Criticisms

While, under the best circumstances, public schools were superb examples of education, the reliance historically on corporal punishment and the prefect system could also make them a cruel and hostile environment. The classics-based curriculum was also criticised for not providing skills in sciences or engineering.

There is presently some debate as to whether independent schools deserve charitable status – a tax break which, some critics argue, amounts to a government subsidy for the privileged. Independent schools contend that they are charitable and educational foundations which do not seek profits; many schools raise money for charities, encourage their pupils to take up community service, and lease or lend their facilities to local community groups, as well as working together with state maintained schools by providing specialist courses and summer schools.