Casterton School, in Cumbria, is proud of its long history and its connections with the literary world.

Charlotte Bronte borrowed the school as a setting for Jane Eyre - although today's school is a long way from the strict institution in the famous novel.

Rock bands are as likely as flute lessons in today's boarding schools

The birch and starvation rations are out: instead, a girl rock band is the latest innovation. Infauna, Casterton's attempt to break into the pop world, is part of a determined effort to cast off the austere image of boarding schools and reverse a decline in boarding.

Charles Rhodes visits boarding schools and talks to pupils

"The decline can be arrested," says Anthony Thomas, the headmaster, "because what we're offering is, I think, a good package, and extremely good value."

Added extras

Casterton does fulfil some of the boarding-school cliches: it gets regularly excellent academic results, and it is a single-sex school, two features which teachers say are closely linked. There is an all-boys school down the road, but contact with it is restricted.

Extra-curricular facilities include games rooms

But with fees of up to £12,000, a good education is the least parents can expect. They are also paying for the added extras that would not be available in other, non fee-paying schools, such as horse-riding and games facilities.

Casterton insists it does cater for everyone - but there remains the perception that schools like this are for privileged children of wealthy parents.

That is one of the factors that's made boarding a less popular option for parents over the years. Schools have also been struggling after the abolition of the assisted places scheme, and the collapse of the South East Asian economies - which took away many of their pupils with parents abroad.

The Boarding School Alliance is trying to reverse the trend, arguing that the costs of sending children to boarding school compare well with those of looking after children at home.

Modernise - or fail

Boarding schools are also doing what they can to attract more pupils. Competition is tough, and most schools have had to modernise to stay ahead of the game.

Day pupils can stay overnight at the Blue Coat School

The Blue Coat School, in Birmingham, has introduced what it calls flexi-boarding. That involves using its spare beds for day pupils: the school charges £15 a night for pupils to stay over from time to time.

It's a popular option: Emma Cottam sleeps over three or four times a month.

"You're never late for school," she enthuses, "and you get to be with your friends and play with them the whole time. It's really fun."

Her father David is just as keen on the idea.

"Both myself and my wife work full time," he says. "The school providing that care for our eldest two is really good: they love coming, and we know they're well looked after."

An expensive choice

Since Labour began phasing out state subsidised places, boarding schools have necessarily - though reluctantly - become more exclusive.

Even so, the schools believe, there are five million families who could afford to send their children to boarding school.