Asian middle classes 'targeted by independent schools'

The Asian middle class population is willing to enrol its children into UK independent schools, it has emerged.

Commenting at the Independent Schools Council (ISC) conference this week, the organisation's head of statistical research Sam Freedman said that this section of society is prepared to pay the fees necessary for such an education, reports the Daily News & Analysis.

"This is a population that came over to the UK in the 1960s and 1970s," said Mr Freedman.

"They value education and many have law and medical degrees. Now their children have children and they are willing to pay for them to be educated in independent schools."

He added that traditional markets for private schools are drying up, which is why institutions are targeting new audiences.

Other speakers at the ISC event included Boris Johnson MP, who spoke about the threats to Britain as a world class educational power, and Dame Suzy Leather, chair of the Charity Commission.