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Browse here for exclusive offers for AFIS members on clothing, travel, events and much more.
AFIS runs regular member surveys and commissions independent research with universities and specialist research organisations. This work helps ensure that discussion about independent education is informed by evidence, not assumption.
“Debate about independent schooling in the UK has become increasingly polarised. What’s often missing is balance, rigour and inclusivity. We need robust research that reflects a wider range of parents and families, to challenge misconceptions and improve public understanding of who chooses independent education and why.”
Dr Steven Watson
AFIS Consultant Research Adviser
Associate Professor, University of Cambridge
All AFIS surveys are designed to provide a national picture and are fully anonymised, so no individual participant can be identified.
To ensure your experiences and views are included, JOIN AFIS HERE
Exploring the socio-economic profiles of independent school families and their reasons for choosing private education.
AFIS will be commissioning the University of Chichester to undertake a rigorous, independent academic study to help build a more balanced, evidence-based debate.
AFIS members who opt to participate will be contacted in January 2026.
Be part of this important research
Our mission is to foster a more balanced and informed national conversation about the families who choose independent education.
We achieve this by engaging our members in rigorous, independent research that generates evidence-based insights — closing data gaps, challenging stereotypes, reducing stigma and promoting greater fairness and balance in public and policy debate.
AFIS members are invited to take part in our surveys, feedback forums and discussion groups, helping to create positive change. Our members and partner schools will also be the first to hear about the results from these studies.
Take part and have your voice heard — membership is free
"We urgently need research that draws from a more representative pool of parents and families, including those who are not at the top end of the income distribution, who make real sacrifices to send their children to independent schools, and whose experiences are largely absent from current datasets.
This is where AFIS™, in my view, can play a meaningful role. By building a platform that connects with a broad base of independent school families, AFIS™ has the potential to support the development of a more representative and transparent research base. Done well, such research can not only challenge misconceptions, but also elevate the level of public understanding around who chooses independent education and why."
Dr Steven Watson
Associate Professor, University of Cambridge
AFIS Consultant Research Adviser
Extracted from "Rethinking the debate: Why We Need Better Data and Balanced Research on Independent Schooling" Read the full article by Dr Watson HERE
Championing parental choice, wider access and fairer representation for independent schooling families.
AFIS and Association for Families of Independent Schooling are registered trademarks of AFIS UK LTD.
The Association for Families of Independent Schooling (AFIS) C.I.C. is a community interest company, incorporated in England and Wales, company number 16817786.