There is a huge choice of schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, taking pupils of all school ages. We can help you find the one that's best for you through our links to sites, our information on the UK education system and our advice on applications.
Academic success rates are high, and nearly all independent school pupils go to university, mainly in the UK. After going through the UK independent school system, a child will not only have benefited from one of the best educational experiences in the world, but will be a fluent speaker of English, which is becoming the global language of business and commerce.
All independent schools have to be registered with the government education departments in England and Wales, or Scotland or Northern Ireland. Education departments lay down minimum standards of facilities and teaching and can enforce them. All independent schools are inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate in the same way as state schools. There is also an accreditation scheme run by the Independent Schools Council, which carries out inspections.
Most of the courses work towards standard public examinations. This makes sure that qualifications are consistent and recognised. These are usually General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSEs) for pupils aged sixteen (Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grades in Scotland), and A-levels for pupils aged eighteen (Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers in Scotland). Some Scottish independent schools also offer GCSEs and A-levels as an alternative or exclusively. It is possible to study for the International Baccalaureate at many independent schools.
Tutorial colleges are usually for those aged sixteen and above. They offer a wide range of courses in small classes, including career-based courses and access courses. They also run one year courses to re-sit A-levels (which usually take two years).
There is a lot of competition to get into some schools. The most popular schools always have more applicants than places. There are also academic entrance tests. Most pupils sit a special examination, the Common Entrance exam, at the age of eleven or thirteen. This is hard for children who have been through a different educational system, so international students are usually tested, instead, on mathematics and English language. To begin a new academic year, usually in September, you should apply a year before the start date. There are several methods of application. You can contact the school or tutorial college direct to ask for a prospectus or registration form.
Independent schools are not cheap, but succeeding generations of parents demonstrate their belief that good education is a priceless asset by continuing to send their children to independent schools. There are more than 2300 of them with annual fees ranging from about £ 3000 at the least expensive, to over £ 16,000 at the most expensive boarding schools.
One of the best places to start searching for schools is the Independent Schools Council Information Service (ISCis), which has a comprehensive and searchable database of its member schools on its web site www.iscis.uk.net. Other sites that are of use are www.isbi.com and www.boardingschools.hobsons.com. The British Accreditation Council (BAC) www.the-bac.org keeps a searchable database of independent tutorial colleges. The Conference for Independent Further Education (CIFE) provides links to its member colleges from its web site www.getthegrade.co.uk. Association of Colleges - London has its own website www.londoncolleges.com.
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