Ipsos survey shows record demand for independent education
A survey by Ipsos for the Independent Schools Council (ISC) finds independent education to be more popular than ever.160 Nearly three in five (57%) of all parents would send their child to an independent shcool if they could afford it.160 This is the highest level since Labour came to power in 1997, up 20% (nine percentage points) on the last survey in 2004.
Support is highest among Conservative voters (74%),160resident in the South of England (66%) and C1s (65%). Among Labour voters support has increased significantly since the previous survey with 54% now saying they would educate their child privately if they had the means (up from 41% in 2004). Support is lowest in Scotland where only a third would pick the private option.
The most common reason remains160"better standards" cited by 66% of parents while "better discipline" has doubled in popularity since 2004160(from 14% to 30%). 160This has now overtaken160smaller class sizes,160as a key reason.160"Better teachers" has160also increased160signficantly as a reason (from 8% to 15% now).
The shift in160the popularity of the independent education sector has come160primarily from those people who were previously undecided or who160had160no opinion about the independent sector.160 Conversely, the proportion who who not send their children to an independent school, even if they could afford it, remains unchanged160at 36%.160
State school standards being160"just as good"160(44%) and160good in their own right (24%) remain the key reasons for160selecting the state sector.160160160
In addition, the survey also found highly positive perceptions on a number of aspects of independent education with:
- 77% agreeing that independent schools offer 'good university/employment prospects' (25% strongly agreeing)
- 72% agreeing independent schools offer 'high academic ability' (23% strongly agree)
- 73% agreeing independent schools 'provide opportunities for pupils to fulfil their potential' (23% strongly agreeing)
There are also positive associations with the 'excellence in arts, music and drama'160 (50% agreeing) and the 'excellence in sport' (46% agreeing) offered by the independent school sector.
There is less consensus on the the 'value for money' (36% agreeing) and the 'mix of pupils from different backgrounds' (33% agreeing).160 On balance more adults disagree with the latter statement (40%).
Other negative associations prevail which suggests that there is a need for the sector to make160a stronger case for its public160benefit value. There is most criticism for the sector 'not making facilities and skills sufficient available to the community' (44% agreeing)160160and being160 'out of touch160with society and the local community' (37% agreeing).160 However, in both cases, similar proportions to those that agree160are either neutral or do not have an opinion.160
Technical note A representative sample of 2,063 adults aged 18+ were interviewed across160Great Britain160betwen 21-26 February 2008.160 Interviews were conducted160face-to-face and in-home.160
