Parents want to provide their children with the best opportunities available, and the great strengths within the independent sector make it an attractive alternative to state education. Parents from many different backgrounds send their children to independent schools and approximately half of pupils now entering the independent school system have parents who were state educated.

Remember, it is not necessary to commit to the private education sector throughout your child's schooling. Many parents choose a mixture of state and independent schools, making pragmatic decisions at different stages of their children's education. It could depend on the schools in your local area; if the primary schools are good then you may decide to use one of those and then send your child to an independent senior school. About a third of the children attending independent senior schools attended state primary schools.

Some parents also feel that giving your child a good foundation at an independent prep or junior school is essential and could secure their child a state selective or local grammar school place.

More often children make the switch at 16 and move from a state senior school to an independent 6th form where they will be nurtured for the top university places.

When considering your child's future, the independent education sector does offer you plenty of diversity and choice. We are lucky enough to boast some of the leading schools on our doorstep offering large or small schools, single sex or co-ed, prep, junior and senior, specialist or more academic schools. Whatever your criteria may be, you need to ensure you take into consideration your child's needs and requirements as well as what the school offers.

Whatever you decide, research your schools of choice well. Visit their open days as you get a good insight into the school and its ethos, and try to speak with the head teacher, members of staff and pupils.

As Lorna Duggleby, Head of Bromley High School for Girls GDST, famously advised, "Look at the toilets during open days - as well as the usual considerations of course - as they can tell you much about standards!"