There are over 2,400 independent schools, of which 600 offer boarding. Day schools cater for children within daily travelling distance. These schools have no boarding facilities.

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There are a number of specialist independent schools that cater for pupils who are gifted in music, or drama, or sport, or where special needs are catered for, e.g. dyslexia, autism, learning difficulties, or English as a second language.

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Parents and pupils can choose between boarding or day, single-sex or co-educational. All of the schools have their own strengths and ethos, so it is possible to choose a school to cater for all abilities and ages, from 2 to 19 years.