How do private schools work in the UK?

Private schools (also known as 'independent schools') charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum. All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.

How are private schools different from public schools in the UK?

The main difference between state and private schools in the UK is the fees parents must pay. While fees vary a lot between schools, the average cost of private school is £14,940 per year. These fees allow for smaller class sizes, teaching independence, and extra educational preparation.

Does private school really make a difference UK?

Are private schools better? Not necessarily – it depends how good the particular independent or state school is. Not all independent schools are academic powerhouses and many state schools are academically excellent, even if they aren't grammars.

Does the UK government give money to private schools?

Private schools (also known as 'independent schools') existed long before state schools came along, in some cases for hundreds of years. They are not funded by the government. They therefore charge school fees, though many also offer bursaries (fee reduction).

Why are private schools in the UK called public?

In England and Wales, a public school is a type of fee-charging private school originally for older boys. They are "public" in the sense of being open to pupils irrespective of locality, denomination or paternal trade or profession, nor are they run for the profit of a private owner.

The UK Education System - What You Need To Know

Do private school students do better in life?

Research has shown that private school students are often primed for success in their futures – evidenced by higher test scores, better graduation rates, college attendance and successful college graduation.

What percentage of UK children go to private school?

Around 5.9% of all children at school in the UK are attending private schools. There are just over 554,000 pupils at UK independent schools. There are 16.9% more pupils in independent schools today than there were in 1990.

What is the average private school fee in the UK?

Key findings. 1. In 2022–23, average private school fees across the UK were £15,200 in today's prices (net of bursaries and scholarships). This is £7,200 or nearly 90% higher than state school spending per pupil, which was £8,000 in 2022–23 (including day-to-day and capital spending).

What are the best private schools in the UK?

Do private schools pay more than public in UK?

Independent school teachers

Their salaries aren't published publically, but there's a preconception that teachers in independent schools earn more than their state school counterparts. However, most independent school teachers earn somewhere between £36,000 and £50,000 – not so different from state schools after all.

Is sending your kid to private school worth the financial burden?

Whether or not a private school education is worth it depends on your unique situation and the type of student your child is. For some people, private education will be a way to flourish academically and get into a top-notch college. For others, it can be a waste of time.

Why do parents choose private schools UK?

Smaller class sizes than in the state sector, a reliably strong standard of education with excellent teachers, broad and exciting opportunities within and beyond the curriculum, sport as an integral part of school life with lots of competitive fixtures, and room for the arts; all these are things that smaller private ...

Are private schools actually worth it?

Private schools are worth consideration because they open many doors for your child's future, not only for college, but career and life opportunities as well. In fact, statistics reinforce and call out many of the reasons why parents choose a private school and see it as a good return-on-investment.

What are private schools called in the UK?

Private schools (also known as 'independent schools') charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum. All private schools must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.

Are private schools common in the UK?

There are around 2,600 independent schools in the UK, which educate around 615,000 children, some 7 per cent of all British school-age children and 18 per cent of pupils over the age of 16.

What does grammar school mean in UK?

Grammar schools are state-funded, academically selective senior schools. The education a child receives at grammar school is paid for by the state unlike at private schools which provide education for a fee. There are currently 163 located in 36 English local authorities, with around 167,000 pupils between them.

What is the number 1 private school in the UK?

1. St Paul's Girls' School. St Paul's Girls' School, located in Hammersmith, West London, is often top of the list in The Sunday Times Parent Power's top independent schools. The girls' day school was founded in 1904 to complement St Paul's School (the boys' counterpart), which was founded in the 16th century.

What is the most elite school in the UK?

Eton College

Perhaps the most famous institution when it comes to elite and exclusive private schools in the UK, Eton is situated just north of the River Thames, a mile or so north of the historic Windsor town centre.

What are the 6 private school in England?

Why do parents send their child to private school?

Private schools are often better able to maintain a lower student-to-teacher ratio, meaning that students get more attention from their teachers and can benefit from a more individualized learning experience.

Whats the most expensive school in the UK?

Brighton College – £64,920 per year

You can read more about what it's actually like to go to the UK's most expensive private school, including student banquets and private jets, here.

What percentage of Oxford students went to private school?

It might top Cambridge in most of the rankings but The University of Oxford also has a higher percentage of students who come from private schools. This year, 31.4 per cent of Oxford students come from a private school leaving 68.6 per cent of students state or grammar school educated.

Are kids in private schools happier?

Private schooling does not make people any happier in life than going through the state system, new research suggests. Academics found no difference in wellbeing between young adults who had attended fee-paying schools and those who went to comprehensives.

Are private school kids happy?

The researchers conclude that, overall, there was no convincing evidence of a difference in mental health or life satisfaction between the private and state school pupils, either in their teenage years or in their early 20s.

Are private school students happier?

The results suggest that there was no private school advantage for boys' mental health at any age. Whilst at aged 16, girls in private schools had slightly better mental health than their state school counterparts. No such difference was seen at 14 or 25.