Private schools have increased in popularity over the past 10 years
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There has been a rise in the number of pupils at private secondary schools, according to the latest statistics.
Scottish Executive figures show there are now more than 30,500 pupils at private schools in Scotland - a rise of almost 200 on the previous year.
Despite a decrease in the population, the percentage of school pupils at independent schools has risen from 3.9% to 4.2% between 2000 and 2006.
The numbers going to private primaries and special schools has fallen.
There was a decrease of 16 in primary and 29 in special schools since 2005. This compared to an increase of 243 in secondary schools.
A spokesman for the teaching union EIS said Scottish comprehensive education performed highly, and compared well to other education systems across the world.
However, he said there was a need to address class sizes and funding for state schools.
"We have long known that smaller class sizes are one of the major selling points for independent schools," he said.
"That is why it is vital that there must be a political commitment to reduce class sizes in state schools, and also to narrow the current gap in average spend per pupil in state schools compared to independent schools."
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