We are delighted to share the outstanding achievements of two of our pupils in prestigious national essay competitions.

Sebastian (U6, Kipling) has been selected to be Commended by Trinity College, Cambridge, for the essay entitled ‘Why did the crisis that triggered the First World War begin in the Balkans?’ he submitted to their 2025 Robson History Essay Prize. This highly regarded competition attracts entries from some of the most talented young historians across the country, and being recognised by the judges is a significant accomplishment.

Meanwhile, Alex (U6, Thomason) has been shortlisted for the John Locke Institute Essay Competition for his thoughtful and original response to the question, ‘Which figure in history did most to enlarge human freedom?’ The John Locke Global Essay Competition is one of the world’s leading essay challenges for young thinkers, receiving submissions from across the globe.

Congratulations to both pupils!

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Seventeen-year-old Ella, Upper Sixth pupil, Head of School, and founder of the Haileybury Space Economy Society, made history this week when she became the first ever student speaker at the prestigious Royal Institution Youth Summit.

The annual Summit, held at the Royal Institution in London, is a sold-out event that brings together young people and renowned scientists to explore themes related to the Institution’s world-famous Christmas Lectures. Traditionally, speakers have included Nobel Prize winners, PhD researchers and leaders in science. This year, for the first time, a school student was invited to join the main stage.

Ella delivered a keynote talk on the future of the Space Economy, broadening the audience’s view of space as a subject that now stretches far beyond rockets and exploration. She demonstrated how the Space Economy encompasses disciplines as diverse as medicine, law, climate science and artificial intelligence, and how developments in space will increasingly shape life on Earth.

Ella was joined on stage by Dr Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock (Professor and 2023 Christmas Lecturer), Kathrine Mathieson (Director of the Royal Institution), and other guest speakers who explored themes including AI, robotics and the future of human exploration. Together, they contributed vital perspectives on how today’s young people can lead in science and society.

As part of her address, Ella also introduced the work of the Haileybury Space Economy Society, along with its international sister groups. The Society’s board members and the Master of Haileybury attended the event to support Ella and represent the School and Society in front of a national audience.

The day concluded with breakout sessions in which students from schools across the country debated questions linked to this year’s Christmas Lecture theme of space. Their insights will help shape the final Lecture Series, which has engaged public audiences for nearly 200 years.

Speaking afterwards, Ella said:
“It was such an honour to be the first student speaker in the Summit’s history. I wanted to show that space is no longer a niche topic, but one that connects with every field and every young person’s future. I’m proud of the work our Society is doing to build this conversation.”

The School and Society are immensely proud of Ella’s achievement, and of the opportunity for Haileybury pupils to play an active role in shaping national discussions about science, innovation and the future.

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We are delighted to announce that our GCSE pupils have achieved an outstanding set of results.

Over 61% of grades were awarded at 9/8/A* level, our best ever such score.

Over 93% of grades were awarded at 9-6/A*-B, 29 pupils got straight 9/8/A* grades and 89 pupils (over 60% of the cohort) got at least five 9/8/A* grades. There are many other individual successes to celebrate as well. 

We are immensely proud of our Year 11 pupils and congratulate them on their impressive achievements.

Eugene du Toit, Master of Haileybury, commented “It has been a very successful summer for our GCSE pupils. We are proud of what they have achieved and we extend our congratulations to them on their impressive results. My sincere thanks go to Haileybury’s outstanding team of staff for everything they have done to create an environment in which our pupils can achieve such excellent outcomes.” 

Updated 21/08/25

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Once again, our pupils have produced an outstanding set of results.

After excellent IB results earlier in the summer, the A level cohort has also produced a superb set of outcomes with 51% of grades awarded at A*/A and 83% at A*-B. Ten pupils received three (or more) A* grades and a remarkable 43 pupils (over a third of the cohort) achieved three A grades or better.

When the A level and IB grades are combined, our Upper Sixth pupils achieved 59% at A*/A (or equivalent) and 87% at A*-B (or equivalent). These results represent an excellent consolidation of last year’s outcomes, which were our most successful summer ever in a regular exam series.

This year’s results provide our leaving Upper Sixth with an excellent springboard into the next stage of their journeys. We are proud to see so many securing places at some of the most prestigious universities in the UK and worldwide and as they all embark on their exciting new chapters, we extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Eugene du Toit, Master of Haileybury, commented: “These are excellent results, and we are delighted to see that our pupils’ hard work and determination have been rewarded. We are proud of all they have achieved, and we celebrate their success.

I am immensely grateful to our teachers and pastoral staff for everything they have done to inspire and support our pupils. My thanks also go to the wider team of staff for the role they have played in creating an environment in which our pupils can achieve to the best of their ability.”

Updated 18/08/25

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Our Academic Exhibition Fair kicked off the final weeks of term with energy and excitement!

The Exhibition Fair showcased 49 impressive academic research posters, created by pupils from Lower School through to Sixth Form.

Each pupil explored a topic or question they were intrigued by and wanted to tackle. The variety of topics was remarkable, ranging from the very latest in scientific technology to thought-provoking social and political issues, with many demonstrating curiosity across two or more subject areas.

The evening saw pupils deliver outstanding presentations on their research to parents, their peers and staff. Congratulations to all involved.

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A huge congratulations to our Upper Sixth pupils who have earned prestigious sports places at top US universities.

Hodge has accepted a place on the Trinity University (Texas) Men’s Soccer team; Sophia has been awarded sports and academic scholarships and will row at Marist University (New York); and Harry has received a football scholarship from Adelphi University (New York).

We are proud to see our athletes making waves across the Atlantic!

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Congratulations to Isabelle (L6), who has been awarded a commendation in the highly competitive 2025 Rex Nettleford Essay Prize, hosted by Oriel College, Oxford.

This national competition encourages Sixth Form pupils to engage critically with the legacies of colonialism – a theme that remains deeply relevant today.

Issy’s essay, developed after extensive research in the Haileybury archives with Dr Koon and Miss Sparrow, focused on the works of Rudyard Kipling. Her thoughtful analysis impressed the judges and earned her an invitation to the annual Rex Nettleford Lecture on ‘Colonialism and its Legacies’, to be held at Oriel College in May.

Following the lecture, Issy will receive her commendation in person and has been invited to dine at High Table – a special Oxford tradition – in recognition of her achievement. We are incredibly proud of Issy for her dedication and critical insight, and for representing Haileybury at such a distinguished academic event.

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Our pupils have once again achieved outstanding results in this year’s National Latin Exam, a prestigious assessment taken by hundreds of thousands of pupils worldwide.

Each year, our Removes participate in this challenging exam, which forms part of their ongoing assessment portfolio in place of a summer exam. Pupils with prior Latin experience sat the Beginning Latin Reading Exam, while those new to the subject took the Introduction to Latin Exam.

This year, for the first time, our Sixth Form Latinists also entered the Intermediate Latin Reading and the Advanced Latin Verse Exams – the latter being the most demanding of all. We are especially proud of James and Emily (U6), who both earned Gold Medals in the Advanced Latin Verse Exam. Notably, James achieved a perfect score and, along with Emily, is now eligible to apply for the prestigious 2025 Maureen O’Donnell Scholarship for Academic Excellence, a $2,000 award for top performers.

These results reflect the dedication and hard work of our pupils across all levels. Congratulations to everyone who took part – you have demonstrated true excellence in classical studies and made our school proud.”

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20 November 2024

Haileybury, one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent boarding and day schools, has launched a space programme – and is aiming to become the first school in Europe to launch a satellite. The space mission, led by pupils at Haileybury, has been set up in an exciting partnership with British multinational aerospace company, BAE Systems. 

The programme’s aim is to launch a mini satellite, known as CubeSat, into space. The pupils have chosen to install an optical camera inside, which will gather essential data from high above Earth on the impacts of global warming, including deforestation and wildfires. The intention is for this information to contribute to the worldwide efforts to protect the planet from climate change. 

Many schools have tried to launch a satellite into orbit since the 1990s, but none have succeeded to date. If Haileybury becomes the first to achieve this, its pupils will be placed at the forefront of space education in Europe. It will also create a model that schools around the world can use to provide similar opportunities for their pupils. 

There are more than 30 Haileybury pupils aged 12 to 18 involved in the project. It is not only enhancing their knowledge and application of subjects such as engineering and physics but more widely in project management. For example, pupils have established a management structure with committees focused on areas like finance, technical support, and communications to help ensure the programme’s success.

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence division has come on board to advise pupils. The organisation’s specialists will deliver insightful lectures at the School once a month and teach pupils about the technical aspects of the mission, from how to power their CubeSat using solar energy to providing guidance on satellite computing.

BAE Systems, through this work, hopes to inspire and cultivate the next generation of aerospace engineers and encourage more young people to enter a career in aerospace and associated fields.

So far, Haileybury pupils have created a 3D model, developed plans for the main build, and presented it to industry experts including representatives from the UK Space Agency. They are now working with BAE to bring their vision to life and secure a rocket to launch their CubeSat.

Eugene du Toit, Master of Haileybury, said:

“At Haileybury, we are committed to providing our pupils with extraordinary opportunities such as this space mission. This project is an example of how our pupils work with our dedicated team of staff to achieve remarkable outcomes. Whenever possible, we want our pupils to enrich their learning through research that has real-world impact and connects them with experts in the field. We want our pupils’ learning to inspire them and support them in developing skills which will see them thriving in their future careers.

We look forward to seeing the CubeSat programme developing as we work with BAE Systems and the UK Space Agency during the year ahead.”

Pupils, partners and VIPs gathered at the 20 November CubeSat launch event.

Markos Trichas, Head of Secure Space at BAE Systems, said:

 “The space sector is on a steep upwards trajectory. But in order for the UK to remain at the forefront of space innovation, we must start engaging with the generations that will shape the future of our industry as early as possible to build a pipeline of future talent. We’re proud to be supporting the next generation of space experts at Haileybury College helping to develop the right skills and encouraging them to shoot for the stars.”

The commitment to groundbreaking research is embedded in Haileybury’s ethos. Alongside the CubeSat mission, the School has built a new Research Centre which is home to other international and pioneering research that pupils are a part of, including the prestigious Stan-X project. This partnership with scientists from Stanford University in the US involves a revolutionary study of genetics using fruit flies, contributing to efforts to find cures for diseases such as diabetes and pancreatic cancer. 

For more information on Haileybury and the CubeSat mission, please visit: www.haileybury.com/scitech-latest-news/ 

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Organised by Italian Cultural Institutes and supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ‘Italian Week’ features a rich array of events, including discussions, readings and exhibitions. Whether you’re a lover of Italian literature or interested in how language shapes culture, join us as we delve into the world between the lines and celebrate the enduring impact of Italian books on global culture.

At Haileybury, our pupils have driven this cultural learning opportunity by organising a series of events. Additionally our pupil-led podcast (‘The Haileybury Podcast Network’ spearheaded by Oscar) has been themed around this Italian celebration of literature.

Pupil podcast topics:

1. “How Italian Classics Shaped the Language” – Explore how famous Italian books, like The Divine Comedy, influenced the Italian language over the centuries. 

2. “The Challenge of Translating Italian Books” – Discuss how Italian books are translated for readers around the world, and the challenges of keeping the meaning and beauty of the language intact.

3. “Modern Italian Writers You Should Know” – Introduce popular Italian authors today and talk about the global themes they write about, such as migration, identity, and society.

4. “Italian Book Festivals: Connecting Cultures” – Explore how events like book fairs unite Italian authors and international readers, promoting Italian culture through literature.

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The lecture focused on Professor Kim’s work with Drosophila Melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly. This humble insect has been the subject of over 100,000 academic papers and has contributed to five Nobel Prizes. Professor Kim explained how his laboratory is utilising fruit flies to make remarkable advances in Type I diabetes research.

His research is also at the core of the Stan-X Programme at Haileybury, which sees a select group of Sixth Form pupils contribute to Professor Kim’s world class scientific inquiry. Evidence collected in Haileybury’s dedicated Stan-X laboratory contributes to the investigation of diseases being completed by a global community of researchers. Research findings co-authored by pupils and teachers are published in peer-reviewed science journals and presented at international meetings, as has been the case in past programmes.

At last evening’s lecture, our pupils were particularly inspired by Professor Kim’s account of his own academic journey, which provided a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of a career in scientific research. The intimate setting of our STEM Twilight Series within Haileybury’s new SciTech Building allowed for extensive Q&A, giving pupils the chance to engage directly with a world-class researcher.

The event exemplified the enriching learning opportunities our partnerships provide. Pupils relished the chance to network with a Stanford professor, gaining valuable insights into the world of cutting-edge STEM research. We look forward to welcoming more prominent academics and industry professionals in future lectures, continuing to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

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We are thrilled to announce that Haileybury has been named a finalist for the Co-educational Independent School of the Year by Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2024. This exciting news, revealed on 9 September, follows our recent distinction as Boarding School of the Year by Tes Schools Awards.

The Independent School of the Year Awards by Independent School Parent, now in their 7th year, celebrate excellence and innovation in independent education across the UK. The Co-educational Independent School of the Year category recognises schools that demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, pastoral care, and extracurricular opportunities for both boys and girls.

“We are both delighted and proud to be shortlisted for this award and are very grateful to be considered for our submission. Co-education has been an ongoing strategic priority for us over the last 6 years and to have exactly 50:50 girls:boys this year as well as equity of opportunity in all areas, is testament to the ethos and culture the pupils themselves have created. Haileybury is a school of tolerance, kindness, generosity and respect, in large part due to the focus on co-education and the many changes which have been made, to the benefit of the whole community.” – Simon Heard, Deputy Head

This nomination is a testament to the dedication of our entire school community. From our talented teaching staff to our supportive parents and, most importantly, our exceptional pupils, everyone has played a crucial role in making Haileybury a beacon of excellence in coeducational independent schooling. We are immensely proud of this recognition and celebrate the remarkable work being done across the independent school sector. We extend our congratulations to all the other finalists and look forward to the awards ceremony in early October, where the winners will be announced.

This shortlisting, coupled with our recent Tes award, reinforces our commitment to providing a world-class education that prepares young people for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. It also reflects our ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive environment where both boys and girls can thrive academically, socially, and personally. As we await the final results, we remain focused on our mission to inspire and empower our pupils to reach their full potential.

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