Public school supenonty
Sir: Mr Logie :Bruce Lockhart, headmaster of Gresham's School, makes a series of modest disclaimers about any supposed superiority of the public schools, but cannot bring himself to abandon one of the most-cherished claims of their adherents. This claim is that the schools are dedicated "to community service and to idealism." When he adds that he does not claim -that the public schools have a monopoly in this regard, it would be unkind to disagree with him.
An intention, however, does not in itself ensure success, and may indeed be counter-productive. Is there in fact any evidence to suggest that_ the adult Englishman who has been to a public school is in fact any more idealistic, or devoted to community service, than any other adult Englishman? My impression is that idealists and selfseekers are fairly evenly spread throughout the entire population, regardless of the type of school attended. Is there any difference (in matters of idealism) between, say, barristers (almost entirely public school) and policemen (almost entirely non-public school)? I quote two groups in touch with wrong-doers: a good test of idealism,
R. M. Tortes 117 Bradstow Way, Broadstairs, Kent
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