Good value ´a priority´ for Girls´ Day School Trust institutions

[01.05.2012]

Good value and careful management of costs are a priority for the Girls' Day School Trust private education vision.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the former Penguin Books boss and current Chief Executive of the trust, Helen Fraser, explained that the level of school fees are clearly important to parents in the current economic climate.

However, this can prove a very hard balancing act and with standards expected to remain high there are many challenges.

Ms Fraser said: "We want to be seen as the John Lewis of independent schools. So we are careful to manage our costs.

"Because we have 26 schools, we can, for example, buy gas and IT centrally at better rates. But there are some things we cannot compromise."

Her comments follow calls from the former High Master of St Paul's School, Martin Stephens, for private schools to evolve.

The Gems Director of Education noted that failure to adapt to the modern education sector could see many schools losing touch with the middle classes and potentially facing financial difficulties.

Posted by Jennifer Smith