Scottish Council of Independent Schools explained

Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS)
Type:	Registered charity, umbrella body
Registration Id:	Scottish Charity No. SC018033
Location:	61 Dublin Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6NL
Key People:	Lorraine Davidson (CEO)
Focus:	Inspection of Scottish private schools

The Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) is a registered Scottish charity which represents the independent school sector in Scotland. Its membership includes mainstream fee-paying independent schools and a range of schools for young people with complex additional support needs.

Background

Independent Schools in Scotland are inspected by the national school inspectorate, Education Scotland; pastoral services including nursery and boarding are regulated by the Care Inspectorate.

The majority of Scottish independent schools are registered charities, as their purpose is the advancement of education. As such, their charitable activities are overseen by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator which is responsible for confirming independent schools' public benefit by means of a charity test required by the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.SCIS was founded in 1978 and became a company and charity in 1990. SCIS represents over 70 member schools in Scotland.

As of 2016, there were 29,647 pupils in SCIS independent schools. 1,455 of those children are in nurseries, 10,416 pupils are in primary schools and 17,786 are in senior schools.

The overall number of boarding school pupils in Scotland in 2013 was 3,072. A SCIS sub-brand, Scotland's Boarding Schools, details the boarding sector in Scotland.

Structure

The organisation has a small staff team of six, and provides a range of Professional Learning and Development (CPD), communications and marketing for the independent sector, advice and guidance to parents and families, and liaison with the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, public and education bodies. It is governed by a Board composed of elected Heads, Chairs and Bursars of independent schools in membership.

The current Chief Executive of SCIS is Lorraine Davidson who previously worked for the Scottish Government where she was responsible for Head of Education Strategy, including leading the National Discussion on Education, Head of vaccine oversight during the COVID-19 rollout in Scotland, and Head of European Engagement in preparation for Brexit. ^[1]

SCIS works in association with the Independent Schools Council on UK-wide matters.

Functions

The main functions of SCIS are:

To promote, advance and support education in schools in Scotland at which full time education is provided not being schools maintained by a local education authority.
To act as a means of communication between Independent Schools and any government department or any public or private authority or body connection with matters relating to the advancement of education, the development of curricula, the training of teachers and the development of teaching skills, methods and aids,.
To provide advice and assistance to schools on all aspects of educational policy and the advancement of education, the development of curricula, the training of teachers and the development of teaching skills, methods and aids.
To provide facilities for the training of teachers and development of teaching skills.

SCIS's key aims are to deliver the following specific services through CPD, regulatory and legal guidance, and additional events and publications:

Service to Schools:

to support member schools in delivering a high quality, values-based education for all pupils
to provide up-to-date guidance and advice to schools on key political, educational, pastoral, special and additional support needs, legal and financial issues
to make information accessible to parents and young people, the media, political and community figures and the general public
to support Governors, Heads, Bursars, teaching and support staff through the SCIS CPD programme
to provide research to help schools with their education choices, forward planning and marketing strategies.

Promoting the Sector:

to represent the sector at national, regional and community events concerned with the education, well-being and care of children and young people in Scotland
to promote the sector to members of the Scottish and UK Government, the Scottish and UK Parliament, the media, national educational and other bodies, in order to foster a better and more informed understanding of the sector
to highlight and support the particular educational and pastoral responsibilities of special schools
to promote the sector to parents, challenge misconceptions, to encourage participation and widen access to the sector
to secure, market and enhance the global reputation of the independent sector – including the promotion of Scotland's boarding schools.

Service to Education:

to contribute to the development of education in its widest sense for children and young people aged 3–18 in Scotland
to promote excellence in academic and all-round achievement
to support highly qualified and well-resourced teaching and support staff
to defend the independence, autonomy and founding principles of individual institutions
to engage constructively with employers, further and higher education to ensure the widest choice of positive learner destinations
to demonstrate the sector's breadth and excellence in curricular and qualification development
to support quality improvement with proportionate, informed and responsive inspections.

Membership

SCIS represents over 70 member schools in Scotland, including:

Al Qalam Primary School, Glasgow
Albyn School, Aberdeen
Ardvreck School, Crieff
Basil Paterson Middle School, Edinburgh
Beaconhurst, Bridge of Allan
Belhaven Hill School, Dunbar
Belmont House School, Glasgow
Cargilfield Preparatory School, Edinburgh
Cedars School of Excellence, Greenock
Clifton Hall School, Edinburgh
The Compass School, Haddington
Craigclowan Preparatory School, Perth
Craigholme School, Glasgow
Dollar Academy
The Edinburgh Academy
Edinburgh Montessori Arts School
Edinburgh Steiner School
ESMS Junior School, Edinburgh
Fernhill School, Glasgow
Fettes College, Edinburgh
George Heriot's School, Edinburgh
George Watson's College, Edinburgh
The Glasgow Academy
Glenalmond College
Gordonstoun, Elgin
Hamilton College
The Hamilton School, Aberdeen
High School of Dundee
The High School of Glasgow
Hutchesons' Grammar School, Glasgow
International School of Aberdeen
Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow
Kilgraston School, Bridge of Earn
Lathallan School, Johnshaven by Montrose
Lomond School, Helensburgh
Loretto School, Musselburgh

The Mary Erskine School, Edinburgh
Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh
Moray Steiner School, Forres
Morrison's Academy, Crieff
Queen Victoria School, Dunblane
Regius School, Edinburgh
Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen
St Aloysius' College, Glasgow
St Columba's School, Kilmacolm
St George's School, Edinburgh
St Leonards School, St Andrews
St Margaret's School for Girls, Aberdeen
St Mary's Music School, Edinburgh
St. Mary's School, Melrose
Stewart's Melville College, Edinburgh
Strathallan School, Forgandenny
Wellington School, Ayr

Special Schools

Ardfern School, Johnstone
Closeburn House and Maben House, Dumfries
Common Thread schools, Dumfries
Corseford School, Kilbarchan
Daldorch House School & Arran House
Donaldson's School, Linlithgow
Dunedin School, Edinburgh
Falkland House School
Harmeny, Balerno, Edinburgh
Hillside School, Aberdour
Moore House Care and Education, Bathgate
The New School, Butterstone, Dunkeld
New Struan School, Alloa
Rathbone, Kilmarnock
Royal Blind School, Edinburgh
Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments, Cumbernauld
Seamab School, Rumbling Bridge
Stanmore House School, Lanark
Starley Hall School, Burntisland
Troup House School, Gamrie

Notes and References

Web site: Meet the SCIS Team . SCIS . 15 December 2023.