analysis
Public schools continue to thrive despite cost rises and Brexit uncertainties
A snapshot of the UK’s independent schools sector reveals growth and self-confidence U
K independent schools now educate a record 536,109 pupils at 1,364 Independent Schools Council member schools, up from 529,164 in 2018. This year’s annual report from the Independent Schools Council also highlights an increase in the number of pupils from European Economic Area (EEA) countries in the current academic year despite ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Key highlights include the following: • There are 28,910 overseas pupils, equating to 5.4% of all pupils. Among the 26,370 non-British pupils whose parents live in the UK, 45% come from EEA countries, up three percentage points from last year. A further 13% come from the USA. • As revealed by Oxford Economics in an impact report last year, non-British pupils at ISC schools supported around £1.8billion of gross value added in the UK, supporting 39,310 jobs and generating £550million in annual tax revenues. • The government spends about £4,700 per state school primary pupil and £6,200 per secondary pupil each year. The ISC accounts for 1,364 of the 2,500 independent schools in Britain, and its members teach more than 80 per cent of the 615,000 privately
• The 1,300 schools who responded to the census in 2018 and 2017 reported a 6 per cent increase in Chinese pupils to 7,702, representing 27 per cent of foreign pupils whose parents live overseas. • The number of Russian children fell by 10 per cent to 1,527. Some of the biggest proportional increases were among pupils from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Thailand, although the numbers were in the hundreds.
• Just over 84,000 pupils identified as having special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), equating to 15.7% of all pupils.
• The majority of schools have fewer than 300 pupils. The mean school size is just under 400 while the mode is just under 170. Only 83 schools have more than 1,000 pupils.
• Schools give more than twice as much means-tested fee assistance as opposed to non-means-tested, totalling over £420million and representing an increase of 6% compared with last year.
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• ISC schools are expanding their public benefit activities - 11,466 partnerships were recorded this year, compared with 10,553 last year. Beyond partnerships with state schools, between £10million and £15million was raised for charities at ISC schools this year and 901 ISC schools organise volunteering opportunities for their staff and/or pupils.
• The boarding landscape is changing, reflecting parental preferences. Although full boarding remains the most popular boarding pattern, the proportion of weekly and flexi boarders has increased for three consecutive years. In 2016, 15.7% of boarders were weekly or flexi boarders. This year that stands at 17.9%. ISC chairman, Barnaby Lenon, said: “While most independent schools are small schools serving their local community, some attract pupils of many different nationalities and these young people have a positive influence on our ability to understand other cultures as well as the country’s economy and our intellectual base.
“It is perhaps surprising to see an increase in the number of EEA pupils at ISC schools given the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, but clearly much value is placed on the broad all-round education independent schools offer, their inclusive environments, and commitment to supporting the development of globally conscious young people.”
Julie Robinson, ISC chief executive, said: “Independent schools provide capacity, variety and flexibility in our education system. The existence of a private sector eases pressure on class sizes in state schools, and saves the taxpayer £3.5billion each year. “This year’s Census tells us there are now a little over 84,000 pupils identified as having SEND, which highlights the importance of having schools that can offer the kind of specialist support that might not otherwise be available or accessible. “The sector, though small, is playing its part in helping improve educational outcomes for all children. Joint working between state and independent schools is developing, with projects becoming ever more effective and impactful. More than 11,000 partnership projects were
recorded this year, all of which create new learning and development opportunities for those involved.” ISC cites as an example of partnership Benenden School, in Kent, which has worked in partnership with The John Wallis Church of England Academy for many years. The academy’s principal, John McParland, said: “Our strong and
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