Hallmarks of Excellence

1. Measurement of effects on the school as a business: how greater efficiencies, cost-savings, reputation and/or income levels were affected.
   

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2. Measurement of effects on pupils: how pupil satisfaction, pupil numbers and/or pupil attainment were affected.
   

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3. Leadership: inspiring management in pursuit of the school’s goals.
   

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4. Planning: developing a strategic plan for achieving your project.
   

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5. Innovation: creative use of ideas and techniques.
   

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6. Enterprise: new ways of raising funds or support, or new methods of controlling costs.
   

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7. Sustainability: elements of the project that will continue after the initial input and future outcomes.
   

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8. Accountability: internal and external communications through which pupils, staff, governors or volunteers and others understand and influence activities in your school.
   

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9. Inclusion of stakeholders: how pupils, staff, governors or volunteers and others were involved.
   

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10. People development: how pupils, staff, governors or volunteers and others were motivated and how they personally benefited from the experience.
    

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Please note that applicants won’t be expected to fulfil all ten hallmarks.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be judged according to an individual’s commitment to and achievement in the independent schools sector. Equally, the Independent School Head of the Year, Independent School Bursar of the Year, and the Independent School Governor of the Year will be judged on their inspirational contributions to their school.

(The Hallmarks are inspired by those devised for the Charity Awards, produced by Civil Society Media.)