Typical of the British, like their English language, some things can be confusing. The other day, I was explaining to a friend that public schools in Britain are private, and he appeared unconvinced, because he thought 'public' means 'open to the public' and therefore easily accessible and not exclusive.
The difference between public schools and state schools has led to class divide between middle and upper classes and ordinary working class.
"public school, also called independent school, in the United Kingdom, one of a relatively small group of institutions educating secondary-level students for a fee and independent of the state system as regards both endowment and administration. The term public school emerged in the 18th century when the reputation of certain grammar schools spread beyond their immediate environs. They began taking students whose parents could afford residential fees and thus became known as public, in contrast to local, schools. By the late 20th century the term independent school was increasingly preferred by the institutions themselves.
The typical great public school—such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Westminster, Rugby, Shrewsbury, or Charterhouse—evolved from an institution founded by a single benefactor during the late Middle Ages or Renaissance. Such charitable foundations, almost invariably for males only, had usually been intended to educate local boys from relatively humble backgrounds. From about the 17th century the upper classes took increasing advantage of the tuition afforded by these foundations. As pupils paying the market rate became more numerous, the schools were increasingly transformed into boarding establishments. (Some, however, such as St. Paul’s or Merchant Taylors’ in London, remained day schools; others took both day boys and boarders.) The public schools were seen as preparing students for the ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge (though not all students proceeded then or proceed now to a university) and for public service—another origin of the appellation “public” school."
More:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482497/public-school
The latest unusual letter of rejection from a student applicant to Magdalen Oxford is an expression of the existing prejudice against such discrimination...
"...Should the university wish to "reapply", her letter continued, "while you may believe your decision to hold interviews in grand formal settings is inspiring, it allows public school applicants to flourish... and intimidates state school applicants, distorting the academic potential of both".
She also criticised Magdalen College's "traditions and rituals", and the gap between "minorities and white middle class students".
However, the university said in a statement: "Of the seven UK students who received offers for law and joint school courses at Magdalen, only one was from an independent school."
More:
BBC News - Magdalen Oxford gets rejection letter from student
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-16604050
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The difference between public schools and state schools has led to class divide between middle and upper classes and ordinary working class.
"public school, also called independent school, in the United Kingdom, one of a relatively small group of institutions educating secondary-level students for a fee and independent of the state system as regards both endowment and administration. The term public school emerged in the 18th century when the reputation of certain grammar schools spread beyond their immediate environs. They began taking students whose parents could afford residential fees and thus became known as public, in contrast to local, schools. By the late 20th century the term independent school was increasingly preferred by the institutions themselves.
The typical great public school—such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Westminster, Rugby, Shrewsbury, or Charterhouse—evolved from an institution founded by a single benefactor during the late Middle Ages or Renaissance. Such charitable foundations, almost invariably for males only, had usually been intended to educate local boys from relatively humble backgrounds. From about the 17th century the upper classes took increasing advantage of the tuition afforded by these foundations. As pupils paying the market rate became more numerous, the schools were increasingly transformed into boarding establishments. (Some, however, such as St. Paul’s or Merchant Taylors’ in London, remained day schools; others took both day boys and boarders.) The public schools were seen as preparing students for the ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge (though not all students proceeded then or proceed now to a university) and for public service—another origin of the appellation “public” school."
More:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482497/public-school
The latest unusual letter of rejection from a student applicant to Magdalen Oxford is an expression of the existing prejudice against such discrimination...
"...Should the university wish to "reapply", her letter continued, "while you may believe your decision to hold interviews in grand formal settings is inspiring, it allows public school applicants to flourish... and intimidates state school applicants, distorting the academic potential of both".
She also criticised Magdalen College's "traditions and rituals", and the gap between "minorities and white middle class students".
However, the university said in a statement: "Of the seven UK students who received offers for law and joint school courses at Magdalen, only one was from an independent school."
More:
BBC News - Magdalen Oxford gets rejection letter from student
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-16604050
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