Independent schools are struggling in the recession with increasing numbers suffering a fall in pupils, research shows today.

Some have imposed pay freezes on staff and are trying to cut costs by saving on heating, lighting and building maintenance.

Others are offering discounts to attract new families and taking more children from abroad in an attempt to survive.

The survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) asked more than 1,500 of their members working in independent schools about the effects of the recession.

Almost a third said their schools had fewer pupils than last year, although about the same proportion said they had the same, and a similar number had more pupils.

Yet this compares unfavourably with last year, when a fifth had fewer pupils, a quarter had the same number and almost half had more.

Head teachers and the sector as a whole have been reluctant to admit that the economic downturn has had an impact.

But teachers at fee-charging schools have given an insight to how they are coping.

They reported that pupils were being lost to grammar schools and other high-performing state schools, and were recruiting more foreign students - particularly from the Far East - to compensate.

A fifth said their school was offering incentives to keep and attract pupils, including discounted and deferred fees, bursaries and scholarships.

Others have changed their entry criteria and taken on more pupils with behavioural problems or special needs.

One teacher responded: “While we have lost some pupils because of financial reasons, we have also gained some from our more expensive competitors in the area.”

Another said: “Standards are falling due to having to take all-comers and we no longer have the benefit of selecting suitable candidates.

“Support staff are now very overstretched. We are having to cope with more disruptive pupils and larger classes at the lower end of the school.”

Teachers also reported that one of the first areas in which schools were saving money was on staff salaries.

Almost one in six had been forced to take a pay cut, and a fifth had their salary frozen.

One respondent said: “For the first time in my eight years here, staff have not received an annual pay increase, yet fees have gone up, so teachers who are also parents here are struggling.”

More than two-fifths of teachers said there had been a cut in spending at their school this year, and almost three in 10 said there were fewer teachers compared with a year ago.

And more is expected of staff, with many having to work longer hours or having a higher number of children in their class.

Other comments included: “All on pay freeze, meals poor, poor standard of building care. Parents having to pay for extras on top of fees,” and: “The number of pupils has fallen, the quality of pupils seems to be lower. Selectivity seems to have reduced in order to get bums on seats.”

Dr Mary Bousted, general-secretary of ATL, said: “In the tough economic climate, the story in independent schools seems to reflect what is happening in the economy generally. Some schools are really struggling to keep afloat, while others are thriving as they pick up pupils from schools that fold or as parents move their children to cheaper options.

“Our members working in these schools are realistic about the financial pressure schools are under. But schools must not use the recession as an excuse to cut salaries or worsen terms and conditions.”

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