Senior, Junior, or both?

It is not necessary to commit yourself to an independent education throughout your child's schooling.

Many parents choose a mixture of state and independent schools, making pragmatic decisions at different stages of their children's education. It could depend on the maintained schools in your area. If you have good primary schools, you might decide to use one and then send your child to an independent secondary school for the years from 11 to 18. About a third of the children at independent senior schools attended state primary schools.

On the other hand, many parents believe it is essential to give their children a good foundation at an independent junior or prep school. Some children switch at 16, either moving from the state sector into the independent sector or the other way round. Independent schools provide flexibility as well as choice.

Most preparatory schools recommend children to stay on until the end of the course at 13, not least so that they can be given their first taste of responsibility. Many secondary schools for pupils aged 11-18 will advise against a change of school at 16. But it is a matter of individual choice.