Secondary education (ages 11-18)

Independent secondary schools
At present there are around 900 fee-paying independent secondary schools in the UK. Although they are not required to teach the National Curriculum, they must register with the Department for Education and submit to regular inspections. These schools are often referred to as 'public' schools, even though most would-be pupils are excluded on the grounds of cost. (The name originated as a means of drawing a distinction between private education taught in the home by a tutor and that received alongside the sons of other gentlemen, 'in public'.) Independent secondary schools tend to be selective, with potential pupils being judged on their performance in the Common Entrance Examination and at interview.

Fees for independent schools vary between approximately £1,500 and £3,500 per term for day pupils (those who do not live at the school), and £2,500 to £4,500 for boarders. The high cost of private education is reflected in much smaller class sizes than ordinary state schools and, in many cases, vastly superior equipment and facilities.

Between 1981 and 1997 many independent schools offered reduced fees to parents of limited means under the Assisted Places Scheme. This scheme was, however, abolished in 1997 by the incoming government and seems unlikely to return in the near future. Some schools have compensated for this by increasing the number of scholarships they award but, inevitably, competition for these places is fierce in the extreme.

The Independent Schools Information Service provides details on fees and entry requirements for independent schools in the UK.

Single-faith schools
Until the Elementary Education Act of 1870, most people who received a free education did so at the hands of the Church. Despite state involvement dating from this time, religious bodies such as the Church of England and the Catholic Church still play a major role in the education of children in this country.

Priority for admission to church schools is given to children whose parents are active members of the church community. Unless you are especially active within your community your involvement will have to be verified by an appropriate church authority - but only if you are claiming this as grounds for preferential treatment. (If your attendance at church is limited to weddings and funerals you will not be considered to be an active member of your local church community.)

The coming years will see a significant rise in the numbers of schools under the care of other religious bodies. Children at single-faith schools are taught the same subjects as children in the mainstream, but the teaching of the faith runs like an unbroken seam through the curriculum. Anecdotal evidence suggests that children at single-faith schools tend, on the whole, to do slightly better in national examinations than their non-denominational counterparts.

In addition to Church of England and Catholic schools, the range of religious schools in the UK currently includes institutions set up by the Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Methodist faiths.

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