Talk Education

Choosing the right school for a child with additional learning needs can feel overwhelming, particularly when they're already settled in a mainstream setting. In our latest Ask Our SEND Expert column, our specialist explains the reasonable adjustments parents should expect schools to make, the questions worth asking and the signs that a child may need more support than they're currently receiving. And don’t forget, if you’re a parent navigating an EHCP, exploring specialist provision or simply seeking practical advice on everything from dyslexia to autism, our dedicated Learning Support hub page brings together all the SEND-related resources you need in one place. Follow the link to read on: https://tinyurl.com/TEAskOurSendExperts

What happens when young people step away from their screens, shoulder a rucksack and venture beyond their comfort zone? According to Peter Thacker, head of Bishopsgate School, quite a lot. In this week's View from the Top, he makes the case for school expeditions - and argues that challenge, responsibility and real-world adventure remain some of the most powerful teachers of all. Follow the link to read on: https://tinyurl.com/TEVFTTPeterThacker

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Kensington Prep School this week and finding out all there is to know about this super all-girls school in Fulham. A big thank you to head, Rachel Floyd for setting some time aside to chat with us, and to Jeni Care for organising our day. Thank you for making us feel so welcome. New review coming soon at www.talkeducation.com
The Girls' Day School Trust

There’s much excitement about this highly regarded London prep’s upcoming evolution from boys-only to co-ed. A shiny new school building is already up and running, while parents eager to get their daughters’ names down are keeping the Westminster Under School inbox busy. From September 2026, girls will join the boys in Years 3 and 7, while the imminent opening of a new pre-prep means both girls and boys can get in on the action from reception age. As a result, the trajectory to Westminster School (the prep shares its foundation and governing body) will be even smoother for the young superstars who thrive in this academic big hitter’s dynamic and ambitious environment. Follow the link to read our full review: https://tinyurl.com/TEReviewWestminsterUnder

Summer is just around the corner, exams are nearing the finish line, and a lovely long break from the everyday school routine is on the horizon. Along with the sense of release this can bring for teenagers, parents might find themselves faced with the worries of helping get them safely through the weeks of parties and gatherings to come. So, what can be done to ensure summer social events go as smoothly as possible? We bring you advice from Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, and an extract from her book ‘I Wish I’d Known – Young People, Drugs and Decisions’. Follow the link to read on: https://tinyurl.com/TEParentsGuideSummerEvents

A few weeks ago, we launched our 2026 Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education. We have been overwhelmed by the number of entries that have already come flooding in, and there are still just over four weeks for schools to get involved. Follow the link to find out everything you need to know about this year’s awards, designed to celebrate the schools who are not just thinking outside the box, but setting fire to it and then building something new, cleverer and better: https://tinyurl.com/TEInnovationAwards2026

Thank you to everyone at Cothill for making us feel so welcome during our visit this week. We thoroughly enjoyed chatting with head, George May and team, and catching up on all the latest developments. Thank you for setting some time aside for us, and to Tora Parker for putting together our super itinerary. New review coming soon at www.talkeducation.com

It goes without saying that music is part and parcel of any independent school’s co-curricular programme, and we’re always blown away by the efforts they make to encourage everyone to have a go, regardless of talent. But at some schools, music isn’t just an add-on - it’s woven into their very fabric. From dedicated conservatoire-style schools offering total immersion and attracting exceptional young performers from around the globe, to prep and senior schools with world-renowned chorister programmes, giving pupils the chance to sing in highly prestigious cathedral choirs with centuries-old traditions, we’ve highlighted a handful of the best specialist music and chorister schools in the UK. Follow the link to read on: https://tinyurl.com/TESpecialistMusicSchools

This Berkshire gem hits all the right notes for families looking for an all-through, mixed-ability co-ed that offers endless opportunities outside as well as inside the classroom. With the senior school on the same site, the infant and junior school has access to its older sibling’s facilities, which include an indoor pool, a theatre and impressive sports fields. The small-feel, nurturing environment gives just the right amount of coddling so that when children leave for big school, they’re confident, happy and eager for the step up. Follow the link to read our full review of LVS Ascot Infant and Junior School: https://tinyurl.com/TEReviewLVSAscotJunior

For this week’s View from the Top, Nick Page, head of Wetherby Senior School makes a compelling case for putting modern languages back at the heart of the curriculum. At a time when language uptake is declining across the UK, he argues that studying another language offers far more than grammatical fluency: it broadens horizons, deepens cultural understanding and teaches pupils to see the world from different perspectives. Follow the link to read on: https://tinyurl.com/TEVFTTNickPage