Diversity across the board

Choosing a school for their child in the UK is one of the most important decisions parents will make.

While many people are aware of top independent schools such as Eton and Harrow, Stowe and Marlborough where the rich and famous send their children, not everyone chooses, nor can afford, fees of more than £22,000 a year to educate their children in this way.

So what other options are there?

The development of widespread state-sponsored education in England, Scotland and Wales has meant that the UK has a broad and diverse range of choices when it comes to education.

And with around £73 billion spent on education every year and a further £20 billion on employment and training, learning is at the top of the UK Government’s agenda.

A good start

Parents can start to bring social and cultural advantages to their children from a young age. The Government has ensured free part-time early education places for three- and four-year-olds are available from a range of registered providers.

The Government also aims to boost funding so that eventually pupils in state schools will have the same amount spent on them as those in the independent sector.

This will mean improved choice and access for primary and secondary school children with more good places and more good schools.

While some incentives such as city academies, which are designed to improve the performances of schools in England's inner cities, have proved controversial, many believe that the outside expertise, fresh ideas and new buildings and equipment that academies have introduced are vital to boosting education standards.

Preparing for employment

Huge investment into further education (FE) opportunities now means that learners leaving school at 16 can now get free vocational qualifications up to the age of 25.

FE institutions offer a wide variety of courses leading to internationally-recognised qualifications, most with flexible learning options to meet the needs of a diverse student population.

Add to this cutting-edge research opportunities at world-class universities and the coming together of business and higher-education institutions across a wide range of sectors, and the benefits of an education in the UK are clear.

The innovations that develop from these relationships will keep the UK competitive.

Moving forward

According to research from UK National Statistics, ‘Education, earnings and productivity: recent UK evidence’, the relationship between education, earnings and productivity is strong.

This fact, and an overall desire to remain competitive, has meant that the UK education system is being overhauled to ensure it provides qualifications that take the individual and the UK economy forward.

Whether parents choose to send children to Eton or an equivalent, or to one of the local state schools, they can be sure that choices and options are in place to give their children the best possible social and professional advantages for the years ahead.