Private schools, also known as independent schools are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition, instead of being funded by the public (state). Schools claim that the high tuition fees pay higher salaries for the best teachers and also used to provide enriched learning environments, including a low student to teacher ratio, small class sizes and services, such as libraries, science laboratories and computers. Some private schools are boarding schools and many military academies are privately owned or operated as well.
Special assistance schools aim to improve the lives of their students by providing services tailored to very specific needs of individual students. Such schools include tutoring schools and schools to assist the learning of handicapped children.
This week the Charity Commission issued reports on the first batch of test cases since the law was changed to require private schools to show they are bringing “real benefit to the public”. For the schools that failed the test this is serious. They will have to address quickly what they must do to hold onto the significant tax advantages of charitable status. If they lose the charitable status they may have to increase their fees thus alienating the middle class.
It would seem that private school is the way to go but they exclude a large percentage of the population, which can limit your child’s interaction a broad spectrum of people. However it has its advantages
- Smaller classes
- Latest text books
- Up to date technology
- Better facilities