Numbers in HMC schools still on the rise

A recent survey of Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference [HMC] schools shows that the number of pupils in these schools has increased despite the recession. See BBC news item

This is perhaps not so surprising as recessions tend to lead the educational market place to 'consolidate' with smaller schools going out of business and the stronger more prestigious schools growing their school rolls. Increased regulation and parents demanding specialist facilities mean that there are increased pressures on smaller schools, with which the larger more established schools can cope more easiliy because of their size and the economies of scale that that brings.