UK Guide to Independent Schools

Age at joining

Most independent secondary schools have natural entry points - usually at 11 and/or 13 and at 16. Some, particularly international schools, will take pupils at any stage. Many combine their main entry points with a flexible approach at other ages. That can be useful for parents but it is easier for children if there are other new pupils joining with them.

A growing number of secondary schools have their own junior or prep departments, and perhaps a nursery school as well, so can educate children right through from the age of 2½ (or provide nursery care for those who are a few months or even weeks old). While this can reduce the pressures and anxieties for parents, 15 or more years in the same school is a very long time and the school that looked perfect for your angelic toddler may not match the needs of the adolescent. It is worth reviewing your choice of school at, say, 8, 11, 13 and 16 - to make sure it is still the best for them. The move after GCSEs can be an obvious time to change although it can pose problems - see Changing schools at 16.

Entrance exams

Many schools set their own entrance exams; even those that use Common Entrance (CE) may have their own exams for non-standard applicants. Some have their own preliminary qualifying exams some years before CE. Some schools have formed consortia (eg in London and Bristol), so that candidates for more than one member school sit a single examination.

Exams are usually held early in the academic year prior to entry, so approach the school well in advance. You may be able to get hold of some past papers - each school's will be different. Try not to enter your child for more than 2 or 3 entrance exams; that means being careful in your choice and, perhaps, choosing one that is less competitive than the others.

Do not throw your child into an entrance exam without adequate preparation. Many of the hairy anecdotes of childhood examination trauma are rooted in parents failing to ensure proper preparation, particularly when transfer from a maintained primary school is being attempted and the exam syllabus unfamiliar.

Curriculum

For the first few years at secondary school, most pupils follow roughly the same curriculum: English, maths, at least one modern language, history, geography, some science (physics, chemistry and biology), Latin (sometimes), religious studies (usually), IT, art/design & technology, music, drama (sometimes) and physical education. Most Heads of independent schools believe they cover the National Curriculum and more, although they are not obliged to do so.

At 14, pupils choose the subjects they will do at GCSE (S-grade in Scotland), within the constraints imposed by the school. They will usually take English, maths, science and a language but schools may have extra constraints eg specifying the language taken, offering only three separate sciences rather than the combined etc. Usually pupils take between 7 and 10 subjects and sit the exams when they are 16 at the end of Year 11. Some schools have a policy of allowing selected subjects (most often maths, a language, IT or RS) to be taken a year early.

Sixth formers (Years 12 and 13) usually take 4-5 AS-level subjects in the lower sixth, and continue (usually) 3 of these to A-level in the upper sixth. At the comparable stage, Scottish students are taking Highers and Advanced Highers. Those taking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma take 5 or 6 subjects in the sixth form.

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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