SCIS is an independent, educational charity (Scottish Charity Number SC018033) representing over 70 member schools that educate more than 32,000 children of mixed abilities from diverse backgrounds. SCIS promotes choice, diversity and excellence in Scottish education.
SCIS operates through a board of governors and management committee comprising heads, bursars and governors elected by member schools. The day-to-day work of SCIS is carried out by the Director, John Edward, and a team of six staff based at SCIS offices in Edinburgh. The main areas of work are public affairs, a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) for school staff, marketing and research.
SCIS seeks to:
• communicate and negotiate with the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government, MSPs and MPs, and public and private bodies on behalf of the independent sector
• advise member schools and their governing bodies on educational developments and legislation affecting independent schools
• advance education through curriculum development and the training of teachers
• provide information for parents, the public, the media and other interested bodies.
Independent schools in Scotland – choice, diversity, excellence
Independent schools in Scotland come in all shapes and sizes – boarding and day, small and large, urban and rural, co-educational and single sex. As well as mainstream schools, there are also a number of residential special schools for young people with additional support needs. Every school has its own distinctive ethos, but all share the common goal of enabling each individual pupil to be all they can be. The schools enjoy a reputation for excellence – they offer a safe and purposeful learning environment, a broad curriculum, consistently good exam results and a wealth of co-curricular activities and outdoor pursuits.
Independent schools in Scotland have a strong tradition of academic attainment, reflected in pupils’ performance in public exams. Most schools follow the Scottish curriculum with exams awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). However, most of the boarding schools follow the English curriculum and offer GCSEs, AS-levels and A-levels. Some now offer the International Baccalaureate and others are considering its merits.
All schools in membership of SCIS are registered with the Scottish Government Schools Directorate and are subject to inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) and the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (SCRC). All schools in Scotland – both state and independent – are inspected by HMIE.
Supporting the teaching profession
A strong advocate of teaching as a profession, SCIS encourages young people to develop their careers as teachers. SCIS is represented on the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), which enables the independent sector to play a role in maintaining professional standards. Often regarded as ‘the jewel in its crown’, SCIS organises a programme of CPD for member schools, with conferences, seminars and workshops for teaching and non-teaching staff running every day of the school year in venues around Scotland. All schools in membership of SCIS provide
post-qualifying, induction-year training for student teachers, and SCIS takes part in the universities’ annual recruitment fairs, where it promotes the benefits of teaching in an independent school.
The SCIS information service
Information, advice and guidance about the choice of independent schools in Scotland are provided free of charge by SCIS staff who know every school and what is has to offer. Information is also provided about entrance procedures, curriculum and qualifications, boarding, support for learning and applying for financial assistance. SCIS also provides statistical data such as pupil numbers, school fees and exam results.
A directory of independent schools [link to www.scis.org.uk/publications] is produced annually in September and distributed around the world.
Further information
Further information about SCIS and its activities can be found in its annual review, Activities and Achievements 2009, Vision and Values 2010, which is available online at www.scis.org.uk/publications.
For information about independent schools in Scotland, please contact:
Sarah Randell, SCIS, 21 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7PE, Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)131 220 2106 Fax: +44 (0)131 225 8594
E-mail: info@scis.org.uk Web: www.scis.org.uk