The Independent Schools Council is a politically independent, not-for-profit organisation representing 1,270 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children. It exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education, developing talent at all levels of ability and from all backgrounds.

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Pupil Numbers

Pupils in ISC schools account for around 80% of the total number of pupils in independent schools in the UK. The UK independent sector as a whole educates 671,000 children in around 2,600 independent schools. This represents just under 7% of the total number of schoolchildren in the UK (and just over 8% of the total number of schoolchildren in England). It also represents just under 20% of sixth form pupils.

There are now 511,677 children in ISC schools. Of these:

67,046 are boarders and 444,631 are day pupils
257,506 are boys and 247,734 are girls
45,479 are nursery age (0-4)
160,852 are primary age (5-10)
222,393 are senior age (11-15)
82,467 are sixth form age (16-19)

In schools that were members of ISC in 2008 and 2007 numbers rose from one year to the next. There was a 0.8% rise (around 2500 pupils). Numbers have risen in 18 out of the last 22 years. Total pupil numbers in 2008 reached an all-time record.

20,545 pupils are non-British with parents living overseas. 8,882 new non-British pupils whose parents live overseas joined ISC schools in 2008. Approximately one third of these were from Hong Kong and China and nearly 40% were from Europe. Detailed figures can be found in the ISC Census 2008.