A survey of local education authorities found that just over half of those responding were unaware of partnership activity between maintained and private schools within their area, despite the benefits to teachers and students in both the maintained and private sectors where collaborative activities were in place.
Source: Paula Smith, Kirstin Kerr and Sue Harris, Collaboration between Independent and Local Authority Schools: LEAs perspectives on partnership and community activities, National Foundation for Educational Research (01753 747281)
Links: Summary | NFER press release
Date: 2003-Jul
A report said that private schools facilities were increasingly being used by community groups and state schools, and that private schools were becoming involved in a greater range of partnership and community activities.
Source: Good Neighbours: ISC Schools and their local communities 2003, Independent Schools Council (020 7798 1500)
Links: Report (pdf) | ISCis press release
Date: 2003-Jun
A report said that the 'moral aspects' of schooling, and the inculcation of values, were a higher priority than purely academic achievement for parents of children at private schools.
Source: Parent Profiles: Study of the attitudes, characteristics and educational values of independent school parents, Independent Schools Council information service, available from RSAcademics Ltd (01572 821306)
Links: Summary (pdf) | ISCis press release
Date: 2003-Jun
There was a 1 per cent rise in the number of pupils at private schools covered by the Independent Schools Council between January 2002 and January 2003. This was the eighth year of continuous growth, equalling that recorded between 1984 and 1991.
Source: 2003 ISC Census, Independent Schools Council information service (020 7798 1500)
Links: ISCis press release
Date: 2003-Apr
The schools inspectorate found that 40 per cent of private schools outside the scope of the Independent Schools Council failed to meet basic registration requirements. The chief inspector warned that the private sector contained 'a number of schools that are among the worst in the country'.
Source: Annual Report 2001/02 - Independent Schools, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833) | Press release 29.4.03, Office for Standards in Education
Links: Report (Word file) | Ofsted press release
Date: 2003-Apr
The government began consultation on draft regulations for the registration and monitoring of private schools, planned for implementation from 1 September 2003. (An initial consultation took place in 2001.)
Source: Draft Regulations for Registration and Monitoring of Independent Schools, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf)
Date: 2003-Feb
Private schools opposed a statutory definition of 'public benefit' for charities. (Private schools enjoy charitable status in the United Kingdom.)
Source: Press release 1.1.03, Independent Schools Council information service (020 7798 1500)
Links: Press release
Date: 2003-Jan
