PA
Europe-wide research on private education has shown that British parents spend more on educating their children that any other European country.
The figures would suggest that more and more families are unhappy with state education, and are splashing out on expensive school fees to guarantee smaller class sizes, better discipline and the school of their choice.
It is estimated that around 510,000 children in the UK are educated privately, with average school fees costing a whopping £4,200 a term, with some 'top' schoolw charging up to £30,000 a year.
Tory MP for Shipley, West Yorkshire, Philip Davies, told the Daily Mail that parents who send their kids to private school are not 'rich and snobbish' but are simply making 'enormous sacrifices' for their kids. He said:
'They are people who make enormous sacrifices because they do not think state schools are up to scratch. Private schools are popular because of the ethos they have which state schools are seen to lack. It's to do with discipline, standing up when the teacher comes in the room, turning out nice people who treat people with respect.'
Do you agree? Do you send your children to private school? Or would you if it was more affordable?