Independent schools are fee-charging schools outside government control. They are self-governing and free to devise their own curriculum.

Admissions criteria
The admissions criteria for independent schools are as varied as the number of such schools in the UK (currently over 2,500), so it's important to check the individual requirements. Some schools will require pupils to take an entrance exam or will invite the family for interview, but others are based on a first-come, first-served system and may have a long waiting list.
Registering
Some independent schools will ask parents to register their child before an application is made. This does not secure a place, but indicates to the school that parents wish their child to be considered for a place. There is usually a non-refundable fee (which can range from under £100 to several hundred pounds) to cover administration costs.

Entrance exams
Some schools require prospective pupils to sit entrance exams. The requirements for these vary enormously and can take the form of standardised tests or tests devised by the schools themselves. Re:locate has looked at this process in detail on Smart Move, in School Entrance Exams Explained.

Location
Independent schools do not require families to live within a catchment area, so there are no boundary restrictions, but careful consideration will need to be given to the time it will take to travel to the school from a new home. What appears to be a short distance on the map may turn out to take considerably longer in rush-hour traffic. However, many schools provide a bus service at additional cost.

Fees
The cost of an independent education will be one of the biggest factors when making a decision to apply to a particular school, as fees vary dramatically.

It is worth bearing in mind that fees will be much higher for boarding schools than for day schools. There may also be extras to watch out for, such as after-school clubs, meals, and costs for entering examinations.

Academic scholarships
Some senior schools offer scholarships for especially bright or talented pupils, covering some, or all, of the school fees. Individual schools will be able to advise, but it is worth noting that assessment for these scholarships takes place well in advance of the offer of a place.

A word of advice
The Independent Schools Council says, "It is a good idea to contact the school directly to enquire about their entry requirements and to find out the type of interview or exam they conduct. We also advise parents to think realistically about their son or daughter's chance of attaining the exam grades required. Sometimes, it might be necessary to choose a second-choice school that has a less stringent school entry requirement."