26 DECEMBER 1931, Page 16

PUBLIC SCHOOL FEES

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sia,—Is there not a third course which is at least worthy of a parent's consideration in these hard times ? In all the correspondence I have seen on this subject the claims of the Grant-aided Boarding Schools have been almost entirely over- looked. After reading the Headmaster of Stowe's article parents might be at least surprised, if not interested, to learn that there are some 150 schools in England alone which, while offering all the first-class staffing and equipment which are characteristic (as he admits) of the secondary day school. are also boarding schools and in many cases thoroughly efficient boarding schools. A short letter does not admit of a full statement of the advantages which this type of school has to offer ; but parents should at least be informed that they have a large choice of schools, far removed from Brickston- on-the-Asphalte, situated in fact sometimes in the most unim- Reaehable country surroundings, where boys can be thoroughly educated and assisted to the University at a total cost varying from about £50 to £100 per annum. In many cases the fees can be further substantially reduced by means of scholarships. These schools may be cheap, but they are certainly not nasty, and it may even be claimed for them that they have a type of education to offer which has certain definite advantages over that provided by any other kind of school.—I am, Sir, &c.,

11E_1DAIASTEII.