State schools 'luring rich parents from the private sector'

State schools enjoying exam success and improving pupil behaviour are luring wealthy parents away from the private sector, according to the Good Schools Guide.

The improving state school standards mean increasing numbers of parents who have the money to educate their children privately are opting for state-run schools instead.

Lord Lucas, editor-in-chief of the widely respected guide, has said the "rise of the state system" was a "very difficult thing for the independent sector, as a whole, to resist".

The assessment was welcomed by the Government, which claimed over a million more pupils are being taught in state schools rated "good or outstanding" now compared to 2010.

The news also received some praise from the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), which represents nearly 300 independent schools.

The HMC said it was "good to see education for all pupils improving" and attributed some of the success to partnerships with independent schools.

However, responding to suggestions the private sector was under threat, it stressed "everyone can win" and said the education sector was "not like the football league".

When the Good Schools Guide was first published in 1986 it featured just 10 state schools, whereas last year 265 of the 888 featured schools were from the state sector, according to reports.

The figure has more than doubled since 2005, when the guide recommended 130 state schools.