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Emily Hargest reports:

The families behind independent schools.

My son moved to an independent school at the start of Year 4. We moved him there after bullying from one child had become a daily reality.  His previous school was unable to resolve it over a 2 year period and the final straw was having a knife held to his stomach. Since moving, I've watched him flourish. His confidence has grown, he's embraced every opportunity offered to him and, most importantly, he's happy and safe.

This September my stepdaughter will join the same school. She's bright, articulate and has dyslexia.  She was diagnosed as having dyslexia by the Bristol Dyslexia Centre, but we recently discovered that their recommendations have been ignored by her primary school. Instead, her school's recommendation was she shouldn't be put forward for the entrance exam as it would lead to disappointment. I am so proud of her for proving them wrong, and so pleased she is joining a school that will always support her in aiming high.

Without the support of grandparents, neither of our children would have access to these opportunities.

Behind every school gate are families making decisions for all sorts of reasons.  The circumstances differ (and the judgement certainly does!) but the motivation is usually the same - parents trying to give their children the best start they can.

Association For Families Of Independent Schooling (AFIS) C.I.C. is doing brilliant work challenging misconceptions about independent schools and the families who choose them. Well worth a follow. 

AFIS Founder, Michelle Daniells responds:

Less judgement. More evidence. More understanding.

Thank you, Emily Hargest, for sharing such an honest and powerful story, shining a light on “the families behind Independent Schools”.

Thanks also for mentioning the work of the Association For Families Of Independent Schooling (AFIS) C.I.C. We are actively campaigning to ensure families who choose independent schooling, for any of the myriad valid reasons, are represented more fairly, accurately and honestly in public debate.

Who are independent schooling families?

Why do they choose independent schools?

How do they pay for the fees?

These are important questions that, until now, have been answered largely through anecdotes, assumptions and stereotypes rather than robust evidence.

That’s been a big problem.

It has allowed misconceptions to flourish and contributed to a public debate that often overlooks the huge diversity of independent schools and the families who choose them. Many make significant financial sacrifices, often with support from grandparents and means-tested fee assistance.

We believe a parent’s choice of school should be respected, not judged.

We also know many families turn to independent education only after local alternatives have failed to meet their child’s needs.

AFIS analysis already shows there are around four times more children from top-income households in state schools than in independent schools, challenging many of the assumptions that have shaped recent policy and public debate.

That is why AFIS will shortly launch the FAMILY VOICE national survey, independently facilitated by the University of Chichester. This pioneering research project will explore the demographic profiles and school choice motivations of the real families behind the headlines that feature straw boaters and tailcoats. 

Our aim is simple: to ensure independent school families are better understood, and more fairly represented, so that the wider public can be better informed.

AFIS invites parents willing to share their story about their schooling choice, to get in touch. 

We are determined to shine a light on the importance of parental choice in education and challenge the stereotypes, assumptions and misconceptions that have shaped public debate for too long, helping to drive unjustifiable policies such as VAT on school fees and fuelling unnecessary tribalism and social polarisation.