AbstractThis paper describes some of the more significant changes that have occurred in recent years in schools in England and Wales and discusses their implications for institutions of higher education. Further changes and their possible consequences are outlined. The authors differentiate between demographic, attitudinal and structural factors but make the point that, frequently, these interact. They discuss whether institutions should adopt a more proactive stance and consider the implications of doing so. Finally, they describe a situation in which different kinds of institution might compete or co‐operate with each other in their attempt to respond to changes in schoolin