Childrens Independent Schools

Q. What are childrens independent schools?

A. Childrens independent schools are childrens private schools, or childrens public schools, which are mainly (if not absolutely) self-supporting.

Usually, they receive no funds from the local authority or the government – unlike the state-funded schools.

Invariably, they financially support themselves entirely - from the school fees and holding fund raising events. Occasionally, they receive monetary support from benefactors.

It is, therefore, necessary that all schools in the private sector make a charge to parents - for the education of their offspring. Fees for youngsters, in attendance at childrens independent schools, can differ tremendously from one public school to another. As one would expect, the most prestigious of these educational establishments charge the highest of fees.

However, many schools in the private sector offer bursaries, scholarships and awards.

To qualify for acceptance, at many of these childrens independent schools, childrens academies or colleges, it is not always just a question of having the necessary income to be able to afford the school fees. A child will often need to achieve high grades in a common entrance exam, and/or will be required to prove an outstanding talent, – before he/she is offered a place at a particular independent school, academy or college. Childrens entrance exams are generally offered at such ages as eleven, thirteen and sixteen. Many private educational establishments cannot meet the demand - of the number of children wishing to attend their individual place of education. This particularly relates to all those schools, academies and colleges, which regularly reach high levels of excellence, in recognised examinations, for the vast majority of their pupils. Therefore, the result of the child’s entrance exam often plays a large part in the school’s decision – as to whether or not to offer a place, for a child, at their particular school.

Parents may wish their child to apply to a number of independent schools. If several of these schools then offer their child a placement, - it will then be necessary for parents to make the decision, on the chosen place of learning, on behalf of their offspring.

Thousands of childrens independent schools offer boarding accommodation. Some childrens boarding schools admit youngsters as young as three years old.

There are also non-residential childrens independent preparatory schools, - many of which accept children from the age of three years old until the child reaches the age of thirteen years.

Many public schools accept children at sixteen years of age – enabling a teenager to complete their final two years, of secondary schooling, in their place of learning.

Some childrens independent schools have strong connections with a religion or an ethnic background. The youngsters attending these particular schools will be encouraged to expand their knowledge – relative to the type of school. There are independent Church of England Schools, independent Roman Catholic Schools, independent Hindu Schools and others besides.

There are numerous independent childrens schools and academies, around the globe, which specialize in a definite theme – including childrens independent ballet schools, childrens independent sports schools, childrens independent drama schools, childrens independent art schools and childrens independent music schools. As well as providing a good all-round general education, these particular types of places of learning - also strive to increase the abilities of their students – in respect of the school or academy’s theme.

Although many childrens independent schools are only able to cater for mainstream children, without special needs, - there are some private schools, academies and colleges which may also have facilities to cater for children with learning difficulties, behaviour disorders, sight and hearing problems, personality disorders, or other physical or mental disabilities. Many schools will accept children who are not suffering from severe physical, or mental, disabilities – but would be unable to offer a placement for a child with a more severe disability. This would be due to the fact that they neither possess the necessary and appropriate facilities - nor the requisite members of trained staff.

But there are many excellent private schools which cater purely for different childrens particular special needs.

High academic achievements, or bringing on a child to the highest degree in his/her abilities, is always considered to be one of the top (if not THEE top) priorities at the majority of childrens independent schools.