RGS Worcester Wins National Tes Independent Senior School of the Year Award 2026
The national award places RGS Worcester among the very best schools in the United Kingdom following a rigorous judging process involving leading figures from both the state and independent sectors. Open to more than 32,000 schools across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Tes Awards celebrate excellence in education, innovation, leadership and pupil outcomes.
The award recognised RGS Worcester’s combination of academic excellence, strong pastoral care and leadership in preparing young people for a rapidly changing world. Judges praised the School’s vision and delivery on that vision to ensure that all pupils flourish both academically and personally, while responding thoughtfully to the opportunities and challenges facing modern education.
RGS Worcester was the only independent school from the West Midlands shortlisted for the Independent Senior School of the Year Award and was ultimately selected as the national winner from an outstanding shortlist featuring some of the most respected schools in the country including Charterhouse, Tonbridge School and Latymer Upper School. 1,200 people attended the award ceremony in London and the judges confirmed that more schools had applied for the awards this year than ever before.
The success follows another significant national recognition for the RGS Worcester Family of Schools, which was also shortlisted in the final eight schools across the UK for the Tes Award for Best Use of Technology. RGS Worcester was one of only a small number of schools nationally to be shortlisted in more than one category, highlighting the breadth and quality of provision across the Schools.
Headmaster John Pitt said:
“To be recognised as Independent Senior School of the Year is an extraordinary honour and a proud moment for everyone connected with RGS Worcester.
This award reflects the dedication, expertise and care shown every day by our staff, the ambition and character of our pupils, and the support of our parents, governors, alumni and wider School community.
Education changes lives. This award belongs to every member of our community who contributes to creating an environment where young people flourish academically, develop confidence and character, and leave school prepared to make a positive contribution to the world. We are immensely proud of what has been achieved here at RGS together. And this award gives us the confidence to press on now to reach new heights at the RGS Schools for our pupils.”
The award follows a period of sustained success for RGS Worcester. Recent years have seen record academic results, national recognition for innovation in digital learning and artificial intelligence, significant investment in new facilities, new subjects and pupil opportunities, sector-leading partnerships and outreach programmes, and continued growth in pupil numbers and demand from families.
Upon hearing news of the award, a Year Seven parent commented, “I would like to thank everyone involved for creating such a positive and inspiring environment for our children to learn, grow and thrive. We are incredibly proud to be part of the RGS school community. Congratulations once again on this fantastic achievement.” A Year Ten parent said, “This is great news! Congratulations to all for your commitment and hard work and you all deserve more!”, and a Year Eleven parent shared, “This is an incredible achievement. Congratulations and thank you for all you do for the children.”
As part of The RGS Worcester Family of Schools, which educates children from Nursery through to Sixth Form, the School combines academic ambition with outstanding pastoral care, extensive co-curricular opportunities and a strong focus on preparing young people for life beyond School.
