Liam Butler, of the Independent Schools Council, tells us why independent education should be considered a necessity, rather than a luxury.

As the credit crunch bites it seems that many parents are cutting down on ‘luxuries’. This should mean a sharp downturn in pupils entering the independent sector and an increase in people moving into the state sector shouldn’t it? Perhaps not, as more and more parents consider their child’s independent education to be a necessity rather than a luxury. 

Over 500,000 children benefit from an independent education in one of ISC’s 1276 member schools. Independent schools offer a wealth of facilities and high teaching standards that enable students to achieve great results year after year. Independent schools are in the unique position to provide a truly bespoke education for your child. 

Results
One of the reasons parents continue to choose an independent education for their child is thanks to high teaching standards and this is clearly reflected in the grades that independent schools post year after year. In 2008 over half of A level entries from pupils at ISC schools were awarded a grade A. Also, pupil/teacher ratios continue to fall in ISC schools, reflecting many schools’ commitment to teaching a wide range of subjects even if class sizes are small. There is now one teacher to every ten pupils allowing children to receive a uniquely supported and bespoke education. Independent schools are excellent at providing breadth of education as well as flexibility. 

There are now over 40 ISC schools that offer the International Baccalaureate, allowing parents to pick the style of education that best suits their child. Thanks to the flexibility of not being tied to the National Curriculum or Local Authorities, ISC schools are also some of the first to adopt the new Pre-U exam which is a 16+ course designed to prepare students for university. Independent schools offer an array of choices for parents when it comes to curricula and qualifications and it’s up to parents to do the research and pick the one that will best suit their child. The one-size-fits-all approach to education is long gone in the independent sector and it’s now up to the parent to choose the right school for their child. 

Facilities and Extracurricular
In 2007/08 ISC schools spent nearly £300million on new buildings demonstrating their commitment to constant improvement of facilities for pupils. Total spending on facilities and equipment stood at nearly £700million, roughly equating to £1400 per pupil. However, it’s not just academic facilities such as ICT centres, science laboratories and state-of-the-art classrooms that schools are committed to improving. With great sporting facilities too, schools can offer everything from athletics, rugby and football to squash, tennis and lacrosse. Independent schools are committed to providing children with a rounded education filled with both sporting and academic successes. Indeed many ISC schools have produced some of the best sportsmen and women in recent memory. The 2008 Beijing Olympics was dominated by independent school educated stars such as Chris Hoy and Ben Ainslie. The England rugby team also boasts a hoard of independent school alumni, Jonny Wilkinson, Matthew Tait and Lewis Moody to name but a few. 

Many children also take advantage of various Cadet Force initiatives, such as Combined Cadet Force, which teach leadership and teamwork. Many schools even offer a BTEC in leadership as a result of pupils’ participation in CCF. The school day doesn’t have to begin at nine and end at five and many parents choose a weekly or flexible boarding option, allowing their children to take full advantage of the after school activities that are on offer. Students are not confined to the school premises either, as schools are very keen to organise trips abroad for history, geography and modern foreign language purposes. Pick up any school’s newsletter and you’ll find details of groups of students trekking off to some far flung destination. 

IPSOS Mori
A recent survey by Ipsos MORI found independent education to be more popular than ever. Nearly three in five of all parents would send their child to independent school if they could afford it. This is the highest level since the survey began in 1997, up 20% on the last survey in 2004. While ‘better standards of education’ continues to be the prime factor for parents wanting to send their children to independent schools, ‘better discipline’ more than doubled in popularity rising to second place above ‘smaller class sizes’. 

Is there help with fees?
More than one in three pupils at ISC schools receives assistance with fee costs, with four out of five of these awards coming directly from the school itself. Indeed, most ISC schools offer bursaries, scholarships or both. 

Scholarships tend to be linked to the ability of the child whether it is academic, sporting, music or drama. The best way to ascertain availability and eligibility is to contact the school directly. They are more than happy to discuss with you the options available. 

Bursaries, on the other hand, tend to be means-assessed on a financial basis and will require the parent or guardian to fill out a financial declaration to establish whether the student meets the necessary criteria.

So why choose an independent school?
Education isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair and thankfully independent schools come in all shapes and sizes. The independent sector gives parents the opportunity to choose a school that is right for their child. Whether it is the breadth and flexibility of the curriculum that appeals or perhaps the extracurricular activities, you can be assured that your child will receive a well-rounded education helping them to achieve their full potential. 

Further information about the Independent Schools Council can be found on their website: www.isc.co.uk

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