Which statement about the independent sector is true?

• A. They charge fees.
• B. They are all public schools.
• C. They must teach the National Curriculum.
• D. They are part of the state system.

Answer: (A)

The independent sector is defined by its independence from state funding and control. They are privately funded and rely on parental fees (often with endowments or donations) rather than government money. Because of this financial independence, they set their own curricula and admissions policies and are not obliged to follow the National Curriculum. That’s why the statement that they charge fees is the correct one. The other options misrepresent what it means to be independent: they aren’t all public schools in the sense of being state-funded, they aren’t required to teach the National Curriculum, and they aren’t part of the state education system.