The education system in the United Kingdom has been deeply influenced by the social class structure. The traditional view was that education was the concern of the family, with private tutors being engaged to teach the sons of the nobility, and of the church, where schools were set up by bishops to give instruction to prospective clergymen.

"public schools", drawing pupils from the middle and upper classes. A few of these schools dated back to the 16th century and beyond, but the majority were established to meet growing demand in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Roughly 6-7% of children in the UK attend independent schools, of which there are over 2200. All are required to meet regulation and most are funded by fees paid by parents. Many independent schools are run as Charitable Trusts under the control of a Board of Governors.

There are a number of Associations of independent schools, foremost amongst which are the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) and the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) at senior level and the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools at prep school level. Many independent Sixth Form and Tutorial Colleges belong to the Council for Independent Further Education (CIFE).

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