Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
Preparatory and other English independent schools in recent years have noted an increasing broadening of the social background of their students. Many middle class parents who are prepared to make a financial commitment to their child’s education and forego some luxury purchases such as vacations and new cars can manage independent education. Parents who never went to private schools themselves, however, are now turning to prep schools out of concern over what they perceive as declining standards in state schools.
Schools report perspective parents that are bewildered and depressed by their experiences in state schools. Some complain, their is no guidance or discipline and that their child is allowed to “get by” without being challenged. Other complain that their child is not achieving in the state system where teachers burdened with large classes and sometimes disruptive students have only limited time to address individual academic needs. One 10-year old boy told us that “The children didn’t pay any attention to the teacher and I wasn’t learning anything.” The children that the authors have met which have been transferred from the state system almost always speak highly of their new school, even when it has meant adjustment to boarding life. “Boarding was a bit hard at first,” admitted one cheery faced little girl. “I cried a bit and missed my friends at home. But now I’m a little older and am able to concentrate much more on my school work.” Most of the children we spoke with told us that while their new school is stricter and the academic standards and work required more demanding, they are mastering academic skills. Their sense of pride over their improving academic success is notable. [Patrick: do you remember any individual comments?]
Increasing numbers of English families have incomes providing discretionary funds which can be used for independent education. In England limited family income can be focused on elementary and secondary education because the state assumes most of the cost of university education. This is in sharp contrast to the United States where families currently have to plan for a university education costing at least $50,000 per child and steadily rising.
The increasing tendency of wives in modern marriages to work have helped to increase family incomes. In many families the wife’s income is used to help finance school fees. The smaller size of modern families make school fees more affordable as generally only one or two children are involved.
The increasingly diverse make up of the British population is being reflected in the independent schools. School photos taken before World War I rarely show any, but white Anglo-Saxon faces. Few schools today are without pupils of African, south Asian, West Indian, or oriental ancestry. The authors have noted in particular the number of children of south Asian ancestry whose parents have decided to make the very real financial sacrifice to ensure that their children achieve a quality education.
