Most are for both boys and girls, as boarding or day pupils, from nursery age until aged 18.

They feature:

• A clearly Christian ethos
• High academic achievement
• Particular care for each pupil and the opportunity for all to develop their full potential
• Balanced education with time for sports and the arts
• Deep respect for religious faith and experience
• Excellent facilities and teaching standards
• An international outlook with students from many overseas countries

The schools sprang from the remarkable ministry of John Wesley in the 18th century. He founded the first school - Kingswood - in 1748.

Now, wherever Methodism is established, you will find Methodist schools and colleges (and sometimes universities).

From Santiago to Warsaw, Belfast to Ghana, Zambia to Nassau, you can expect Methodist Schools to be leaders in modern education.

Most of the schools in England were founded in the 19th century to give an independent education and with a healthy attitude towards religious education.

The most recent school to be founded is Farringtons, which opened in 1911.

Each of the fourteen schools is run by a local board of governors.

Nine are controlled by the Methodist Independent Schools Trust based in London.

The five others are associated with the Trust. All schools are the final responsibility of the Methodist Church in the UK.