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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9 October 2006

Daily Telegraph
Letters to the Editor

SIR,

May I correct some of the wrong impressions given by your second leader yesterday (report, October 9) concerning independent schools fees:

The £25,000 figure given for fees is for the most expensive boarding schools. 64% of our pupils are at day schools, with termly fees for the majority below £3,000. Fees at this level are certainly not "beyond the reach of any but the most plutocratic parents"
It is completely wrong to say that "every self-respecting private school felt it needed Olympic swimming pools". There are only 22 Olympic pools in the whole of the UK. Only one of our 1,270 schools has an Olympic pool
The long investigation by the Office of Fair Trading has ended with no finding that exchange of financial information by schools had any effect on fees
Independent school bursars are from a wide diversity of backgrounds, and are required to be "savvy" whatever their background. There is no evidence that new entrants are any more commercially savvy.
Schools fees are obviously an emotive issue and the full context needs to be understood. The Independent Schools Council is always happy to supply information in advance of publication.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Shephard
General Secretary
Independent Schools Council