The Independent Schools Association

The Independent Schools Association (ISA) is a family of over 590 Headteachers who represent the diverse range of independent education practised across the UK and overseas

The Independent Schools Association (ISA), established in 1878, is one of the oldest of the Headteachers’ Associations for schools that make up the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

ISA exists to provide professional support, fellowship and opportunity to their 595 Members who nurture and develop over 120,000 pupils within their schools. Promoting best practice and fellowship remains at the core of the ISA, as it did when it began over 140 years ago.

ISA celebrates a wide-ranging membership, not confined to any one type of school, but including all: nursery, pre-preparatory, junior and senior, all-through schools, coeducational, single-sex, boarding, day, as well as performing arts and specialist provision schools.

As well as the support and specialist professional development opportunities for ISA’s Members through their programme of courses and conferences, pupils in ISA schools benefit from their Head’s membership with access to the extensive ISA Sport and Arts programmes.

ISA Sport champions inclusion in physical activity through positive experiences for young people across a programme of 58 national (and over 140 regional) events at venues such as St George’s Park.

ISA Arts helps schools inspire creativity, expression and individuality across the arts through both virtual and in-person events.

Membership is open to any Head or Proprietor, provided they meet the necessary accreditation criteria, including inspection of their school by a government-approved inspectorate.

The ISA President, Lord Lexden, represents the Association in the House of Lords and seeks to join discussions of education when they take place and welcomes further collaboration between the independent and maintained sectors.

ISA is supported by a number of committees, comprised of serving Heads and Honorary Members, who meet regularly to consider the issues that affect independent education. Some committee areas include education, monitoring developments in education and formulating responses to Government, and EDI, developing and promoting the principles of inclusion within the Association and supporting Members in promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in their schools.

President: Lord Lexden
Chief Executive: Rudolf Eliott Lockhart

ISA House, 5-7 Great Chesterford Court, Great Chesterford, Essex CB10 1PF
Tel: 01799 523619
Email: isa@isaschools.org.uk
Website: www.isaschools.org.uk