The Independent Schools Council
The Independent Schools Council is a union of seven independent school associations, which includes the heads, bursars and governors of each establishment. ISC represents more than 1,300 independent schools, located both in the UK and overseas.
The offices of the Independent Schools Council are in Central London, and staff members are assisted by expert advisory groups that work in a variety of specialist areas.
The Objectives of ISC
Members of ISC, such as Sir Peter Birkett, are clear that its overarching aim is to promote and protect the independent education sector. The organisation undertakes work in policy and public affairs, through political engagement, consultation and inquiries. ISA also fosters cross-sector relations and has founded an all-party parliamentary group dedicated to the subject of independent education.
Communications and links with the media fall under the remit of ISC too, and its work in this regard centres on a social media presence, connecting with the press, internal communication, and managing the Schools Together initiative which brings into partnership state and independent schools. Take a look at the embedded PDF for more information about the Schools Together project.
ISC is concerned with research and data that pertains to the independent schools sector, collecting information from the census, and analysing public exam results; it also produces a regular economic impact report and creates and curates bespoke research projects.
Expert Advisory Groups
The Independent Schools Council works with experts from across its member associations to run several advisory groups. These include the Schools Community Action Group, which brings together teachers who are involved in diverse forms of community work and service learning in both independent and state schools, and ISC Digital, which focuses on ICT policy in schools and discusses controversial topics such as social networking.
ISC also facilitates the Safeguarding and Child Welfare Group, the Communications Working Group, and the Cross-Association SEND Group. The latter was founded with the aim of ensuring that ISA and its members stay well-informed regarding current developments in Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Part of this group’s work is to make sure that headteachers and staff members are kept properly informed of their duties and responsibilities, and to provide a networking facility to assist in the provision of training and support for school Special Educational Needs Coordinators.
