Why choose an independent education for your child?

As a parent, it’s natural to want to give your child every opportunity to discover what they’re good at and what they love doing in a safe and supportive environment. Which is why, in Scotland we are very fortunate. We have a wide range of first-rate independent schools to choose from. So whether you have a tech-loving future internet entrepreneur on your hands, or a child who craves hours of fresh air and exercise every day, Scotland’s independent schools can offer you the freedom to find the right educational environment for your son or daughter.

A healthy and diverse mix of backgrounds

Scotland has always placed great value on education, and today around 30,000 children and young people attend an independent school. Over 25% of pupils received financial assistance with fees in 2016-17, while nearly a third of boarders came from overseas.

The healthy mix of abilities and backgrounds that abound are as varied as the personalities of the children themselves, altogether making for a vibrant and modern community that mirrors the real world and will serve your child well for the future.

The independent school advantage

When children are young we often wonder what the future will hold. Will they be musical? Will they be academic? Who will they choose as their friends? Scotland’s independent schools are set up to give your child every opportunity both inside and outside the classroom.

The schools’ reputation for academic excellence is an obvious attraction for many parents. Smaller pupil/teacher ratios and significant investment in modern, stimulating teaching facilities attracts the highest calibre of teaching staff capable of igniting a passion for the subjects they teach.

Born digital natives, most children and young people today want to feel stretched, challenged and inspired by new technology. While the imposing architecture of some school buildings might give off an air of Hogwarts, once inside it’s definitely more iPad Air and the magic of cloud computing.

Early years education

Nursery places are widely available for three and four year olds. Just like private nurseries, many schools accept Childcare Vouchers and offer partnership funding arrangements with local authorities. Attending nursery before Junior School is a great way to smooth the transition to ‘big school’ and enables younger siblings to feel part of the same fun environment if older siblings also attend the school.

See for yourself

All schools welcome visits from prospective families throughout the year. Look out for details ofOpen Days on the school’s website, or alternatively ask for an appointment where staff will be delighted to show you round, give you a feel for life at the school and answer any questions you may have.

For more information, advice and guidance on choosing an independent school in Scotland visit the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) website at scis.org.uk.