Increasing numbers of parents would send their children to independent school if they could afford it, according to new research.

The Mori poll found the greatest shift in attitude among Labour voters, of whom more than half (54 per cent) would pay for private education if they had sufficient money. This has risen from just two-fifths four years ago.

Fear of knife crime, the perception of bad behaviour in state schools and relentless Government meddling with education could be influencing parents, the independent sector said.

The Independent Schools Council, which commissioned the survey, said its schools offered “stability in an environment where educational changes seem to be announced every week”.

Pru Jones, its head of research, said: “There seems to be a sense of coming to a haven of moral values. We don’t want to say in any way that in independent schools there are no challenges in pupil behaviour.

“But it does seem there is almost a panic that is engendered in the nation’s psyche, about what is happening in schools and pupil behaviour, that may be impacting on this [the figures].” Ms Jones added that there was “confusion and fear” among parents about the introduction of the new diploma for 14 to 19-year-olds.

After questioning 602 parents, the report authors found 57 per cent would pay for their child’s school education if they could afford it. This is the highest rate since the research began in 1997, and up from 48 per cent since the last survey in 2004, perhaps signifying a cultural shift in beliefs about paying for education.

The perception that independent schools offer better standards of education than state schools was the main reason, as in previous years, and was given by two-thirds of parents who would educate their children privately.

However better discipline appears to be of rising concern, becoming the second most popular explanation for the first time this year. It was given as a reason by 30 per cent, compared with only 14 per cent in 2004. ’Better moral standards’ was also at its highest level as an answer, at 9 per cent.

There was still a hardcore of parents - more than a third - who would definitely not send their children to an independent school. This proportion had changed little in recent years, but there was a drop in those who were undecided on the subject.

Of those opposed to private education, almost half said it was because state schools were as good, 16 per cent said education should be equal and another 16 per cent felt independent schools were “too snobbish”. Others said their children were happy in their current school and would learn if they had the ability.

Nearly half believed independent schools did not make their facilities and skills sufficiently available to others, and more than a third said they were out of touch with society and their local community.

Independent sector heads said parents were put off state education because of Government interference with the curriculum.

Vicky Tuck, the principal of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, said: “There have been endless changes and initiatives and remodelling and reshaping. People by nature don’t like change. I think that’s part of the problem.

“People are prepared to invest more to ensure their chidlren get the kind of education they need for their career. I really do think this perception of safety, order and discipline has a huge influence.”

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