4 minute read
The state of independents
Haileybury in Hertfordshire o ers both A-level and International Baccalaureate pathways for sixth formers
From class sizes to enriching environments, Nathaniel McCullagh, Founder and Director of Simply Learning Tuition lists the positives of an independent-school education
When we speak with parents who are considering the switch to an independent (private, or fee-paying) school, the rst question we’re usually asked is, ‘is it worth the money?’. If a ordability isn’t an issue, then there usually isn’t any hesitation to choose the independent route. But with annual fees approaching £25,000 for day and £40,000 for boarding, not to mention extracurricular activities, tutoring and other extras on top, many parents will rightly ask us what the advantages are.
A diverse, inclusive network
e rst thing I would say is that independent schools have many advantages; many are obvious, some are more subtle. ese vary tremendously from school to school but generally include smaller class sizes, the freedom to teach beyond the con nes of the national curriculum, rst-class sporting, artistic and recreational resources and inspiring buildings and grounds. ese exemplars are the hallmarks of an independent education. e more subtle advantages come from the social connections your son or daughter will make and the potential advantages these may give them throughout their time at school and ultimately in the workplace. Most independent schools have a healthy splattering of families of di erent nationalities, ethnicities and characters, but all try to foster an environment where your child will be accepted for who they are; which a er all, is one of the most important jobs of a school.
A love of learning
With my background as a tutor, I tend to think rst about the child’s academic journey. Here the advantages of going independent are indisputable; an independent education is
Harrow’s strong academic facilities and records result in students going on to leading universities around the world Godolphin School in Wiltshire has an extensive programme of extracurricular clubs and opportunities for its girls to try
focused far more on the needs of the individual child, over the needs of the class, or even the year group. Very few state schools can o er the same combination of small class size or range of syllabus. Di erent syllabi can be better suited to a particular child – such as the International Baccalaureate with its wider range of core subjects than the A-level, and the extra components of theory of knowledge, extended essay, and community work. In addition, independent schools have the resources to o er far more choice in the regular GCSE (or IGCSE) and A-level subjects. Children in independent schools o en have the luxury of being able to follow a subject because they have a genuine interest in it, rather than just because it is a prescribed part of the national curriculum or limited to available teachers.
Because the pace of learning is typically accelerated by a range of factors, most notably, smaller class sizes, better streaming and more empowered teachers, children at independent schools o en nd learning more engaging
Cheltenham College o ers an array of day and boarding options, creating a strong sense of community and therefore easier. All schools talk about what they do to nurture, ‘the whole child’. is is measured partly through their pedagogy, partly through their pastoral care and then of course in co-curricular and extracurricular facilities. Independent schools, (boarding schools in particular) o er such an extensive range of sporting and recreational facilities that they would put many country clubs to shame. e whole child is undoubtedly going to be more developed in an independent school education, simply because there are more resources to do so.
Receiving an independent education can be an advantage to most children, provided they and you are genuinely comfortable with the school. It’s worth noting that the very things that make the independent school sector so appealing; almost limitless choice, a strong identity for your child and a unique and aspirational ethos can make it hard to choose the right school. ese qualities can also cause problems for children if the school is the wrong t for them.
Finding the right fit
By taking a commonsense approach to choosing a school, parents can avoid the common pitfalls. At Simply Learning Tuition, we start the school placement process by getting to know the whole child and their family. What type of school would suit them best, co-ed or single sex, boarding or day, religious or not? What culture should the school have? Will it support their educational needs (i.e., are they a scholar, or perhaps someone who nds learning more di cult? Do they require special educational needs or SEN provision)? Does the school have the right facilities to foster their interests? Will the journey, daily or on exeat weekends, be workable? Does it have the right level of wellbeing support and above all, will you child be happy there?
