The best schools in Lincolnshire?
Our roundup of the best independent schools, colleges and childcare providers across Lincolnshire
Lincoln Minster School
Lincoln Minster School offers an inspirational Sixth Form experience. With a focus on supporting every young person to become future ready, this is a learning environment where every individual is supported and motivated to thrive.
The school ensures that each sixth form student reaches their full academic potential through rigorous, high-quality teaching across a broad range of subjects. Academic teams run clubs and enrichment sessions for pupils, as well as extra revision for those who need it. An extensive, specialist-led careers programme is designed to help every pupil identity their strengths and plan for their next steps in life.
Through the dedicated tutor system, students benefit from one-on-one support to aid their personal, academic, and emotional wellbeing throughout their sixth form journey.
Excellent learning facilities, dedicated Sixth Form spaces for study and socialising, and easy access to the centre of Lincoln combine to create an ideal environment for 16-18 year olds, where they can be happy and achieve.
Sixth Form at Lincoln Minster School gives every student the tools and support they need to shape their own future.
Visit the school’s website at www.lincolnminsterschool.co.uk, or call 01522 551300.
Highfields Independent School & Day Nursery
Highfields Independent School & Day Nursery is a thriving and nurturing preparatory school with an aspirational curriculum. The school provides a supportive environment, with well embedded values and traditions, providing pupils with a wealth of learning experiences to enable their potential and discover new talents.
Offering an extended day, with wraparound care from 7.30am until 6.00pm, Highfields offers flexibility and peace of mind for working parents who want the finest education and best academic outcomes for their children.
As a gateway to the most prestigious Grammar and Independent Senior Schools, Highfields prepares children for the 11+, Common Entrance Exams and scholarships with an excellent success rate. Personal growth and wellbeing are valued as highly as academic success, with an emphasis on the holistic development of the individual.
Headteacher, Sarah Lyons, says, “We develop ‘Highfeldians’ who are prepared for life beyond school. Flexible, independent thinkers and learners with a love of adventure and a strong sense of identity, Highfields pupils are spirited, resourceful and self-motivated with respect for both themselves and others.
Highfields latest ISI inspection was a huge success, with the ISI praising their outcomes and culture of mutual respect and kindness.
Contact Highfields Admissions Manager, Anna Eason on 01636 704103 or email [email protected].
Queen Ethelburga’s College, Thorpe Underwood
Queen Ethelburga’s (QE) welcomes boarding students from Year 3 to Year 13. At the heart of QE boarding there are three central characteristics; opportunity, individuality, and a caring community. Being a QE boarder gives students opportunities beyond the ordinary.
Whether that is in academic studies, in the clubs they choose, in the trips they attend or in the friends that they make, their experiences here will shape their life.
We strive to help our students to develop the life skills they need to be the very best that they can be and to prepare them for their undoubtedly successful futures.
Children are cared for by a team of supportive staff who are skilled at helping to make boarding feel like home and who are separate to the academic staff. QE has won or been awarded finalist in a range of prestigious boarding awards including BSA Innovation in Boarding (won, 2022), TES Boarding School of the Year (finalist, 2022), Muddy Stilettos Outstanding Pastoral Care (finalist, 2022) and BSA Best Renovation or Refurbishment (winner, 2024).
All boarding students can take advantage of specialist academic support during ‘Power Hour’ and ‘Homework Prep’ sessions to boost their understanding and knowledge of various topics. There is also a huge selection of extra-curricular activities after school which support their learning in academic areas as well as in sports, arts and community.
By far the best benefit of boarding is having access to all the amazing school facilities outside of the normal school day.
These include the pool, gym and leisure facilities, outdoor pitches, and QE’s activity centre, Muggles, which is home to a cinema, climbing wall, board games, game consoles and a fast-food café.
To learn more about boarding at Queen Ethelburga’s college, visit www.qe.org.
New Youth Theatre, Lincoln & Grantham
New Youth Theatre offers a great theatre experience for all kinds of children and young people. Performing arts classes are divided to accommodate different overlapping age ranges; Tiny Tots (3-5yrs), Juniors (6-12 yrs), and Seniors (12-18 yrs).
Here your child will do much more than learn lines, dance steps and song lyrics; they’ll learn about teamwork and confidence building.
They’ll discover that side of themselves which encourages others as they progress through the New Youth Theatre experience. NYT provide 3 shows a year for the children to be a part of a classic production specially written and scored for children such as The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Footloose, Fame or Peter Pan to name just a few. NYT provides a wonderful outlet for emerging talent.
As a theatre group, New Youth Theatre is always looking for its next star. Maybe you’ve held a secret wish to perform on stage. Perhaps you’ve told yourself that this sort of thing is not within your abilities. Well, you needn’t worry. New Youth Theatre is famous for its friendly welcome. And you never know where you might go from here. Most West End stars began in such groups; after all, we all have to start somewhere.
The main thing is to get involved and to enjoy every moment as you tread the boards; who knows where it may lead in the future!
www.newyouththeatre.co.uk/lincoln, www.newyouththeatre.co.uk/grantham
St Hugh’s school, Woodhall Spa
Based in the idyllic village of Woodhall Spa, we are a leading independent Nursery, day and boarding Preparatory School for boys and girls aged 2-13.
Set in our own beautiful grounds, we have exceptional facilities. The enviable learning environment at St Hugh’s provides a space where classrooms and playing fields provide equal opportunities for all. From day one, even our very youngest children benefit from specialist teaching in French, Music and PE, as well as Swimming in our heated indoor pool.
Our flexible wraparound provision caters for busy families with the opportunity for children to attend our breakfast and after school club and stay for tea. From Year 3 onwards, we offer an extensive hobbies programme four days per week following academic lessons.
In addition, our Boarding House offers a popular home-from-home atmosphere with both weekly and flexi-boarding options available. We also offer a daily bus services across the county.
In our last ISI inspection we achieved ‘excellent’ in all areas and our Nursery was deemed ‘outstanding’.
We are proud to have been shortlisted for Small Independent School of the Year in 2024 & 2022, Independent Prep School of the Year 2021, and Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing in 2022 & 2023.
Call St Hugh’s School on 01526 352169, or see www.st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk.
To see more Lincolnshire Schools and for news from across the education sector, visit https://www.pridemagazines.co.uk/lincolnshire/view-magazines?magazine=January-2025