𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚?
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁?
Significant fiscal policy decisions are having a huge impact on hundreds of thousands of independent-schooling families. These decisions were built on assumptions, stereotypes and insufficient evidence, rather than on a robust understanding of, and meaningful engagement with, the people most affected.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Thousands of children have been forced out of the schools they know and love and their education has been disrupted and put at risk.
More than 90 schools have closed (so far)and hundreds of teachers and staff have lost their jobs.
Local communities have lost valued schools and employers.
Families who had planned to choose independent schooling no longer have that choice.
Families are being affected financially, emotionally and practically.
These families (including mine) deserve better that policies based on generalisations and assumptions.
𝗥𝗼𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱
Today sees the launch of FAMILY VOICE® 2026: the first national research study of its kind, exploring the demographic profiles of families who choose independent education for their children, why they make these choices and the sacrifices many make to do so.
Facilitated annually by an independent social research agency, FAMILY VOICE® will create a unique longitudinal evidence base to help ensure that future public debate, policy and decision-making are informed by a better understanding of independent-schooling families.
1𝙨𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2026: 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙑𝘼𝙏 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙨
This research is urgent because the Association For Families Of Independent Schooling (AFIS) C.I.C. has been asked to prepare an application for permission to intervene in the Supreme Court case. The deadline for our evidence gathering is 22nd September.
AFIS plans to ensure that the experiences and circumstances of independent-schooling families are properly represented before the Court.
𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙏 𝙏𝙊𝘿𝘼𝙔
- All AFIS members will be invited to take part in this important research programme.
- Please spread the word to other supporters of parental choice in education and independent schooling as part of the diverse education system in the UK
- Non-members can register their interest in participating in the FAMILY VOICE® survey (via afis.org.uk). Parents, carers, members of staff, alumni are encouraged to register now.
- SCHOOL LEADERS, please let all adults in your school community know about the
FAMILY VOICE® study, so they have the opportunity to decide for themselves whether they wish to take part.
AFIS is building a permanent national community for parents and other supporters of independent education.
That community builds the evidence.
That evidence helps inform public debate and understanding.
Greater understanding leads to better policy and better decision-making.
And better decisions lead to better outcomes for children and families.
