Figure 1.-- There were far reaching changes in British prep schools which began to be seen in the 1960s. One of the major reasons for these changes was the trend toward coeducation, a change that has had far reaching copnsequences.
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Figure 1.-- There were far reaching changes in British prep schools which began to be seen in the 1960s. One of the major reasons for these changes was the trend toward coeducation, a change that has had far reaching copnsequences. |
Happily, preparatory schools have significantly changed for the better in the past 25 years in this area. Headmasters and their wives at successful schools invariably make great effort to meet the emotional needs of the children entrusted to their care. There are a variety of reasons why these changes have come about. Certainly children now have more say in matters that concern in the past. All too often until after World War II, a boy was sent to a school his parents chose, a he was expected to grin and bare the conditions there. Now children are more likely to compalin if they are unhappy and parents are much more likely to act on those compalints. Another key factor is the advent of coeducation. Many scools have had to adapt to the arrival of girls. This has meant for the most part the introduction of improved amenities. The spartan quarters often seen as acceptable for boys were not seen as accdeptablr for girls. And of course the schools could not have two standards for boys and girls. So the arrival of girls often brought an upgrading of amenities for the boys.
British prep schools up until the 1960s and even 70s were quite spartan places with metal-framed beds, painted walls and dull corridors. You still saw some of that even in the 1980s. Happily, preparatory schools have significantly changed for the better in the past 25 years in this area. There seems to be a kinder, gentler atmosphere at many schools. Headmasters and their wives at successful schools invariably make great effort to meet the emotional needs of the children entrusted to their care. This by far is the most important change made. This is not to say that prep schools did not exist earlier with kindly staff. It is to say that this was not a major priority at many early schools. A corilary development has been changing attitudes toward discipline. There have been other important changes to the physical plant. Another major change has been coeducation, although there are still many single gender schools.
There are a variety of reasons why these changes have come about. Prep schools exist to prepare children for the public schools. Thus changes there have affected the prep schools. There is also a new generation of educators. Certainly children now have more say in matters that concern in the past. All too often until after World War II, a boy was sent to a school his parents chose, a he was expected to grin and bare the conditions there. Now children are more likely to compalin if they are unhappy and parents are much more likely to act on those compalints. Another key factor is the advent of coeducation. Many scools have had to adapt to the arrival of girls. This has meant for the most part the introduction of improved amenities. The spartan quarters often seen as acceptable for boys were not seen as accdeptablr for girls. And of course the schools could not have two standards for boys and girls. So the arrival of girls often brought an upgrading of amenities for the boys.
While there have been many important changes at the prep schools there is also a major level of constancy. Many things have not change. The basic program elements have not changed, although they may have a more modern look. The purpose of the schools is still the same, to prepare children for the public schools. There continues to be an emphasis on character development. The schools still offer the advantages of individual attention and small classes. And of course while children may look somewhat different over the years, in many ways children are children. They have the same emotional needs and love of fun as they did 25 years ago. Modern children of course have computers and electroniv games, but they still enjoy active games and sports just like an earlier generation did. In fact there are important traditions at many schools like conkers and marbles.
