Everything else
Public or Private School: what's the difference
How can one school be both public and private, and why aren't public schools open to the public?
Before 1902 there was no free or state sponsored education. The only schools for 13-18 year olds were all fee paying institutions either run for profit by private individuals or run as non profit making entities, usually backed by endowments or a charitable body.
There are two differing views on what the original difference between private and public schools was.
One view is that the schools only open to members of a certain faith or church were "private" whilst schools open to all comers regardless of faith were "public".
The other view is that the terms referred to the actual owners of the schools. The "private" schools were owned by individuals, whilst the "public" schools were owned by the institutions and charities.
Either way, as education changed in England throughout the 18th and 19th century so the privately owned schools pretty much died out, leaving only the institutions. These were predominately single sex boarding schools.
With this change, so the differentiation between public and private schools was lost; it was generally understood that a "private education" involved going to a "public" school, regardless of who owned or ran it.
The confusion really came around in 1902 with the introduction of free state sponsored secondary education throughout England. In an ideal world the free schools would be called "public" and fee paying schools would be "private "(or what about "Fee paying"?), but it wasn't to be.
If you educate your child outside of the state system you are doing so on a private basis. To do so you will send your child to private schools. You'll start by sending your child to a school that will prepare him or her for secondary education. These schools are called "Preparatory" or "prep" schools. Once suitably prepared, your child will attend private secondary education – the so-called "Public" schools.
As we move into the 21st century, the names are again evolving. Most fee charging schools now describe themselves as belonging to the "independent" sector.
Confusing, isn't it!*
*Remember that in most foreign countries public refers to state schools; they are free and open to the public. In all countries however "private” still means just that, a private education that you pay for.
A public school, in common English and Welsh usage, is a (usually) prestigious school, for children usually between the ages of 11 or 13 and 18, which charges fees and is not financed by the state.
Higher Education, University and College fees
Since the late 1990s Universities have started charging tuiton fees. These vary by institution but can be as high as £3,145 a year. Most commentators, and the allaboutschoolfees.com ® team, expect these to rise considerably over the next two decades. Students also have to fund accommodation and living expenses (although we're never quite sure how much goes on food and books and how much on alcohol!).
As little as ten years ago students could get grants that went a long way towards covering these costs, but these means tested grants are rapidly reducing in value, and the usual route now to fund higher education is via a Student Loan. There is a government backed scheme that only requires students to pay back the loan once they've started earning above a prescribed amount, and the rates of interest are deliberately very competitive. We included the link to the official site in our Useful Links page.
The advice is obvious, start saving early. Even if your child doesn't go on to higher education it would be lovely to start them in their working life with a small nest egg of cash, to be put towards a deposit on a car or a flat for example. The nice thing about higher education fees is that they are still comparatively cheap after paying for all those years of private school fees!
By way of example, take the maximum current tuition fees of £3,145, which over a three year course adds up to roughly £10,000. Ignoring inflation and interest (both of which you can easily model on our site!) you would need to save just £46 a month between your child being born and finishing school. Imagine splitting that between three sets of Godparent – a college fund would be more use than a silver rattle!
Special Educational Needs
Your child may have a particular talent or a special educational need. Many independent schools admit pupils with special educational needs, disabilities or illnesses. In all cases schools are concerned that children are helped to develop to the best of their ability and do not suffer academically because of their handicaps. Usually these are children whose needs are not sufficiently severe or complex to warrant a statement of special educational needs under the Education Act 1996 and can be catered for in a mainstream school.
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
www.isi.net
The ISI is an independent professional body approved by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for the purpose of inspecting independent schools in the ISC under S. 162 of the Education Act 2002. It is a non-profit making organisation, reporting to the Department of Children Schools and Family (DCSF).
The ISI examines and reports on all the schools in the ISC who provide education for children over the age of 5. All reports can be viewed on the ISI website (details above).
The Independent Schools Council (ISC)
www.isc.co.uk
Founded in 1974, the ISC is a non-political, wholly independent organisation comprising eight member associations, which, between them represent 1280 schools.
Representing 500,000 children, the ISC principally seeks to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education; the development of talent at all levels of ability; and the widening of opportunity for children from all backgrounds to achieve their potential.
The eight member associations of the ISC are:
- Girls' Schools Association (GSA)
- Headmasters' & Headmistresses' Conference (HMC)
- Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
- Independent Schools Association (ISA)
- Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHMIS)
- Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS)
- Independent Schools' Bursars Association (ISBA)
- Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
Girls' Schools Association (GSA)
www.gsa.uk.com
The GSA was established in 1974 to represent the Heads of independent girls’ schools in the UK. The primary objectives of the GSA are:
- to promote high standards of education for girls
- inform and influence national educational debate
- raise awareness of the benefits of single sex education for girls
- support members through the provision of a broad range of services
The GSA website contains information and advice for selecting an all-girls’ school.
Return to the associations of the ISC
Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC)
www.hmc.org.uk
The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference represents the Heads of 250 leading independent schools in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. HMC has a further 60 or so international members, up to 30 additional members (Heads of maintained schools in the UK), and 34 Honorary Associate Members (retired members).
The Conference exists to serve and support its members, to represent their views and to exemplify excellence in education. In particular, HMC seeks to:
- help Heads to be more effective as leaders and managers
- promote the discussion of national and international educational issues
- influence national policy and public opinion with regard to the independent sector.
Members meet termly in geographical regions and once a year at the Annual Conference.
Return to the associations of the ISC
Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS)
www.iaps.org.uk
IAPS is a professional association for Heads and Deputy Heads of 600 independent prep schools in the UK and overseas whose mission is “to provide and promote all-round excellence in education”. IAPS has five aims which should be adopted by all IAPS schools. These are:
- Independence (from government and the state)
- Diversity and breadth (curriculum, age-range, boarding/day, religious/spiritual)
- Promotion and influence (to parents, the general public, the media, government, the national education service, and within ISCis)
- High standards (academic, pastoral, behaviour, staffing, conditions of service, inspection and accreditation)
- Support (professional advice, advocacy, training, meeting and sharing)
Further information about IAPS accredited schools and about IAPS itself can be found on its website.
Return to the associations of the ISC
Independent Schools Association (ISA)
www.isaschools.org.uk
The Independent Schools Association was founded in 1879. It is one of the oldest of the independent schools’ organisations and is federated to the Independent Schools Council.
It exists to provide professional support to the Head Teachers and to offer a wide range of sport and cultural activities to the pupils in affliated schools, which number around 300.
Return to the associations of the ISC
Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHMIS)
www.shmis.org.uk
The Society is an Association of Headmasters and Headmistresses of just over 100 well-established Independent schools. It is one of the constituent organisations of the ISC.
SHMIS was formed in 1961 when a group of Heads decided they needed a forum in which to share ideas and experience. Since then the Society has grown substantially in size, reputation and effectiveness. SHMIS now represents schools of all sizes throughout the country with a couple of overseas members.
Return to the associations of the ISC
Association of Governing Bodies in Independent Schools (AGBIS)
www.agbis.info
The AGBIS is concerned principally with the Governors of Independent Schools. It exists to provide support and advice across all aspects of governance and seeks to promote ‘good governance’ and the advancement of education in the independent sector.
Their website offers a host of information relevant to school governance including news and details on seminars for Governors.
Return to the associations of the ISC
The Independent Schools Bursars Association (ISBA)
www.theisba.org.uk
The Independent Schools' Bursars Association is a charitable company whose objectives are : the advancement of education by the promotion of efficient and effective financial management, administration and ancillary services in independent schools.
It is schools, rather than individuals, that are members of the ISBA although the schools’ usual point of contact with the Association is the Bursar.
The Association traces its history back to the founding of the Public Schools Bursars’ Association in 1932, changing its name to the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association in 1983. ISBA is one of the constituent members of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and is represented on the ISC Governing Council and a number of ISC Committees. In some cases the Association represents ISC at meetings with the DCSF, HSE and Teachers’ Pensions providing advice on bursarial matters.
There are currently in excess of 900 schools in membership, including 30 overseas Associate Members.
Return to the associations of the ISC
Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
www.cobisec.org
Originally founded in 1981, COBIS (as it is known today) has an agreement with the ISI enabling it to inspect and accredit British schools abroad. It offers the only British Accreditation that is available internationally. The UK Government does not support schools abroad, therefore British schools outside Britain are dependant entirely on independent, non governmental organisations.
The main objectives of COBIS are:-
- Quality assurance in member schools.
- Representation with the British Government, with educational bodies and with the corporate sector.
- A forum for discussion through conferences, seminars and continuing professional development.
- A network of support through contacts, consultancies, information and marketing.
Return to the associations of the ISC