Independent schools are increasingly popular with British parents. Total pupil numbers at independent schools are growing very strongly. The census carried out annually by ISCis, the Independent Schools Council information service, showed a rise of 1.7 per cent in 2002 compared with the previous year, despite the loss of the assisted places scheme, abolished in 1997.

There are 2,400 independent schools in Great Britain educating over 600,000 pupils – 7 per cent of the total school age population.Independent schools offer parents and their children a wide variety of choice. There are schools to suit everyone. Schools pride themselves on being able to develop the full potential of each student whatever their ability or aptitude. Most have smaller classes than state schools and the staff have the time to give pupils individual attention.
The academic success of Britain’s independent schools is unquestioned. Half of the 11-year-olds who take national curriculum key stage 2 tests achieve the level expected of 14-year-old. At GCSE, over half (53.1%) of all exams taken by independent school candidates achieve either an A* or A grade (national average 16.4%) and at A-level, two-thirds of entries are awarded an A or B grade (national average 42.6%).

However, the schools are not just concerned with academic achievements, they also prepare children for university and employment and encourage pupils to work both independently and as a team. Music, art, drama and sport all play a vital role in the curriculum and pupils are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities as part of their broad education.

Independent schools are accountable to parents. If parents do not think their children are being educated properly they will take them away and send them elsewhere. Because of this, independent schools have to have very high standards and most are equipped with the most up to date facilities available.
In 2001, ISC member schools spent £437 million (an average of £878 per pupil) on new buildings and equipment. Most boast excellent computer rooms, craft design and technology departments and superbly equipped science laboratories.

The cost of sending a child to independent school can seem quite daunting. Fees range from £2,700 a year at a pre-preparatory school to more than £18,000 a year at the most expensive boarding schools.
Planning for the payment of school fees is therefore vital. ISCis has a free leaflet, ‘How you can afford an independent education’, which lists a number of firms who specialise in planning for school fees.
Obviously the earlier you start planning, the greater the benefit. But parents whose children are already at independent schools will find there are also plans catering for their needs.

In association with ISC, brokers SFIA Ltd offer the New Perspective School Fees Plans. These allow parents to spread the cost of school fees over many more years than the children are at school, and use cost effective and tax efficient means to keep the cost of repayment down. Their free School Fees Helpline number is 0800 282997.
School themselves also help with fees. Last year over 110,000 pupils at ISC schools received help with their fees from the schools themselves. This help was mainly in the form of bursaries and scholarships
The Government assisted places scheme, which enabled bright children to attend independent schools, is now being phased out. No new places are available. But many schools are trying to boost the assistance they give themselves in the form of scholarships and bursaries. The Girls’ Day School Trust, for example, which runs 26 schools, has launched a massive appeal to try to replace the assisted places which were formerly offered in its schools. Parents should contact schools individually for details of scholarships and bursaries.

For more information on independent schools and to order a free copy of the 2003 edition of the ISC Guide to Accredited Independent Schools and CD-ROM please contact ISCis, Grosvenor Gardens House, 35-37 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0BS or telephone 020 7798 1500 or e-mail info@iscis.uk.net  . Please enclose a cheque for £1.50 to cover postage and packaging..