The number of places at state boarding schools is to increase by almost 10 per cent following a new rise in government funding.
A pound;5 million grant will allow the 33 state-funded boarding schools in England and Wales to increase pupil numbers from 4,000 to almost 4,400.
Melvyn Roffe, chairman of the State Boarding Schools Association, expects more capital grants in coming years.
He said there had been almost no funding for school buildings over the past 20 years as local councils prioritised mainstream primary and secondary schools.
