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Independent school

A school that charges fees and is not funded by the state. Independent schools in England must be registered with the Department for Education and are inspected, but do not have to follow the national curriculum.

Used in
All four UK nations (details may differ)
Topic
Types of school

Being checked against official sources. This definition is written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.

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Private school All four UK nations (details may differ) United States
A school funded by fees and private money rather than taxes. In the UK the formal term is independent school.
Public school (UK) England
In England, a traditional name for some of the oldest and best-known fee-paying independent schools (for example Eton or Harrow). This is the opposite of the US meaning, where a public school is a state school.
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) England
The body approved by the Department for Education to inspect independent schools in England that are members of the associations in the Independent Schools Council.

More terms: Types of school

Faith school · Further education college · Hospital school · Montessori school · Nursery school · Selective school

More terms starting with I · Education glossary A–Z · Get a TIP for your class

Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.