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Serving the Community

SCIS member schools are diverse, from large city day schools and small rural prep school to specific residential schools for complex additional support needs.  Each one is dedicated to serving their community.

Many of our member schools are registered charities, advancing education, and as part of the charitable activities independent schools in Scotland work with state schools and communities in vibrant ways including:

  • Meeting the public benefit test in terms of means-tested fee assistance, to widen participation as far as possible
  • Use of facilities to community groups and local schools free of charge or for a nominal fee
  • Making provision for state secondary pupils to study Advanced Higher subjects not on offer in their schools – such as Drama, Physics and Business Management.
  • Supporting pupils from local schools by organising careers and higher education fairs.
  • Hosting and organising events such as science festivals, sporting competitions and foreign language workshops.

The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) charitable status reviews, as part of the test of public benefit, can be found here.