In defence of Public schools

Public schools are the jewel in the crown of the British education system. Across the centuries, they have educated our elite across government, law and the arts. They are as synonymous with England — golden, verdant, timeless England — as scones with cream and jam, cricket (played in whites, please) and The Queen. Their allure is partly myth, partly nostalgia, partly cold, hard commercialism. Of course, there is the romanticised ideal, cemented in our best fiction: the public schools of Jennings and Darbishire; of Billy Bunter; of devoted, beloved Mr. Chipping. Harry Potter is, though JK Rowling may not admit it, the ultimate scholarship boy made good. Our best comedians and raconteurs play on the stereotypes. Peter Cook; Stephen Fry; David Mitchell are all, in their inimitable ways, quintessentially English public school boys. Our most popular politicians similarly trade on their educational backgrounds. Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg are quick to play up their illustrious old school; a Latin simile, a flash of Houseroom wit, and in one bound they are free.