St Paul's School in Barnes has been named Independent Boys' School of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year 2026 awards, held in London on 15 October, according to the school. It won the same title in 2023.
The judges also gave a special award, citing the school's new Research Centre for the Education of Boys, which formally opened in September, and its work with other schools. The school says it also topped this year's Sunday Times Parent Power rankings.
Prizes are the school's to announce, and the judges' praise is as reported by St Paul's. For Barnes families, the more useful question is whether the research centre's work reaches beyond the school's own gates, as the judges' words suggest it should.
- St Paul's School was named Independent Boys' School of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year 2026 awards.
- The awards were held in London on 15 October (the night before the 16 October post).
- The school won the boys' school title in 2023 too, making this the second time in four years.
- The school also received the Judges' Special Award, with judges pointing to its new Research Centre and collaborative work with other schools.
- The Research Centre for the Education of Boys formally opened in September.
Every factual claim in this story is linked to the evidence behind it. Where the newsroom has added judgement or framing, it is listed separately. Sources accessed 18 October 2026.
Claim by claim (6 facts, 1 editorial judgements)
- St Paul's School was named Independent Boys' School of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year 2026 awards. — school news, 2026-10-16“St Paul’s School has been named Independent Boys’ School of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year 2026 awards, held in London last night.”
- The awards were held in London on 15 October (the night before the 16 October post). — school news, 2026-10-16“October 16, 2026 ... held in London last night.”
- The school won the boys' school title in 2023 too, making this the second time in four years. — school news, 2026-10-16“This is the second time in four years that we have won the boys’ school title, after winning in 2023.”
- The school also received the Judges' Special Award, with judges pointing to its new Research Centre and collaborative work with other schools. — school news, 2026-10-16“They pointed to our new Research Centre, our collaborative work with other schools, and our ambition to contribute beyond our own walls.”
- The Research Centre for the Education of Boys formally opened in September. — school news, 2026-10-16“Announced in 2025, the St Paul’s School Research Centre for the Education of Boys formally opened this September.”
- The school says it topped The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026 rankings. — school news, 2026-10-16“We topped The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026 rankings”
- Judgement: The claims come from the school's own announcement; the real test is whether the research centre's work reaches beyond the school's own gates.