Monkton Combe School has been shortlisted as a finalist for the ‘Independent Boarding
School of the Year’ category in the 2025 Independent School of the Year Awards.
This prestigious recognition celebrates the school’s commitment to delivering an outstanding,
holistic education within a vibrant and inclusive environment. At Monkton, boarding is the
heartbeat of school life, shaping a community where every pupil feels known, inspired and
ambitious.
This ethos of care and community is further strengthened by Monkton’s pioneering use of
STEER Tracking. As Drs Simon & Jo Walker (co-founders of STEER tracking) so
powerfully explain, “Boarding gives young people the chance to be part of a community of
shared interactions where they are truly seen.” Monkton was one of the first schools in the
UK, and world, to adopt STEER Tracking, and apply its principles into the pastoral care to
ensure that each student is known, understood and supported.
An excerpt from Monkton’s entry reads, ‘Monkton’s boarding community is defined by its
inclusivity, warmth and global outlook. With boarders from across the UK and around the
world, the school is a vibrant cultural mosaic where difference is welcomed and celebrated.
From Lunar New Year feasts to international community events, students learn not just about
one another’s traditions – but how to live in a world that values empathy and perspective.’
Monkton’s boarding ethos is one that goes beyond providing a home-from-home, to develop
resilient, compassionate, and confident young people who are equipped to thrive in the
modern world. The Monkton community is thankful to have been nominated for this national
award and honoured to be finalists in this stand-out category.
monktoncombeschool.com
