In the UK today, many hold the belief that everything is fair and based on meritocracy rather than ascribed status.  However, close scrutiny of the education system brings forth some glaring discrepancies. One example is the continued existence of private schools and the elitism this creates for those who attend. Elitism is the ideal that a bubble of people due to wealth, intellectual ‘superiority’ and social standing should be in charge of society.  It is ultimately a dangerous idea and easily comparable to the medieval belief of the ‘Great Chain of Being’, where the king was thought to be the most superior being aside from God.  In the UK, historically, elitism has always been prevalent in education.  Education was exclusively for the wealthy and powerful, a symbol of their status.  

 

Today, the powers that be would have us believe that everyone has equal academic opportunities, but the truth is that elitism in education continues to flourish. There are 2,600 private schools in the UK, the most recognisable of these being Eton, Harrow and Westminster. However, only 6.5% of the British school population attend them.  

     

Those educated in the private sector are often at, or near, the top of the social ladder.  With fees ranging from £13,000 to £50,000 annually, realistically this avenue is only accessible to the “well off”.  Also, whilst state schools are held to ransom by success rates, inspections and government funding, private schools have vast fee generated funds to readily obtain resources such as teachers, materials, equipment, etc. 

 

Disparity has been further exacerbated by the implementation of austerity measures.   Deprived areas have slid further into poverty.  With shrinking support due to incessant funding cuts and continual changing of funding goal posts, specifically in sectors such as education, some schools are failing to provide an adequate education for their students.  A NFER (National Foundation for Educational Research) analysis into school funding allocations for 2020-2021 found ‘a strong link between deprivation and the scale of government cuts to school funding’.  Also, according to Ofsted, some 210,000 children are being educated in schools that have been underperforming for more than a decade.  

 

In stark contrast, unencumbered by government regulations, private schools have smaller tutor groups and offer tailored focus to individual students.  Also, being able to afford high quality resources (unattainable for most state schools) to diagnose special needs, challenge exam results and guide university applications, students are given every possible means with which to succeed, both in education and in society.  Some of the highest ranking jobs are occupied primarily by private school alumni.  Over 60% of judges, military 2-star and above generals, barristers and physicians are all privately educated.  

    

Ultimately, education only emphasises the grim reality of the enormous gap between the privileged and the impoverished. Theresa May once said “I want Britain to be a place where advantage is based on merit not privilege”. Abolishment of private schools would certainly be a step in that direction.