ISC calls for ‘end to confusion over independent status'
26 October 2007
Academies are currently - and wrongly - described as independent schools: the Government should seize the opportunity to remove this misleading description.
Responding today to the DCSF's consultation proposals to redefine the term ‘independent school', the Independent Schools Council, (ISC), calls on the Government to take the opportunity to remove Academies and City Technology Colleges from the definition of ‘independent school'.
The definition of ‘independent school'[1] predates the establishment of Academies,[2] which do not conform to international norms for independent schools. It is misleading for parents to see them described as independent: Academies are wholly dependent on continuing state funding, and do not have the normal freedoms of an independent school.
The term ‘independent school' is internationally recognised as meaning a school which is largely independent of the controls which apply to state-run schools and which is able to decide on its curriculum and educational philosophy.
In some countries - notably USA, Australia and Denmark - the Government can provide funding for an independent school and then step back to allow the school to develop according to its own educational philosophy. This can work successfully - but it is not the same as the current Academy framework where the Government retains a high degree of control.
Speaking today, ISC Chief Executive Jonathan Shephard said:
"Independent schools in the UK are consistently shown to be providing the best education in the world[3]. It is flattering that the Government should wish to apply the term ‘independent' to Academies. However, Academies are not genuinely independent of the state and should not be described as though they are. Academies and City Technology Colleges are innovative state-led schools, frequently offering much-needed investment in areas of educational deprivation. They should take pride in that more accurate description: they do not need to have wished on them an unfounded claim to independence from the state."
Notes to editors
ISC would suggest that the "independent school" be defined as follows:
"an independent school is the main organiser of a programme of education for children of compulsory school age (whether or not such education is also provided at it for pupils under or over that age) other than:
- § schools maintained by a local authority;
- § non-maintained special schools;
- § academies
- § city technology colleges
- § temporary provision e.g. summer schools;
- § any institutions providing less than 12.5 hours per week education (primary) and 15 hours (secondary) for individual children."
ISC
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) represents the seven leading independent schools associations in the United Kingdom, collectively educating more than 500,000 children in 1,278 schools. ISC exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education; the development of talent at all levels of ability; and the widening of opportunity for children from all backgrounds to achieve their potential.
Press enquiries: Alexandra Caish, Head of Press, ISC
Telephone: (office) 020 7766 7060 (mobile) 0788 5620713
Email: alex.caish@isc.co.uk
[1] Education Act 1996, s 463
[2] Academies were established by the Education Act 2002 which amended the Education Act 1996 s 482 (1) (a)
[3] Learning for Tomorrow's World: First Results from PISA 2003, OECD 2003