupils, and getting a true feel for the warmth and spirit that makes boarding here so special.

We are absolutely delighted to share that our Year 3 teacher, Katherine Prowse, has been named a Silver Winner in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards 2026, in the category of Teacher of the Year in a Primary School!

This is a truly wonderful recognition of the dedication, care and enthusiasm Mrs Prowse brings to the classroom every day. Her commitment to her pupils makes a real difference to their confidence, growth and love of learning, and we know many of our families will join us in celebrating this very special achievement.

As a Silver Winner, Mrs Prowse is now shortlisted for a Gold award, to be announced later this year — and we’ll be cheering her on every step of the way.

Congratulations, Mrs Prowse!

Today we celebrate National Thank a Teacher Day 💙

Today is about more than just saying thank you — it’s about recognising the lasting impact our teachers have on lives every single day. The encouragement they give, the patience they show, the belief they instil… these are the things that shape futures and stay with pupils long after they leave our classrooms.

We want to take a moment to also thank our incredible College Professional Services teams and support staff — our teams who keep everything running. Their work may often happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere.

Together, our staff create the environment, support and sense of belonging that allows our pupils to thrive.

Happy National Boarding Week!

This week, we’re celebrating everything that makes boarding life so special — from the strong friendships our pupils build to the growing independence and confidence they develop each day.

Our boarding community is truly a home away from home, where young people are supported, encouraged, and inspired to make the most of every opportunity.

We are so proud of our Years 5 and 6 pupils for their wonderful production of Aladdin. It was a true celebration of creativity, resilience and determination, with every pupil shining on stage.

From the enthusiasm of the performers to the incredible hard work behind the scenes, this production was a real team effort. It has been a joy to see our pupils grow in confidence and character throughout the process.

Well done to all involved for such a memorable performance!

Our young athletes had a fantastic couple of days recently at the National IAPS Swimming Competition and Regional Athletics Championships. Whilst our swimmers achieved some fantastic results, new personal bests, and placed 6th nationally, our athletics team secured medals in various events alongside their place in the National Finals!

Brilliant achievements and a testament to the hard work, commitment and talent of all involved.

We’re delighted to share that we have been named a finalist in the Education Choices Awards 2026 Developing School Partnerships category—an award that celebrates collaboration through working with other schools, sharing resources, and delivering impactful group projects.

Our Invite and Inspire programme brings together creative, academic and community partnerships through specialist-led workshops, all supported by our fantastic Sixth Form student mentors. Alongside this, our Visiting Speaker Programme offers more than 50 sessions each year for both primary and secondary audiences, creating a vibrant hub for shared intellectual curiosity.

We’re incredibly proud of what we achieve together with our partners and look forward to the winner being announced this Friday!

This year, our Prep School pupils are embracing a new opportunity: Independent Study exhibitions that empower them to follow their curiosity wherever it leads.

Just before half term, our Year 6 pupils were the first to showcase their superb projects. With no pressure or measurement, they’re researching topics that genuinely inspire them — learning for the sheer joy of it.

Throughout this half term, pupils from Years 3 to 8 will share their work with staff and peers, growing in confidence and developing strong public‑speaking skills. A powerful step toward becoming independent, lifelong learners.

Pre‑Prep Sports Day was bursting with energy on the last day before half term, and our pupils truly shone. Every pupil took part with such determination — trying their best, lifting one another up, and showing remarkable resilience in every event.

With a programme designed for all learners, every child had the chance to feel proud, confident, and celebrated. The photos say everything we could hope to express — the joy, the laughter, the big smiles, and the moments of pure childhood magic!

For our youngest pupils in the Nest, it was a milestone we’ll all remember; their very first Sports Day.

Wishing all who are celebrating a blessed Eid al‑Adha. May this special time bring peace, gratitude and togetherness, and may the spirit of generosity and compassion inspire all.