An overview of the Independent Schools Council, its information services and its constituent associations of independent schools, their heads, bursars and governors
Choosing a boarding school takes time, and careful research is essential if the right decisions are to be made. When beginning your search, it is helpful to have an understanding of the associations and organisations that provide advice and information on independent boarding schools in the UK.
The Independent Schools Council (ISC)
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) brings seven associations together to represent 1,374 independent schools in the UK. These schools are ranked among the best in the world and educate more than half a million children each year, around 59% of independently educated pupils.
The ISC works with its members to promote and preserve the quality, diversity and excellence of UK independent education both at home and abroad. Boarding schools continue to be popular in the 21st century, offering exceptional education and extracurricular activities with round-the-clock pastoral care. 69,680 pupils board at ISC schools, making up 13% of total pupil numbers, and 474 ISC schools (34.5% of the total) have at least one boarding pupil.
Parents can consult the ISC website for more information about the independent schools in its membership, including information about boarding where it is offered. Each school is a member of one or more of the following associations, which will be able to help with enquiries. Further organisations are affiliate members of the ISC, including the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, the Welsh Independent Schools Council, the Boarding Schools’ Association and COBIS.
The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC)
An organisation of heads of boys’, girls’ and co-educational senior schools
HMC is made up of the headteachers (not the schools themselves) of 295 senior schools. It was founded in 1869, and 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; and 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.
Well over one third of HMC schools consist mainly of boarders, whilst others have a smaller boarding element. Most schools are noted for their academic excellence, with around 89% of pupils going on to higher education. Only the heads of those schools that meet the rigorous membership criteria are admitted. Bursaries and scholarships provided by the schools give over a third of the 240,373 pupils in HMC schools help with their fees. About 45,000 pupils are boarders.
All HMC schools are happy to receive direct enquiries. Other enquiries should be addressed to: Mike Buchanan, HMC, 12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7QU, Tel: +44 (0)1858 469059, E-mail: info@hmc.org.uk, Web: www.hmc.org.uk
The Society of Heads
The Society of Heads (formerly SHMIS) is an organisation currently comprising 110 heads of boys’, girls’ and co-educational senior schools, most of which are smaller independent schools with a tradition of boarding, and which educate some 49,000 pupils. The Society was founded in 1961 to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and the pursuit of excellence in all spheres of school life. The Society also ensures that schools are inspected regularly, provides training opportunities for staff and promotes links with higher education.
All member schools provide education up to 18, with some sixth forms offering the IB or vocational courses alongside a wide range of AS- and A-levels. Many have junior schools attached. A number cater for pupils with special educational needs or for gifted dancers and musicians.
You can send enquiries about the Society of Heads to: Clive Rickart, CEO, The Society of Heads, 12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7QU, Tel: +44 (0)1858 433760, E-mail: info@thesocietyofheads.org.uk, Web: www.thesocietyofheads.org.uk
The Girls’ Schools Association (GSA)
The GSA represents the heads of many of the top performing day and boarding schools in the UK independent schools sector. It exists to support its members with a wide variety of professional development courses, mentoring and networking opportunities, to share best practice in educating girls.
Approximately 40% of GSA schools provide full boarding facilities and the majority of these also offer flexi boarding, where pupils spend part of the week as a day pupil and part as a boarder. Innovative practice and academic rigor attract pupils from around the world.
Academic performance is impressive, with 96% of students progressing to university. Nevertheless, GSA schools are just as likely to encourage excellence outside the classroom with an impressive choice of extra-curricular activities. Former GSA school pupils are among the most noteworthy high achievers of the UK and indeed the world. They include world leading scientists, international charity campaigners, famous actresses, war correspondents, Olympic medallists and business women at the highest levels. GSA schools are committed to improving and enabling access, with a third of existing students receiving help with their fees.
For more information contact: Vivienne Durham, Executive Director, Girls’ Schools Association, Suite 105, 108 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7EA, Tel: +44 (0)116 254 1619, E-mail: office@gsa.uk.com, Web: www.gsa.uk.com
The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
IAPS is the leading professional body for heads of independent prep schools
IAPS has over 600 of the world’s leading schools in membership, both in the UK and overseas. The Association actively promotes the interests of both its members and the sector as a whole, and. provides professional support and advice to its members schools on a variety of issues including curriculum, assessment, classroom and school organisation, and employment matters. IAPS also offers hundreds of highly-regarded professional development courses for prep school staff each year. Membership requirements are high and schools must undergo regular inspections to ensure they reach accreditation standards.
For more about IAPS and its schools, contact: Christopher King, Chief Executive, IAPS, 11 Waterloo Place, Leamington Spa CV32 5LA, Tel: +44 (0)1926 887833, Fax: +44 (0)1926 888014, E-mail: iaps@iaps.uk, Web: iaps.uk
The Independent Schools Association (ISA)
ISA Members include the Heads of 541 schools, including nurseries, preparatory schools, senior schools and stand-alone sixth form colleges
The ISA comprises the Heads of a variety of schools: co-educational and single-sex schools; boarding and day schools; senior and junior schools. The Association was founded in 1879 and currently has around 518 member schools, which educate approximately 113,000 pupils. The ISA admits Heads when satisfied as to their suitability and the quality of their schools. The ISA’s schools are often values-driven and genuinely focus on meeting the needs of all pupils. The Association arranges inter-school and inter-area competitions and festivals in sport, drama, art and music, and provides training opportunities and two annual conferences. It works in conjunction with other professional bodies in order to maintain due recognition for independent schools by the UK Government and the public.
For more information, contact: Neil Roskilly, Chief Executive Officer, ISA House, 5-7 Great Chesterford Court, Great Chesterford, CB10 1PF, Tel: +44 (0)1799 523619, E-mail: isa@isaschools.org.uk, Web: www.isaschools.org.uk
The Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS)
AGBIS provides advice and guidance to governing bodies of member schools; governors of all schools can access AGBIS training and attend seminars
Membership of AGBIS is available to those schools in UK whose heads belong to HMC, GSA, IAPS, ISA or the Society of Heads, and who meet the current membership criteria, subject to the approval of the AGBIS Board. Membership is also available to overseas schools and members of the Scottish Independent Schools Council and the Welsh Independent Schools Council.
For more information, contact: Richard Harman, Chief Executive, AGBIS, The Grange, 3 Codicote Road, Welwyn, Herts AL6 9LY, Tel: +44 (0)1438 840730 / +44 (0) 7717 818336, E-mail: ceo@agbis.org.uk, Web: www.agbis.org.uk
Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA)
The ISBA is a charitable company limited by guarantee whose object is the advancement of education in independent schools
The ISBA achieves its object by promoting efficient and effective financial management, administration and operational practice. Although it is the school and not the bursar that is the member of the ISBA, the bursar is usually the school’s nominated representative.
Full membership of the ISBA is open to any UK school or educational provider in membership of one of the constituent associations of the ISC and which is separately constituted under its own governing
document. Associate membership is open to other educational providers or independent schools, which are not separately constituted. Currently, there are over 1,000 ISBA members, including some 60 international associate members.
For more information, contact: David Woodgate, Chief Executive, ISBA, Bluett House, Unit 11–12, Manor Farm, Cliddesden, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG25 2JB, Tel: +44 (0)1256 330369, Fax: +44 (0)1256 330376, E-mail: office@theisba.org.uk, Web: www.theisba.org.uk