The Independent Schools Council is a politically independent, not-for-profit organisation representing 1,270 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children. It exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education, developing talent at all levels of ability and from all backgrounds.
The many dangers of sector-based discrimination
Posted on May 18th, 2011 by Kristen DiLemmo, under NewsLast weekend, the Telegraph released a brief report on Oxford University’s maintained sector intake being dominated by a small group of non-selective schools. The data revealed that of the places given to students from non-selective state schools, 25% came from…
Wolf Report reveals systemic failings of vocational training
Posted on March 4th, 2011 by Kristen DiLemmo, under NewsThe Wolf Report, a review of vocational education commissioned by the government, was published to great media attention yesterday. Professor Alison Wolf found that between a quarter and a third of 16-19 year olds (up to 400,000 pupils)…
Language studies in jeopardy, from primary to post grad
Posted on February 10th, 2011 by Kristen DiLemmo, under NewsDriven by concern for the state of language learning in the UK, the British Academy presented a position statement yesterday before a panel of professors, researchers, and Universities Minister David Willetts. The Academy set forth a series of…
Volcanoes, Sats boycotts and the transformation of the schools system
Posted on April 23rd, 2010 by AndrewHamilton, under NewsNot long after the news broke of volcanic ash and grounded flights, colourful articles followed in the press of the means schools were employing to teach pupils who were stranded abroad. One of the most seized-upon stories was that…
School league tables, websites and independent schools guides: How do I decide which school is best for my child?
Posted on July 15th, 2009 by Liam Butler, under ISCias, Inspection, Private Schools, School Curriculum - Private Schools, School Inspection, School League TablesIn 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…
An Independent Education: Promoting Flexibility and Choice
Posted on April 21st, 2009 by Liam Butler, under NewsEvery year it seems that some new qualification is launched and trialled to challenge the prevalence of A-levels in our schools. Indeed next year will see the first students sitting exams for the Pre-U, a brand new Cambridge International Examinations…
A Bright Spark: ‘Gifted and Talented’ in the Independent Sector
Posted on April 8th, 2009 by Liam Butler, under Boarding Schools, ISCias, News, Private Schools, Special Educational Needs (SEN)‘Gifted and Talented’ (G&T) children are defined as those who have one or more abilities developed significantly ahead of their year group or have the potential to develop these abilities. Helping Students achieve their full potential is certainly nothing new…
A big thank you from the Research & Intelligence team
Posted on March 24th, 2009 by Adele Gilpin, under News, Private SchoolsOn behalf of the Research & Intelligence team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank schools for submitting their Census data to us. We know that January is a busy time and filling in a Census form is…
Blogging from the DCSF Influential Heads’ Forum
Posted on March 3rd, 2009 by Alex Vail, under News, Public AffairsJoan Deslandes, Headteacher of Kingsford Community School started the day off with a keynote speech about why it is so important to work together for the good of all children. She is actively involved with a key partnership initiative with…
Prep Schools – A Tough Decision?
Posted on February 26th, 2009 by Liam Butler, under ISCias, Prep Schools, Private SchoolsAs the credit crunch bites it seems that many parents are cutting down on ‘luxuries’. This should mean a sharp downturn in pupils entering the independent sector and an increase in people moving into the state sector shouldn’t it? Perhaps not as more and more parents consider their child’s independent education to be a necessity rather than a luxury.