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Engines of Privilege: Britain's Private School Problem
Britain's private, fee-paying schools are institutions where children from affluent families have their privileges further entrenched through a high-quality, richly resourced education. There is an irrefutable link between private schools and life's gilded private school to top university to top career. Engines of Privilege contends that, in a society that mouths the virtues of equality of opportunity, of fairness and of social cohesion, the educational apartheid separating private schools from our state schools deploys our national educational resources unfairly and inefficiently; blocks social mobility; reproduces privilege down the generations; and underpins a damaging democratic deficit in our society.
Intrinsic to any vision of the future of Britain has to be the nature of our educational system. Yet the quality of conversation on the issue of private education remains surprisingly sterile, patchy and highly subjective.
Francis Green and David Kynaston carefully examine options for change, while drawing on the valuable lessons of history. Accessible, evidence-based and inclusive, Engines of Privilege aims to kick-start a long overdue national debate. Clear, vigorous prose is combined with forensic analysis to powerful effect, illuminating the painful contrast between the importance of private schools in British society and the near-absence of serious, policy-shaping debate.
Intrinsic to any vision of the future of Britain has to be the nature of our educational system. Yet the quality of conversation on the issue of private education remains surprisingly sterile, patchy and highly subjective.
Francis Green and David Kynaston carefully examine options for change, while drawing on the valuable lessons of history. Accessible, evidence-based and inclusive, Engines of Privilege aims to kick-start a long overdue national debate. Clear, vigorous prose is combined with forensic analysis to powerful effect, illuminating the painful contrast between the importance of private schools in British society and the near-absence of serious, policy-shaping debate.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2019
45 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
David Kynaston
44 books79 followersDavid Kynaston was born in Aldershot in 1951. He has been a professional historian since 1973 and has written eighteen books, including The City of London (1994-2001), a widely acclaimed four-volume history, and W.G.'s Birthday Party, an account of the Gentleman vs. the Players at Lord's in July 1898. He is the author of Austerity Britain, 1945-51, the first title in a series of books covering the history of post-war Britain (1945-1979) under the collective title "Tales of a New Jerusalem".
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 23, 2021
I’ve never been a massive supporter of the private school system, and I bought this book really hoping it would make me think harder about the ethics of a private education system but it didn’t happen. What I found really unhelpful was how the whole book builds off from the premise that private schools are inherently BAD (with no balance of argument) — and that the main issue is that the children of the wealthy are able to gain unparalleled social capital into British society.
What follows is a 300 page rant (written by 2 privately and Oxbridge educated men who have casually managed to send their children to the top state selective grammar schools, mind you!) albeit full of interesting statistics about why the social divide created by the private schooling system is so harmful to society. Yes sure, the system causes inequality, but the writers provide no real solutions — and the fact that they speak highly of state schools whilst being able to send their children to top grammar schools doesn’t speak much for the masses or for the type of “social inequality” they’re so against either. :/
The first twenty pages of the book tell you enough about their argument. From the book itself I concluded that there is no need to reform the system………
What follows is a 300 page rant (written by 2 privately and Oxbridge educated men who have casually managed to send their children to the top state selective grammar schools, mind you!) albeit full of interesting statistics about why the social divide created by the private schooling system is so harmful to society. Yes sure, the system causes inequality, but the writers provide no real solutions — and the fact that they speak highly of state schools whilst being able to send their children to top grammar schools doesn’t speak much for the masses or for the type of “social inequality” they’re so against either. :/
The first twenty pages of the book tell you enough about their argument. From the book itself I concluded that there is no need to reform the system………
November 7, 2019
The book is 300 plus pages of extremely dense repetitive argument about why private schooling is bad, why nothing has been done about ending it and how the author suggests we end it in the not so distant future.
Despite finding myself in agreement with the authors position ( yes I do think private schooling should be abolished and yes I do think eventually after say 20 years it would reap benefits for all of society ) I couldn’t stay interested in the very turgid detailed covering off of every angle to the debate.
Moreover it seemed to me that one question was never asked, which is - will the schooling for my ‘child’ be any good once we abolish private schools ? Or will it be shite ? And from that .. will there be good discipline in the school ? what will the class sizes be ? And will the teachers be motivated and good ?
There is a mood in the nation to dismantle privileged historic stuff. Could the authors wish list see reality ? My guess is not.
Despite finding myself in agreement with the authors position ( yes I do think private schooling should be abolished and yes I do think eventually after say 20 years it would reap benefits for all of society ) I couldn’t stay interested in the very turgid detailed covering off of every angle to the debate.
Moreover it seemed to me that one question was never asked, which is - will the schooling for my ‘child’ be any good once we abolish private schools ? Or will it be shite ? And from that .. will there be good discipline in the school ? what will the class sizes be ? And will the teachers be motivated and good ?
There is a mood in the nation to dismantle privileged historic stuff. Could the authors wish list see reality ? My guess is not.
December 24, 2019
I enjoyed this book and found the statistics both interesting and relevant. I think that the problems are well summed up and I agree with the authors standpoint. However, it became incredibly repetitive and overdetailed towards the end.
As a teacher at a South African private school, I found the arguments good food for thought. The book opened my mind and put forward arguments which definitely impacted on my view of educational systems.
As a teacher at a South African private school, I found the arguments good food for thought. The book opened my mind and put forward arguments which definitely impacted on my view of educational systems.
July 14, 2019
Well worth a read- opened my eyes to the reality of this particular type of inequality. Also challenged the instinctive 'politics of resentment' that private schooling can throw up. Especially enjoyed the beginning chapter and possible solutions chapters at the end.
Only downside is that in a thorough effort to prove the need for change, the authors went through all of private school history & relationship with politics. Certainly proved the point - but became a bit too academic for a casual reader. Still gets 4* as the topic is so overdue discussion the academic aspect can be forgiven.
Only downside is that in a thorough effort to prove the need for change, the authors went through all of private school history & relationship with politics. Certainly proved the point - but became a bit too academic for a casual reader. Still gets 4* as the topic is so overdue discussion the academic aspect can be forgiven.
July 4, 2024
7% of children in the UK are educated at one of 2,500 private (‘public’ / ‘independent’) schools, where they benefit from approximately three times the level of resources available to their state-educated counterparts. This is ostensibly a service industry which creates an ‘educational apartheid’, ‘cements elite structures’, and is fundamentally ‘incompatible with the pursuit of a fairer, more cohesive society’.
This is the damning indictment of private schooling by academics David Kynaston and Francis Green. Across 9 chapters, the book examines the potted history of private schools and the enduring inertia of political will to reform them, what their fees actually buy, why parents choose to send their children to them, and detailed options for reform. The authors discuss the effects of extra resources, small class sizes, peer effects, and autonomy on attainment, and often return to the issues of charitable status and proposals to levy VAT (a policy still espoused by the Labour party on the eve of the 2024 general election).
The authors wear their stripes proudly in arguing for the need for reform, and there are some incisive and interesting points made. For instance, it’s often argued that parents should have a right to buy a private education if they so wish – that’s true of certain consumer goods and services, yes, but education is different because it’s ‘formative’ and has huge effects on life chances. There is also criticism of the idea that we can’t abolish private schools because that would leave a gaping hole in the economy – not so, because this assumes a counterfactual in which those parents, students, and teachers all disappear into the ether rather than join – and pay tax through - the state sector.
There is also discussion of how schools choose to justify their charity status through partnerships with state institutions. This is really laughable in many cases, for instance staff serving as governors at state schools, hosting joint debating clubs and drama events, and sharing swimming pools. All they have to do for their tax breaks is to pay lip service to the very idea of ‘public benefit’.
One strength of this book is its detailed proposals for reform. It discusses ideas to reduce both the demand for and supply of private education through contextual admissions policies (a form of positive discrimination), raising fees through taxation, and Open / Fair Access Schemes. Ultimately, though it’s likely that no major reforms will take place – and is it any wonder when one considers that the alumni of the accused extend like tentacles into all the high and influential positions in society?
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the position of private education in contemporary Britain. The writing quality does vary across the chapters - there's a degree of repetition and over-quoting throughout (and an obsession with em dashes!), but the arguments and evidence are interesting.
This is the damning indictment of private schooling by academics David Kynaston and Francis Green. Across 9 chapters, the book examines the potted history of private schools and the enduring inertia of political will to reform them, what their fees actually buy, why parents choose to send their children to them, and detailed options for reform. The authors discuss the effects of extra resources, small class sizes, peer effects, and autonomy on attainment, and often return to the issues of charitable status and proposals to levy VAT (a policy still espoused by the Labour party on the eve of the 2024 general election).
The authors wear their stripes proudly in arguing for the need for reform, and there are some incisive and interesting points made. For instance, it’s often argued that parents should have a right to buy a private education if they so wish – that’s true of certain consumer goods and services, yes, but education is different because it’s ‘formative’ and has huge effects on life chances. There is also criticism of the idea that we can’t abolish private schools because that would leave a gaping hole in the economy – not so, because this assumes a counterfactual in which those parents, students, and teachers all disappear into the ether rather than join – and pay tax through - the state sector.
There is also discussion of how schools choose to justify their charity status through partnerships with state institutions. This is really laughable in many cases, for instance staff serving as governors at state schools, hosting joint debating clubs and drama events, and sharing swimming pools. All they have to do for their tax breaks is to pay lip service to the very idea of ‘public benefit’.
One strength of this book is its detailed proposals for reform. It discusses ideas to reduce both the demand for and supply of private education through contextual admissions policies (a form of positive discrimination), raising fees through taxation, and Open / Fair Access Schemes. Ultimately, though it’s likely that no major reforms will take place – and is it any wonder when one considers that the alumni of the accused extend like tentacles into all the high and influential positions in society?
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the position of private education in contemporary Britain. The writing quality does vary across the chapters - there's a degree of repetition and over-quoting throughout (and an obsession with em dashes!), but the arguments and evidence are interesting.
February 1, 2026
Lots of the stats made me tut and shake my head at my girlfriend but became quite repetitive.
January 10, 2021
Outright abolition is a non-starter (and I needed to be told that), but gradual, systemic change is attainable and necessary.
This stat-heavy essay details a worrying trend of inequality entrenched by educational privilege. The writing is hard to swallow, both for it's density and repulsive content. Fortunately there is plenty of food for thought.
4 arguments I’d now win:
(1) “It’s my money to spend.” Patently disingenuous, you could also choose to spend it on bribing jurors, that doesn’t make it right
(2) “Schools do lots of charity work.” No, schools that sell privilege can’t be charities and they do not deserve charitable status.
(3) "Private schools are run better". False, good practices in Britain are used just as frequently in the state as in the private sector
(4) "Prices are realistic and competitive". Incorrect, Britain’s fees are out of control relative to both the world in 2020 and historical trends.
Ways to improve the future:
(1) Contextual admissions policy at leading universities, a substantial tax on school fees, or both
(2) Follow the Finns. 2017: Finland ranked the most stable, the safest and the best-governed country in the whole world; second most socially progressive, and 3rd wealthiest, least corrupt and most socially just (clue: They don’t have private schools)
(3) Any agreement must be a consensus reached by patience and long-termism
There are reasons why we haven’t tackled this problem yet; lack of intellectual will to prioritise the issue, lack of political will to take on the major institutions and an enduring attachment to libertarianism at expense of equality of opportunity.
These factors are reinforced by the hypocrisy of those who fight for social equality yet send their own offspring private. The institution is embedded. The big worry is that it is getting worse, not better.
It’ll be a slow process, but we need to see an end to our educational caste system. Let’s stop oiling and start carefully repurposing these engines of privilege. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to catch up.
This stat-heavy essay details a worrying trend of inequality entrenched by educational privilege. The writing is hard to swallow, both for it's density and repulsive content. Fortunately there is plenty of food for thought.
4 arguments I’d now win:
(1) “It’s my money to spend.” Patently disingenuous, you could also choose to spend it on bribing jurors, that doesn’t make it right
(2) “Schools do lots of charity work.” No, schools that sell privilege can’t be charities and they do not deserve charitable status.
(3) "Private schools are run better". False, good practices in Britain are used just as frequently in the state as in the private sector
(4) "Prices are realistic and competitive". Incorrect, Britain’s fees are out of control relative to both the world in 2020 and historical trends.
Ways to improve the future:
(1) Contextual admissions policy at leading universities, a substantial tax on school fees, or both
(2) Follow the Finns. 2017: Finland ranked the most stable, the safest and the best-governed country in the whole world; second most socially progressive, and 3rd wealthiest, least corrupt and most socially just (clue: They don’t have private schools)
(3) Any agreement must be a consensus reached by patience and long-termism
There are reasons why we haven’t tackled this problem yet; lack of intellectual will to prioritise the issue, lack of political will to take on the major institutions and an enduring attachment to libertarianism at expense of equality of opportunity.
These factors are reinforced by the hypocrisy of those who fight for social equality yet send their own offspring private. The institution is embedded. The big worry is that it is getting worse, not better.
It’ll be a slow process, but we need to see an end to our educational caste system. Let’s stop oiling and start carefully repurposing these engines of privilege. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to catch up.
August 12, 2019
Pays to get ahead: Green and Kynaston’s sober, thoughtfully argued monograph occupies the same ground as Robert Verkaik’s Posh Boys, but is more thoughtful, less polemical, and possibly more convincing as a result. Despite carefully laying out the doleful effects of private schools - on the British education system, culture, competitiveness and society in general - they concede abolition is highly unlikely and maybe even undesirable. Equally they aren’t naïve enough to take a “make it so good [state education] that the notion of paying for it will wither and die” line either. What emerges is something in between - a first step perhaps to one of these other futures but fundamentally, their proposition is that we need to talk about this.
If that seems a little Blenkinsop-of-the-fourth wet and weedy, consider this: neither Attlee, leader of the most reforming Labour government ever, nor Blair who was hugely education- (and high-) minded, both possessed of substantial majorities and good will (at least at the outset), touched it with a bargepole. People who haven’t been privately educated and don’t have children, or any contact with the sector, generally feel it doesn’t concern them, which leaves the battle between those who consider it the inalienable right of parents to do the best for their own children and to suggest they should consider the wider effects is not only unfair but borderline immoral; and those who would not dream of paying to queue-jump, or to secure undue influence or advantage by paying for it. Given the often toxic nature of debate on any subject currently, this not only reopens an issue of vital importance but does so in a way that models reasoned debate and a willingness not just to listen but to try to understand the views of others. It’s a bit depressing just how unusual that feels.
If that seems a little Blenkinsop-of-the-fourth wet and weedy, consider this: neither Attlee, leader of the most reforming Labour government ever, nor Blair who was hugely education- (and high-) minded, both possessed of substantial majorities and good will (at least at the outset), touched it with a bargepole. People who haven’t been privately educated and don’t have children, or any contact with the sector, generally feel it doesn’t concern them, which leaves the battle between those who consider it the inalienable right of parents to do the best for their own children and to suggest they should consider the wider effects is not only unfair but borderline immoral; and those who would not dream of paying to queue-jump, or to secure undue influence or advantage by paying for it. Given the often toxic nature of debate on any subject currently, this not only reopens an issue of vital importance but does so in a way that models reasoned debate and a willingness not just to listen but to try to understand the views of others. It’s a bit depressing just how unusual that feels.
December 26, 2019
Not the easiest read, but you end it feeling utter fury at the injustice of Britain’s malignant education system
January 25, 2026
"Public school pupils are often lectured about the responsibility, which goes with their privilege, and about their being the leaders of the future; but such talk cuts no ice with most of them, since they regard their privilege (in so far as they ever think about it) as the natural and proper prerogative of the class to which their parents belong. They feel responsible towards their parents and towards their school; but they, like those parent and that school are part of a class system in which one class does not feel responsible for any other."
"The aim should be to celebrate and enhance children's learning and development, while shunning the extravagance, social class segregation and all those efforts at working the system which have become intrinsic to it. This way of thinking provides no magic bullet or formula saying just how much additional resources should be devoted to education; but it does imply that the state need not foot the bill for an unnecessarily luxurious lifestyle."
This study takes a sweeping historical look at what has been termed as an "educational apartheid" in British society: the system of private education (somewhat paradoxically termed "public schooling"). The authors of this study make the case that there is need for profound change (if not full abolition) in such a system that proffers stark inequality in education. Ironically, although many such institution were originally founded to educate the poor, they serve a very different role and function in the modern world. These private fee-paying institutes educate only about 6-7% of the total populace, yet there is strikingly imbalance later in life when a exceptionally high proportion of such individuals become MPs, judges, and other influential positions. While British private education is not necessarily a "golden ticket," to unlimited success later in life, the data is clear is on these disproportion effects. These institutions, moreover, deal, not only in education, but also a high degree of networking and acclaimed prestige that account for this oversized influence on British society, and one far more impactful than comparable systems in Europe or the US. Above all, the high fees ensure the exclusivity of private education, and, though many have superficial efforts to bring in wider groups by offering a select amount of bursaries or reduced fees, they still function, by and large, as a means to maintain class privilege.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect that runs throughout this study is the fact that these schools do churn out so many high-achieving and successful people, though this often seems to be, not due to better education, but the entrenched social prestige and connections that these schools proffer. Though private schools market themselves as offering better educational and personal development, even these claims seem all too often also be hollow promises. They do turn out larger numbers of high A-level results, leading to better university placement. Yet, especially interesting is the detail that, once at university level, many privately educated students seem to fair no better than their state-educated peers (or sometimes even struggle more), while many (particularly men raised in such environments) face stunted emotional and personal development, certainly lagging behind state-school peers in that regard.
The primary purpose driving forces behind their success seems, then, to predominately be a matters of social prestige attached to the private educational institutions themselves, rather than actual educational advancement. It's this quality that seem to also be the driving element sustaining the interest of the upper classes to preserve them as independent institutions. The authors conclude by offering several potential avenues for fixing this imbalance in British education, premised on reducing the outsized influence of private schools and reducing the appeal of such institutions for the affluent. Even though the topic is marred by fatalism that nothing shall ever be done, given the considerably entrenched nature of these institutions (and their powerful alumni), the authors do quite rightly remark that the complete abolition of such engines of privilege is very possible should the organized and sustained public will to do finally emerge after so many decades of patchy political debates on it.
"The aim should be to celebrate and enhance children's learning and development, while shunning the extravagance, social class segregation and all those efforts at working the system which have become intrinsic to it. This way of thinking provides no magic bullet or formula saying just how much additional resources should be devoted to education; but it does imply that the state need not foot the bill for an unnecessarily luxurious lifestyle."
This study takes a sweeping historical look at what has been termed as an "educational apartheid" in British society: the system of private education (somewhat paradoxically termed "public schooling"). The authors of this study make the case that there is need for profound change (if not full abolition) in such a system that proffers stark inequality in education. Ironically, although many such institution were originally founded to educate the poor, they serve a very different role and function in the modern world. These private fee-paying institutes educate only about 6-7% of the total populace, yet there is strikingly imbalance later in life when a exceptionally high proportion of such individuals become MPs, judges, and other influential positions. While British private education is not necessarily a "golden ticket," to unlimited success later in life, the data is clear is on these disproportion effects. These institutions, moreover, deal, not only in education, but also a high degree of networking and acclaimed prestige that account for this oversized influence on British society, and one far more impactful than comparable systems in Europe or the US. Above all, the high fees ensure the exclusivity of private education, and, though many have superficial efforts to bring in wider groups by offering a select amount of bursaries or reduced fees, they still function, by and large, as a means to maintain class privilege.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect that runs throughout this study is the fact that these schools do churn out so many high-achieving and successful people, though this often seems to be, not due to better education, but the entrenched social prestige and connections that these schools proffer. Though private schools market themselves as offering better educational and personal development, even these claims seem all too often also be hollow promises. They do turn out larger numbers of high A-level results, leading to better university placement. Yet, especially interesting is the detail that, once at university level, many privately educated students seem to fair no better than their state-educated peers (or sometimes even struggle more), while many (particularly men raised in such environments) face stunted emotional and personal development, certainly lagging behind state-school peers in that regard.
The primary purpose driving forces behind their success seems, then, to predominately be a matters of social prestige attached to the private educational institutions themselves, rather than actual educational advancement. It's this quality that seem to also be the driving element sustaining the interest of the upper classes to preserve them as independent institutions. The authors conclude by offering several potential avenues for fixing this imbalance in British education, premised on reducing the outsized influence of private schools and reducing the appeal of such institutions for the affluent. Even though the topic is marred by fatalism that nothing shall ever be done, given the considerably entrenched nature of these institutions (and their powerful alumni), the authors do quite rightly remark that the complete abolition of such engines of privilege is very possible should the organized and sustained public will to do finally emerge after so many decades of patchy political debates on it.
June 15, 2021
Really worthwhile read. It was quite long and repetitive in places but thorough and provides historical, political and psychosocial oversight. I live surrounded by private schools and I went to university with some great great public school pupils so I am fascinated and keen to hear both sides. My state school was a good one, I really enjoyed it, no-one in my year went to Oxbridge but plenty of us had very supportive parents and teachers and went to Russell Group universities. There are less private schools in Wales; they always won the netball tournaments and sat in principal seats in Orchestra, they were generally nice kids. The book also dismisses claims about private school pupils having more mental health problems - they rate as if not more happy than state schooled children. The book raises some alarming facts I think a lot is already known about over-representation of public schooled politicians but I was struck that >74% of judges, army officials and many more were privately school. These unequal allocations of positions of power propagate the lack of diversity. I was also hit by how many musicians and 1/3 of olympic squad are privately educated (only 7% on UK go to private school). We are shadowing a lot of talent and alternate perspectives with elitism. The facilities for example theatres are better than the West End, cricket pitches as good as Lords yet so few benefit from them which doesnt feel right. State schools are often struggling to keep afloat and less able / willing to fight for themselves. Private schools are 3x more likely to contest exam results leading to students grades being raised at re-marking. Pupils with the same A Level grades are more likely to do better at university coming from state than public school but men who went to public school will still earn 7% more than state schooled students with the same university degree. Confidence and skills such as public speaking go a long way .... There are plenty more conversations to be had - co-ed, international students, boarding schools, bursaries...but overall the gap is vast and definitely feeds into adulthood and our society ongoing.
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December 18, 2024The book charts the history of private education in Britain, starting with the notion that private schools were initially for the economically disadvantaged. However, they have turned into socially exclusive institutions that reproduce privileges, with privately educated students going on to progress at much higher rates onto: higher GCSE and A-Level grades, Russel group universities particularly Oxbridge and elite occupations such as lawyers and politicians. The book then goes on to propose ways in which private school's power and influence can be reduced to level the playing field including removing charitable statuses, removing relief rates and turning private schools into academies. The authors claim that the “problem” of private schools has hardly taken a significant spotlight and this is partially due to politicians, journalists and spokespeople for independent schools adamantly defending their existence or having lukewarm criticism, with assertions claiming that we must look towards the state sector to aid in social mobility.
All in all, it was an interesting read for anyone who would like to know more about the private sector: it challenges the idea that private schools are not the preserve of the relatively wealthier and it was interesting to read in the political context- in which labour will enact VAT fees on private schools this coming January in 2025. I do feel there isn’t much conversation placed on the potential fallout of policies suggested that aim to integrate or equalise the private sector. For instance, If the fees are astronomically raised and thus more children enter the state sector, will that not overburden an already squeezed sector? And surely that will increase the social exclusivity of independent schools where only children of oligarchs can afford to attend.
I would definitely recommend it to those interested in education in Britain!
All in all, it was an interesting read for anyone who would like to know more about the private sector: it challenges the idea that private schools are not the preserve of the relatively wealthier and it was interesting to read in the political context- in which labour will enact VAT fees on private schools this coming January in 2025. I do feel there isn’t much conversation placed on the potential fallout of policies suggested that aim to integrate or equalise the private sector. For instance, If the fees are astronomically raised and thus more children enter the state sector, will that not overburden an already squeezed sector? And surely that will increase the social exclusivity of independent schools where only children of oligarchs can afford to attend.
I would definitely recommend it to those interested in education in Britain!
November 12, 2020
I’d like to have given this 5 stars. I agreed with most of the arguments, but the writing is frustratingly repetitive and unclear. Here’s an example of the convoluted sentence style:
‘The issue is undeniably hard, often invidious; the forces on the side of the status quo are formidable; free and open debate is subdued; but at some point it is surely time for the waves - of discussion, of regret, or outrage - to start pounding relentlessly, not spasmodically or apologetically, on Britain’s deeply embedded rocks.’
It’s still an interesting book, covering the history of private schooling, the range of arguments against it, and possible solutions.
Weirdly, the conclusion they reach is
“At this point in our island story, the future seems peculiarly a blank sheet. Everything is potentially on the table. And, for once, that has to include the engines of privilege.”
The idea of a blank sheet seems ridiculously optimistic after 250 pages detailing how private schools function to create an endless cycle of opportunity for the wealthy and are increasingly self-protective. Not suprisingly the postscript is a more sobering read.
‘The issue is undeniably hard, often invidious; the forces on the side of the status quo are formidable; free and open debate is subdued; but at some point it is surely time for the waves - of discussion, of regret, or outrage - to start pounding relentlessly, not spasmodically or apologetically, on Britain’s deeply embedded rocks.’
It’s still an interesting book, covering the history of private schooling, the range of arguments against it, and possible solutions.
Weirdly, the conclusion they reach is
“At this point in our island story, the future seems peculiarly a blank sheet. Everything is potentially on the table. And, for once, that has to include the engines of privilege.”
The idea of a blank sheet seems ridiculously optimistic after 250 pages detailing how private schools function to create an endless cycle of opportunity for the wealthy and are increasingly self-protective. Not suprisingly the postscript is a more sobering read.
November 16, 2023
This well-argued polemic by two privately educated beneficiaries of our uniquely skewed system of education lays bare the deeply entrenched unfairness that benefits a little than 6 percent of school children at the expense of the rest. The benefits tend to be lifelong and passed from generation to generation including enhanced opportunities to enter the best universities and to secure well-paid and influential jobs. They don’t mention that many of these jobs and roles are often more interesting and fulfilling, nor that they enable a richer and more varied experience of life. I was surprised to learn that Britain is the only country to have such a strong private school system. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Finland, which has pursued a fair education goal since the 1960s and has an unusually happy and well-balanced society. The book explores options and sets out possible solutions to rebalance our own system. Very well argued but opposition is formidable and deep seated.
October 18, 2020
A thoughtful and extremely detailed analysis of the state - past and present - of Britain's private schools. The authors really do the 'pull back and reveal' on this one, revealing how these institutions have their slimy tentacles wrapped firmly around many aspects of contemporary Britain's political, commercial and intellectual life. The book is overwrought in places (in my humble opinion) and attempting to digest all the statistics is like trying to wade through a muddy morass. The book makes up for this, what is probably in fact my own shortcoming, with well-illustrated arguments which attack the core problem from multiple angles. The smattering of humour throughout, particularly the amusing postscript, also make it a worthwhile read if you're interested in this sort of thing.
December 3, 2023
Well researched but at times rather laboured and repetitive; also a tendency to use too many emotive adjectives and adverbs. The lack of political will or support to undertake fundamental reform may be largely due to the claims of more pressing or urgent problems. Taken from the standpoint of theoretical economics scarce resources need to have a means by which they can be allocated. In command economies allocation is determined by government in market economies it is by price. In education allocation could also be by ability, which was the premise behind the grammar school and direct grant model. There is an argument to suggest that a student's academic potential rather than a parent's ability and/or willingness to pay is a better way of allocation scarce teaching resources.
October 28, 2020
Well-written, supported by lots of research and gives some interesting concrete proposals. A point the authors keep making is that a disproportionate amount of resources benefit a mere 6% of UK's pupils. Yet they write dismissively about improving education for the rest of the 94% of pupils. Indeed they go as far as saying that trying to improve state education is a 'mistake of the past'. I'm not convinced that dramatically interfering with private school education will have a substantial material impact on the big challenges of UK education. I'd go as far as saying it's fiddling whilst Rome burns.
October 6, 2020
Does what it says on the tin - analyses the nature of and problems with private schools in the country and proposes ways forward. I laughed out loud at the very arch postscript in the paperback edition where the authors slate all their reviewers. (And some other jokes throughout.)
April 29, 2025
Britain's private school industry is indefensible, and leads to outrageous social inequality. This book outlines the problems and proposes some mild solutions. The parts that are identifiably Kynaston are lively and witty. But the book gets very repetitive and stats-heavy.
May 29, 2019
Interesting in parts. My conclusion is that there is no need to reform the UK private school system.
January 27, 2020
Too much data and too little arguments supporting it.
August 11, 2023
Very well researched and expansive in its goal. It could benefit from being a bit shorter and more focussed as the arguments get lost in too much detail at points.
July 4, 2024
Really eye opening and thought provoking - read in the months running up to the 2024 general election. Some great points, though slightly repetitive at times.
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