First, we have to deal with some confusing terminology. The terms “private”, “public”, and “independent” all mean the same thing in the UK – you have to pay! The term "public school" still generally only applies to schools that are charities, rather than those making a profit. The preferred term now is “independent school”.

Traditional Public Schools

Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester, Charterhouse, Marlborough, and so on. Often set up by Royal Charter or by religious groups or tradesmens’ guilds to educate their children and now almost all having charitable status. Characterised by a high emphasis on traditional classical education, excellent sporting and academic facilities, and high teacher-pupil ratios.

Independent Schools

This term covers all fee-paying schools which are independent of government control over admissions. They still mainly teach the National Curriculum (GCSEs and so on), but many are now offering the International Baccalaureate instead of or as well as A-Levels. They are sometimes new schools set up in the private sector, but mostly they tend to have long histories such as Eton, founded 1440 and Harrow in 1572 You still have to pass an exam to get in, it’s called The Common Entrance Exam, and it is normally taken at age 13 because pupils at independent schools normally enter at a later age than in the state sector. They vary enormously in ethos and quality, of course, but again your GetSet advisor will be able to advise which of them is most suitable for your needs.

Boarding Schools

Not a separate category in itself but worth mentioning. Not all public and independent schools have boarding as a lot of them are day schools. Some of the schools that were once just boarding schools now have many places for day students. Unaccompanied overseas students will need to be placed at a boarding school, preferably one that is predominantly boarding as opposed to a day school that has just a few boarding places. Call GetSet and our counsellors will help you select the right school for your child.

Coed or Single Sex?

Coed means boys and girls studying together though if at a coed boarding school, the boys and girls are housed in separate boarding houses. Most schools are now coed but a few boys schools and girls schools remain. There are many pros and cons for both coed and single sex education but the decision is ultimately that of the parents. GetSet can help bring to your attention many of the different issues surrounding this question.

Ardingly College                       Ashford School                     Brighton College

Bromsgrove School                  Concord College                    Dulwich College

Hurtwood House                      Kent College                         Mill Hill School

Monkton Combe School           Queen Ethelburga's School     Rossall School

Sherborne School                   Sidcot School                        St Edmund's School

Wrekin School

Sixth-Form Colleges

These began to become popular in the 1960s and generally provide a high level of tuition, doing well in league tables. Most are government funded and form an integral part of the secondary education system, preparing 16-18 year-olds for university via A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate. Other courses such as BTEQ and NVQ are available at many.

Tutorial Colleges

Tutorial colleges offer a more intense academic preparation, and are successful at raising less academic students to the level required for university entrance, preparing students to re-sit their A-Levels, and preparing overseas students for university entrance, mostly via the A-Level route. Many also offer language training, GCSEs, and other further education qualifications. As they are more intensive, and have a higher teacher-student ratio than most other institutions, they tend to be a bit more expensive. Your GetSet advisor will be able to advise whether or not your child would be better suited to this kind of intensive academic environment.

Ashbourne Independent 6th Form College    Bellerbys Colleges

CATS Cambridge                                          CATS Canterbury

Notre Dame Catholic 6th Form College

International Study Centres

As the name suggests, these are schools set up to teach overseas pupils from an early age to ages 16 or 18, and prepare them for university entrance or as a stepping stone to enter a UK independent school. They are privately funded and specialise in giving a British education to overseas students who have completed some of their education abroad. The schools are specially geared towards the particular needs of overseas students preparing for independent school or university and are very suitable for students who were not educated abroad in English. Your GetSet advisor can discuss with you whether this sort of school or a UK-student-focused school would be best for you.

Kent College                                  King's School Ely              Rossall School

Sherborne School                          Taunton School