What does Public School mean?

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I know this is totally off-topic.
I hear in movies and read in various contexts "public school" (in England) and have the impression it is private school. You pay to attend, pick one and try to get in through exams, family influence, etc.
Is this correct?
What do you call schools that we in the US call public schools--paid for by taxpayers, so no cost for attendance. Mandatory to attend some school until 16, so if don't go to private school, have to go to public school. Usually can't pick which one you attend, determined by where you live.

[Dimplenose]

Public schools are the most exclusive of the private schools which are fee paying boarding schools with entrance exams.

The schools most folk go to are "State Schools" which are paid for by the taxpayer. There is some choice for parents. A few have entrance exams, some require church attendance but mostly it depends on distance to the nearest school.

[dixonsontour]

The meaning of public school has the opposite meaning in the Uk to the US.

It's the most prestigous/oldeset private schools that are called public schools.

Some have waiting lists from birth, you need to pass an entrance exam to attend. Only 10% of private schools are public schools - I'd say less than 1% of people in UK went to pubic school. Current prime minister and deputy prime minister are public school educated.

Private schools - some are selective requiring a child to pass test to attend, some have waiting lists, some are for a particular religion. Think statistic is about 7% of UK children attend private (pay fees for) school.

The tax payer funded ones - free to attend are state schools. Some are church affiliated eg church of england or catholic. They set their entrance requirements - usually on distance but also on church attendance or baptism if a religous school. In theory parents have a choice but in alot of areas schools are over subcribed so you may only realistically stand a chance of getting your child into one school. Some state high schools in some areas are selective - child needs to pass a test at 11 to attend.

Hope that helps.

[hildasmuriel]

Originally Posted by dixonsontour

I'd say less than 1% of people in UK went to pubic school.

[dixonsontour]

Originally Posted by hildasmuriel

Shouldn't type late at night!