Question 1

How much do private schools cost?

Accepted Answer

Private school fees vary widely. Day school fees typically range from £10,000 to £25,000 per year for senior schools; boarding fees range from £25,000 to £50,000. Prep schools (ages 4–13) generally charge £8,000–£18,000 per year as day schools. Many schools offer sibling discounts, and means-tested bursaries can significantly reduce fees.

Question 2

How are independent schools inspected?

Accepted Answer

Most independent schools are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. ISI inspections assess educational quality and compliance with independent school standards. Some smaller independent schools are inspected by Ofsted. Check each school's profile on Eduscope for its latest inspection report and rating.

Question 3

What bursaries and scholarships are available?

Accepted Answer

Many independent schools offer means-tested bursaries that can cover 10% to 100% of fees. Academic, music, art, drama, and sport scholarships are also common, though these typically offer a fee reduction rather than full coverage. Bursary availability and criteria vary by school — contact admissions directly to ask about what's available.

Question 4

How many private schools are in England?

Accepted Answer

There are approximately 2,600 independent schools in England, educating around 600,000 pupils — about 7% of the school-age population. They range from large boarding schools with 1,000+ pupils to small prep schools with fewer than 100 pupils. Around 1,300 are members of the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

Question 5

What is the difference between a prep school and a senior school?

Accepted Answer

Prep schools (preparatory schools) cater for ages 4–11 or 4–13, preparing pupils for senior school entry at 11+ or 13+ (Common Entrance exam). Senior independent schools typically cover ages 11–18 or 13–18. Some schools are 'all-through', covering ages 3 or 4 through to 18 under one roof.

Question 6

Do private schools have to follow the National Curriculum?

Accepted Answer

No — independent schools are not required to follow the National Curriculum. Many still prepare pupils for GCSEs and A-levels (or IGCSEs and Pre-U), but they have more freedom over what and how they teach. Some offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) or a fully bespoke curriculum.

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