Elizabeth Ivens explains the benefits of an independent school education and looks at the different types to consider from boarding to co-ed, as well as the facilities, curriculum and extracurricular activities
If you send your child to a UK independent school, they?ll become part of one of the most successful education systems in the world.
Despite recent political and economic turbulence, the latest figures reveal a thriving sector responding well to uncertainty and continuing to embrace change.
In its latest census, the Independent Schools Council (ISC), the umbrella organisation representing more than 1,300 independent schools, attended by 80 per cent of all independent-school children in the UK, recorded its highest number of pupils since records began in 1974. Crucially, numbers have been swelled by a rising number of pupils who receive fee assistance. At the same time, figures showed schools are working harder to keep fee increases low, with an average rise of 3.9 per cent a year over the last decade, and are broadening outreach with many involved in partnerships with the state sector.
This comes as no surprise to Julie Robinson, ISC Chief Executive, who?s proud of the sector?s commitment: ?Our schools want to help all children thrive and are committed to widening access for children from a range of different backgrounds. Independent schools provided over £420m in means-tested bursaries and scholarships last year alone, transforming the lives of children and young p...