THE number of pupils at independent schools in East Lancashire is on the up according to official data.

Figures published by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) have revealed that the number of students at independent schools across the north of England is up for the first time since 2007.

Head teachers of schools in East Lancashire have said that they have seen a boost in their numbers in recent years, bucking the trend for the north which had been steadily falling until this year.

In September 2014 Stonyhurst College hailed the biggest influx of new students in the last 20 years.

The school welcomed 140 new pupils for the start of the new term – an increase by a third from last year’s total of 105.

The Roman Catholic school’s feeder prep school, St Mary’s Hall, also provided 30 new places for students.

At the time, Head Master Andrew Johnson said that he was ‘delighted’ that the college had broken records and that more people were choosing to attend Stonyhurst.

The increase in the size of the student body swelled the ranks of the school to 488.

Moorland School in Clitheroe has also reported a boost in its numbers and has also said that it intends to add even more to it’s new sixth form.

Head Teacher Jonathan Harrison said: “We have doubled our pupil numbers since 2009 and have around 200 now.

“We are also hoping to add a further 50 students to our sixth form over the coming years as well.

“While these figures show that the number of pupils is on the up it should also be noted that there are fewer schools to choose from in the first place.

“Since the recession there have been a a large number of schools being forced to close down but we have tried to spend our way out of any trouble by building new facilities and putting on new courses.”

Oakhill College in Whalley has also taken on more pupils in recent years.

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC, said: “It is remarkable that, although we are only at the start of an economic recovery, the number of pupils at UK independent schools is at the highest level since records began in 1974.

“It shows that parents continue to value an independent education.”