Each year, Tatler magazine publishes its Schools Guide, a glossy compendium of Britain’s most prestigious independent schools. Within that guide sits the Tatler Schools Awards, and among them the most coveted accolade: Best Public School. In 2025, the award once again drew attention not only from parents and pupils but also from the wider public, fascinated by the enduring role of Britain’s boarding schools in shaping national identity.
A Rigorous Selection Process
The Tatler Schools Guide is not a league table. Instead, it is a curated survey of around 300 institutions chosen from the thousands of independent schools across the UK. The editorial team spends months touring campuses, interviewing pupils, parents, and staff, and reviewing nearly 2,500 questionnaire responses. This methodology is designed to capture the lived experience of school communities rather than just exam results.
For the 2025 awards, the shortlist for Best Public School included Latymer Upper, Wycombe Abbey, Charterhouse, Sherborne Girls, and Oakham School. Each of these schools represents a different facet of the independent sector: Latymer Upper with its urban inclusivity, Wycombe Abbey with its academic intensity, Charterhouse with its historic gravitas, Sherborne Girls with its pastoral reputation, and Oakham with its holistic ethos.
Voting and Feedback
Although Tatler does not release raw vote counts, the process is informed by survey data and community feedback. Parents are asked to rate teaching quality, pastoral care, extracurricular provision, and university destinations. Pupils contribute their views on school culture, inclusivity, and wellbeing. Teachers and heads provide context about institutional philosophy and innovation.
In 2025, several themes emerged strongly from the feedback:
- Wellbeing and mental health support were repeatedly cited as decisive factors.
- Inclusivity and diversity were highlighted, particularly at schools like Latymer Upper, which has made bursaries and outreach central to its mission.
- Adaptability to new technologies, including AI-driven learning platforms, was noted as a differentiator for forward-looking schools.
It is worth noting that much of this feedback was collected through an online voting form hosted by Tatler, allowing parents and pupils to participate directly in shaping the shortlist. The use of a digital survey platform not only streamlined the process but also gave the award a more transparent, participatory character.
Data Patterns and Analysis
From the information available, a few patterns can be discerned:
- Survey Engagement: With 2,500 responses across 300 schools, the average is modest, but shortlisted schools typically attract far higher engagement. This suggests that their communities are more mobilized and invested in the process.
- Parental Weighting: Anecdotal evidence indicates that parental responses carry slightly more influence than pupil responses, reflecting the financial reality of fee-paying education. However, Tatler has increasingly emphasized pupil voice, aligning with broader educational trends.
- Regional Balance: The shortlist demonstrates an effort to balance London-based schools with regional boarding institutions, avoiding the perception of metropolitan bias.
- Shifting Priorities: Compared with a decade ago, when Oxbridge entry rates dominated discussions, the 2025 awards show a pivot toward pastoral care, inclusivity, and holistic development.
Symbolism and Impact
Winning the Tatler Best Public School Award carries symbolic weight far beyond the trophy. For schools, it can mean a surge in applications, heightened media visibility, and enhanced alumni pride. For parents, it serves as reassurance that their substantial investment—often exceeding £45,000 per year in fees—is validated by external recognition.
Yet the award also sparks debate. Critics argue that celebrating elite schools entrenches inequality, given that only about 7% of British children attend independent schools. Supporters counter that the award highlights best practices that can inspire the wider sector, particularly in areas like wellbeing and inclusivity.
The 2025 Winner
While Tatler itself frames the award as a celebration rather than a competition, the 2025 accolade ultimately went to Wycombe Abbey, a school long regarded as one of the most academically rigorous girls’ boarding schools in the country. Judges praised its combination of stellar academic results, strong pastoral care, and a forward-looking approach to technology and global citizenship.
Wycombe Abbey’s recognition reflects the balance that Tatler seeks to highlight: a school that maintains traditional strengths while adapting to contemporary challenges. Its emphasis on resilience, leadership, and internationalism resonated strongly with both parents and pupils in the survey data.
From Trophy to Touchstone
The 2025 Tatler Best Public School Award illustrates how Britain’s independent schools are redefining excellence. What once was measured almost exclusively by Oxbridge entry rates is now judged by wellbeing, inclusivity, and adaptability. In that sense, the award is not just a trophy but a touchstone—signaling to families, educators, and the wider public what the future of elite education must look like.