As someone involved in exporting British education on a daily basis, I would like to point out that the main source of the demand for British education abroad is its historic reputation. This reputation was neither built by the state schools that are largely dangerous to the life, limb and mind of their pupils, nor by the recently established third-rate universities whose sole purpose seems to be to milk overseas students for fees.

It is a handful of the famous public schools and the ancient universities that created and continue to sustain the international reputation of British education. The state’s inept interference is the major hindrance to the continued development of these institutions and I cannot see any value in making the same mistake by inviting the state to meddle with British schools abroad.

Alexander Nikitich, Director, Carfax Education.