The Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) is the supporting and advisory organisation for governing bodies of

independent schools An independent school is independent in its finances and governance. Also known as private schools, non-governmental, privately funded, or non-state schools, they are not administered by local, state or national governments. In British Eng ...

in the UK, and is a member of the

Independent Schools Council The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is a non-profit lobby group that represents over 1,300 schools in the United Kingdom's independent education sector. The organisation comprises seven independent school associations and promotes the bus ...

History

The Association of Governing Bodies of Public Schools, at that time boys' schools was founded in 1940. The Governing Bodies of Girls' Schools Association was formed in 1942 to represent independent girls' schools. The former association became the Governing Bodies Association in 1944 and represented both independent boys' and co-educational schools. The two associations merged in June 2002.

Structure

The association is based in Welwyn, England. The general secretary is Richard Harman. Governing bodies are admitted to membership if their heads are members of one of the following organisations: * The

Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) is an association of the head teachers of 361 independent schools (both boarding schools and day schools), some traditionally described as public schools. 298 Members are based in the Unite ...

* The

Girls' Schools Association The Girls' Schools Association (GSA) is a professional association of the heads of independent girls' schools. It is a constituent member of the Independent Schools Council. History The GSA can trace its history back to the Association of Headm ...

* The

Independent Association of Preparatory Schools The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS, formerly Independent Association of Preparatory Schools) is a schools association, representing around 670 preparatory schools. The majority of IAPS' schools are in the UK, with other locations ...

* The

Independent Schools Association (UK) The Independent Schools Association (ISA) is an organisation for independent schools in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1878, it is one of the country's oldest such groups. It is a constituent association of the Independent Schools Council, and h ...

* The

Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools The Society of Heads, formerly the Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHHIS), or "S of H", is an association of Headmasters and Headmistresses of various types of independent schools in the United Kingdom, and was forme ...

Schools may also apply for associate membership if they are in membership of: * Scottish Council of Independent Schools * Welsh Independent Schools Council *

Council of British International Schools The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) serves British International Schools around the globe, representing over 450 Member Schools in 79 countries and over 150 Supporting Associate organisations. Objectives COBIS exists to serve, s ...

References

External links

Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools website
Education in Hertfordshire Independent schools in the United Kingdom Organisations based in Hertfordshire Organizations established in 2002 Private and independent school organisations in England Welwyn Garden City 2002 establishments in England 2002 in education {{edu-org-stub