Choosing a boarding school takes time, and careful research is essential if the right decisions are to be made. When beginning your search, it is helpful to have an understanding of the associations and organisations that provide advice and information on independent boarding schools in the UK.
The Independent Schools Council (ISC)
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is the main umbrella organisation of eight independent schools associations: HMC, SHMIS, GSA, IAPS, ISA, AGBIS, ISBA and COBIS. The ISC considers matters of policy and administration common to all its members, and, when required, speaks collectively on their behalf. It represents its constituent bodies in joint discussions with the Department for Education (DfE) and with other organisations.
Parents about to embark on sending their children to independent schools, particularly for the first time, can contact the Independent Schools Council information & advice service (ISCias) for advice (see the box below). ISCias can also provide specific advice for parents living outside the UK. Parents looking for information about boarding schools in Scotland can contact the Scottish Council of Independent Schools [link to SCIS page].
For further information about the ISC, visit www.isc.co.uk.
The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC)
An organisation of heads of boys’, girls’ and co-educational senior schools
HMC is made up of the headteachers (not the schools themselves) of 250 senior schools. It was founded in 1869, and exists to serve and support its members, to represent their views and to exemplify excellence in education. In particular, HMC seeks to: help heads to be more effective as leaders and managers; promote the discussion of national and international educational issues; and influence national policy and public opinion with regard to the independent sector. Members meet termly in geographical regions and once a year at the Annual Conference.
About a quarter of HMC schools consist mainly of boarders, whilst others have a smaller boarding element. Most schools are noted for their academic excellence, with around 95% of pupils going on to higher education. Only the heads of those schools that meet the rigorous membership criteria are admitted. Bursaries and scholarships provided by the schools give well over a quarter of the 199,000 pupils in HMC schools help with their fees. About 40,000 pupils are boarders.
All HMC schools are happy to receive direct enquiries. Other enquiries should be addressed to: Geoff Lucas, Secretary, HMC, 12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7QU
Tel: +44 (0)1858 469059 Fax: +44 (0)1858 469532
E-mail: hmc@hmc.org.uk Web: www.hmc.org.uk
The Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHMIS)
Society comprising the heads of just over 100 well-established senior schools
SHMIS is an organisation comprising just over 100 heads of boys’, girls’ and co-educational senior schools, most of which are smaller independent schools with a tradition of boarding, and which educate some 40,000 pupils. The Society was founded in 1961 to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and the pursuit of excellence in all spheres of school life. The Society also ensures that schools are inspected regularly, provides training opportunities for staff and promotes links with higher education.
All member schools provide education up to 18, with some sixth forms offering vocational courses alongside a wide range of AS- and A-levels. Many have junior schools attached. A number cater for pupils with special educational needs or for gifted dancers and musicians.
You can send enquiries about SHMIS to: Peter Bodkin, General Secretary, SHMIS, 12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7QU
Tel: +44 (0)1858 433760 Fax: +44 (0)1858 461413
E-mail: gensec@shmis.org.uk Web: www.shmis.org.uk [add links]
The Girls’ Schools Association (GSA)
The main association to which the heads of senior independent girls’ schools belong
GSA is the professional association representing the heads of leading girls’ independent schools. Its aims are to promote high standards of education for girls, inform and influence national educational debate, raise awareness of the benefits of single-sex education for girls, and support members through the provision of a broad range of services.
GSA also operates the MyDaughter website [link to www.mydaughter.co.uk], the first site dedicated to providing parents with information, expert opinion and lively debate on all aspects of raising and educating happy and fulfilled girls.
For further information about the GSA and an up-to-date list of members, contact: Sheila Cooper, Executive Director, GSA, 130 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7PG
Tel: +44 (0)116 254 1619 Fax: +44 (0)116 255 3792
E-mail: office@gsa.uk.com Web: www.gsa.uk.com
The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
IAPS represents the heads of more than 580 boys’, girls’ and mixed prep schools
IAPS is a professional body for heads of independent prep schools. With more than 600 schools worldwide, it actively defends and promotes the interests of its members. The Association provides professional support to members and their schools, giving advice on the curriculum, assessment, classroom and school organisation, and employment matters. It offers highly regarded professional development courses for heads and teachers. The requirements for heads’ membership are high and schools must undergo inspection to ensure that they reach accreditation standards.
For more about IAPS and its members’ schools, contact: David Hanson, Chief Executive, IAPS, 11 Waterloo Place, Leamington Spa CV32 5LA
Tel: +44 (0)1926 887833 Fax: +44 (0)1926 888014
E-mail: iaps@iaps.org.uk Web: www.iaps.org.uk
The Independent Schools Association (ISA)
Members include the heads of 297 junior and senior schools, and schools for children of all ages
The ISA comprises the heads of a variety of schools: co-educational and single-sex schools; boarding and day schools; senior and junior schools. The Association was founded in 1879 and currently has 296 member schools, which educate approximately 70,000 pupils. ISA admits heads when satisfied as to their suitability and the quality of their schools, usually following a successful ISI inspection. ISA’s schools are often values-driven and genuinely focus on meeting the needs of all pupils.
The Association arranges inter-school and inter-area competitions and festivals in sport, drama, art and music, and provides training opportunities and two annual conferences. It works in conjunction with other professional bodies in order to maintain due recognition for independent schools by the UK Government and the public.
For further information, contact: Neil Roskilly, Chief Executive Officer, ISA, 1 Boys’ British School, East Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1LS
Tel: +44 (0)1799 523619 Fax: +44 (0)1799 524892
E-mail: isa@isaschools.org.uk Web: www.isaschools.org.uk [add links]
The Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS)
AGBIS provides training, advice and guidance to governing bodies of member schools
Members of AGBIS are those schools whose heads belong to HMC, SHMIS, GSA, IAPS, ISA and COBIS, and who meet the current membership criteria, subject to the approval of the AGBIS Executive Committee. Associate membership is also available to members of the Scottish Independent Schools Council (SCIS) and the Welsh Independent Schools Council (WISC).
For more information, contact: Stuart Westley, General Secretary, AGBIS, The Grange, 3 Codicote Road, Welwyn, Herts AL6 9LY
Tel: +44 (0)1438 840730 Fax: +44 (0)5603 432632
E-mail: gensec@agbis.org.uk or admin@agbis.org.uk
Web: www.agbis.org.uk [add links]
Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA)
ISBA is a charitable company limited by guarantee whose object is the advancement of education in independent schools
ISBA achieves its object by providing support for independent schools, and through promoting best financial, administrative and operational practice. Although it is the school and not the bursar that is the member of ISBA, the bursar is usually the school’s nominated representative.
Full membership of ISBA is open to any school in membership of one of the ISC’s heads’ associations (HMC, SHMIS, GSA, IAPS, ISA and COBIS). Associate membership is open to other educational charities such as city academies. Currently, there are over 900 ISBA members, including some 30 overseas associate members.
For more information, contact: Jonathan Cook, General Secretary, ISBA, Unit 11–12, Manor Farm, Cliddesden, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG25 2JB
Tel: +44 (0)1256 330369 Fax: +44 (0)1256 330376
E-mail: office@theisba.org.uk Web: www.theisba.org.uk
Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
COBIS is a membership association with an international scope, representing British schools all over the world
COBIS is a membership association of high-quality British International Schools, with member and affiliate schools in more than 40 countries worldwide. COBIS accreditation is awarded to schools following a successful inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
COBIS was founded in 1981 as COBISEC (Council of British Independent Schools in the European Communities). As well as quality assurance in its member schools, a fundamental aim of COBIS is to support its members and represent their interests in Britain and overseas, particularly with government, education authorities and educational associations, in order to advance the interests of British schools outside the UK. COBIS also provides a forum for discussion through conferences, seminars and continuing professional development, as well as a network of support through contacts, consultancies, information and marketing.
For more about COBIS and its member schools, contact: Colin Bell, Executive Director, COBIS, Pembroke House, 8 St Christophers Place, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0NH
Tel: +44 (0)1252 513930
E-mail: executive.director@cobis.org.uk Web: www.cobis.org.uk