Long isolated, now independent schools are open to outsiders

IN DECADES gone by, independent schools would have had little communication with one another, far less interact with state schools, seeing them as competition.

However, today many offer places on Advanced Higher courses to state school pupils, which not all secondaries can afford to run as they often attract just a handful of students.

Many private schools are also increasingly offering their sports facilities and recreation grounds to other schools and opening their gates to local communities for sports events and fairs.

The Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) has made it clear private schools must show a public benefit to retain their status as charities.

As well as offering means-tested bursary support to a number of pupils rather than a select few, schools must also show they are not closing their gates to their community neighbours.