Why Choose a UK Independent School?

British qualifications are highly respected and the schooling of your child will create a strong foundation for further education and future careers, either within Britain or abroad. The dynamic, cosmopolitan nature of Britain makes it an exciting environment for the development of a socially and intellectually rounded individual.

After going through a UK independent school, a child will not only have benefited from one of the best educational experiences in the world, but will be a fluent speaker of English, which is becoming the global language of business and commerce.

The style of learning, which emphasises extra-curricular activities as well as academic achievement, promotes the growth of pupils as well-rounded individuals. Qualifications gained in British schools are held in high esteem, and studying in a British school creates a firm foundation for a prosperous future. The Sutton Trust's research into the educational backgrounds of the UK's top solicitors, barristers and judges (2005) states that:

"over two thirds of the barristers at the top chambers had attended independent schools, as had three quarters of the judges, and over half the partners at the leading law firms".

Choosing the right school is probably one of the hardest parental decisions, and it must be made carefully to provide the best foundation for a quality education which encourages the achievement of the full potential of the individual child.

Independent schools have the freedom to experiment and innovate and many of them have individual skills and strengths to complement the general excellence that is the hallmark of the sector. The schools appoint their own staff and develop their own policies; they have flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and to respond to new initiatives; they can use their resources to meet particular needs and to provide facilities in keeping with modern standards.

A great strength of the independent sector is the choice and diversity it offers. Parents can choose single-sex or co-educational schools, boarding or day schools, senior or junior schools, rural or urban schools and schools that are large or small. Independent schools provide education from age 3 to age 18. Many schools are "all-through" with their own nursery, primary and secondary departments. Some preparatory schools have a nursery department and a pre-preparatory department.

Independent schools offer excellent academic results, high levels of discipline, small class sizes, attention to individual needs (including varying levels of special educational needs facilities), a broad curriculum which allows pupils to study more than the standard national curriculum, thus expanding pupils' development, and a wide range of extra curricular activities including music, drama, and sport.

Independent schools are accountable to parents. If parents do not think their children are being educated properly they will take them away and send them elsewhere. Because of this, independent schools have to have very high standards and most are equipped with the most up to date facilities available.

In surveys carried out for ISC by MORI (Market & Opinion Research International) , the main reasons stated by parents for choosing independent schools include: small classes with individual attention, high standards of education and examination results, good discipline, encouragement of a responsible attitude to school work, development of social responsibility, and extra-curricular activities.

For international parents, the location of a school can be high on the priority list, as it determines the journey time to the airport and rail network, but the numerous connection points mean that it is not necessary to limit your choice by only considering London.