A number of independent schools are contemplating “differential pricing” – charging higher fees for overseas pupils to offset Labour’s 20% charge on school fees for domestic parents, i News has reported.

The scheme has been inspired by UK universities which charge higher fees for overseas students.

One independent school source told i News that the scheme is the “most obvious” way forward for schools with significant numbers of overseas pupils.

The source added: “The deeper pockets of international families, especially in the USA, Middle East, China and Hong Kong will make this very achievable.”

The former chief executive of the Independent Schools Association, Neil Roskilly, added: “This is an obvious area for schools to look at if they have overseas pupils.” Roskilly said the falling value of the pound over the past decade had been “incredibly beneficial” for overseas parents and many “won’t be too concerned if a differential pricing structure comes in”.

Brighton College and Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate in North Yorkshire already charge significantly higher fees for international pupils.