Classism In The Classroom: How Private Schools Encourage Societal Divides

The issue of classism in the UK is more than a legacy; it’s deeply embedded in modern society, and perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than in the harsh divide between private and public schools. Private schools were once institutions for the aristocratic British elites and have since evolved into a system that openly affirms that access to better opportunities is determined mostly by wealth and privilege. 

As these institutions become more exclusive, we must consider whether endorsing and supporting private schools encourages the view that some people are simply better than others based on class and wealth. This is especially true for primary school children, whose brains are developing crucially. What are we teaching them about their place in society? What are the consequences for people, education, and broader societal harmony if we continue segregating children based on class?

It’s apparent now, more than ever, that the necessity of private schools should be questioned. The removal of VAT exemption for private school fees means that the already limited amount of scholarships and bursaries for lower-class children will decrease. The Labour Party introduced the removal of VAT exemption in January 2025; however, it’s obvious that once again, children from poorer, lower-class families will be the only ones negatively impacted by a law that should have helped level the playing field between the classes. 

Private schools have long been considered a cornerstone of Britain’s class structure, with the concept dating back to the medieval period, when the children of the wealthy and the aristocracy received private tutoring. Some of these include private schools that still exist today, such as Eton College, which was founded in 1440. They were specifically designed to serve the upper class and provide them with an education that would prepare them for roles in the government, the military, and the clergy. 

These schools have historically played a monumental part in perpetuating classism; by the 20th century, they were the domain of the upper classes. Although the Education Act 1944 introduced free secondary education for everyone, private schools continued to thrive because the standard of education was so much higher than the free schooling provided. Their curricula focused on preparing students for exams and institutions, such as Oxford and Cambridge, that would help them further network and maintain high-status positions.

Private schools are presented as more advanced and advantageous when compared to public schools. One of the main factors that sets them apart is their smaller class sizes, which allow for more individual attention from teachers. The average public school class is around 30 pupils, whilst private schools typically have a class size of 15-20. Research from the Department for Education has shown that smaller class sizes in private schools contribute to significantly higher exam results, especially in core subjects such as Maths and English. 

Another advantage is the enhanced extra-curricular activities and access to specialised clubs and prestigious programmes; some private schools even teach Latin as a subject, whereas public schools are limited to teaching common languages at a basic level. According to a 2023 Sutton Trust report, children at private schools have access to 50% more extracurricular activities compared to public schools, which are often limited by funding and staffing; private schools can offer a wider range of activities, sports, and arts programmes with advanced facilities due to their fees and through tax subsidies. 

I spoke to a former student who attended a private school that would usually cost £30,000 per year on a scholarship. I asked if he believed he would have had the same level of education and opportunities at a public school. He told me: “No. Especially being in an Additional Educational Needs class for most of my education. I probably wouldn’t have had the attention, time, and effort put into me that I needed to stay on track at school.” This emphasises the level of individual attention at private schools and how important this can be for students who struggle with education. How many children have suffered poor grades or failed exams due to overcrowding and limited resources? 

On top of this, the differences in funding between private and public education are striking- even though only 7% of the UK’s school-aged children are enrolled at private schools, they receive significant public funding. A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that the UK government spends over £1 billion per year on private school funding through direct subsidies, such as charitable tax exemptions, and that in 2022, there was a £6,000 difference in costs per pupil. I wonder how we can justify one child being worth so much more than another based on chance, on which family they were born into. How can we confidently say that public funding allocation is efficient and supports educational equality when so many children face vast, unfair disparities?

To try and gain a better understanding of what the situation is in public schools, I spoke to a public primary school teacher who said: “Schools are experiencing a lack of funding and are facing pressures. Many schools have a lack of resources to provide all the tools needed to support children’s learning, and it is becoming increasingly challenging to afford support staff.” It’s undeniable that there are children who need extra support in every school, but why is it that only some can access it? How many people will leave school with no qualifications because they didn’t get the support they needed? These are the questions we should be answering immediately, not blindly accepting the way it is and always has been.

Do private schools represent a needed element of a free society, or are they a symbol of an unequal system? One of the main reasons people send their children to private schools is the difference in curricula, teaching styles, opportunities, and atmosphere. If that option were taken away, would we be taking away people’s freedom with it? Whilst it’s an argument that needs careful consideration, I don’t believe something can truly be considered freedom if it only applies to a certain percentage of people. Surely, it would be a more accurate element of a free society if that privilege and opportunity were extended to everyone. Not only do most parents not have the option to send their kids to private school, but those who can't afford to live in nicer areas only have the option of sending their kids to poorly rated schools. This isn't freedom. It’s a way of trapping people in the same cage they were born into. By allowing private schools to thrive, we enable the continuation of the concept that success is tied to wealth rather than merit, which has profound implications for children growing up in the UK. Knowing that you have to work 10 times as hard to get opportunities that other people wouldn’t even acknowledge as an opportunity, but as a birthright, isn’t motivating. It’s demoralising. 

Some possible solutions include introducing policies to reduce the disparities in funding between these schools or for private schools to offer a set amount of scholarships that can’t be reduced to cover VAT costs. Although it’s an unrealistic, idealistic perspective, imagine how much public schools could do with just one child's yearly tuition fees as a donation- if instead of sending children to private school, they attended public school and their fees were given to that school instead. 

British society is built on classism- without it, who are our politicians, our leaders? Who are they without their exclusive, private clubs, their elitism, without them turning a blind eye to the oppression and struggle of millions of UK citizens? If we want to challenge the normalisation of classism, we need to demand change, whether this be structural changes in how we approach education or a bigger cultural shift that challenges the notion that wealth and privilege determine your ability and worth. Private schools play a huge role in this ongoing divide by reinforcing the idea that some people deserve better opportunities simply because of their class. Our children deserve better- they all have a right to freedom and success, not just those lucky enough to be already born into it.