Education: Independent sector

Question 1

Independent sector education

Answer 1

Independent or private schools are fee paying schools. The fees can range from £5000 to £30000 a year.
They are not controlled by the government.
They tend to be boarding schools.
There are 1280 independent schools in Britain.
7-8% of all children in Britain go to independent schools.
Preparatory schools are independent primary schools.
Public schools are seen as the best of the schools in the independent sector. They include such boys’ boarding schools as Eton, Harrow and Rugby

Question 2

Independent sector education

Answer 2

Attendance of independent schools leads to Oxbridge and top jobs in the civil service, law, etc.
This tends to be associated with the old boys’ network.

Question 3

Independent schools and the government

Answer 3

Independent schools own their financial existence to a legal anomaly, which allows them to register as charities, just like OXFAM or the RSPCA.
This gives them tax relief on their income and a reduction on rates.
Therefore, the taxpayer subsidizes the private sector to the tune of over 500 million pounds a year.

Question 4

why do independent schools do so much better?

Answer 4

Smaller class sizes
Better facilities
Longer school hours
Better discipline

Question 5

For public schools

Answer 5

• People should be free to spend their money the way they choose, including on education for their children.
• Independent schools are a part of British tradition. They are successful and should therefore be left alone.
• Independent schools are better than state schools – they have better results, resources, class sizes and discipline.
• It is good that there is a diversity of schools for parents and children to choose from.
• The existence of independent schools in a borough increases competition between schools thus helping to improve standards in all schools.

Question 6

against public schools

Answer 6

• The ruling class lack the motivation to improve the state sector as they tend to send their children to independent schools.
• The system perpetuates divisions in society. Public school students have an unfair advantage of sponsored mobility – being prepared for the rise to the top.
• Independent schools fail to promote cultural diversity as they attract upper and middle class, white students. – These children then miss out on integrating with other social groups.
• Statistics show that top universities have an unequal proportion of students from the independent sector. -
• This disadvantages highly able state school students as it reduces their chance of being accepted at Oxbridge.