UK Independent Schools Directory

The United Kingdom education system has been deeply influenced by the social class structure.  The traditional view was that education was the responsibility of the family and the sons of the nobility were educated in their own homes by tutors.  Bishops also set up church schools to give instruction to prospective clergymen.  Some of the earliest schools were set up to offer scholarships to boys from poorer backgrounds, but the pupils were still the sons of gentlemen.

The majority of public schools were set up during the 18th and 19th centuries to meet the growing demand from middle and upper class families.  As the British Empire spread wider, the sons of expatriates  were sent back to the United Kingdom for their education.  Some of the charitable schools evolved into fee-charging institutions whilst still offering a number of scholarships to disadvantaged pupils and this continues today.

In 2010, around 7% of children in the United Kingdom attend independent schools, of which there are over 2200. All of them are required to meet regulatory standards and the majority are funded by fees; some independent schools are run as charitable trusts under the control of a Board of Governors.

There are a number of associations of independent schools, most notably the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) and the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) at senior level and the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools at prep school level. Many independent Sixth Form and Tutorial Colleges belong to the Council for Independent Further Education (CIFE).