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AFIS PARENT POLL re Affordability of School Fees

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AFIS - A not-for-profit Community Interest Company

Independent Schools are Invited to Partner with AFIS™

It’s free, quick, and simple, with no onerous obligations and the flexibility to opt out at any time

All independent schools (physical, online or hybrid), their trade bodies and associations, and groups representing home-schooling, are invited to collaborate with the Association for Families of Independent Schooling (AFIS) C.I.C.

Our partner schools play a vital role in building this national community of supporters of independent schooling, championing independent education, strengthening support for families and enhancing the resilience of the sector as a whole.

Independent Schools can join us as AFIS PARTNER SCHOOLS, or privately as AFIS SUBSCRIBER SCHOOLS.

Partner Schools

Why join AFIS as a Partner School?

  1. Champion parental choice and fair representation
  2. Collaborate with AFIS and our member families to advocate for parental choice, wider access and fairer representation for independent schooling families.

  3. Access to future grant funding
  4. After two years of partnership, AFIS Partner Schools become eligible to apply for grant funding to support projects that advance the AFIS mission.

  5. Free AFIS membership for your community
  6. Provide complimentary AFIS memberships and benefits to parents/carers, staff, alumni and other supporters, strengthening engagement and adding value to your school community.

  7. Utilise the AFIS Partner School certification mark and be featured in the AFIS marketing and communications
  8. Inclusion in our schools' directory (with details of open days and news about your school), social media and other marketing.

As members, your parents and carers, their relatives, and your alumni will:

Be part of the only dedicated community for individuals who support British independent education, united by a shared purpose and common values.

Have a voice in the national conversation about independent schooling by taking part in AFIS research studies into their views and experiences.

Enjoy exclusive member benefits, including special events, valuable information and resources, plus access to all the perks and money-saving offers in the AFIS Online Shopping Centre.

Contribute to and have access to the AFIS Schooling Costs Fund and the AFIS Bursary Fund.

"If you are an independent school leader, now is the moment to stand with families and strengthen the sector’s collective voice. I encourage you to explore becoming an AFIS partner school and adding your support to this vital movement.”

Francesca Ellsmoor

Executive Headteacher

Auckland College Independent School

Partner with AFIS

Our Partner Schools

AFIS only launched our Schools’ Partnership registration on December 5th 2025. We are truly grateful to the pioneering schools who have already joined us to champion parental choice, fairer representation and wider access to independent education.

To have your school featured here, sign up as an AFIS Partner School and verify your email (Check your junk folder if you don't see the verification email).

Community Benefits

The Value for Your Families and Alumni

By offering AFIS membership, you provide your community with:

Member Voice

The opportunity to share experiences and insights, contributiing to vital research that helps build a more balanced and informed public conversation about families who choose independent education

A Community

Belonging to the first national community for parents, relatives and alumni who value and support British independent education

An Easy Way to Give Back

Members generate funding for our family and bursary funds just through their everyday shopping in the AFIS Shopping Centre.

Exclusive Rewards

Access to special offers, events, valuable information, and resources.

Collaborative Success

Our mutual success depends on collaboration: FAMILIES + SCHOOLS + AFIS

The more schools and families who join AFIS, the stronger and more influential our community becomes — and the greater the impact we can make together.

More Partner Schools

Schools and other eligible organisations join AFIS for FREE. Schools offer FREE AFIS membership to their parents and alumni.

More Members

Growing community of families & alumni

Better Research, Increased Grant Funding & More Families Supported

More families benefit from AFIS membership. Our research is more robust and representative. There's more funding for schooling costs.

A larger membership pool ensures our research is valid and representative. It also generates greater funding for our Schooling Costs and Bursary Grant Funds. The earlier your school joins, the sooner your community can benefit and our fundraising can grow.

AFIS Collaboration Options for Independent Schools

AFIS offers two ways for independent schools to work with us. Both options provide full AFIS membership benefits to your school community. The key difference is public visibility and recognition.

Free AFIS membership for parents, alumni and staff

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Full access to AFIS member benefits

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Participation in the AFIS member community

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Support for parental choice and the independent sector

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Collaboration with AFIS to support families

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Support for AFIS mission and member benefits delivery

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Receipt of AFIS schools’ email bulletins

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Commitment to inform parents about AFIS

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

Yes

Public recognition as an AFIS Partner School

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

No

Use of AFIS Partner School certification mark/logo

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

No

Featured on AFIS website

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

No

Promotion via AFIS social media and communications

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

No

Opportunity to submit articles/content to AFIS

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

No

Inclusion in AFIS Independent Schools’ Directory

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

No

Eligibility to apply for AFIS grant funding (after 2 years)

Partner Schools

Yes

Subscriber Schools

No

Best suited to schools that…

Partner Schools

Wish to publicly demonstrate their support for AFIS

Subscriber Schools

Prefer to support AFIS quietly without public affiliation

Choosing the Right Option

AFIS Partner Schools

AFIS Partner Schools choose to be openly and publicly associated with AFIS. They are visibly recognised as supporters of families in independent education and may use AFIS branding, be featured across AFIS platforms, contribute content, and access longer-term opportunities such as AFIS grant funding.

This option is ideal for schools that wish to demonstrate their values publicly and play an active role in promoting AFIS’s work.

AFIS Subscriber Schools

AFIS Subscriber Schools receive all membership-related benefits for their school community and actively support AFIS by regularly sharing information with parents. They do so without any public-facing affiliation, branding, or promotion.

This option is designed for schools that prefer to support AFIS quietly, while still ensuring their families benefit fully from AFIS membership and resources.

Upgrading from AFIS Subscriber School to AFIS Partner School

AFIS Subscriber Schools may choose to upgrade to AFIS Partner School status at any time.

Upgrading enables schools to move from quiet support to public affiliation with AFIS, including use of the AFIS Partner School certification mark, visibility across AFIS platforms, opportunities to contribute content, and eligibility to apply for AFIS grant funding (after the qualifying period).

There is no change to the membership benefits available to your school community — the upgrade relates solely to visibility, recognition, and strategic involvement.

It's easy to join AFIS as a PARTNER SCHOOL

How It Works

Our partner schools are joining forces with AFIS to empower families in independent education — championing parental choice, fostering fairer representation and greater understanding, and helping to widen access to independent schooling.

1

Complete the online school partnership application form

We will then send you your unique school code, along with information and resources to share with your parents.

2

Share AFIS information with your parents and alumni

Inform your parents about AFIS, referring them to our website, so they can decide if they'd like to join.

3

Collaborate with AFIS

To help grow the member base of supporters and encourage engagement with AFIS research and contributions to the community.

Become an AFIS™ Partner School

For more information, please contact us today.

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Advisory Panel

Join the AFIS™ Advisory Panel

We are currently recruiting sector experts to join our advisory panel. The panel will meet once per term to help shape and grow the Association, and we greatly value the insights of our partner schools.

If you would like to nominate someone from your school to take part, please email schools@afis.org.uk

AFIS Logo

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.

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