Why choose independent education?
Independent schools encourage children to develop their strengths both in and out of the classroom, ensuring that special talents are nurtured, whether on the sports field or in the arts. The child's individual needs are the highest priority and good independent schools enable all children to achieve their best, whatever their academic ability.
Each school has its own ethos and atmosphere; a school may be based in town or in the country, it may offer boarding facilities and it may offer places on a co-educational or single-sex basis.
Independent schools are able to offer small class sizes and provide plenty of individual attention. Many schools offer excellent facilities including specialist science blocks, theatres and sports centres. Levels of pastoral care in independent schools are extremely high and the schools emphasise the values that will eventually help children to embark on their adult lives as responsible and confident young people.
Independent schools are obliged to meet rigorous inspection standards and schools belonging to one of the Independent Schools Council constituent associations are inspected every six years by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). The ISI is monitored by Ofsted working on behalf of the Department for Education. Other independent schools in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are inspected by the inspection body of the relevant nation.
Faced with choosing among so many excellent schools, parents may be overwhelmed by the number of options available to them. Gabbitas Education has been providing professional guidance to parents from the UK and around the world for many years and has expertise covering all aspects of independent education.
