Why choose an independent school?

Every Spring, parents brace themselves to discover which primary schools have been allocated to their children. The news will be a cause for celebration for some and disappointment for others. Either way, it’s a hugely important moment. There are few things, after all, likely to have as big an impact on your child’s young life as their first school and those early experiences of formal education. However, have you considered all the options? 

Independent schools may not be on your radar. There are certainly plenty of parents within our group of schools who tell us that an independent education never crossed their minds until a chance conversation with a friend, concerns about their child’s progress, or a last-minute decision to visit an Open Day led them to explore the idea and ultimately decide that it was the right choice for them.

More affordable than you may think

A common misconception is that an independent education is only within reach of the wealthiest families. However, independent schooling does not have to come with an exceptionally high price tag. More affordable schools can offer an academically ambitious education, excellent teaching and a wealth of opportunities without the premium fees often associated with the independent sector. At The Mead, families benefit from a challenging curriculum, strong academic foundations and excellent outcomes, with 88% of pupils who sat the Kent Test this year assessed as suitable for grammar school. Beyond the classroom, children have access to an extensive range of opportunities across sport, music, drama, the arts and wider enrichment. It is about finding a school that offers the right balance of academic ambition, opportunity and value, demonstrating that an excellent independent education need not be prohibitively expensive.

Choice 

If a private school is within your reach, the first benefit is choice. If your budget can accommodate it and if space allows, the private school route puts you in control and allows you to choose a school that you decide is right for your child. Few private prep schools have an entry exam, although they may assess your child to make sure that he or she will get the right level of support. 

It is also worth remembering that private schools only do well if they are strong and competitive. The independent nature of schools sets the standard and provides added accountability.

Smaller classes and no combined year groups allow the individual to flourish

Whenever we ask our parents what made them choose our school, the top reason is small class sizes. State schools typically have 30 children in a class, and in the smaller schools, that might also result in children across several year groups being taught by one teacher in one classroom.

The higher teacher-to-child ratio in private schools ensures that every child gets more time and attention. Private school classes are frequently half the size of their state school counterparts, making it far easier to tailor an education to the individual child, identifying strengths and weaknesses and adapting the learning accordingly. In the early years, it might result in something as fundamental as having enough time to hear everyone in the class read three times a week. As the children grow, teachers can provide increased support for those needing it and extra challenges to stretch the more gifted boys and girls.

It’s not just the teacher’s time that is more generously shared. Small classes give children more access to the best resources, such as computers, science equipment or musical instruments, or increased opportunities to play sport for the school or take on positions of responsibility. There is enough flexibility to focus on the children as people and not just pupils, with more room to develop camaraderie, good manners, compassion and resilience.

Facilities

Even without the big ticket items mentioned above, a private school usually provides lots of outdoor space and frequently beautiful and inspirational surroundings, to nurture the spirit and fire learning. Private prep schools often have the sort of resources you would only find in a state secondary school, such as dedicated science and art rooms or IT suites stocked with computers and 3D printers. Along with sports pitches, there will be properly equipped performance spaces where children can build confidence in public speaking and drama, and with an increasing focus on outdoor learning, many schools have dedicated Forest School sessions.

Excellent teaching

Of course, private schools don’t have a monopoly on enthusiastic, talented and inspired teachers. However, they do give those same teachers better opportunities to deliver an outstanding education and much more flexibility in how the curriculum is delivered, unencumbered by budget cuts and limited resources. 

You are likely to find more subject experts, so that children will be taught science and modern foreign languages by a dedicated lead and sport by qualified coaches. As children approach the end of their time at prep school, they will be well prepared for any entry exams to independent or grammar senior schools they need to take.

Opportunities to find strengths, interests and passions from broad curricular and extra-curricular offerings

Unlike state schools, independent schools are not bound by the National Curriculum. This gives head teachers the opportunity to broaden the offering, expand individualised learning and make education exciting and engaging with the creative curriculum. 

Time will be found for all sorts of varied experiences to help prepare the children for the future, including entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities. There are also significantly more opportunities for sport, with high-quality coaching and regular matches with other schools. Swimming lessons are pretty standard fare in private schools, as well as less common sporting activities such as Judo and Fencing. 

Beyond the classroom, there are other options that you would be unlikely to find in a primary school, including trips abroad, skiing holidays and sports tours.

This breadth of experience helps children develop a whole raft of qualities that will serve them well all their lives: confidence, resilience, initiative, perseverance, independence, adaptability and decision-making.

Convenience

When both parents work, which is often the case at schools in the Wishford group, childcare is a huge factor to consider. At most independent schools, the school day is a little longer, with wrap-around care, the option to have three hot meals a day and holiday camps on offer to make life easier for working parents.

Value for money! 

This may sound counter-intuitive, but a private education should be a really good investment. Choosing a private prep school doesn’t commit you to a private senior school. Within the Wishford Group schools, between a third and half of pupils move to state secondary and grammar schools. The thorough grounding they have received in those crucial early years gives them a real advantage when they arrive at secondary school, full of confidence to put themselves forward and grasp new opportunities and with an appetite for knowledge and a strong work ethic that make future learning easier and will have an impact long after they leave school altogether.

Discover more at our Open Day

A perfect way for you to find out more about independent schools and the fantastic opportunities they offer to your child is to visit one of our Open Days or take a personal tour of the school.

We look forward to meeting you then.