Independent schools offer help for parents in despair
4 March 2008
Up to 150,000 families are set to be disappointed by the secondary school allotted to them by their local authority this week. However, independent schools could be the answer to parents' problems.
Independent schools are more accessible and more affordable than many families think. For instance, one in three children attending independent schools receives assistance with fees and one in four come from postcodes where household income is at, or below, the national average.
To help parents, grandparents, guardians or anyone involved in bringing up a child find out more about independent schools and fee assistance, the Independent Schools Council (ISC) set up a new, free advisory service earlier this year.
The Independent Schools Council Information & advice service (ISCias) provides comprehensive, high-quality, impartial advice on choosing and applying to independent schools in the UK and Ireland thanks to a team of expert Regional Advisors. Regional Advisors maintain a busy schedule of school visits and are therefore in a unique position to link parents with the right school for their child. The ISCias helpline staff can be reached by calling 0845 SCHOOLS (7246657) or by e-mailing information@isc.co.uk.
Speaking today, Sarah Tunstall, Deputy Chief Executive, ISC, said:
"Waiting to hear about school allocation can be an anxious time for families. For families wishing to explore other options, ISCias offers families free advice on accredited independent schools. Families may be surprised to discover that education in an independent school may be more affordable than they realise. Some schools and charities are able to offer assistance with fees, and the high teaching standards, outstanding facilities, smaller class sizes and excellent pastoral care in independent schools mean that many parents consider this an important investment in their children's future."
The ISC press office is able to supply contact details for parents who, disappointed with their child's allocated place on "admissions day" last year, instead opted for an independent education.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
Independent Schools Council (ISC)
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is a politically independent, not-for-profit umbrella body, representing around 1300 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children in the UK and Ireland (80% of all children in independent education). ISC schools include the well-known boarding schools, though the majority of ISC schools are day schools with strong local reputations. ISC schools cover the entire academic range and take pupils from a broad cross-section of backgrounds, with nearly a third of children receiving help with fees. Overall, 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.
Accredited schools and inspection
All schools recommended by ISCias are members of ISC. ISC schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). ISI is recognised by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) as the agency responsible for the inspection of ISC independent schools and as such reports to the DCSF on the extent to which schools meet statutory requirements. Independent schools accredited to ISC in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are inspected through the national inspectorates in each country.
High quality education
Pupils attending independent schools achieve excellent academic results. 57.4% of GCSEs at ISC schools achieved A* and A grades in 2007, compared with the national figure of 19.5%. Similarly, half of A-levels at ISC schools were awarded A grades last year, compared with the national figure of 25.3%.
Press enquiries: Alexandra Caish, Head of Press, ISC
Telephone: (office) 020 7766 7060 (mobile) 07885 620713
Email: alex.caish@isc.co.uk