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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Advantages of Independent Schools

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. Children coming from European and other countries are welcomed into the school communities.

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.

Classes in many independent schools are smaller than in other types of school, particularly for the younger age groups between 5 and 13. This is when children are especially keen to learn, the foundations of a good education can be laid, and mistakes and learning difficulties are recognised and put right. The ISC Census 2007 reported the lowest ever pupil/teacher ratio, with one teacher for every 9.7 pupils in ISC schools.

Independent schools have many ideals in common. The sector has a strong tradition of academic attainment, good examination results, sound discipline and a commitment to a wide range of sport and extra-curricular activities. Some are religious foundations, many have long-established traditions, and all strive to offer a high quality of education within a framework where the focus is on the development and care of the individual. Pupils are encouraged to develop their talents and to pursue new interests through clubs and societies, sport, outdoor activities and community service. Meetings are often arranged between schools at which pupils can meet and share interests.

Many schools provide help for children whose first language is not English, and special tuition is available. Guardianship arrangements are available for those whose families live outside the United Kingdom, and many other practical details such as transport to and from airports are often looked after by the schools, working in partnership with the parents.

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.