Best Schools - Bust 'rich boys in top hats' myth, private schools told

Private schools need to bust the "myth" that their pupils consist of “white, wealthy boys wearing a top hat”, the chief executive of the Independent Schools Council has warned.

Myth busting is a necessity for private schools now that the sector has been affected by "binary" political arguments, Julie Robinson said.

“It’s a shame that myth busting is necessary, but I think a lot of people complain that education has become overly politicised and this tokenism has affected independent schools and drawn them into this debate,” she told Tes.

Ms Robinson complained that the sector is up against a stereotype of independent school pupils.

“Our experience is that there is a kind of a tokenism around at the moment, partly, possibly around the new prime minister…possibly that has made things worse for us. But the reality of our sector is it’s very inclusive, it’s very diverse,” she said.

'What parties should do for schools this general election'

Andrew Halls, head of King's College School, Wimbledon, outlines the education policies he believes politicians should pursue over the next five years. In reference to independent schools, he suggests education vouchers equivalent to the cost of a state school place could be introduced to help offset fees, 'enabling independent schools to provide tens of thousands of places to children from the widest range of backgrounds'.