BOARDING schools have written to the Westminster Government to request the removal of overseas pupils from immigration figures.

The Boarding Schools' Association (BSA), which represents a number of schools in Scotland, called on Mark Harper, the Immigration Minister, to recognise the importance of such pupils to the economy.

John Newton, a member of the BSA's national executive committee, also questioned the rationale for targeting boarding school pupils in a wider immigration crackdown.

"In a relatively safe category, no students are likely to be as safe as those attending the reputable boarding schools in our membership," he said.

"Parents wanting their children back, in good health and in good order and with excellent examination results, is the reason these school pupils should be removed from the student numbers. They are exactly what Government would like international students to be – temporary migrants."

John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, said: "Boarding schools attract 900 overseas pupils which brings £27 million into the Scottish economy each year. Persuading young people to be educated in Scotland is a big enough challenge without needless barriers."