An analysis conducted by Burgess Hill Girls School has revealed new insights into the distribution of independent schools across England, highlighting significant regional disparities in the number of private schools and the students attending them.
According to the latest figures compiled using data from the Department for Education, England is home to 2,421 independent schools, accounting for approximately 9.9% of all schools in the country. This is in contrast to 11,392 schools managed by local authorities and 10,640 academies, making a total of 24,453 schools across England.
London Leads in Private School Enrolment
The capital stands out for its high concentration of independent school students. Kensington and Chelsea topped the list with 11,055 pupils enrolled in private institutions, followed by Richmond upon Thames with 10,523, and Hackney with 10,169.
When it comes to the number of private schools, Barnet holds the top position in London with 37 independent schools. Both Westminster and Camden tied for second place, each hosting 33 private institutions.
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City of London: A Unique Case
Unusually, the City of London is the only local authority in England where private school enrolment exceeds that of state-funded schools. The City has five independent schools educating 2,741 students, compared to just one local authority school with 244 students.
Surrey Dominates Nationwide
Outside the capital, Surrey emerged as the area with the highest number of independent schools in England—a total of 109. It also leads in terms of private school enrolment, with 41,224 pupils attending independent institutions in the county.
By comparison, Kent, with 93 independent schools, ranked second in number but only third in terms of student enrolment, hosting 19,450 students. Hertfordshire surpassed Kent for second place in enrolment numbers, with 24,085 students attending private schools.
This means Surrey boasts a staggering lead—nearly 17,000 more private school pupils than Hertfordshire, reinforcing its status as a major hub for independent education.
Regions Without Private Schools
While some areas are densely populated with private institutions, others have none at all. The analysis showed that Thurrock, South Tyneside, and the Isles of Scilly reported zero independent schools, highlighting a stark contrast in educational options across regions.
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Educational Landscape Overview
These findings offer a clearer picture of how independent education is distributed across the country. While London and Southeast England dominate in both the number of private schools and pupils, other regions show a marked absence of independent educational opportunities.
With ongoing discussions around education policy and funding, especially in light of potential tax changes affecting private schools, these insights could shape future decisions made by policymakers, local authorities, and parents alike.
