Independent Schools Council » ISCias

Welcome one, welcome all

Liam Butler — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:04:39 +0000

Independent schools have always welcomed students from outside the UK and today is no different. This thriving sector is continuing to welcome students from all over the world providing innovative ways of delivering a British education to thousands of students each year. In actual fact the number of pupils with parents abroad has increased year on year by over 5%!

The Independent Schools Council 2011 annual census documented over 24,500 non-British pupils in ISC schools from countries like Hong Kong, Russia, Japan, and the Middle East. The independent sector offers a wealth of opportunities for students with English as a second language with Cambridgeshire, amongst other counties, leading the way.

Independent schools cater for all types of students with International Schools, schools with International Study centres and those employing EFL/ESL professionals particularly successful at providing the support required for pupils from outside the UK. Mainstream independent schools in Cambridgeshire also educate pupils from outside the UK giving them a solid British education. There are a number of schools up and down the country with International study centres offering intensive English courses that, once completed, will allow the student to fully integrate with the rest of the school gaining valuable GCSE, IB, and/or A-level qualifications.

British education is envied the world over so it’s no wonder that thousands of students choose to spend time in the independent sector. Independent schools offer a wealth of opportunities for international students with the various curriculums on offer being one big selling point. Students have the option of studying for IB, IGCSE, A-Levels or the Pre-U choosing an education that fits their specific needs. With a plethora of options for those wishing to learn English and study at a British school it only stands to reason that the independent sector is continuing to attract healthy numbers of students from outside the UK.

Have a look round the classroom of the future…

Liam Butler — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:51:08 +0000

We often hear stories of pupils educated in the independent sector trekking off to a far flung destination on a field trip or charity expedition but what really goes on inside the classroom back here in the UK? With many schools advertising ‘open mornings’ or ‘open days’ now is the time to find out!

Independent schools are not obligated to teach the national curriculum so can choose the best way to teach their students and therefore have the option to teach ‘around’ the subject. Teachers can use this to their advantage and tailor each lesson to the abilities and personalities of the students in their class. While independent schools teach to the same core exam curriculum at senior level they are afforded a certain element of flexibility. Every child is different and independent schools give parents a unique opportunity to pick the school that fits their child’s style of learning. While some independent schools will help the academically gifted achieve their ultimate goal of an Oxbridge education others cater for those with special educational needs, music ability and sporting skill.

The expedited technological developments that we have all seen in the past couple of years have not gone unnoticed in schools and what was once seen as a distraction in the classroom is starting to be embraced by schools keen to equip students with transferable life skills. Once upon a time a student might be chastised for ‘Google-ing’ a word on their iphone in a History lesson but teachers might now take the opportunity to use this as a tool to further engage their students with the curriculum. The teacher might use the search results as a way of talking the class through the sources available in the Google search result and how to identify primary, secondary and unreliable sources.

The Independent Schools Council’s own ICT Expert Group has blogged on the issue and explains how teachers can use the video function on their student’s Smartphone to upload science experiments straight to youtube using the school’s own wireless network. Effective teacher lead learning is no longer confined to the classroom as the online communities that are being created can aid with questions students might have outside of the typical school day. Pupils could even be encouraged by their teacher to comment on the Youtube video of that day’s lesson as part of their homework assignment. Some independent schools encourage their teachers to create Facebook ‘groups’ for classes in order to answer any questions pupils might have about coursework or the lesson that day. Technology is becoming more integrated in our everyday lives and the same is certainly true of the classroom.

The increased presence of technology including ICT in independent schools has not just benefitted the academic high flyers with learning support departments embracing the use of multimedia and various software packages to help those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and other special educational needs. Kingsley School in Devon is a prime example of one of the 100s of independent schools up and down the country that have felt the benefits of using technology to help those who need extra support with writing or reading. Their learning support unit is typical of many independent schools with modern Mac computers and skilled teaching staff working with students in order to help them gain the necessary skills to help to access the curriculum.

Independent schools are embracing the advancements in technology and curricula and doing their best to enable their students to participate successfully in life after school, whether it is at university or in employment. So why not sign up for an open day and see for yourself?

GAP years for the twitter generation

Liam Butler — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:20:46 +0000

After what seems like an eternity of exams you can’t blame the average 18 year old for wanting to take a year out before embarking on university life or the world of work. Many may scoff at the idea of a ‘year off’ but when you consider the options available and the benefits in the long run it may not necessarily be a bad thing!

Many students opt to work abroad during their gap year studying for a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification before jetting off to countries like China and North Korea. Not only does the experience promote responsibility and self reliance it also equips youngsters with transferable skills that can be used in many aspects of life back home. Classroom management, lesson planning and adapting to an entirely new culture are just some of the aspects of teaching English abroad that students will need to succeed in. This option also allows for independent travel during school holidays and companies like i-to-i and GAPYEAR.com have interactive blogs detailing the adventures of these teachers.

Another option is to volunteer abroad or in the UK for charities that make a tangible difference to the lives of others. Students are encouraged to use their individual skills and talents to affect change. Students who might be applying for a university place to study journalism might find themselves in a community project in India writing promotional material educating on the plight of Orphans or those with disabilities. A experience like this will not only be fulfilling on a personal level but will give valuable experiences that are likely to benefit a CV. Universities and employers are looking for anything that makes a candidate stand out and a year in India writing for a local newspaper will do just that!

However, with university places on many courses becoming even more sought after many students opt to take a year out to work and retake examinations in order to maximise their chance of getting into their preferred institution. Students may decide to work part time or take a temporary job to fund their ‘year off’ whilst attending college in order to boost their exam grades. Once again this approach might give them the edge on other candidates later in life with previous work experience being a major plus on any graduates CV.

Nowadays there are plenty of options open to those finishing school and the internet has a fantastic number of sites dedicated to helping youngsters find the route that best suits them. So whether it is teaching English in Nepal; building a medical centre in Peru; or studying for another A-Level back at home; there are plenty of valuable and worthwhile opportunities to be had!

Forget the gold rush, now it’s time for the green rush!

Liam Butler — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:45:07 +0000

The green agenda seems to dominate the press these days with energy efficiency at the top of the political agenda so it’s hardly surprising that independent schools are no different with sustainability and conservation featuring prominently both inside and outside the classroom.

The examinations boards have even started to include conservation topics as part of the biology curriculum and green energy examples as part of the maths and physics papers. Green initiatives aren’t just dominating exam papers with schools now encouraging green after school clubs, conservation expeditions, as well as guest speakers to come into schools and address pupils on sustainability and environmental issues.

King’s College, Taunton, is one such school at the forefront of this green revolution with students, teachers and non-teaching staff all coming together as part of a wider initiative to educate each other on sustainability. The scheme has proved so popular that it has become an integral part of the schools ethos prompting waste and recycling initiatives including an ‘anti-food waste program’ encouraging the school community to ‘’Take what you Eat and Eat What You Take’.

The school’s chaplains, along with students, have begun to grow organic vegetables in raised flower beds in the school grounds and they have even taken in some ex-battery chickens!

King’s College, like many independent schools in the UK, has luscious grounds with the space needed to house various biodiversity projects. In conjunction with the Biology department and the importance placed on biodiversity in the curriculum the school has allocated an area of GRANIK – an area where the grass is allowed to grow longer to encourage a wider variety of animals and plants.

Schools all over the UK have begun to invest time and money into green projects and it’s only a matter of time before we all reap the rewards of the hard work of students and teachers alike.

So why not come and see for yourself, school Open Days are a great opportunity to sample an independent education. View more information on School Open Days and independent schools in Cambridgeshire.

Charity in time for Christmas

Charity in time for Christmas

Liam Butler — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:53:22 +0000

Independent school students up and down the country have been taking part in all sorts of weird and wonderful activities in order to raise money for various charitable causes. Everything from sponsored silences to bake sales have raised thousands for good causes in 2010.

Fashion Shows seem to be one of the more popular charitable activities with many schools opting to have their art and design classes create clothing for students to model to parents, teachers and even local businesses. Both Fettes College, Edinburgh and Lavant House, Chichester held successful shows this year with Fettes College raising over £4000 pounds. Fettes College devoted their efforts to help Flora Stevenson Primary raise funds for their playground. Lavant House’s show benefitted five different charities, Living Waters Ministries, Canine Partners, Oxfam, Chestnut Tree House and St Wilfrid’s Hospice. Head Girl, Isabel Costello, at Lavant House said, ‘I wanted to organise a Charity Fashion Show since Fifth Form and this dream became reality in my last year at Lavant House due to the commitment and kindness of the girls at Lavant House.’

St Mary’s School, Calne held a ‘Ted’s Big Day Out’ inviting girls to donate a pound to bring a Teddy bear to school. All proceeds went to the local Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

Independent schools throughout Cambridgeshire have also taken part in various charitable activities throughout the year and most put details in the ‘News’ sections of their websites.

On the ISC website there is a school search facility allowing you to schools that match your criteria. This is particularly important as schools are now beginning to close for the Christmas holidays but some still have open days allowing parents to visit and ask questions. You may even choose to ask questions about charitable events the schools have taken part in similar to those mentioned in this article.

For free impartial information from ISCias (ISC information and advice service) on all types of independent schools including both day and boarding schools, you can call 0845 SCHOOLS (7246657) or email information@isc.co.uk. We are available to help week-days 9-5.

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Fancy a career change?

Liam Butler — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:37:57 +0000

Do you fancy a career change, one that gives you the opportunity to shape the young lives of children on a day to day basis and one that is as much about vocation as it is about career? Independent schools up and down the country are opening their doors to prospective teachers who want to find out a little more about teaching in the independent sector. Many schools offer Teacher Taster Days allowing you the opportunity to see what it is really like teaching in an independent school.

Teacher Taster Days can include things like lesson observation, school tours and discussion groups with current teachers so why not visit the Teaching Zone area of the ISC website and sign up to a Teacher Taster Day in your area?

It is well worth the time and effort expended to contact some independent schools in your local area, to ask if you can visit departments and classrooms, and talk to key members of staff.

Some experienced professionals looking for a career change are taking advantage of the Graduate Teaching Programme where you can learn ‘on the job’. You are hired as an ‘unqualified’ teacher and you train and learn, whilst teaching, in order to gain Qualified Teacher Status. This option will appeal to older career changers as it doesn’t mean a break from work and income.

So, if you’ve always wondered what it would be like to teach in the independent sector and want more information then feel free to either contact the schools listed on the Teacher Taster Day section of our website or contact schools in your area directly.

Looking for your first teaching job?

Amy Cheung — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:33:42 +0000

For many graduates who wish to pursue a teaching career, finishing a degree and trying to look for a job in the ‘right’ school can be an overwhelming experience. After completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education a couple of years ago, I found myself in a daunting situation. My main priority, as with the majority of teaching graduates, was to find a teaching job at a good school. It was very important to me to find a school where I would enjoy my NQT induction year, and not be put off teaching. There are currently so many teaching job agencies and job sites offering various teaching opportunities, that choosing the right site, and then looking for a job becomes in itself a stressful task.

The Independent Schools Council Job Zone is a free, web based resource, catering for those looking to work in an independent school. The Job Zone allows you to search easily for both teaching and support staff roles; which can be found at www.isc.co.uk. You are instantly able to refine your job search by selecting from various options depending on what kind of role interests you, and in which kind of school you would like to work. The ISC is the umbrella body representing 1,260 independent schools in the UK, Ireland, and overseas; providing a vast range of job opportunities in schools whether boarding or day; preparatory or senior; urban or rural schools; and large or small. The Job Zone aims to provide a user-friendly, informative and time-saving service in order to help make your job searching process easier and more successful.

Applications for teacher training courses are up by 36% across England (Telegraph, 28th June 2010), after the coalition government pledged funding for front-line teachers would be protected. As we see an increase to the profession, it is even more important that you make your application count. Teacher Taster Days are a great way to find out a bit more about what it’s like working in an independent school – details can be found on www.isc.co.uk in the Teaching Zone.

School league tables, websites and independent schools guides: How do I decide which school is best for my child?

Liam Butler — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:12:00 +0000

In the digital age of instant news, interactive review sites and numerous school league tables how do you decide which independent school is the best for your child? Liam Butler, Senior Information Officer, who works for the Independent Schools Council information & advice service (ISCias) explains the sorts of things you should be doing to help pick the right school for your son or daughter.

Should I take notice of a school league table that is produced by a reputable organisation such as the Times or the BBC?
Each year several organisations produce academic school league tables of A-Levels and GCSEs as well as giving schools ‘value-added’ scores. The thing to remember with these school league tables is that they all have their own criteria and methodology for calculating which school is the ‘best’. Another thing to remember is that every child is different and not all pupils will benefit from a school that is consistently at the top of the school league tables year on year. ISC represents all of its 1260+ member schools equally so does not rank independent schools based on a set criteria. On the ISC website you can find in our Publications section the latest A-Level and GCSE results. These are in alphabetical order and will give parents an idea of the type of grades that pupils at each school achieve. This will obviously help parents if they wish to discover the academic standing of a school. However, parents must use this to complement their other research activities.

Independent school year books are a great resource for reviews aren’t they?
There are many books that are published each year stuffed with reviews about many of ISC’s 1260+ independent schools. They are useful tools if used in the right way; parents must remember that these are subjective opinions based on one person’s experience and not to be taken as gospel. Your thoughts on the school could be drastically different. So, as long as you keep this in mind they are not to be disregarded altogether. If you are looking for a more succinct report based on strict criteria it might be worth reading the Independent Schools Inspectorate’s (ISI) report on the school by visiting their website. As with all resources looking at independent schools it is always a good idea to put them into context and consider who, and why, someone is writing the review. Are they looking to promote the school? Are they giving accurate advice? Once again, by all means use these guides but as a complementary resource along with other research.

What is the best method of comparing schools?
School inspection reports, websites, reviews and school league tables are all useful indicators of a schools success but there is no substitute for visiting and having a look around. If possible it is always a good idea to talk to pupils at the school to get a sense of the type of student your child will become in that environment. Are the children confident, friendly and happy? When visiting an independent school it is advisable to take a list of questions to ask the person showing you around. Some examples of things to ask are:

- Typically, how many students are in a class?
- What access do boarders have to the facilities after lessons have finished?
- How much direct contact will we, as parents, have with teachers?
- Do you cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs?
- What is the percentage of school leavers that go onto university?
- What support mechanisms are there for those who struggle with maths and English?
- Are you considering offering any other curricula in the future like the IB or Pre-U?
- What clubs and extra-curricular activities are on offer for students, even if they don’t board?
- How many hours of compulsory sport is there?
- Does the school offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or any volunteer schemes for students?

For more questions to ask please visit the ISC website and navigate to the Parent Zone.

How do I make the final decision?
All of these resources are available easily but nobody can make your mind up for you. Our general advice line 0845 SCHOOLS (7246657) and website are able to help with your decision but ultimately it is up to you to decide which the best school is for your child. The independent school sector is successful because the flexibility its independence affords it. This means that you can choose a school that matches your child, effectively giving your child a bespoke education. Use the reviews, school league tables and websites but remember that none of these can even come close to experiencing the school for yourself. ISC’s advice: visit the school and ask lots of questions!

By Liam Butler, Senior Information Officer.

Interested in further information about school league tables?
Read our blog - ‘School League Tables’
Visit the following pages in our Parent Zone:
How do I decide which school is best for my child?
School league tables
School open days and questions to ask

Examination Results Day

Judith Fenn — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:30:46 +0000

Revision is over, examinations taken, and your son or daughter looks ahead to a long and hopefully hot summer, where the only cloud on the horizon is Results Day in August. The most important thing they can do is relax. The Upper Sixth is a tough year: UCAS predictions are followed swiftly by applications, and often interviews and tests; mocks arrive, are duly dissected, then the real thing appears.

Between the end of exams and results there is nothing that can usefully be done: worrying about results does NOT count as useful. The key is to enjoy the break, and to be well informed about the options that are available once results come out.

Option 1: results tally with the university offer. In this case, there is nothing to do. The offer will be automatically confirmed by UCAS, and the assumption is that it will be accepted (unless your child contacts UCAS to inform them otherwise).

Option 2: results narrowly miss the university offer. Tracking progress on the UCAS website will tell you if a decision has been made (and this often comes through on results day). If there is no status change this means the university is still considering their decision, and it is well worth your son or daughter (and it needs to be them, not a parent, or the school) making direct contact with them to reaffirm interest in the place. Usually, a final decision will be made within 1-2 days of results coming out. It is fair to say that an offer just missed for a popular course (Law, Medicine) at a popular university is less likely to be confirmed than a less ‘popular’ choice.

Option 3: results achieved and offer made are radically different from each other. If your child has missed their place, it is important that the first course which has space is not grabbed in an attempt to be somewhere, rather than nowhere. Look at which courses have places (clearing information is published on the UCAS website and in the Independent newspaper: use the ‘phone numbers provided), and consider these two questions: is this somewhere your son or daughter would wish to study; and if so, does this course suit their interests? If the answer to both of these is yes, AND if the requirements for the course are met by their exam results, a ‘phone call may elicit a verbal offer straightaway. It is possible to hold simultaneous offers and decide over a few days which will best suit.

What happens if there is no such course? It is better for your child to re-apply than to go to a place or study a subject which does not suit them. An impromptu GAP year is really not the worst thing that can happen to them (most GAP organisations still have schemes available, even at the 11th hour) in the medium term.

Option 4: results exceed expectation, and offers. In this case, it is possible to register for ‘Adjustment’, which will enable your son or daughter to reconsider where and what to study.

A short note about the International Baccalaureate: results come out in early July, and if offers are met, places will be confirmed by UCAS straightaway. If not, it is likely that no decision will be taken until the publication of the A Level results. If an offer has been missed by a whisker, it may be worth e-mailing the university to re-state interest in and enthusiasm for the course.

If your child is worried that they may not make their grades, be sure to seek the advice and help of the school, and to be around on results day (independent schools will be open, with key staff available, often including the Head). If action is appropriate, it will need to be swift, and this is far harder to manage from a beach in the Maldives.

Judith Fenn
Head of Schools’ Services
ISC

London Borough School Search (Independent schools)

Rosie Keeling — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:39:18 +0000

The ISC website contains several school searches for parents interested in independent schools, including a Postcode Search, the Find an ISC School Search, which allows parents to search by factors such as location, gender, age range and day/ boarding school and finally the Personalised Advanced School Search, which is a more sophisticated search enabling parents to search by a number of factors including those in the Find an ISC School Search but also including subjects, sports, examinations, religious affiliation and school fee assistance.

If you wish to find all independent schools within a particular London borough you can use the Postcode Search or view a list of all schools by London borough. Alternatively, click on the relevant London borough link below:

Once you click on a link for a particular borough you will see for each school within that borough a short description showing which of the following the school caters for:

GENDER: Boys, Boys (some girls) Girls, Girls (some boys), Boys and girls taught separately, Coeducational.

DAY/BOARDING: Day School, Boarding School, Weekly or Flexible Boarding School

AGE RANGE: Nursery, Pre Prep, Prep, Senior, Sixth Form

You can also click on the school name to go to a full profile page for that school providing lots of useful information and a link to the school’s website.

If you are looking for schools and would like some advice please contact our free ISC information and advice service on 0845 SCHOOLS (7246657). Why not also visit our Parent Zone. The Parent Zone gives information on a wide range of topics, examples including:

School fee assistance – information on types of school fee assistance such as bursaries and scholarships.

Boarding schools – interested in finding our about boarding school options?

School Open Day Search – search for school open days by school location and whether the school caters for boarding and or day as well as age range and child gender catered for.