Independent School (United Kingdom) - Scotland

Scotland

See also: List of independent schools in Scotland

Independent schools in Scotland educate about 31,000 children and often referred to as Private Schools. Although many of the Scottish independent schools are members of the ISC they are also represented by the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, recognised by the Scottish Parliament as the body representing private schools in Scotland. Unlike England, all Scottish independent schools are subject to the same regime of inspections by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education as local authority schools and they have to register with the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate. The large private schools in Scotland include Dollar Academy, the High School of Glasgow, The Glasgow Academy, Kelvinside Academy, St. Aloysius' College, Hutchesons' Grammar School, George Heriot's School, Stewart's Melville College, Strathallan School, Glenalmond College, Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh Academy, Robert Gordon's College, George Watson's College, Loretto School, Gordonstoun, St Leonards, and Fettes College.

Historically, in Scotland, it was common for children destined for private schools to receive their primary education at a local school. This arose because of Scotland's long tradition of state-funded education, which was spearheaded by the Church of Scotland from the seventeenth century, long before such education was common in England. Independent prep schools only became more widespread in Scotland from the late 19th century (usually attached to an existing secondary private school, though exceptions such as Craigclowan Preparatory School and Cargilfield Preparatory School do exist), though they are still much less prevalent than in England. They are, however, currently gaining in numbers.