Pupils are continuing to flock to Oxfordshire's independent schools - but with a smaller increase in the number of students than last year.

There has been a two per cent rise in the number of day pupils at the county's private schools compared with a 3.9 per cent rise in 2000.

Currently, 8,919 pupils attend day schools, according to the Independent Schools Information Service (ISIS).

Boarding schools in Oxfordshire have 3,460 students - 12 fewer than last year. This signals that the decline in boarders during the past two decades is levelling out, according to David Shepherd, regional director of ISIS.

The average day fee in the county's schools has gone up by seven per cent to £1,876 compared with a 6.6 per cent rise nationally.

Mr Shepherd added: "The independent schools are enjoying buoyant growth as parents show the extent to which they appreciate the quality education they provide. Many of the schools in Oxfordshire are high up in the league tables. There is also a great variety in the type of school - such as ones for special needs and dyslexia."

Felicity Lusk, head of Oxford High School, a day school, said: "We are over-subscribed. We have got a lot of children chasing places.

"We are pouring a great deal of investment into our sites. A big source of spending is the post 16 programme because that needs more teachers."

Glynne Butt, head of Our Lady's Convent Senior School in Abingdon, said there had been a record rise in the number of applications - between ten and 20 per cent - despite a rise in fees in line with the Oxfordshire average.

She said: "The economy is buoyant. Families who could not consider independent education before are finding that they have got the money to do it now."