Strong demand for private education

www.allaboutschoolfees.com have been reading a survey by Ipsos MORI for the Independent Schools Council (ISC) that finds independent education to be more popular than ever. Nearly three in five (57%) of all parents would send their child to an independent shcool if they could afford it. This is the highest level since Labour came to power in 1997, up 20% (nine percentage points) on the last survey in 2004.
Support is highest among Conservative voters (74%), resident in the South of England (66%) and C1s (65%). Among Labour voters support has increased significantly since the previous survey with 54% now saying they would educate their child privately if they had the means (up from 41% in 2004). Support is lowest in Scotland where only a third would pick the private option.
The most common reason remains "better standards" cited by 66% of parents while "better discipline" has doubled in popularity since 2004 (from 14% to 30%). This has now overtaken smaller class sizes, as a key reason. "Better teachers" has also increased signficantly as a reason (from 8% to 15% now).
The shift in the popularity of the independent education sector has come primarily from those people who were previously undecided or who had no opinion about the independent sector. Conversely, the proportion who who not send their children to an independent school, even if they could afford it, remains unchanged at 36%.
State school standards being "just as good" (44%) and good in their own right (24%) remain the key reasons for selecting the state sector.
In addition, the survey also found highly positive perceptions on a number of aspects of independent education with:
· 77% agreeing that independent schools offer 'good university/employment prospects' (25% strongly agreeing)
· 72% agreeing independent schools offer 'high academic ability' (23% strongly agree)
· 73% agreeing independent schools 'provide opportunities for pupils to fulfil their potential' (23% strongly agreeing)
There are also positive associations with the 'excellence in arts, music and drama' (50% agreeing) and the 'excellence in sport' (46% agreeing) offered by the independent school sector.
There is less consensus on the the 'value for money' (36% agreeing) and the 'mix of pupils from different backgrounds' (33% agreeing). On balance more adults disagree with the latter statement (40%).
Other negative associations prevail which suggests that there is a need for the sector to make a stronger case for its public benefit value. There is most criticism for the sector 'not making facilities and skills sufficient available to the community' (44% agreeing) and being 'out of touch with society and the local community' (37% agreeing). However, in both cases, similar proportions to those that agree are either neutral or do not have an opinion.

What is vital is that parents understand the cost of private education and understand the school fees involved. The long term fees planner from www.allaboutschoolfees.com can certainly help here!