British private schools attract growing number of foreign pupils

May 9, 2006, 12:25 GMT

London - Britain's fee-paying private schools are proving increasingly popular with foreign pupils, attracting a large number of students from European Union countries, but also from Russia, China and eastern Europe.

A survey published Tuesday by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) showed that soaring numbers of children from Germany, France, and Spain were sent to study in Britain this year.

There were also strong increases from Russia and other former East Bloc countries, while parents from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan continued to send large numbers of children for private education to Britain.

High-quality teaching, a flexible education and cheaper flights from budget airlines had led to an overall 11-per-cent rise in the number of overseas pupils in independent schools in 2006, the report said.

The survey showed an increase of 25 per cent in new pupils from Germany, France and Spain, compared with 2005. The intake of Spanish pupils rose by 30.9 per cent, followed by Germany with 24.9 per cent and France with 24.1 per cent.

The number of Russian children rose by a staggering 38 per cent.

ISC general secretary Jonathan Shephard said many parents in Europe and elsewhere chose a British private education because schools offered a far broader curriculum, as well as having added the International Baccalaureate to their choice of final examinations.

The survey showed the value to the British economy of the annual fees paid by 20,186 overseas pupils to be more than 322 million pounds (602 million dollars).

Fees vary between 15,000 and 25,000 pounds per year.