Aidan Returns to Inspire Young Hockey Players
Cundall Manor was delighted to welcome former Cundall pupil Aidan Gaunt-Edwards back to school this week, as he kindly took time out of his international hockey schedule to share his skills and experience with our U10 and U11 players. Aidan joined Cundall in Year 5 and first picked up a hockey stick at around six years old at York Hockey Club. During his time at Cundall, sport played a big part in school life, with one of his standout memories being winning the ISA North of England Finals, scoring the winning goal in the final seconds. During is school days he progressed through the Talent Academy pathways and now aged just 18, Aidan is already playing for Canada’s U21 Junior Men’s team. Earlier this year, he represented Canada at the Junior Pan American Cup in Santiago, Chile, helping the team reach the final and claim a silver medal. The result also secured Canada’s place at the 2027 FIH Hockey Junior World Cup. Aidan brought his silver medal back to Cundall to show our young players before joining the U10 and U11 hockey session and passing on some of the skills that have taken him from playing hockey at Cundall to the international stage. His own international season continues next week, as he leaves on Tuesday for Malaysia and the Sultan of Johor Cup, where he will play at fullback. Reflecting on his time at Cundall, Aidan said: “I loved it. I loved every moment of it. It’s such a unique school, and you get so many unique experiences. It’s good to just hold on to those and really enjoy the moment.” A huge thank you to Aidan for coming back to Cundall and spending time with our younger players. We wish him the very best of luck in Malaysia!
Cundall Shooting Team Takes Fourth at ISA National Championships
Cundall Manor School’s shooting team has achieved an impressive fourth place nationally at the ISA National Clay Pigeon Shooting Championships – in the school’s very first competition. The team travelled to Hartpury in Gloucestershire to compete against schools from across the country in a challenging sporting layout. Pupils moved between 10 different stands, taking on clays presented at varying speeds, angles, distances and trajectories. Each stand provided a different challenge, putting accuracy, timing and concentration to the test throughout the competition. There were also some excellent individual performances, with Hugh finishing ninth overall and Sandy securing tenth place overall. To finish fourth nationally at their first competition is a fantastic achievement for the team and a very encouraging start for shooting at Cundall. Congratulations to everyone who represented the school.
Toby Qualifies for ISA National Swimming Finals
Congratulations to Toby in Year 4, who has qualified for the ISA National Swimming Finals in London after an outstanding performance in the North of England qualifiers. Cundall Manor’s swim team travelled to Macclesfield to compete in the ISA swimming qualifiers, with pupils producing some excellent performances and many finishing within the top three in their heats. It was a particularly successful day for Toby, who finished first in the Year 4 Boys’ 50m Backstroke, earning his place at the National Finals. Toby will now go on to represent the North of England at the ISA National Swimming Finals in London, competing in the Olympic pool against some of the strongest young swimmers from independent schools across the country. Reaching a national final is a fantastic achievement and we look forward to following Toby’s progress when he heads to London. Congratulations to Toby and to the whole Cundall swim team on a brilliant set of performances.
Talent Pathway Selection
Congratulations to Gracie in Year 8, who has successfully trialled for the North Yorkshire U13 Netball Performance Programme. Gracie is one of just 20 athletes selected for the U13 County squad and will now attend weekly training sessions in Harrogate as part of the county’s performance programme. The programme is run in partnership with Leeds Rhinos and follows the England Netball Performance Pathway, providing talented young players with specialist coaching and opportunities to develop their skills within a performance environment. Gracie’s selection is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work and commitment she continues to show towards her netball. Everyone at Cundall Manor School is delighted to see Gracie representing North Yorkshire and looks forward to following her progress throughout the season. Congratulations, Gracie!
Cundall Manor named among UK’s best prep schools
Cundall Manor School is delighted to once again be named among the UK’s best schools in the Tatler Schools Guide 2027. Following conversations with parents and pupils, Tatler’s reviewers selected Cundall as one of just nine prep schools across Scotland and the North to feature in this year’s guide. The review celebrates their ‘work-hard-play-hard philosophy’, their approachable and passionate Headmaster, and a school life filled with outdoor adventure, performance, music and memorable traditions. It also highlights their small class sizes, phone-free school day and the way pupils of different ages mix. For Cundall, being a small school means every pupil can be known, supported and celebrated, giving them the confidence to discover their strengths, embrace new experiences and achieve more than they thought possible. The recognition follows Cundall being shortlisted for Co-educational Independent School of the Year this summer, placing the school among a small number of schools in the North recognised in the category. Families can discover Cundall for themselves at the Whole School Open Morning on Friday 25th September, with the opportunity to tour the school, meet pupils and staff and see school life in action. Current Year 6 pupils are also invited to the Senior School Experience Day on Thursday 1st October, spending the day alongside their year group and experiencing a typical day at Cundall.
Adventure Meets Mindset: Year 10 Take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks
It was Eldmire’s turn to take on a Cundall challenge this week, as our Year 10 pupils attempted the Yorkshire Three Peaks in a single day. Setting off from school at 5am, the group faced an ambitious 23-mile route through the Yorkshire Dales, with more than 1,600 metres of ascent. Their journey took them past the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct before climbing Whernside (736m), Ingleborough (723m) and finally Pen-y-Ghent (694m). It’s a demanding day over varied terrain and a real test of stamina and determination. Eldmire rose to the challenge, completing the route in record time. Building the mindset to keep going Experiences like this are an important part of life at Cundall. Throughout their time at school, pupils are given opportunities to challenge themselves beyond the classroom – from climbing mountains and completing Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to sailing in Cowes and taking part in residentials with their year group. The value isn’t simply in reaching the summit or completing the miles. It’s what pupils learn about themselves along the way. There are inevitably moments when things get tough. Pupils have to dig deep, encourage each other and keep moving forward when stopping would be the easier option. Completing a challenge like the Yorkshire Three Peaks gives them first-hand experience of just how much they are capable of. That resilience and can-do attitude comes back into the classroom too. Whether tackling a difficult problem, preparing for an exam, trying something new or having another go when something hasn’t worked the first time, pupils have already experienced what it feels like to push through something difficult and come out the other side. It’s why experiences like the Yorkshire Three Peaks matter. They give pupils the chance to test themselves, find out what they are capable of and carry that mindset into the challenges that come next.
Talent Academy Selection for Isla
Cundall Manor was delighted to welcome former Cundall pupil Aidan Gaunt-Edwards back to school this week, as he kindly took time out of his international hockey schedule to share his skills and experience with our U10 and U11 players. Aidan joined Cundall in Year 5 and first picked up a hockey stick at around six years old at York Hockey Club. During his time at Cundall, sport played a big part in school life, with one of his standout memories being winning the ISA North of England Finals, scoring the winning goal in the final seconds. During is school days he progressed through the Talent Academy pathways and now aged just 18, Aidan is already playing for Canada’s U21 Junior Men’s team. Earlier this year, he represented Canada at the Junior Pan American Cup in Santiago, Chile, helping the team reach the final and claim a silver medal. The result also secured Canada’s place at the 2027 FIH Hockey Junior World Cup. Aidan brought his silver medal back to Cundall to show our young players before joining the U10 and U11 hockey session and passing on some of the skills that have taken him from playing hockey at Cundall to the international stage. His own international season continues next week, as he leaves on Tuesday for Malaysia and the Sultan of Johor Cup, where he will play at fullback. Reflecting on his time at Cundall, Aidan said: “I loved it. I loved every moment of it. It’s such a unique school, and you get so many unique experiences. It’s good to just hold on to those and really enjoy the moment.” A huge thank you to Aidan for coming back to Cundall and spending time with our younger players. We wish him the very best of luck in Malaysia!
Outstanding GCSE achievements alongside Elite Level Sport
Huge congratulations to Ali, who achieved top grades of 8s and 9s in Spanish,Geography,English Literature, English Language, Combined Science and his chosen A level subjects Pe, Biology & Business studies, all while balancing the demands of elite-level sport and playing U16 England Hockey. Ali’s journey began at Cundall in Reception, where his natural sporting talent was quickly identified. From an early age, he competed above his age group and showed an unwavering determination to improve. Selected at U14 to train with the England U16 Hockey squad, he went on to captain England in the opening matches of the Six Nations in Germany this year. Despite his growing reputation, Ali remained remarkably humble, grounded and supportive of others. He was a role model at Cundall, embodying the school’s values of ambition, resilience, humility and commitment. Head of Boys’ Sport Mr Couttie consistently praised his calm temperament, maturity and willingness to lead by example. Honoured in the National Hockey Awards this summer, England Hockey coach Harry Jones said: “Alistair’s attitude, coachability and dedication set him apart, and he possesses huge potential for continued success in the game.” From Cundall’s hockey pitches to captaining England, Ali’s journey demonstrates what can be achieved through talent, hard work and character. Now making an exciting move to Leeds Hockey Club, Ali is undoubtedly a rising star with a very bright future and we wish him the very best.
Excellence in Music, Academics and Sport
Musician Molly achieved a Grade 9 in Music, along with 9s in English Literature and Art, 8s in English Language, Physics and Maths, and 7s in Separate Sciences, Spanish and PE. She remarked that she felt well supported going into her GCSEs. “There’s alot of extra revision help you can get” At Cundall, GCSE revision sessions are offered every Saturday during the final year, with pupils also remaining in school in the lead-up to their examinations. Head of Senior School, Ian Swannell, attributes this additional support to helping reduce exam anxiety and stress, while allowing pupils to approach the exam season positively. “It is clear that the excellent attendance at our extra Saturday lessons throughout the year has really paid off. The individual attention and support that each pupil receives clearly makes a real difference, helping every child to reach their potential. We are incredibly proud to be a school where ‘every child matters’, and these results are a wonderful reflection of that ethos.” Ian Swannell, Head of Senior School Molly is headed to St Peter’s, having had a fantastic time at Cundall. Her favourite memories include the ski trips to Canada and France, She represented the school in the U16 National Schools Ski Championships as a U15, competing against pupils a year above her age group. Her proudest moment was winning the House Music competition, and she has performed original music at various school performances, inspiring other pupils along the way. An abundance of sporting opportunities has taken her to the ISA London Hockey Nationals and on sports tours to Scotland. She has also completed her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, alongside residential experiences each year, including a UKSA Sailing qualification in Cowes. Collectively, these opportunities have created an impressive portfolio of achievements alongside her outstanding GCSE results. We wish Molly all the best for the future. Screenshot
Cundall celebrates exceptional GCSE results
Cundall Manor’s class of 2026 who have achieved very strong results in their GCSE exams. The overall percentage for pass grades has risen from 86% in 2025 to 93% in 2026 (compared to 67% nationally). Bucking the national trend, Cundall pupils averaged nine good grades (9-4) each and they all passed Maths GCSE and Science, matching last year’s perfect record in English Language. Cundall’s top performer was separate scientist James who has been at the school since nursery and placed himself in the top 0.1% in the country by achieving an extraordinary ten Grade 9s (that also included Further Maths and Computing) and will now move on to Shrewsbury School on an Academic Scholarship. Others including Rainia, Mollie P and Elsie will head to selective Sixth Forms such as Ripon Grammar and St Peter’s with excellent grades (44% of Grades were 9-7). Mollie and Ilana who both joined from local schools in Year 10, achieved 17 passes between them including a pair of Grade 9s in Art. Mollie is also in the England regional pathways hockey squad where she has trained alongside Head Girl Immy. Their classmate Ali has gone one better this year by captaining the England U16 hockey team and he will now move on to A Level study having also achieved eight Grade 8s and 9s. Offering twenty-two different subjects at GCSE, the school determinedly supports a vast range of interest and ambition. Head Boy Amos, a member of the National Youth Theatre, has been awarded two performing arts scholarships at Bootham; Ollie will continue his music education at York College with the confidence of already having an album streaming on Spotify; Max has won a rowing scholarship whilst Jack, Charlie B and Will are off to Askham Bryan to study for T Levels in Agriculture and Crop Science. The Headmaster Simon Weale said: ‘The range of achievement amongst this relatively small cohort is astonishing. Our school is not highly selective, but every result is on average a grade better than national projections in terms of value added. Each of our twenty three leavers has made their mark on the school and most importantly they are a kind, supportive and resilient group. They have all had the space to be known as an individual, to grow and find themselves. They have had the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and they have all found a champion on the staff to support them when needed. I am confident that the careful and bespoke support they have received at Cundall during their GCSE years will allow them to take on the world.”