Parents forced to abandon expensive private schools

London: Parents are abandoning "flash" private schools as they search for a cheaper education for their children, an investigation has found.

Head teachers said parents were pulling children out with no notice, while others were increasingly reluctant to commit to paying fees.

Among those still choosing independent schools, fee levels have risen to the top of the list of concerns amid signs of a boom in 'no frills' private education.

Sue Fieldman, of the Good Schools Guide, said fees had not been a major influence on parents choosing schools before.

"But now with the credit crunch, we find that the amount of the fees is becoming far more relevant," she said. "If you have two schools more or less the same, if one is £500 (Dh2,677) cheaper, they are going for that rather than the flash swimming pool or the expensive theatre."

Nurseries, prep schools and pre-preps are the most likely to close, she said. "There are certainly going to be some falling by the wayside between now and June or July."

Private schools typically charge more than £11,000 in annual fees, and more than 50 set fees at over £25,000 a year.

Former Ofsted chief Chris Woodhead's chain of 44 private schools, Cognita, is in exploratory talks with several schools. The group keeps costs down by eschewing lavish facilities.