Sunday, October 30, 2011

The Independent School Offers A Well Rounded Education In A Nurturing Environment

By Adriana Noton


National and local government resources do not provide any financial or governing support for the independent school. The school is created in order to determine their own board of directors to govern them. The institution receives its support from gifts, tuition and endowments.

Each school will have a unique perspective on what the definition of the mission statement will be for them but there are shared goals such as creating a safe environment for students to pursue their love of learning. Strong foundations in classical education is encouraged such as the visual arts, mathematics, foreign languages and critical thinking.

Self-regulating schools in the UK do not have to conform to the national curriculum but their course material must still guide the student in preparations themselves for the standardized exams. The International Baccalaureate is also being offered in more British schools. Independent schools are known for incorporating more educational material into the curriculum which includes a strong focus on the creative and performing arts. Other subjects that are not always included in government run schools include foreign languages, visual arts, music, research and computer skills, physical fitness and critical thinking.

Most of the students attending these schools are day students. Some however choose to board to save on the time and money commuting between the educational institution and home. When both parents are employed the child has the option of boarding weekly and going home on weekends. Boarding schools are located both in the inner city as well as rural environment. Living on site helps to make new friendships and learning to live together.

Since there is little if any commuting time during the week for boarders students have more time to join in sports, an orchestra or a play for instance. There are innovative courses such as orienteering, Chinese and arts and crafts. The independent educational institution has the freedom to offer a diversity of educational programs.

The schools have the freedom to experiment and teach in innovative ways since they are free from the bureaucracy of the traditional educational authorities. Many teachers prefer to teach in these schools since there is a strong focus on discipline. Teachers can concentrate on teaching rather than becoming involved in behavioral issues as tends to be the case in non-independent schools.

Parents or the legal guardians who are making the financial commitment to invest in their child's educational future are more inclined to work together with the institution in a partnership that will create a strong educational community for everyone. Smaller classes allow teachers more preparation time and students benefit from more one on one instruction time. The school is a vibrant, friendly, learning community.

The independent school basically owns and governs itself. The nature of the institution can vary where some are military schools and others are boarding schools. The legal guardians may feel that their child's needs include discipline and independent living. When parents work closely with the schools they will ascertain the best schools that come within their financial means for the child's educational development.




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