Independent education originated from the medieval institutions of the 15th century. Most scholars during this period were clerks and clergymen serving in the church or in the civil service. Although their pursuit was to expand their individual careers, they were subject to their respective local authorities such as the royal household, bishops and the judiciary. When these early scholars were granted property rights, there was a change in the civil order. These early scholars occupied their newly acquired properties and used them as premises where they studied the arts, arithmetic, music and geometry. The teachings were conducted by ‘masters’, who taught themselves and who had been approved by a group of their peers. Independent education was born. The origins of independent education reveal how it has always been a progressive pursuit of excellence.