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ISC chief hits out at "misleading" suggestions

Posted on 13th May 2009

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It is "misleading and unhelpful" to suggest that there is a meltdown in the independent sector, it has been argued.

David Lyscom, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), made this statement in response to a story published in the Times this week.

This stated that private schools are closing at a rapid rate as a direct result of the economic downturn, suggesting that this problem is likely to deteriorate.

However, Mr Lyscom noted that recent figures indicate that this is not the case.

The ISC's annual census, a survey from the Headmaster's and Headmistresses' Conference and statistics from the Department for Children, Schools and Families all show that the proportion of pupils educated at independent school is on the up, he stated.

"Schools are not complacent about the recession, but to suggest a meltdown is misleading and unhelpful," said Mr Lyscom.

Figures from the government last week showed that 3.9 per cent of all pupils in England now attend private schools, up from 3.6 per cent last year.