Education? Education? Education?

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions that you will make. Here, FlyingStart explores some alternatives to state education

 

 

It is never too early to start thinking about you child’s education – for many parents this process begins before their baby is even born!

Making the right choice means giving your child the best start in life. But with so many education options available it can be difficult to know which way to turn.

If you have decided that state education would not be the best choice for you child then there are a number of other options that you can consider:

Independent Schools

What is an independent school?
There are 2,400 schools in the UK that are independent of local or central government control. Independent schools are also known as fee-paying or fee-charging schools because parents have to pay for their children to attend.
Most independent schools are not privately owned; they have a board of governors, responsible for the overall direction of the school, and a bursar, responsible for financial and other aspects of school management. Any profit must be used for the benefit of the school.
The head teacher has to report to the governors but has the freedom to appoint staff, admit pupils and take day-to-day decisions.
There is a wide choice of UK independent schools and they cater for boys and girls of all abilities up to the age of 19. Types of school include day and boarding schools, schools with a mixture of day and boarding pupils, and single-sex and coeducational schools.

What sort of children go to independent schools?
Children from all different backgrounds attend independent schools. There is a myth that only children from wealthy backgrounds with privately educated parents go to independent schools, but this is not the case.
Statistics show that four out of ten independent school children come from backgrounds where neither parent went to an independent school.

What are the advantages of independent schools?
There are a number of advantages to sending your child to an independent school. The class sizes tend to be smaller, which means that teachers have time to give pupils individual attention.

Smaller class sizes are particularly beneficial to children in the younger, five-13, age group because this period is crucial to a child’s development and is often the time when they are most keen to learn.
Most independent schools pride themselves on ensuring that pupils reach their full potential regardless of their ability. They also tend to offer a wide-variety of extra-curricular activities in order to improve your child’s all-round development.
Independent schools are also accountable to parents, so if you are not happy with your child’s progress you are free to send them elsewhere. Because independent schools know this, they are well equipped and have high standards.  

Why do parents choose independent schools?
According to surveys carried out for the Independent Schools Commission the main reasons parents choose independent schools include:

 

• Small classes with individual attention
• High standards of education and examination results
• Good discipline
• Encouragement of a responsible attitude to school work
• Development of social responsibility
• Extra-curricular activities.

 
How much will it cost to send my child to an independent school?
Fees vary from school to school depending on the age of your child and whether they are boarding or attending as a day pupil.
Parents sending young children (aged 3-7) to an independent school should expect to pay between £1000 and  £1500 per term. After the age of seven, cost can vary from £1750 per term for day pupils, to £7200 for boarders.
Scholarships and bursaries, awarded on the basis of academic ability or special talent, are available from most schools. In fact, one third of pupils at independent schools receive some assistance with their fees in the form on scholarships or bursaries. 

Different Types of Independent Schools
There are a number of different types of independent schools and it is important to consider all of the options when making a decision about which school will be best for your child:

All-through School
What is an all-through school?
Many independent schools have the facilities to take children from the age of two right through until they are 18. The different age groups are usually taught in separate departments or schools that will all be under the same management.

What are the benefits of all-through schools?
One of the main benefits of sending your child to an all-through school is that they have a consistent educational experience. In the long-term, this can make them feel more secure and have more confidence in their own ability. 

Preparatory Schools
What is a preparatory school?
Preparatory schools are also known as ‘prep’ schools because they prepare children between the ages of seven and nine for the next stage of education. These schools are essentially independent junior schools and many have pre-preparatory schools for children aged 2-7. 

What are the benefits of preparatory schools?
Prep schools lay firm foundations in the basic skills of reading, writing and numeracy, while also introducing pupils to art, music, sports and outside activities. 
Most prep schools set pupils by ability, so that the brightest are not held back and slower learners are given more time. They also offer a broad and balanced curriculum, specialist subject teaching and manageable class sizes.
On average prep school pupils receive 100 hours more teaching time per year than children in state schools, according to a study by the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS). 

Boarding Schools 
What is a boarding school?
Boarding schools are independent schools where pupils live as well as study. There are two main types of boarders: children who only stay during the week and go home at the weekend, and children who board full time during the school term. 
Schools are becoming increasingly flexible about when pupils are obliged to board, so speak to the school about your requirements and they may be willing to accommodate them. 
Boarding schools take children from the ages of eight to 18, although some schools are willing to take children as young as five. The Boarding Schools’ Association does not recommend sending children below the age of eight away to board. 

What are the benefits of boarding schools?
In addition to receiving the high standard of education associated with independent schools, boarding school pupils also benefit from the independence and responsibility that the boarding experience affords.
Pupils who attend boarding schools also have greater access to facilities and better relationships with their teachers. 

Grammar Schools

What is a grammar school?
A grammar school is a secondary school attended by pupils aged 11 to 18. Entry to grammar schools is controlled by means of an academically selective process, which sometimes consists of a written examination.
Not all grammar schools are independent schools, some are state-run and do not charge fees.

What are the benefits of grammar schools?
Due to the fact that pupils are selected on the basis of their academic abilities, the standard of education and teaching tends to be of an extremely high standard.
Grammar schools also perform consistently well in academic league tables and like other

independent schools offer a wide selection of extra-curricular activities.

Useful Websites
Independent Schools Council (ISC): www.ics.co.uk
Boarding Schools Association (BSA): www.boarding.org.uk

Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS): www.iaps.org.uk

 

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