What is an Independent School?

An independent school has the freedom to set its own curriculum and freedom in the choice of its pupils. UK independent schools are not dependent on Government or Local Authority finance.

All ISC member schools meet this definition, which is internationally recognised. In the United States, Washington DC defines independent schools in very similar terms:

"Schools that are independent in governance and finance. Independent schools are free to define their own mission and establish their own expectations for teacher credentials and student performance."

Wikipedia defines independent schools as:

"not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operation and instead operated by tuition charges, gifts, and perhaps the investment yield of an endowment."

The main advantage of UK independent schools is their ability to concentrate on meeting the needs and aspirations of their pupils, rather than spending too much time on Government-imposed targets. ISC schools have an excellent record of adding value at all levels of ability.

UK independent schools are also sometimes referred to as private schools, public schools or fee-paying (or, more accurately, fee-charging) schools.

The UK Government has begun to apply the term "independent" to state-funded Academies. Academies are not dependent on Local Authority funding and are not subject to Local Authority control. However, they are not independent of state funding and have limited freedom to choose which pupils they teach. Most countries would not recognise Academies as being independent schools, and they are not included in the figures given below.

Sweden has a different model, under which any group of 50 parents can demand state funding for an independently-run school. Something broadly similar operates in Australia, where state funding is provided to independent schools on a formula which pays more to disadvantaged areas.