Diplomatic relations between Russia and the West have taken a turn for the worse in recent years.

Now it seems that the Cold War has now extended to private schools, as the number of Russian children sent to British schools has almost halved over the past two years.

The number of Russian students whose parents live overseas has been steadily growing since 2007 but has dropped sharply over the past two years, according to the Independent School Council’s (ISC) annual census.

In 2015, there were 2,795 Russian pupils at the UK’s private schools, but this has now dropped to 1,699, the latest figures show. Meanwhile, the number of Chinese students attending fee-paying schools has soared in recent years.

Grace Moody-Stuart, director of Good Schools Guide education consultants, said that wealthy Russian families have historically been attracted to British boarding schools for the prestige associated with an all-rounded education.

“If they live overseas they will be sending their children to prestigious British boarding schools. They want the sport, the art, and everything that is excellent about that education," she said.

"It is also a chance for children to immerse themselves in the English language, and to have access to top universities whether in the UK, the US or Canada."