Independent Schools and Colleges

These are also known as public schools and cater to the needs of private education in the UK. (Note: the use of public school in the UK should not be confused with the use of public schools in the US or Canada – in the UK a public school is Not a state school, it is a private, fee paying institution usually with a prestigious reputation and entrance exams). UK public schools may be independent day schools or independent boarding schools. Independent day schools do not have boarding facilities and usually cater to children and young people aged 7-17 years old. However, where the school include a primary and reception class, it may be for children as young as 4 years old. Independent schools can be mixed gender, for only boys or for only girls. The school year starts in September and finishes in July and there are three terms. Boarding schools are the same as day schools; the only difference is that children board during the term-time. The annual fees include charges for education, boarding and lodging and fees are commonly £24,000 a year. Other charges usually have to be paid for separately such as music, excursions, special sports training, horse riding and so on.

Public schools, particularly boarding schools, are a unique part of the British education system. They are usually at a high academic level and include AS and A-levels, IB, the Cambridge Pre-U diploma, BTEC and courses of several other awarding bodies.