The award reflects Leweston's distinctive approach to schooling: small class sizes, individual mentoring, and a broad, flexible curriculum designed to help every pupil discover their own strengths rather than fit a predetermined mould. Set on a beautiful rural estate near Sherborne in Dorset, the school has grown from its founding by the Religious of Christian Instruction in 1891 into a thriving community of around 550 pupils, from nursery through to Sixth Form.
Boarding is a valued part of that community. Leweston offers five distinct boarding packages, from occasional boarding through to an all-inclusive World package, giving families the flexibility to choose the level of boarding that suits them. This flexibility also benefits day pupils, who can take up occasional or flexi-boarding nights when it suits their family, whether for a busy week, an evening activity, or simply to experience boarding life. In a school of Leweston's size, every boarder is known by name, and staff and pupils eat, live and work alongside one another, creating a holistic approach to pastoral care.
The judges highlighted several distinguishing features of a Leweston education, including its innovative Prep School curriculum, which builds cross-disciplinary "focus topics" each term to help pupils connect knowledge across subjects in a meaningful way. Recent themes have ranged from Evolution and Inheritance to Bravery versus Fear, and Power versus Principles.
Co-curricular life at Leweston was also singled out for praise. The school is one of a select few in England to fully integrate Modern Pentathlon into school life, serving as a Pentathlon GB Talent Hub — one of only ten in the country — with access to elite-level coaching. Its equestrian provision, delivered through the Leweston Chedington Riding Academy, is a BHS-Approved Centre with a strong national competition record, including six consecutive years as NSEA Regional Champions.
The school's dedication to pastoral and careers support has also drawn recognition, with Leweston shortlisted for Independent School of the Year for Careers Advice in both 2025 and 2026. Central to this is a one-to-one approach to UCAS and careers mentoring that helps every pupil understand their strengths and options, without pushing them towards a single predetermined path.
Together, these elements have earned Leweston School fresh recognition as Dorset's Best Co-Educational Day and Boarding School for 2026, underlining its emergence as a top choice for families seeking a warm, values-led community for their children's education.