Independent Schools: How Hogwarts is fuelling the boom

Thanks to Harry Potter, independent schools are more popular than ever. But they have to keep changing to stay ahead, says Alex McRae

For independent schools, the last few years have been rosy. The Harry Potter phenomenon is not, according to Dick Davidson, the Joint Director of the Indep-endent Schools Council, to be underestimated. It has sent pupils scurrying towards independent boarding schools, in search of the camaraderie and parent-free high jinks enjoyed by the young wizard and his pals at Hogwarts (an institution very much of the old school, with its system of awarding points to pupils' houses for good behaviour). For the first time in 15 years there's been a rise in the number of pupils at boarding schools, and day schools are doing even better.

Why are more parents turning to independent education? According to Mr Davidson, the buoyancy of independent schools is related to the healthy state of our wallets. He says that parents tend to be prepared to pay for their child's education – it's just a case of whether they can or not. "The extent to which parents respond depends on their situation. You need a degree of confidence about the next few years, not just this year." So a sunny economy helps. Other factors that attract teachers and parents alike are discipline and smaller class sizes.

In fact, the demand for independent schools is so great that Hampton Court House, a new prep school in an 18th century mansion, has parents driving 50 miles from their London homes to the school to drop off and pick up their children twice a day. The teaching staff include a published poet and a composer. "There's more scope for the maverick in independent education," says Guy Holloway, the mellifluously voiced director of studies. He argues that the more flexible curriculum allows children who are talented in a subject to be encouraged to try out more challenging areas.

Ironically, some teachers are worried about losing this focus on the child's individual character and abilities as independent schools become increasingly successful, both in numbers of applications and their dominance of the league tables. The old-fashioned qualities that parents expect from a private education could be in danger of being neglected in the race for a high turnover of top grades.

"As long as independent schools continue to place so much emphasis on league tables, extra-curricular activities are in danger of being squeezed out," says Graham Lacey, the director of studies at Sevenoaks School in Kent. "I think they are in danger of becoming dull, parochial and élitist and having their charitable status taken away unless they make stronger links with other local schools."

Most independent schools seem all too aware of this, and the heads have devised ideas to combat the problem. And sinking into a mire of dullness and complacency isn't an attractive option to the schools, even without the added threat of losing hard cash if shorn of their positions as charities. "The majority of heads want to work with the Government and state schools and don't want to be cut off in ivory towers," says Anthony Seldon, the headmaster of Brighton College. "I'm full of praise for the independent sector, but I think there's a lot more we could be doing."

At the girls' public school Roedean, the headmistress Patricia Metham has attacked the problem of "being used as a stereotype of privilege". In fact, Roedean's reputation has been helpful in trying to dispel such stereotypes. The school has attracted the likes of the fantasy novelist Terry Pratchett to give talks, and youngsters from local community colleges and state schools come along to listen.

Resourcefulness has always been a characteristic that independent schools have prided themselves on – now they're having to use it to ensure a prosperous future.