UK Guide to Independent Schools

UK Independent Schools

The education system in the UK has been deeply influenced by the social class structure. The traditional view held that education was the concern of the family - private tutors were engaged to teach the sons of the nobility - and of the church - schools were set up by bishops to give instruction to prospective clergymen.

It was not until the 19th century that it became the state's responsibility to establish a system of elementary schools, and there was still no provision for secondary education, which continued to be provided by voluntary fee-paying grammar schools and "public schools". A few of these dated back to the 16th century, but the majority were established to meet the growing demand in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The "public schools" were aristocratic, exclusive, formal and classical and only catered for a small proportion of the population. Their main goal was to develop the nation's future leaders for service in public life, and as such were only open to the sons of the nobility or the prosperous new mercantile class. Boys who had previously been educated at home were now sent away to live at school in a community with boys of similar upbringing.

Roughly 6-7% of children in the UK attend independent schools, of which there are over 2500. All are required to meet regulations, and most are funded by fees paid by parents. Many of these are run as Charitable Trusts under the control of a Board of Governors.

Whilst independent schools do not have to comply with the national curriculum, many of them have chosen to do so. There is considerable variation in admission procedures but Common Entrance is used by the majority of senior schools for admission at 13+. Some independent day schools are highly selective and dominate the national league tables for GCSE and A level results.

There are a few Associations of independent schools, foremost amongst which are the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) and the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) at senior level and the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools at prep school level. Many independent Sixth Form and Tutorial Colleges belong to the Council for Independent Further Education (CIFE).

Independent schools are subject to rigorous inspection. For schools in membership of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), inspections are carried out by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, which works closely with OFSTED and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Schools are inspected every six years and full reports are published. Schools not in membership of ISC are inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) every six years. Findings are reported in confidence to the DfES, but are not normally available to parents.

Why choose Independent Education?

An all-round education
Independent schools encourage pupils to develop their strengths outside as well as inside the classroom, ensuring that special talents in music, drama, art or sports are nurtured through a range of extra-curricular activities.

A school to suit your child
A child's academic needs are top priority. Not all independent/private schools educate children to a high academic standard, but there is always some form of selection. Usually schools only accept children who will be able to keep up with a fast paced curriculum, whereas others will cater for children with more average abilities or specialise in helping those in need of more individual attention in a less academic environment.

Academic success
Good independent schools enable pupils, whatever their academic ability, to achieve their best. Their success is reflected in the exam results of both highly selective and less competitive schools.

Variety and choice
The independent sector includes schools of many different styles and philosophies. Each school has its own ethos and atmosphere. Some are based in towns and cities; others, particularly boarding schools, are located in more rural areas. Some are co-educational, some single-sex, although many boys' schools now have co-educational sixth-forms.

Small classes and individual attention
Class size at the lower end of the age range normally averages 15 to 20 pupils. In GCSE groups the number is around 12-18, and at A Level between 4 and 12. This varies from one school to another and according to subjects. Most schools have a staff:pupil ratio that ensures pupils receive plenty of individual attention in accordance with their needs.

Pastoral care
Independent schools play a vital role in building awareness, tolerance and understanding among young people in a secure, disciplined environment. This helps them begin their own adult lives as confident and responsible individuals.

Excellent facilities
Many schools offer first-class facilities for teaching, accommodation, sports and all aspects of school life.

Maintaining high standards
Independent schools must meet rigorous inspection criteria. Schools in membership of one of the associations which form the Independent Schools Council must conform to strict accreditation requirements and are inspected every six years by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, which works closely with OFSTED and the DfES. Other independent schools in England and Wales are inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate for OFSTED.

Did you know?

A little more than 7% of schoolchildren in the UK are educated at independent schools

A fifth of all sixth form students are in independent education

A good few independent secondary schools have their own junior schools

Half of the parents sending kids to Independent Schools did not themselves attend.

Search Instructions:

School name - UK Independent Schools and Colleges.

Location - Click on a county listed below:

Schools listed by UK Counties:

England (English Schools)

Independent Schools in;

Bath
Bedfordshire
Berkshire
Bristol
Buckinghamshire
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Cleveland/Teesside
Cornwall
County Durham
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Essex
Gloucestershire
Greater Manchester
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Kent
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
London (Greater)
Manchester
Merseyside
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Northumberland
Nottinghamshire
Oxfordshire
Rutland
Shropshire
Somerset
Staffordshire
Suffolk
Surrey
Sussex
Tyne & Wear
Warwickshire
West Midlands
Wiltshire
Worcestershire
East Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
West Yorkshire

Scotland: (Scottish Schools)

Independent Schools in;

Angus & Dundee
Argyll
Ayrshire & Arran
Borders
Dumfries & Galloway
Edinburgh & the Lothians
Fife
Glasgow
Grampian
Highlands
Isle of Islay
Isle of Mull
Isle of Skye
Lanarkshire
Perthshire
Stirlingshire
Western Isles

Wales: (Welsh Schools)

Independent Schools in;

Mid Wales
North Wales
South Wales
West Wales

Northern Ireland: (Irish Schools)

Independent Schools in;

Belfast
County Antrim
County Armagh
County Down
County Fermanagh
County Londonderry
County Tyrone

Ireland: (Irish Schools)

Independent Schools in;

Dublin and Central
South East
South West
West and North
Guernsey
Jersey
Isle of Man
Isle of Wight
Isles of Scilly
Herm Island
Orkneys
Shetland Isles

This Independent School Guide also offers information on school league tables and the price of School fees advice and financial assistance.

For the information on school league tables go to School league tables and follow the appropriate links.

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