British schools boom abroad

MORe than 70 independent schools have opened international campuses or partnered overseas institutions, it is announced today.

‘Huge demand’ has seen 11 international British private schools opening their doors to students in the last academic year.

A further 18 are to open in the next two years, mainly in China, but also in singapore, egypt, Oman and India. They include shrewsbury school, shropshire, and Malvern College, Worcestershire. The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) says schools are bringing back funds that can be spent on bursaries for low-income families in Britain and also used to hold down fee rises.

shaun Fenton, HMC’s new chairman, has recently returned from China where his school, Reigate grammar in surrey, is to open an international campus next year. speaking before the HMC’s annual conference, which opens today, he said: ‘Families around the world view our top independent schools as a gold standard.

‘There is huge demand for British-style independent education, and our strong reputation is a much-needed asset.’