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.

Select Search Area: Enter Search Keywords:

Independent School Facilities

In 2006 ISC schools spent on average £1,387 per pupil on buildings, equipment and information technology. Do not be over-impressed by splendid language laboratories, computer rooms, Olympic-size swimming pools or sports halls. Some of the most academically successful schools are on fairly restricted sites.

The most important room in the school could well be the library. How well is it stocked and how well used? As well as a good selection of books, does it also have CD-Rom and internet facilities? Is there a librarian? Is it a quiet place for private study? How well equipped are the science laboratories? Most schools have computers and teach pupils how to use them, but are they used throughout the curriculum and are pupils able to use them in their spare time? What kinds of projects are they using them for? These are important questions, but buildings and equipment are less important than people.

If you are choosing a boarding school, make sure you visit the dormitories and/or study-bedrooms. Younger pupils may be in rooms for several children. Four or five is a popular number at that stage. Can they occupy single or double rooms higher up the school and particularly in the sixth form? Boarding accommodation has improved beyond recognition in the last 20 years, but remember you are looking at schools, not five-star hotels: judge them accordingly.