China's Communist Party is behind a spate of takeovers of British private schools, officials believe - with more than 30 bought by Chinese investors in the past decade.
Department of Education and security officials are reportedly concerned by the trend - while sources claim they have been hindered by a failure to recognise China as a country which poses a risk to the UK's national security.
A senior government source said China is 'playing the long game' by targeting private schools, adding that the country is 'doing all the things we used to do as an empire'.
They told The Times: 'They targeted universities before but have realised it's easier to start younger. It's ideological warfare. These children will grow up and be helpful to the Communist Party.'
Labour MP Phil Brickell, who sits on the foreign affairs committee, warned the UK's 'world-leading education system is an obvious target for influence' for China.
