Introduction

The British private sector is characterised by its diversity. This may seem a surprising fact to many, as it is the well-known schools within the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference that are usually the continued focus of fascination and attention. Such schools (which used to be called ‘public schools’) have long been subjected to both criticism for their elitism and praise for their academic success, and most research and discussion of the private sector in Britain has been about these schools.