Schools educating more foreigners abroad than in UK

Private schools now educate more international students abroad than they do in Britain, figures show, reflecting an “arms race” to attract wealthy overseas pupils.

The number of pupils attending “satellite” campuses set up by leading independent schools has, for the first time, outstripped the number of overseas students taught in the UK, according to the Independent Schools Council’s (ISC) annual census.

British private schools operate 59 campuses abroad, educating 31,773 pupils – an increase from 46 campuses last year with 27,619 pupils. This year there were 27,281 pupils in ISC schools whose parents were from overseas.

Overseas campuses have proved a lucrative venture for private schools amid rising demand for English international schools abroad as expats and wealthy local families in Asia fuel the surge in new branches being established.