A HEADTEACHER of one of the country’s leading schools has dismissed claims that independent schools are just for the privileged in society.

Philip Britton, head of Bolton School boys’ division was one of a number of headteachers – including Simon Henderson of Eton College – saying it is time for politicians and journalists to realise many pupils who attend their schools are from ordinary backgrounds.

The letter was sent to The Sunday Times stating that their schools are “committed to accessibility” as education is the “most powerful engine for social mobility”.

The letter was penned after a Government Minister said school type should be taken into account on job applications.

It states that at some independent schools a quarter of pupils are on assisted places and “many schools spend millions each year this purpose”.

Mr Britton said: "The schools who signed the letter are all very well known nationally for their bursary provision.

"At both Bolton School and Eton, around one in five pupils have bursaries.

"To imagine that our pupils should be disadvantaged in applying for jobs is ridiculous.

"All we want to do is give young people a chance, to be part of the solution to social mobility. So many of our former pupils are examples of people from all backgrounds making their way in the world."

The letter, which has been signed by 12 headteachers of independent schools, concludes: "Independent schools cannot solve all educational and social problems.

"However, we will always work with other schools, with other organisations and with government to make more widely available the outstanding education that we provide".

Mr Britton added: "It has been good to see that the letter made a difference as there has now been a U turn. It is so frustrating that instead of celebrating our success politicians feel the need to constantly pick at what we all do.

"Last month Bolton School, at the same time as St Paul's School in London, announced that it was enhancing its bursary provision to make a top quality education available to the 'squeezed middle' in addition to those who already benefit.

"The enhanced bursary scheme, supported largely by the generosity of a wide range of former pupils, is another step forward in our ambition to be a real driver of aspiration for all in Bolton.

"All the schools signing the letter have at their heart making a contribution to society by preparing the next generation of leaders, with the attitudes they should have about the whole community they are part of."

THE LETTER:-

A number of journalists and politicians have decided — not for the first time — that it’s a good moment to be rude about independent schools. The schools of which we are heads do not fit these stereotypes: we have plenty of pupils from ordinary backgrounds who would not recognise this picture of their schools. As heads, we all agree education is the most powerful engine for social mobility. To that end, all of our schools are deeply committed to accessibility. In particular, the provision of means-tested assisted places has grown enormously in recent years, mainly through the generosity of alumni who often benefited from a free education at our schools. At some independent schools a quarter of pupils are on assisted places and many schools spend millions each year on this purpose. In addition, almost all independent schools work with their local communities in a wide variety of ways, sponsoring academies, creating free schools, sharing teachers and facilities, and running programmes in maths, science, languages, sport, music and drama that enrich lives and raise aspirations.

Independent schools cannot solve all educational and social problems. However, we will always work with other schools, with other organisations and with government to make more widely available the outstanding education that we provide.

John Claughton, King Edward’s School, Birmingham; Philip Britton, Bolton School; Joe Spence, Dulwich College, London; Simon Henderson, Eton College; David Goodhew, Latymer Upper School, London; Chris King, Leicester Grammar School; Martin Boulton, Manchester Grammar School; Kevin Fear, Nottingham High School; Bernard Trafford, Royal Grammar School, Newcastle; Peter Green, Rugby School; Richard Harman, Uppingham School, Rutland; Patrick Derham, Westminster School, London