What is a Private School?

These posts generally aim to demystify certain aspects of the private school journey, such as the complex question of VAT, the International Baccalaureate and the charitable status of independent schools.

In this post, we’re taking it right back to basics and looking at what an independent school (or is it a “private school”, or even “public school”?) is. We look at the history, the journey, what makes them different from state schools, the future outlook, and help you understand some of the more esoteric terms (what the heck is “shell”, and “remove”?)

It can be a daunting landscape for the uninitiated, so comment below if you have any more questions or comments.

What is a private school?

In the UK, a private school—often interchangeably referred to as an independent school—is an educational institution funded primarily by tuition fees paid by parents, rather than by the government. These schools are autonomous, meaning they govern their own admissions and operations, and they are not required to follow the National Curriculum, giving them the flexibility to offer broader subjects and bespoke educational models.

The term public school is often confusing; historically, it referred to a prestigious group of ancient, independent secondary schools (such as Eton, Harrow, and Winchester) that were established by charitable endowments for the "public" rather than run for a private owner's profit. Today, "public school" and "independent school" are largely synonymous, though "public school" still carries connotations of the oldest and most elite boarding schools.

A vital structural distinction in the modern sector is between charitable and proprietary (for-profit) schools. Over two-thirds of independent schools are registered charities, governed by a board of trustees. They must reinvest all surpluses into the school's educational mission and demonstrate a "public benefit," typically fulfilled by providing fee assistance and partnering with local state schools. Proprietary schools, on the other hand, are owned by individuals or corporate entities (increasingly private equity firms) and can distribute profits to investors, leading to a more commercial governance structure.

The Private School Journey

The journey through the UK private education system is often structured into a three- or four-tier system, distinguishing it from the standard two-tier state system.

The foundational stage begins with Pre-Preparatory (pre-prep) schools, catering to children from ages 3 or 4 up to 7 or 8. Pupils then transition into Preparatory (prep) schools, which educate children up to age 11 or 13. The term "prep" reflects their historical purpose: preparing pupils to pass the rigorous Common Entrance Examination required to secure a place at an independent senior school. Following this is the Senior School phase (ages 11 or 13 to 18), culminating in the Sixth Form (ages 16 to 18), where students specialise in qualifications like A-Levels, BTECs, or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Additionally, many institutions now operate as "all-through" schools, offering a seamless education from nursery to age 18 on a single campus.

A major nuance in this journey is the entry point for Senior School. Traditional boys' boarding schools often retain an entry age of 13+ (Year 9), requiring an extended "Senior Prep" phase for Years 7 and 8. Conversely, girls' independent schools and urban day schools more frequently utilise an 11+ (Year 7) entry point, aligning more closely with the state secondary school transition. To bridge these transitions, some private schools use a "Middle School" structure for ages 10 to 14 (Years 7 to 9), providing a nurturing environment tailored to early teenagers.

The independent sector is also defined by its idiosyncratic lexicon, retaining centuries-old naming conventions rather than the standard numerical "Year" system. Many of these terms are artifacts of architectural history or Victorian pedagogical reforms:

• Forms: Derived from the long, backless wooden benches (forma in Latin) that pupils historically sat on in large, shared schoolrooms. Forms are often subdivided into "Lower," "Middle," and "Upper" tiers.

• Shell: Frequently used to describe Year 9. This term originated at Westminster School, where junior pupils were once taught in a shell-shaped alcove at the end of a great schoolroom. The name of the physical space eventually became synonymous with the class itself.

• Remove: Historically a "holding" class for pupils who had been "removed" or promoted from one form but were not yet ready for the next. Its modern usage varies wildly: at Harrow and Marlborough, it corresponds to Year 10, while at Westminster, it refers to Year 13. It is also culturally famous as the class of the fictional schoolboy Billy Bunter.

• Unique Institutional Naming: Eton College maps its years to "Blocks" (from F Block for Year 9 up to B Block for Year 13). Winchester College refers to its year groups as "Books". Meanwhile, Marlborough College refers to its Year 11 cohort as "The Hundred," a nod to the 100 boys who originally formed that year group when the school opened.

Finally, the journey heavily depends on a school's admissions criteria. While top-tier private schools are highly academically selective—screening pupils via the 11-plus, ISEB pre-tests, or 13+ Common Entrance exams—this is not a universal rule. Over half of all Independent Schools Council (ISC) schools are not academically selective. These non-selective independent schools often cater to a broader range of abilities, focusing heavily on "value-added" progress and holistic character development.

A brief history

The roots of the UK's independent school system trace back to the medieval period, deeply entwined with the church. Early institutions, such as the King's School, Canterbury (founded 597), were cathedral or monastic schools established to teach Latin grammar to boys destined for the clergy. By the late 14th and 15th centuries, wealthy benefactors began endowing larger schools—such as Winchester College (1382) and Eton College (1440)—to educate "poor and indigent scholars" alongside fee-paying pupils from wealthy families, establishing the dual nature of the public school.

The 19th century was a period of profound transformation. The curriculum shifted from purely classical scholarship to focus on the development of character and "muscular Christianity" through team sports and the prefect system. Concerns over the mismanagement of endowments at leading schools prompted the Clarendon Commission of 1861. Its resulting report led to the Public Schools Act 1868, which granted true autonomy to seven major boarding schools—Charterhouse, Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Shrewsbury, Westminster, and Winchester—releasing them from older charter obligations and placing them under the management of independent governing boards.

In the 20th century, the relationship between the state and private sectors evolved further. The Education Act 1944 established the "Direct Grant" scheme, where certain grammar schools received direct state funding in exchange for offering 25% of their places to state primary school pupils. When the Labour government abolished this scheme in 1975, 119 of these direct grant schools chose to become fully independent, significantly expanding the modern private sector.

In recent decades, the sector has globalised. Elite English schools have aggressively marketed themselves as international exports. The "satellite campus" model has exploded, with ISC schools now operating 115 campuses globally, predominantly in China and the Middle East, educating over 86,000 pupils. Academically, the sector has also diversified by adopting the International Baccalaureate (IB), a globally recognised curriculum favored for its broad, holistic approach compared to traditional A-levels.

Comparisons with state schools

The contrast between the UK's independent and state sectors extends far beyond the payment of tuition fees, encompassing significant differences in oversight, educational models, and societal influence.

State schools educate around 93-94% of the UK's pupils. Maintained state schools are strictly regulated: they are overseen by local authorities, must follow the National Curriculum, and are required by law to employ teachers with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Conversely, independent schools enjoy total autonomy over their curriculum, allowing them to offer a broader or more bespoke range of subjects, and they are exempt from the legal requirement to hire teachers with QTS in England. While state schools are inspected by Ofsted, the vast majority of private schools are overseen by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

The benefits of a private education

The benefits are largely driven by the resources that fee-paying parents provide. Private schools boast much smaller class sizes, allowing for highly personalised teaching and pastoral care. Consequently, independent schools frequently dominate exam league tables; their pupils are twice as likely to attain an A grade at A-level and four times more likely to attain an A* at GCSE than their non-selective state sector counterparts. Beyond academics, private schools often provide vast extra-curricular opportunities, top-tier sporting and arts facilities, and an environment structured to build confidence and leadership. It is worth noting, however, that private schools' ability to be academically selective and exclude pupils for poor performance—a practice state schools cannot legally use—may artificially boost their apparent exam success.

The potential disadvantages and societal impacts

A subject of ongoing debate, particularly regarding elitism and social mobility. Because independent schools are inaccessible to the vast majority of families due to high fees, they tend to cater to the wealthiest demographics. Despite educating only 6-7% of the population, privately educated individuals hold a vastly disproportionate share of top jobs across British society, including 63% of senior armed forces officers, 62% of senior judges, and 52% of the House of Lords. This creates a powerful "old boys network" that grants pupils immense social capital and connections for their future careers.

However, this environment can also result in children growing up in a privileged "bubble." Because the state sector educates the vast majority of children, it fosters integration across a much broader cross-section of society. State school transitions to diverse, real-world environments and universities are often smoother, whereas the transition from highly exclusive independent schools can sometimes be more jarring for students unaccustomed to mixing with people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

An uncertain future

Today, the UK independent school sector is navigating a volatile landscape marked by severe economic and political pressures. Operating costs are surging due to rising energy bills, National Insurance contributions, and steep increases in employer contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).

The most disruptive recent challenge is the government's decision to apply a 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) to private school fees starting January 1, 2025, while simultaneously removing charitable business rates relief. While top-tier, highly oversubscribed schools have largely absorbed the shock, the tax has placed an enormous financial strain on middle-income families and smaller schools. Following the application of VAT, the sector saw a drop in pupil numbers in 2025 (amounting to roughly 11,000 students), a 5.2% decrease in new pupil enrollments, and dozens of school closures. This financial squeeze is further exacerbated by a demographic "baby bust" that has sharply reduced the domestic pool of school-aged children.

To survive this "Darwinian age," independent schools are rapidly restructuring, leading to several emerging trends:

• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): Rapid consolidation is occurring. Many standalone prep schools are merging with senior schools or being acquired by larger, private equity-backed education groups to achieve economies of scale and professionalise back-office operations.

• Co-education and "All-Through" Schooling: Schools are extending their age ranges to become "all-through" schools (Nursery to Sixth Form) to capture and retain families longer. There is also a continued shift toward co-education to broaden appeal.

• Expanding SEND Provision: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support has become a vital growth area. Over 117,000 pupils in ISC schools now receive SEND support, as parents increasingly turn to the private sector for specialised care and smaller classes that the mainstream state sector struggles to provide.

• EdTech and AI Integration: Schools are leaning into digital transformation, viewing EdTech as a necessity rather than a luxury to improve back-office efficiency and offer modern, blended learning solutions.

• Record Fee Assistance: To combat rising fees and remain accessible, independent schools are providing unprecedented levels of financial aid. In 2025, total fee assistance topped £1.5 billion (an 11% increase), with a notable emphasis on providing means-tested bursaries to support disadvantaged families.

For what it’s worth…

If you’ve learned anything new here, you’re not alone. The private school sector can be mind-boggling, especially if you’re “not from that world”.

I speak from direct experience here. I remember, in particular, going on a school tour for a prospective senior school for our eldest and the head said “when your children join Shell…”. I didn’t want to look ignorant, but I had no idea what he was talking about!

Maybe if you’re at the beginning of your journey, some of the nuances you’ve learned here will help. Maybe you’ll consider whether you have a preference for a charitable or proprietary school. Maybe you’ll bias in favour of an all-through school. Let us know in the comments below.