An Independent option
The Director of the Independent Schools Information Service for the North of England, Don Hutton, has hailed new research showing that parents from a huge variety of backgrounds are opting for an independent education for their children.

He told us “Many people assume that independent education is just for the children of super-rich parents who went to a public school themselves, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Increasingly, parents who were educated in the state system want something different for their children and are surprised to find it can be more affordable than they first believed. Indeed, a third of pupils in the independent sector receive help with their fees, and the proportion is rising. 40% of independent sector parents are first-time buyers.
“ New research from the ISC show that a third of parents at independent schools in the North of England are on average or below average incomes. Many such parents make great sacrifices to afford such an education for their children. With expert advice, moreover, much can be done to ease the burden.”
When choosing a school fees plan it is vital to choose one that suits your individual circumstances and requirements. You should remember that some financial advisers, being independent, are able to give financial advice on all products available and may, therefore, be better able to find plans appropriate to you.
Many parents will know that the Labour Government has ended the Assisted Places Scheme. Schools who were in the Scheme are anxious to ensure that pupils who wish to join them should be able to do so, whatever their parents' income. It is unlikely that many schools will be able to be as generous in their awards as an Assisted Places Scheme, but parents who would have applied for an Assisted Place should approach schools in exactly the same way as they would have done in the past.
Parents who want information about the level of help available should contact individual schools.
Schools may offer SCHOLARSHIPS for outstanding merit in some fields and these awards are made irrespective of parents' income.
They may also offer BURSARIES – where the amount offered by the school will depend upon parents' income.
The ISC Educational Grants Advisory Service which refers genuinely deserving cases to charitable trusts is operated by the Joint Educational Trust at 6 Lovat Place, London EC3R 8DT. If telephoning (020 7626 4583) please do so between 9-11am on weekdays.
Information on other charitable trusts that cover specific help for Dance, Music and Sports students can be supplied by ISIS North.
Mr Hutton continued: “The variety within the independent sector is astonishing: girls’ schools, boys’ schools, co-educational, boarding, day, denominational, non-denominational, the list goes on; and fees range over a wide spectrum..
“ Of course, there are many excellent state schools but the independent sector offers parents more choice and, for many thousands of children, the best choice is an independent school. The results speak for themselves. For instance, 95% of pupils at ISC schools gain five or more GCSEs at grades A-C, compared with less than 50% in the maintained sector. Independent school pupils also, on average, achieve three Bs at A-level – and more and more are achieving 3 A-grades.”
“ Perhaps the key advantage that independent school parents see is the smaller class sizes in the sector. The average number of pupils to every teacher in independent schools is now less than ten. That means much more individual teaching than the state usually provides. Smaller class sizes mean better discipline and greater attention to any learning difficulties that a child may experience.”
The ISCis North Director concluded: “A child’s education is a precious commodity. Making the right choice – whether that is in the state system or the independent sector, is essential. Increasingly, Northern parents on modest means are choosing the independent route.”

For more information, please contact Don Hutton on (01677) 450139.
email: regionaldirector@isis-north.co.uk
www.isis-north.co.uk