contactus@regencyeducation.co.uk
Friday May 26th, 2023
In this issue, we’ll be considering the question, posed by the Times earlier this month: who are private schools really for in modern Britain? The pedant in me immediately itches to substitute a ‘whom’ for the ‘who’. But I may be over-simplifying. The Times will certainly have a stronger grasp on the complexities of English grammar than me (or should that be ‘than I do’?) Anyway, the point is, everything must evolve to remain fit for purpose: language and schools are no exception. In the case of private or independent schools in Britain, that means preparing an “eclectic mix” of pupils for a fast-paced, inter-connected world.
Just under 600,000 children attended an independent school last year. That’s around 6% of the UK population of school-aged children. And that’s been broadly the same proportion since the 1960s. Numbers dipped around 1980, before returning to 1960s levels in the mid-90s, then have plateaued since the millennium, maybe even dropping off slightly in the last decade. Looking at it another way: although one school in every ten is now an independent school in the UK, only one pupil in every 15 currently attends an independent school.
Just over 30,000 non-British pupils with parents living overseas attend UK independent schools now, which equates to less than 6% of the total number of students. Far more attend overseas satellites launched by some of the UK’s top independent schools, such as Harrow and Dulwich College. Altogether, 93 overseas campuses educate around 60,000 students, the majority of whom attend UK-affiliated schools in China, Hong Kong and UAE.
UK independent school was a boarder (i.e. stayed and studied at their school’s site full-time, returning home for holidays). Now nine pupils in every 10 are day pupils, returning home after lessons and any extra-curricular clubs. Another notable change is the number of girls attending independent schools. Things have levelled up there, with the proportion of girls at UK independent schools rising from 37% to 49% in the last 50 years.
In the mid-1970s, one child in every three at a UK independent school was a boarder (i.e. stayed and studied at their school’s site full-time, returning home for holidays). Now nine pupils in every 10 are day pupils, returning home after lessons and any extra-curricular clubs. Another notable change is the number of girls attending independent schools. Things have levelled up there, with the proportion of girls at UK independent schools rising from 37% to 49% in the last 50 years.
Arguably the biggest change for parents has been the increase in fees. In the last 20 years or so, the average UK wage has risen by 17% (adjusted to take account of inflation). But school fees (for boarders) have risen by 66%, with day pupils paying on average 77% more now than in 2000. Today, the average annual fee for a boarder is circa £37,000 – close to the average full-time salary in the UK – with day pupil rates around half that cost. However, twice as many pupils receive financial assistance with fees now, compared to the 1980s. Most places are part-funded by the schools themselves, with around £660 million of means-tested support paid out to pupils last year.
Parents send their children to independent schools for several reasons. As well as the heritage, opportunities and networks such schools represent, one compelling factor encompasses class size, facilities, resources, teaching consistency. And that is the funding per pupil. In Britain, the gap between funding allocated in the state sector versus the private sector is growing, more than doubling in recent years. To clarify, state spending has remained fairly static over the last decade (at around £6,500 per pupil, per year). But in the independent sector, the spend has risen from around £11,500 to more than £15,000. As a result, many parents still opt to send their children to an independent school, despite having to make cuts elsewhere to afford the rising fees.
Pupils who have experienced both state and independent schooling in the UK report that the key difference they noticed was the amount of attention they received. For some, switching sectors at key stage 3 aged 11 to 12, the emphasis is a natural progression from primary to secondary schooling. But for others, it’s a clear case of resourcing. Lower pupil to teacher ratios, better learning resources and more investment in feedback systems means pupils and their parents feel the benefits of more focused teaching and more timely, focused feedback in the independent sector. All of which contributes to pupils better placed to fulfil their potential – both now and in the future.
Another reason for the continued popularity of Britain’s independent schools is their impressive lists of illustrious alumni. To put this in context with a topical reference, let’s consider the guest list for the coronation of HRH King Charles III. But first, a quick reminder about how the royals’ education has evolved over the generations.
Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret were the last generation of the British monarchy to be exclusively home-schooled, with the vice president of Eton College among their tutors. Charles and his siblings received their nursery education at home; then Charles attended Hill House pre-prep school in London, before following in his father Prince Philip’s footsteps as a boarder at Cheam prep school and then Gordonstoun in Scotland.
The next generation of royals boarded too from the age of eight, although closer to home than their ancestors. William and Harry attended Ludgrove School in Berkshire (a prep school for children aged eight to 13, designed to prepare pupils for the Common Entrance Exam and entry into the UK’s top independent schools) then Eton. Meanwhile, the Middleton sisters – followed a few years later by Princess Eugenie – were studying at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, a co-ed school for pupils aged 13 to 18. In bordering county Hampshire, the current PM began his independent education in the 1980s, first at Oakmount Preparatory School in Southampton, then Stroud School, King Edward IV Preparatory, before attending Winchester College, then on to Oxford University and Stanford. Rishi became head boy at both Stroud and Winchester – foreshadowing his future aspirations and current status perhaps?
Mr Sunak’s seven predecessors were also on the guest list, and half of these PMs in attendance studied at Britain’s top independent schools. The man responsible for organising the coonation – Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the 18th Duke of Norfolk – boarded at independent school Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire before graduating from Oxford University. While the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby – who presided over the coronation – is an Old Etonian who earned his degree from Cambridge University.
Several of the celebrities in attendance are independent school alumni too, their combined education spanning at least three decades. Bear Grylls (born 1974), Chief Scout, shared Prince William’s education trajectory from Ludgrove School to Eton. Rowan Atkinson (born 1955), of Blackadder, Mr Bean, Maigret and Johnny English fame, joined former Prime Minister Tony Blair at prep school Durham Choristers, before boarding at St Bees in Cumbria. And Joanna Lumley (born 1946) boarded both at Mickledene School in Rolvenden, Kent (aged eight) and Holmhurst St Mary’s Convent School from age 11 to 17.
It would be intriguing to ask these alumni – celebrity, royal, noble and religious alike – to compare notes on their independent education, and spot emerging trends as the years go by.
Every education establishment strives to help pupils grow in skills and confidence, fostering self-belief and a sense of belonging. They key thing is to find the best match for your child and his or her unique mix of qualities and aspirations.
Contact us today to find out more – and read on to see education at its best in action…
We were pleased to be able to arrange for a number of young Ukrainian refugees to attend a spring camp with one of our partners at no cost this Easter. We received this moving message from one of the children’s mums whose son travelled from Ukraine to the UK to attend the camp. So pleased to hear it was a great success. Photo of Vitalii during his stay in the UK summer camp.
“I want to thank you and the Children Camp team dearly for all that you have done for Vitalii and especially for the opportunity for him to attend this Easter camp. This is an Easter miracle.
I would like to thank you and say how grateful I am for your assistance. Each of your team supported and helped him. Your help made a huge difference! That time with the amazing Camp team allowed Vitalii to restore strength and feel the taste of peaceful life without air raids and rocket attacks. He feels full of the joys of spring.
I understand what I’ve travelled thousands of miles for. It has been a very special Easter thanks to you.”
If you’d like to find out more about summer camps or any of the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Until next time…
“ Regency Education helped all three of our boys get into a wonderful school where they now thrive. ”
“ REGENCY EDUCATION WAS ABLE TO HELP US WITH EVERY STEP OF THE SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS ENSURING THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN. AN INVALUABLE SERVICE. ”
“ REGENCY EDUCATION WAS ABLE TO HELP US WITH EVERY STEP OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS ENSURING THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN - AN INVALUABLE SERVICE. ”
