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As a leading independent school in Essex, close to the Suffolk border, Littlegarth School continues to provide an exceptional education that extends far beyond the classroom. The 2025–26 academic year has been another outstanding year, with pupils achieving remarkable success in academics, sport, creativity and wider enrichment. These achievements reflect the school’s commitment to nurturing confident, curious and well-rounded individuals who are ready to embrace the next stage of their education.
Academic Excellence
Our Year 6 leavers once again achieved excellent results, with a cohort of just 36 pupils securing 52 scholarship offers to independent senior schools, alongside four Grammar School places. Scholarship success spanned a wide range of disciplines, including academics, sport, music, art, drama, design technology and photography, demonstrating the breadth of talent nurtured at Littlegarth.
Literacy continues to be a particular strength, with pupils making an average of approximately two years’ progress in reading in just one academic year.
In mathematics, 78 pupils from Years 5 and 6 participated in the Primary Maths Challenge, with 13 achieving Gold Awards and four qualifying for the Bonus Round, placing them amongst the top 5% of young mathematicians nationally.
Littlegarth’s growing reputation for innovation and problem-solving was further strengthened by two national second-place finishes in STEM competitions, across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Meanwhile, a Year 6 pupil received an Honourable Mention in the Trust for Sustainable Living’s International Competition, an exceptional achievement on the world stage.
Sporting Success
Sport continues to be a defining strength of Littlegarth, with pupils achieving outstanding results at regional and national levels. Highlights from 2025–26 include:
Littlegarth continues to develop its reputation as a leading venue for school sport in East Anglia, with the school hosting the ISA Football Championships.
Alongside competitive success, the school remains committed to encouraging participation, teamwork, resilience and a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity.
Creative and Performing Arts
Creativity has flourished throughout the school, with pupils enjoying opportunities to develop their talents in music, drama, art and design.
Almost half of all Littlegarth pupils now learn a musical instrument, supported by a rich programme ranging from glockenspiels and recorders to strings, ukulele and digital music technology. Speech and Drama pupils also achieved an outstanding collection of Merits and Distinctions.
On stage, 60 children participated in an auditioned production of Aladdin, with opportunities extending beyond performing to lighting, sound and stage management. Other highlights included Year 4’s production of Annie, Year 6’s performance of Twelfth Night, and Year 3’s collaboration with Mercury Theatre practitioners on Animal Society.
In the visual arts, a Year 4 pupil won her age category in the International Edward Gorey Envelope Contest, while a Year 3 pupil achieved second place in the Tendring Show programme design competition. The school’s successful House Fashion Show provided another opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their imagination and creativity.
Wider Achievements and Community Engagement
Littlegarth’s commitment to creativity, innovation and community engagement has extended well beyond the school gates this year.
The school’s “Are You the Next Banksy?” competition brought together hundreds of young artists from across Colchester, supported by Fenwick, the Minories, local businesses, artists and community organisations. Nearly 30 shops displayed children’s artwork, culminating in a celebration at the Minories. Littlegarth pupils were among the winners, including the Nursery category winner and a top-three finisher in the 8–11 age group.
Littlegarth Microbotics has also continued its remarkable growth, developing into a national and increasingly international robotics competition. Bringing together state and independent schools, businesses and sponsors, the initiative encourages young people to explore technology, engineering and problem-solving through collaborative competition.
Beyond these achievements, pupils have demonstrated generosity and compassion through a variety of charitable activities, including sponsored walks, running challenges and fundraising initiatives. These efforts reflect the school’s commitment to developing children who recognise the importance of helping others and making a positive contribution to their communities.
Inspiring the Future
As a leading independent prep school in Essex, Littlegarth is immensely proud of its pupils’ achievements throughout 2025–26. From academic scholarships and national sporting titles to international competitions, creative performances and charitable initiatives, the year has demonstrated the remarkable breadth of opportunities available to every child.
At Littlegarth, success is about far more than examination results, medals or trophies. It is about developing confidence, curiosity, resilience and a genuine love of learning that will last a lifetime.
Every child is encouraged to discover their talents, embrace new challenges and achieve their very best, supported by a dedicated school community that celebrates both individual achievement and collective success.
