UK Independent Schools Explained

Independent public schools

'Public schools' - that count heavy weights such as Eton, Harrow and Rugby among their membership - are so called because enrolment is open to the general public, providing said public can pay the fees!

Independent schools, public schools and private schools are essentially the same thing and have history to blame for their different and perhaps confusing, range of names.

Independent schools range from the glorious and great to tiny schools run by parents who want a particular kind of education for their children. They have no state funding, instead they rely on tuition fees, gifts and endowments.

What is a Public School?

In the UK, 'Public School' is now a somewhat archaic term for the oldest and greatest of the boys' independent secondary schools:

Eton College, Winchester College, Harrow School without doubt, then Radley College, Marlborough College, Rugby School, Shrewsbury School, Charterhouse etc in distinctly arguable order.

An essentially snobbish and sexist term that Lord Peter Wimsey wrestles amusingly with in Murder must Advertise. 'Public School' is gradually being abandoned in favour of 'independent school'. All of the original public schools are still considered top schools (though today they are joined by a number of other leading schools) and all are reviewed by The Good Schools Guide (subscribers should log-in to read the reviews). Some remain all boys schools but most now take girls either in the sixth-form or throughout the school.

Is there a difference between public schools and independent schools?

Public schools

Public schools are independent schools but not all independent schools are public schools! (Just to confuse matters, public schools in many countries outside of England are actually state schools).

In the UK independent schools are 'independent' because of their freedom to operate, to a considerable extent, outside of government regulations, though they have, of course, to conform to official standards of education, health and safety etc and are regularly inspected.

Are the best independent schools the ones with the greatest names?

Not necessarily; undoubtedly many of the great names remain leaders within the world of education but the best school is the one that best suits your child (see Sussing Out Independent Schools And Horses For Courses). This might be the grandest and greatest of the traditional public schools or the local village school state school that goes the extra mile to ensure all children in their care get the very best education.

Ten reasons why parents choose an independent school

Independent schools charge fees but are favoured by many because:

Parents choose the school (though many have selective entry).
Academic standards are high.
Fewer pupils per class - greater individual attention.
Most offer an extensive range of extra-curricular activities.
Sport for all is encouraged. Most offer a range to ensure there is something for everyone.
Some are very beautiful.
Facilities at some of the schools are amongst the finest in the world.
A choice of day,boarding or a mix of the two is available.
They provide good networking opportunities.
Parents can afford the fees.

It used to be the case that the upper crust and those who were themselves privately educated sent their children to independent schools. Nowadays, more than half the children attending fee-paying schools have parents who are first time buyers.

Are independent schools selective?

Public Schools Eton College Yes; though some are more selective than others. For a small number of schools (mostly in or near to London) the only way to gain a place is to register your child's birth then head straight to the school and etch their name on the waiting list; try not to deliver in July/August - places are likely to have been nabbed by autumn births. Fortunately at most schools things are not quite so competitive with many rural prep and senior schools actively recruiting pupils.

Early years selection tends to be via a gentle assessment to see if your child will fit the bill (though even at such a tender age a handful have the hurdles set uncomfortably high). Speech, interaction play and social skills are the order of the day. If your child has a difficulty in these areas we recommend you consult our extensive SEN section. Many independent schools welcome children with mild special needs but numbers with the welcome mat out dwindle rapidly as degree of special need increases.

By 7 or 8 expect your child to be examined in maths and English possibly with some form of IQ test to measure potential. Many will invite the child along for the day to see how they fit with other children. Often they are trying to ensure a child is appropriately placed rather than screening. A handful, especially those in the capital are looking for the brightest and best - London tutor firms cannot swipe the credit cards fast enough.

Most senior schools use the Common Entrance exam (or scholarship for top-dogs) to assess whether the proposed girl (at 11 years old) or boy/co-ed (at 11 or 13 years old) will be able to meet their academic requirements. Selection should be a two-way process – choosing the right private school for your child is of paramount importance, don't be seduced by a top school name, it may not be right for your child; do your research.

The Good Schools Guide coverage of UK independent schools

An independent school education requires an immense investment of both finance and trust and should depend both on first rate information and your own hyper-active parental instincts.

Fortunately The Good Schools Guide is on hand to help out. See Independent schools independently reviewed in The Good Schools Guide for schools we cover. For example: The Cheltenham Ladies' College Cheltenham - an independent senior school for 11-18 year-old girls; takes boarders.

Very comprehensive and tough drugs policy – nothing mealy-mouthed about it. Sixth formers commented that all prospective parents ask, when being shown round, if there is a drugs problem and wondered if any of them really thought that the girls would say 'Yes'!

If the search for schools sounds too daunting to fly solo, why not enlist the help of one our expert advisors via The Good Schools Guide Advice Service.

Why choose the Good Schools Guide (GSG) online?

It asks the questions parents dare not...to lead you to the very best schools.

The Good Schools Guide 2012

The Good Schools Guide will help you find the best independent or state school for your child.

Each review is critical, informative and highly readable.

Online we feature all the schools in the printed guide plus so much more. We offer a unique and in-depth analysis of approximately 900 of the best independent schools in the UK, with (on this website only) as much information as we can gather on every single independent school in the UK. The school reviews are written by our editors with particular attention being paid to such matters as what kind of school suits each child, and what its pupils and its parents are like. It asks the questions that the prospectuses don't broach to highlight the strengths and weaknesses that mere facts can't.

The Good Schools Guide accepts no payment from schools for their entry, enabling it to write independently of any outside influence.

Online we include all the school reviews featured in the best selling Good Schools Guide plus extensive data, performance results and features that we are unable to include in the printed guide.

We also offer you The Good Schools Guide Advice Service. Our knowledgeable and expert advisors answer all your questions and work one-to-one with you to find the best schools for your children. Call: 0203 286 6824 or email: advice@goodschoolsguide.co.uk .

The Good Schools Guide - Can you afford not to read it?

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The Good Schools Guide 2012

Click on the links below to read the FULL Good Schools Guide review or buy now from our on-line store.

Farleigh School, Andover an independent school for boys and girls aged 3-13, that takes boarders.

The influence of the head is pervasive, rooting the school in values of right thinking and right conduct..

Lady Eleanor Holles School, Hampton an independent school for girls aged 7-18.

Deservedly one of the top girls' schools in the county; it is exactly right for confident, bright young things who thrive on hard work. Highly sought after for its academic delivery, celebrating female succss..

Discover all the inside information including:

What the head is really like.
How to get in - and where pupils go on to when they leave.
What's really on offer; both in and out of the classroom.
The facilities, frippery and finery to be found - or not!
The atmosphere - who will the school REALLY suit?
The funding you'll need and the financial health of the school.
Our opinion - what parents think, what we've uncovered...

Online only -

Subscribers to The Good Schools guide can examine:

School performance data* for KS2, GCSE and A-level
Value-added data* .Does the school make a difference to all pupils or just some?
University information*. Details of which universities pupils go on to and what they study.
And, for English state schools, make sure you make the right move by examining catchment area data and seeing which schools pupils come from and which schools they move on to.

*We indicate on a school's page here data is available. We do not have data for schools outside of England.