ISC response to claims based on DfE research by Fraser Nelson, suggesting that state schools now perform better than independent schools in exam league tables.

“This year Independent Schools Council schools, which are 85% of independent schools, achieved double the proportion of A*and A grades at GCSE and A-level compared to state schools.

“Some state schools, particularly the grammar schools, have done brilliantly this year. But it is clearly unfair to compare every independent school in the country that takes A-levels, a total of about 500, with the very best 500 state schools taken from the top of a list of several thousand.

“Any parent comparing the independent and state school league tables can see that the top 100 places are dominated by independent schools.”