This year’s ISC census shows the sector has returned to pre-recession strength with record pupil numbers
The number of independent schools in the UK has returned to its pre-2008 recession level, the 2016 Independent Schools Council (ISC) Census reveals.
Completed by all schools in ISC membership for 42 years, the ISC Census provides a picture of where independent schools sit within the UK’s education landscape and is regarded by government, policymakers and opinion formers as the authoritative source of such data.
There are now 1,280 ISC independent schools compared to 1,271 in 2008. The 2016 figure represents the highest total this century and the 518,432 pupils represent the most since records began in 1974 with a 0.25% increase of pupil numbers on last year’s figures. Fees and Finance
Fee increases remain stable at 3.5%, the lowest since 1994. A third of pupils receive fee assistance worth in total more than £850m.
Classroom Demographics
The movement from single-sex to co-ed also remains stable, with a ?virtually unchanged? number of girls? and boys? schools. Over a third of schools have boarders, and the number of international students remains at 5.3%. Thirty percent of students are from a minority ethnic background.
There remains a strong focus on academic education routes, with 92% of students going on to university.
When it comes to teachers, the number in independent schools has risen slightly to 57,000 ? with 39% men. The pupil-teacher rati...