We are absolutely delighted to announce that Port Regis has been named the UK Boarding School of the Year in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards.
These awards are widely recognised as sector leading and attract over 1,000 entries from junior and senior schools across the UK. Organised by Independent School Parent, owned by the Telegraph Media Group, the announcement was made at an event at The Law Society in London on 14th October 2026.
Described as ‘One of the Great Prep Schools’, Port Regis based in Motcombe, near Shaftesbury, was founded in 1881. Boarding sits at the heart of school life, with over 70% of pupils boarding in some form from Year 3. The result is a vibrant, seven‑day‑a‑week community packed with activities, friendships and opportunities. Local day pupils are equally welcome — and in Years 3 and 4 can even board for two nights a week free of charge through the school’s ‘local day boarder’ offer.
However, it is the boarding school experience and the opportunities that this type of school offers for every child, whether they actually stay overnight at school or go home each evening as a day pupil, that makes Port Regis such a special place. The culture of a boarding school is unique, offering a supportive and caring community for all children. The longer school day and activities run over weekends and evening allows us to offer education across academic life, sports, creative arts and skills-based learning far beyond those of a day school. The blend of joyful, unhurried childhood and ambitious, specialist‑led teaching at Port Regis results in a bold, creative and academically rigorous curriculum— and it shows. In the past three years, our Year 8 leavers have achieved 94 scholarships to leading senior schools across the country.
Headmaster Titus Mills commented:
“What a tremendous honour and privilege it is for Port Regis to be named UK Boarding School of the Year. As one of the few remaining truly independent prep schools in the UK, we offer children a very special, joyful childhood. We are able to give them the time and space for this through the boarding school ethos and experience, which allows us to give them such a huge range of learning opportunities, all within a 150 acre campus.
This award is for everyone associated with Port Regis - parents, pupils, staff, alumni and beyond – who make up our wonderful school community. All should feel rightly very proud of this success - your fingerprints are all over this trophy! Thank you to the Independent Schools of the Year Awards – we are genuinely thrilled.”
Read the full winner list HERE
