GDST schools named winners in 2026 Education Choices Awards

Three GDST schools have been recognised nationally at the Education Choices Awards 2026. Putney High School and South Hampstead High School were named joint winners of the Developing Student Voice Award, while Sydenham & Dulwich Girls secured awards for Improvements in EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging) and Supporting Sustainability. 

The annual awards celebrate innovation, leadership and excellence across the UK education sector, and this year’s recognition highlighted the strength of GDST schools in championing student voice, inclusive school communities and environmental responsibility. 

Joint winners for Developing Student Voice 

Both Putney High School and South Hampstead High School were announced as joint winners in the highly competitive Developing Student Voice category in recognition of their exceptional work supporting students to play an active role in shaping their educational experience.  

Education Choices highlighted Putney High School’s approach to giving students a meaningful role in influencing everything from the curriculum to the structure of the school day, with pupils helping to shape initiatives designed around their needs and aspirations. The judges also noted that 94% of students reported that staff value different viewpoints, underlining the school’s culture of listening and collaboration.  

Celebrating the achievement, the school said the award reflects a philosophy in which “everything, from our curriculum to our buildings and even our lunch, is designed for and with our students.”  

At South Hampstead High School, the judges recognised its longstanding commitment to developing confident communicators and leaders through a democratic culture that encourages every student to express their views and effect meaningful change. The school’s award-winning Debate Hub, alongside its focus on oracy across the curriculum, were highlighted as key initiatives in helping pupils find and use their voices.  

Students at South Hampstead School have taken part in several high-profile opportunities over the last year, including speaking at the House of Lords about the power of girls’ education, participating in discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on education, and engaging with senior leaders at the International Coalition for Girls’ Schools UK conference. The school has also introduced a new oracy and critical thinking course for Year 7 pupils and will launch its first school-directed GCSE course in September, Scholarship through Speech.  

National recognition for inclusive practice and sustainability 

Sydenham & Dulwich Girls enjoyed a remarkable night at the awards, securing national recognition in two categories. The school was named the senior school winner for Improvements in EDIB and was named the joint winner in the Supporting Sustainability category. 

The EDIB award recognised the school’s commitment to move policy into lived practice. From formally adopting the Halo Code in 2020 and training pupils as Halo Guardians, to a bespoke spiral PSHE programme covering microaggressions, privilege and intersectionality, EDIB is woven through every year group, with 93% of pupils saying they feel the school successfully supports diversity and inclusion and 94% saying their culture, faith and background are fully respected.  

Meanwhile, the Supporting Sustainability Award celebrated the school’s student-led approach to environmental responsibility. Sydenham & Dulwich Girls has held the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award every year since 2021, reduced food waste on plates by 45% through a pupil-led challenge and developed the first UN Climate Change Accredited teacher in London. From four-year-olds growing vegetables to Sixth Formers pitching food-waste business solutions at the LSE, sustainability runs without interruption through every stage of school life. 

Congratulations to all three schools on this outstanding national recognition!