mtmconsulting’s Gavin Humphries, Head of Research takes a look at the latest trends in boarding and how to boost your numbers.
The number of boarders in independent schools has fallen dramatically over the last 30 years, from 120,000 in 1981 to just under 72,000 in 2011. As a proportion of all independent school pupils this represents a fall from 22% to 12%. One of the causes of this long-term decline was the fact that robust boarding regimes (especially for boys) came to be regarded with both distaste and suspicion by many mothers. Negative media comment, particularly during the 1980s, did not help and this has continued, on and off, since (such as the references to ‘Boarding School Syndrome’ during the summer of 2011).
Since 2007 rolls have been on the rise thanks to growing numbers of boarders from overseas and whose parents serve in HM Forces. In fact, since 2007 the number from these sources has grown by an estimated 8,000 and this has more than made up for the estimated loss of 6,000 boarders who live in the UK. In 2011 compared to a year earlier we estimate that there were 500 more boarders from HM Forces families and there was a rise of 1,400 non-British boarders whose parents live overseas. But the biggest rise was the estimated 1,800 increase in the number of British boarders whose parents live overseas.
These trends mean that pupils whose parents live in the UK now account for 38% of boarders, down from 51% in 2001. Non-British pupils whose parents live overseas have risen from a 29% share a decade ago to 36% in 2011.
mtmconsulting’s latest report “The UK Education Sector; Forecasts, Challenges & Opportunities 2012-2020” due to be released in September, delivers essential information outlining the strategic development of UK boarders market. Details include, sector forecast to 2020, opportunities of growth from the overseas market and what the potential impact may be following changes to HM Forces’ Continuity of Education Allowance.
Gavin Humphries, Head of Research at mtmconsulting will be presenting findings from the report at the “Practical Strategies for the New Education Market” one day conference on Tuesday 13th September, Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.
Pre order the report today by calling +44 (0)1502 722 787.
