The Independent Schools Council (ISC) through seven affiliated organisations represents 1,276 schools that together educate over 80% of the pupils in the UK independent sector. ISC was first established (as the Independent Schools Joint Council) in 1974 by the major governors’, heads’ and bursars’ associations of independent schools and reconstituted in 1998 as ISC.

The seven constituent associations of ISC are:-

• Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS)

AGBIS represents the interests of the governing bodies of schools whose heads belong to GSA, HMC and SHMIS (and some belonging to IAPS & ISA).

• Girls' Schools Association (GSA)

GSA is the main association to which heads of girls senior independent schools belong.

• Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC)

HMC represents the heads of over 240 boys' and co-educational independent senior schools. The Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference (HMC) is an association of the head teachers of 242 leading British independent boys and mixed schools. ...

• Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS)

IAPS represents the heads of more than 500 boys', girls' and mixed preparatory schools for children aged usually from 7/8 to 11/13.

• Independent Schools Association (ISA)

ISA members include heads of some 300 preparatory and senior schools for children of all ages.

• Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA)

ISBA represents the bursars of over 800 senior and junior schools.

• Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHMIS)

SHMIS represents the heads of independent schools of all sizes, many of which have a long tradition of boarding.