With fees for some exceeding the UK average salary private schools are out of reach for many in Wales although some do offer bursaries. Parents who can afford it pay for their children to learn in small classes with all the extracurricular activities and opportunities independent schools have to offer.
Price as well as ethos vary at fee-paying schools around Wales. One has a unique rugby history and offers an elite rugby programme for boys and girls. Another says it aims "to be the best academic school in the world".
Most do England’s number-graded GCSEs or a mix of those and Wales’ letter-graded exams. The English curriculum at GCSE means pupils can achieve Grade Nine, which some say is equivalent to an A**. There is no A** grade in Welsh GCSEs. Some also offer the International Baccalaureate in place of A-levels.
